CHAPTER 3

Travelling has always been a huge ruckus for her ever since she was young. Her mother didn't allow her to leave the mountain unless there were a huge number of people that will be serving her. At most times she would find a replacement so that she won't be in danger. Back then her mother had so many enemies and even now there were people who want her dead. She hated using a replacement which is why she travelled and let everyone knows who was in the carriage. Her carriages were always different from the rest. If anyone wanted to attack her then it would be better for them to be direct than for them to cause a lot of damage to others. Having more blood on her hands was something she didn't want.

They had been travelling for three days now and they were approaching the capital city. The banquet was going to be held the next day and they will be staying at one of the inns in the city. She hated being in the Forbidden City and didn't want to clash with the harem. Those women with their fake love for the Emperor were just one thing she didn't want to witness.

'Mistress, we are about to reach the city gates,' Nora informed her.

'That's good, make sure we don't stop for a long time,' she said.

'I will make sure of that,' Nora replied.

Nora was efficient and she liked her for that. The carriage came to a halt and she knew those guards were busy checking their credentials. Nora stepped out of the carriage and took a while before she came back cursing.

'What's happening out there?' she asked as she opened the window.

'Someone wants to check inside,' Nora answered.

'You mean inside my carriage?' she asked.

'Yes, what should we do?' Nora asked.

'I guess I should see for myself the person who has so much guts to stop my carriage and wants to see my face,' Valery said very angry.

No one was so much daring to check her carriage before and even when she had been invited by the Emperor himself.

'Help me out of here,' she said and Nora did that.

Valery had her face covered like she always does. The moment she stepped on the ground she took out her fan, it was a legendary fan. All those in the pugilistic world know about it. She fanned herself and looked at the young man who had just caused so much trouble.

'Are you new?' she asked him.

'Yes,' he replied.

'Do you know who I am?' she asked him.

'No and even if I do know you, everyone should be checked,' he replied.

She smiled at that response. To be honest she was amazed at how he could be so brave to talk back to her.

'I'm sorry Saintess, he is new!' the chief said as he rushed over.

She looked at the young man who was now trembling the second he heard that she was the Saintess.

'I can see how well you have trained them. Thanks to your subordinate, I have to dirty myself by stepping out of my carriage. How ignorant is he that he can't even see that lotus on my carriage? Is this what you have been teaching the new guards?'

'I'm very sorry, I will discipline him well,' he said.

'Don't bother, my mood had already been spoiled,' she said and began to walk. Nora stopped her and looked at her.

'What is it?' Valery asked.

'You should go back into the carriage,' Nora said.

'I don't think I can anymore. Make sure this guard come over to the inn and let him wash this gown that had been spoiled because of him and while I'm in the city make sure he is part of the security detail,' Valery said looking at the guard who was now quiet.

'I will make him follow you right now immediately,' the chief said.

'I hope he will make up for what he had just done. You wouldn't want the Saintess to be in a bad mood when she enters the Forbidden City tomorrow. Just think of the unimaginable consequences. Another war might break out,' Nora said and Valery smiled.

Nora was getting used to this, she noticed. Valery turned back and saw Xavier who had a worried look on his face.

'Tell him to come down on his horse and join me. As for the rest, send them to the inn to prepare,' Valery said.

'Yes, mistress.'

Valery resumed with her walk and her guards immediately followed her from behind. Xavier joined her on foot and they walked into the city without saying a word.

So many things have changed, she noticed. She stopped at one of the stalls to admire the goods that were being sold.

'Should I buy you anything?' Xavier asked her.

She just looked at him and smiled inwardly. He was being cautious and she loves that about him. Valery picked a make hairpin and gave it to Xavier.

'This is for you, it suits you,' she said and paid the seller a tael of silver and left.

The silver was a lot but to her it was nothing. She could tell the man was suffering and by doing that she will be helping in another way.

She continued her window shopping, admiring the goods being sold and looking at the fashion that was trending lately. Everything was just the same, it was only time that was changing.

After a while she arrived at the inn that she would be staying while in the city. Her entourage had already arrived before her, so when she arrived the first thing she did was to take a nice warm bath. She took her time to freshen up and changed into another black gown before heading downstairs to have her dinner.

During her travels she usually prefers to eat with her people, something she usually doesn't do back at the mountain. Since she had booked the whole inn, there was only her family and no one else.

Her table was already set with so many dishes but how was she supposed to finish all that food by herself? She looked for Xavier and found him getting down the stairs. She summoned him with her hand and he came to her.

'Join me, I wouldn't want to eat alone,' she said as she sat down.

Xavier smiled at her and she felt her heart flutter. Xavier sat opposite her and another plate was brought for him. He picked a few side dishes and placed them into her plate and passed the plate to her. She looked at him and smiled at him.

'Thank you,' she said and took her plate.

She took a bite and she was satisfied. Maybe it was because it was Xavier who had handpicked the food for her. It felt so good to be eating with him again after such a long time. She felt calm and excited around him.

She wasn't supposed to feel that way and yet she couldn't stop it. She still remembers the first time she saw him covered in blood as men chase him. She wondered who would be so cruel to do that to a child. What wrong did he do for them to desperately chase him so that they could kill him like that?

She was reminded of her parents so the only thing she did at that time was to kill the men after Xavier and prepared another body and make sure Xavier was completely forgotten by everyone. If he was dead then no one would look for him. If he was dead then no one would think that he would come back one day. She had always believed in the concept for an eye for an eye.

She wanted him to grow up very strong so that he could avenge for himself. Now was the time for him to do that. She brought him to the capital so that he can meet what he feared the most, his past. If he overcomes it then he would become someone great and make a name for himself. Xavier was going to be a huge surprise for a lot of people and it was going to be a very meaningful visit after all.

After her dinner she returned to her room where she got ready to sleep when Nora knocked and informed her that the Mayor wanted to talk to her. She had seen that old leech at supper but didn't talk to him. Just because they travelled together didn't mean she had the responsibility to keep the ambitious man entertained.

She didn't have time to put on her outer gown so she simply side out of the bed in her gold silky sleeping gown and had Nora put a net so that no one will see her.

'Send him in,' Valery said and Nora asked the man in.

The old man sat opposite her and he couldn't see through the net that had been placed between them.

'I'm sorry to intrude on your sleep. I just wanted to see you before we enter the palace tomorrow,' he said.

'Get straight to the point, I need to sleep,' she said.

'I was wondering if you could pass some good words for me tomorrow.'

'That would be a mistake. I believe that you can do anything as long as you set your mind to it. Believe in yourself and you shall be rewarded for it. I know that you are a man that is full of many ideas, use those ideas to rope whoever you want and you can go far,' she advised.

'Thank you, I will consider that. I will take my leave,' he said standing up.

'Don't show too much greedy, no one likes that,' she said.

'I will bear that in mind.'

The man left and she sighed. He was very ambitious, something she admired a lot. He knew how business was conducted and he would really make a good official and a bad one at the same time depending on whose hand he will accept. He will have to walk down the path he had chosen himself.

She crawled back into the bed and closed her eyes. She just hoped to see her parents; it's been too long since she last saw them. She missed them and needed their guidance. She was in trouble and in pain, it would be good to have them by her side and comfort her.

                                                                                                   ...

The next morning when she woke up the bath had already been prepared so she took her time to clean herself. There were too much herbs she didn't even understand, that were put into her water. She put too much trust into her maids and even if they wanted to kill her, her fate said otherwise. She was cursed and nothing would kill her. It was really funny but that was her reality. Nora came with a jug full of cow's milk and poured it in her tub. It was good for the skin; her mother had always told her that.

She played with the rose petals floating in the tub as the maids scrubbed her body.

'Mistress, the young Lord is here,' Nora said.

'Send him in,' she said.

'You are taking your bath...'

'It's not like it is the first time, just send him in because I won't be leaving the tub for a while,' she said.

Nora went to the door and asked Xavier in. he came in and Nora was behind him holding a huge box.

'Good morning Saintess,' he said looking down.

'What brings you here Xavier?' she asked.

'I thought I would wait until you finish but since I'm here, I wanted to give you a gift,' he said.

'Show it to me,' she said anticipating what he had done for her this time.

Xavier instructed the maids who opened the box and out of it came one beautiful gown. She knew Xavier was talented but this was so beautiful she wanted to get out of the tub to touch it but she held herself back.

'I love it, thank you,' she said.

'I'm glad that you do. I want you to wear it to the palace,' he said and she looked at him.

'Are you sure about that?'

'I am, I want all eyes to be on you,' he said his gaze now on her and she smiled.

She loved how his gaze was on her, he wasn't flickering, she could see everything in his eyes and it scares her a lot. She couldn't do what he expected her to do for him. It would only hurt him and yet she could see that he was honest. She didn't want to hurt him at all.

With this visit she will settle everything and let everything return back to its original form. It would be better that way, he would have a normal life and he would forget her one day which was good.

'I'm honored Xavier, come here,' she said and he walked to where she was.

He stood there not knowing what to do. She smiled since most of her body was covered in rose petals and one could barely see a thing.

'Give me a massage, it's been long since I had one from you,' she said and Xavier put his hands on her shoulders. She felt the spark which always terrifies her. All her life she had never fell for anyone, never loved anyone or thought of settling down and has a family. Ever since she found out that she was cursed she just thought it was for the best to not even have anyone in her heart until the time she met him.

She closed her eyes and let Xavier performs his magic on her. She loosened up as he massaged her shoulders.

'Mistress, the banquet will be starting in two hours. You need to start changing,' Nora said and she opened her eyes.

'Xavier, go and change. I will meet you when I am done,' Valery said putting her hand on top of his.

'I will be waiting for you,' he said and left. She took a deep breath and sighed. Nora looked at her and smiled. She knew her very well.

Nora helped her out of the tub and the maids dried her body. She wore her undergarments before putting on the black gown that Xavier had brought for her. It was beautiful, she couldn't help admiring it.

She loved the way the phoenix thread was used to embroider the lotus on the back of the gown. She was reminded of her mother, back then when she was alive she would dress like the mother of the nation. Her mother loved the phoenix so most of her clothing had its pattern. She just loved the lotus which is why her clothes were like that. She really looked beautiful in it. Because her hair was very long, she hated styling it into a huge pile just like how those women in the royal harem do. Unlike other women her hair was a weapon and fought so many battles with her. She loved her hair loose.

The maids combed her hair and styled it in the front by plaiting two small lines of cornrow before putting her headdress on. The headdress was simple and light and matched the gown she was wearing. Xavier had went to such great length to see her happy. Would this really be goodbye? It wasn't time to show any emotions, she had things to do. She wore her black shoes even when they couldn't be seen because of the length of the gown.

When everything was finished time had already passed. She left her room and took the stairs down. They all went down on their knees and let her pass and exit the inn. The carriage was waiting for her. She wasn't taking a lot of people to the palace but Nora, Xavier and four guards.

Xavier took her hand and helped her into the carriage before joining her. He looked more handsome and refined. One could tell he was noble and the life he was leading wasn't his. She was going to return him to his parents. They probably had no idea that he was alive, they will be happy to see him alive and well. He would then leave her and she will be alone and hurt but that would fade.

She was destined to live a very long life alone and being with people would only hurt her more.

'Did you design your robes too?' she asked after looking at Xavier.

'Yes, I did,' he replied and smiled.

'Anyone who will look at us will think we are a couple,' she said noticing how their outfits complimented each other.

He smiled at her and took her hand in his. It was big and warm.

'I hope you don't mind,' he said.

'I don't, I like it,' she replied with a smile.

She was going to make sweet memories that day and in the future she will look back and think about it and be happy again.

The carriage entered the Forbidden City after stopping for a few minutes. The city was like a prison for those who were inside. She wondered why women were so eager to live there. She loved the mountain, she grew up doing anything she wanted and yet this whole city that belonged to the Emperor and his wives was something she wouldn't want at all.

'Are you okay?' she asked Xavier noticing how quiet he was.

'I can't believe that after a decade I'm returning to this place,' he replied.

'Wouldn't you want to see what they look like now?'

'I'm curious but the person who wanted me dead is also in this place too. You never told me who that person is all these years. Did you bring me along because you want me to know now?' he asked her.

She didn't want to tell him but she wanted to show him. It would be hard and antagonizing but that was how it was and nothing would change it.

'Do you trust me?' she asked.

'I do, with my life,' he replied.

'That's good then. I will get justice for you but first we need to set a trap. I need you to play along. Can you do that?'

'Yes I will. Whatever you want me to do, I will do it,' he said.

'Then trust me, everything will be over soon,' she said fully knowing exactly what was going to happen.

She really wished that there was another way but this was the only way. He would get what he wants and something more and she will lose him forever. She closed her eyes and calmed herself down. Last time she got emotional she slept for a very long time. She wouldn't want to do that now.

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