CHAPTER 105

Maids that bathed her from the spring nectar from the Nine-Step Mountains dared not raise their heads to see such a goddess that seem to have her body made from the most beautiful porcelain jade. Honey sent by Her highness Saintess Helixis was poured into the opulent pool before fragrant flower petals were swirled into the azure liquid that the woman was bathing in. Sandalwood salve was prepared to wash the feet of the woman that sighed.
Five female servants took care of her, one washing the cocoa hair with hued crystals of sea, one tending to the steam while others did their respective work. It had been three days since the war ended and the new ruler seemed to be pleased. None of the people had any information that those red lips resembling trembling red lotus laughed and derived their pleasure when horrified screams echoed in the underground dungeon at night.
If Lilith did not forgive Prime Minister Artim that was the cause of Artlia's misery then how shall such quick death come to Zorah her previous husband or to Kyzm and Ragel? No they must live and pay for her mother's death, her father's sorrow and Artilia's pain.
The sweet laugh resonating like an enchanting spell made the servants smile too without realizing that if they saw the reason they might lose their ability to speak forever and go insane.
It took the servants an hour to bathe her and one more to help her put on the vermilion red dragon robes that seemed to have been embroidered for a heavenly maiden yet her hair that touched her waist was left untied.
A beauty that must be protected by someone that was even scarier that this monarch. That was the thought that came to Meza's mind before she shook her head, her highness Lilith was not someone she could grasp.
"Your ladyship, the imperial court will begin now."
Exuberant sun rose and the first rays of dawn fell upon the throne that looked like molten gold was poured all over it, dragons that had eyes of rubies seemed to come to life and were seemed to be watching the imperial court where a new era began.
"Hail her majesty princess Lilith!" The servant went on one knee and announced making the entire court follow the course without any exception. Servants and maids of the previous monarch were cleared up from top to bottom and a person was waiting for Lilith to sit on the splendid dragon throne along with seventeen grand ministers that bowed to show their faith.
The palm was gently waved to ask them to rise.
"Her highness Saintess Helixis with His majesty Archduke Aeon."
The ministers were left wide-eyed when Her highness Saintess Helixis entered the imperial court, she had disappeared several years ago and only now made an entrance when Princess Lilith was going to be crowned...then it was true that Kyzm disrespected the treaty, and also Her highness Saintess thus she refused to extend any help to their empire.....her majesty Lilith was truly competent.
Furthermore, why Archduke Aeon? He was the son of Prince Ragel. For now none of the people knew what happened to the trio- Ragel, Kyzm and their mother Daphne. Even Empress Belithia was unaware thus for the archduke to arrive and that too with such respect...this did not make any sense.
Her highness Great Grand Empress was given the place of utmost respect and her seat was designated just below the Emperor, her old maid supported her and they waited for the scenario to unfold. With several steps moving ahead and climbing the stairs that none other than a monarch could reach the demoness reached the throne and stood infront of it calmly with a cold demeanor.
"Sub Commander Liex along with her highness Princess Nevix of Daxtros!" Some gasps were made, Commander Liex was the younger brother of Garx. To one brother the monarch showed such contempt declaring him a traitor while to other she called in the imperial court and that too along with the Sultana.
Too difficult
To read the mind of her highness was not something anyone could do till now.
If in future they tried rebelling then it might be someone from their own clans that might be lured by the lethal power of her majesty Lilith and they might die without even watching the dawn of next day.
Lilith looked at Ayrm and nodded asking him to begin the ceremony.
Despite being so young he had done what Lilith wished from him- Ayrm (Artilia's brother) had exceeded her expectations. Cleansed the palace and made it worthy of her but there were several others that still needed to be told certain things.
"This one welcomes her highness- the savior of Gaerin. With the will of goddess her majesty Saintess Helixis will crown our Emperor." The previous crown of Kyzm was melted and discarded and a new crown with fire red scarlet diamonds was made with gold leaves and sea shells from the south engraved on it. Helixis who had expected nothing less from Lilith was truly impressed at this moment.
Truly the goddess has not seen wrongly...
The crown was embellished onto the head that had a godly aura with the Saintess chanting a prayer that made her onyx irises glow.
"Establishing Gaerin's new ruler-Her majesty Empress Lilith of the Heriodonus dynasty!"
"HAIL HER MAJESTY EMPRESS SUPREME!"
"HAIL HER HIGHNESS EMPRESS LILITH!" Echoes similar to such words were uttered and after the wait of so many decades, the blood of Prince Vzeus was established onto the throne.
"This Empress shall hereby give my first command to the empire of Gaerin and appoint the imperial ministers under my regime.
Prime Minister Artim was a traitor thus he was punished heavily but his son Ayrm is a man of talents and loyalty. Master Ayrm from this day onwards under the Minister of Personnel you shall train and upon reaching the qualified age of seventeen fulfil the duties of the Prime Minister of Gaerin.
Prime Minister Artim's residence will be sealed and all properties shall be confiscated...apart from Ayrm and his mother Lady Yona everyone else is hereby declared a commoner by virtue and all their titles shall be taken away as punishment! Do you accept this Master Ayrm?"
When the Emperor herself was asking as such how dare a subject refuse yet the boy of only eleven years felt it to be too good, that house, where he was imprisoned for his entire life, was an evil place to exist, thus he had no worries giving it up.
"This subject must obey the Empress Supreme" Lilith looked at Commander Liex.
"There are few generals in the empire of Gaerin yet this Empress gives my word that the imperial power would not suppress any general if they remain loyal to the empire. From this day Sub Commander Liex is the General of the Gaerin army and Archduke Aeon is Prince Aeon."
None had seen that coming yet maybe Aeon did thus he kneeled along with Sub Commander Liex.
"This Empress now makes it clear to everyone present here- In the absence of this princess the one to rule, your Regent who will look after Gaerin will be my older sister- other daughter of Prince Vzeus and Princess Lyra- Princess Artimisia."
(PRESENT)
Merry giggling of females resonated around the arena, soldiers averted their eyes not knowing where to look as she held onto the wide shoulders that were scarred from countless wars fought. The face that resembled a god was pulled closer as she pressed her lips to his.
A kiss filled with fiery passion that even let a general waiver was molded before she pulled away laughing with mirth reflecting in her eyes. General Casagon had his eyes dazed while the clenched fists loosened as he watched her horse moving away from his.
She was like the glimmering sand of the sacred Silian river, no matter how hard he tried to grasp her in his hold she flew away anyways.
Moon of Gaerin
The woman that held the most power in the imperial court after Empress Supreme
Only Sister of Her highness Empress Lilith and the oldest daughter of Prince Vzeus and Princess Lyra that the world did not know about previously.
She was doted upon so heavily that thousands of men were willing to give up their lives for her.
The only weakness of The Goddess of Gaerin- her majesty Empress Lilith.
Princess Artimisia
"And then you say there are no emotions between us....is this how you express your dislike General?" She said while laughing in joy before her dark ruby irises bid farewell to the male as ginger hair fluttered in wind.
General Casagon watched her departing with a horse that seemed to walk on wind yet she did not even turn around...not even once to look at his expressions that screamed to her not to go. It wasn't that he did not love her but maybe he had seen her in such a state that he could not bear to see her hurt again that he refused to acknowledge his deep feelings.
The Princess had only a handful of shadows following her when she crossed the borders of Gaerin and Ambrose and entered the Empire of Ambrose.
It was as if she was being waited upon thus even after crossing there were no soldiers in sight.
"Princess where do you wish to go?"
If someone thought that she was here for conflict then she wasn't since it was all a play for the enchantress of Gaerin. She was tired of living inside Gaerin thus decided to roam far-off places and upon hearing that her sister has got married now after eight months..she decided to enter the enemy nation to see it for herself...
It could have sounded absurd for another yet all the demands of her highness Princess Artimisia were fulfilled by her sister no matter how insolent or crazy.
"Proceed to the manor of General Azarios."
________
"So Pretty!" If it was Gaerin she would not even have to ask and the treasures she had an interest in would belong to her but since it was the Lotus Mansion and she had sneaked in thus Princess Artimisa remained disciplined and did not touch carelessly. She gasped when she saw the exquisite water instrument made of Selic jade of violet shade.
"Oh goddess...." The black sword looked so ominous yet it was so beautiful.
"If you desire it that much this General might as well gift it to you." Before the woman could blink, a sword was pressed against her neck as General Azarios sat leisurely behind the intruder that dare enter his lair, his impatience was growing as Lilith had not returned from Princess Nevix's manor and now this.
"Are you General Azarios?" Artimisia turned around, did not caring about Seros's sword on her neck and took a glance at the Beast of Ambrose.
"Tall, strong and competent, this one likes the General."
"Insolent! How dare you address-" Before Seros could utter another word the woman had flown past him and had already came infront of Azarios who raised a brow at her, mannerisms match...the way they looked in confusion matched...so was this a person of his wife?
"Brother-In-law, my sister did not see wrongly...this one came from Gaerin to visit you."
That was how the woman managed to get her own chamber, the jade music instrument she desired as a gift and even have a tea ceremony with the General as they both decided to wait for Lilith with Azarios impatience growing every moment.
"This one had a weak health constitution in childhood so one remained in a comatose state for years, at my birth imperial father have given this one to Her Highness Saintess Helixis for treatment. Its only after imperial sister's crowning that one came to my senses."
Azarios looked sharply when Saintess Helixis was mentioned. So she would meet everyone- Lilith, the princess and even venture in Gaerin yet refuse to see her son's face for all these years? But why did she say that she was given to Saintess Helixis at birth?
He was there when Lilith was born, she was the only daughter of Prince Vzeus.
It was either this woman was saying a lie or maybe she herself did not know that she wasn't the daughter of Prince Vzeus.
A moment of silence was followed by him asking in an agony that was buried under the cold indifferent exterior.
"How is her highness Saintess?"
"Well-"
"Her highness Saintess is very well husband lord."The demoness who looked like she had came running from outside the mansion first looked at the husband whom she felt pained to see and then at her sister.
"Sister!" Artimisia rushed to embrace Lilith and was engulfed into a protective embrace. Lilith had felt her heart bursting with fear that she had almost forgot to feel when she saw the shadow guards she recognized in the mansion. If it was anyone else Artimisia could handle them well but Azarios...
A smile graced her lips
The goddess had truly made this man on par with her if not thousand times superior. There were none that could play with him and maybe that was the reason why he could play with her heart for so long and still she knew she had her heart burning for him.
"Her highness Saintess Helixis is this empress's goddess. Husband lord must not know her well since her highness does not meets just strangers. On the contrary she loves this Empress and is currently very well, often praying to the goddess for this one's safety."
Onyx irises burned furiously when those sly words were uttered and a merciless shadow reflected in those irises. Lilith smiled as if saying- only I am the one whom the Saintess loves deeply and you a forgotten heir.
Next Update: 19 August
Illuminant moonlight upon the rustling leaves of peach trees reflected and swirled with the fresh cool breeze of night. She ran for the entire day hiding from even his shadow in the pretense of showing Artemisia around the manor but at this moment even if she was the Empress she could not do so. Intimidating people worked for everyone but her husband and Lilith did not possessed any thoughts of how to face him.
Azarios tried to have a conversation with her yet was continuously dejected.
She was hurt by his lies and deceit, pained upon finding that her highness Saintess did not trust her enough to tell her anything... did Azarios even love her?
Love....did she even loved him?
Lilith took a deep breath and looked at the lotus silk in her hands. Earlier some months ago when Azarios realized that she loved wearing the gift he had got her on the wedding night, he went out and asked the imperial merchant to bring several bolts of varied colored Lotus silk along with 'seril' fabric of north which although appeared quite thin yet could keep the body warm in even frosty winters.
Her husband had lied to her but then hasn't she done the same? Yet the only thing she could not tolerate was Azarios standing at the opposite side from her.
General Azarios was waiting in the chambers for his wife while she was taking a bath, he might as well have entered her bath yet she did not give him an opportunity to do so, and opened the doors made of silver carvings before stepping outside with wet ink hair as dew drops of water beads dwindled down her neck, then trailing the womanly curves before disappearing down the bosoms.
Azarios tilted his head, onyx eyes trailing her body, it reminded him of their wedding night where for the first time he saw her pouting since he did not appreciate her beauty.
"Lilith...come to your husband." There was a moment of hesitation as the demoness stood silently as if protesting against his command making Azarios sigh.
"Come here little tulip." Proud raged irises calmed down as those eyelashes fluttered before Lilith was infront of Azarios just as he wished for her to be. Rough callused hands took hold of her small face and warmed her cold cheeks that seemed to have lost their pink hue.
"This Empress hates you." Cold indifference on her face did not affected him in least as he rubbed her silky wet strands with a thick fabric. They did not talk after that as Lilith was seated infront of the gigantic mirror as Azarios combed her hair with the golden ornament.
"Has mother ever mentioned this one to you?" Astonished eyes snapped to him in surprise as Lilith did not know how to respond to that exceedingly frosty tone. When did he know that Nevix had told her about his origins?
"W-What-" There was a cold smile that he displayed before bowing and holding up the woman in his arms, carrying her to his bed. Lilith held the shoulders trying to think what was this male wished for. Soon she was dropped onto the warm luxurious sheets with the man sitting on his knees before her. Delicate chin held by him made her look up at the General as Lilith realized he was furious and has closed his heart to her.
"When has this General treated you coldly Lilith?
When has this one let your pride down?
This one knows that it's the previous Crown Princess Artilia that is your sister Artimisia yet did this one not treated her like my own sister since you consider her as such..
All those years ago to prevent your marriage to Alexander one attacked Gaerin. Killed General Garx and Prince Dysan of Gaerin so that the woman who has a similar destiny as mine did not have to fight the entire world alone.
All you ever wish for is the throne so tell me, when has this prince obstructed your path to achieving that!"
Azarios had never raised his voice at Lilith yet at this moment even though his voice was lowered yet the chill in them made Lilith's eyes tear up as she did not know how to express her shock, gratitude and sorrow, the chaotic thoughts along with the new information rendered her speechless.
"B-But didn't Prince Dysan ran away-"
"Ran away?" The devilish laugh made Lilith wobble her lips and look at the man with red eyes.
"Prince Dysan runs away and his sister never returns to Gaerin...you are really a sharp person Lilith...you must know that all of it never made any sense.
This one would have killed you the moment one saw your ambitions if it wasn't for your identity...the person I searched for so many years and waited even longer.
Its not this General whom you should hate instead its this one that should know that the feelings I have for you are all futile since they shall never be reciprocated. Its you who is cruel and unfeeling Lilith no this Prince."
"Baez is one's enemy, one cannot forgive him but you saved him from my assassins! One has to protect my people, this one regrets nothing!" Lilith spoke in anger, how could he say she was cruel? That she was unfeeling to him. It was only him that she listened to, if it was any other person they might have died till now even if it was a suspicion.
"Am I not your person Lilith?
If one has the heart to find, one will find the truth...you in turn choose to believe false rumors." The general for the first time did not gave her a chance to reply and left the chambers.
Won't her majesty say anything?"
"Lilith the circumstances aren't right-"
"Then when it would be? This empress wont wish to say such words but her highness Saintess is a liar that does not values her own words." If anyone else had dared utter such impertinent words they would have been dragged out and beheaded with tongues pulled out. Her highness Saintess could never be disrespected thus the new young priests that gasped thinking that there would be scenarios of war in between Gaerin and Grevian were astonished when the Saintess laughed not taking Lilith's words to heart.
After so many seasons have passed, Helixis could no longer differentiate between Lilith and Azarios, one was given birth by her and another she had raised, both have seen calamities yet this moment she did not understood whether it would be suited to laugh or cry.
"VRAK!" All the priests hurried out of the goddess templar no matter what they were doing, leaving the two women alone.
"Yes that is this one's son, one's son with my beloved Heun yet why have you lost your temper?"
"Then why did not never said a word to this empress? is it that you do not trust this one or that you hate Azarios so much so to not consider him as your son?"
"Lilith.......this one-this Saintess loves him yet the time is not correct. He rose to the ranks of a war general on his own merits, it wasn't this one that made him sit at such a position. If Empress Lilith- you have a temper that cannot be tamed, Azarios has a fury that burns everything in its path without distinguishing right from wrong.
One's husband Heun has not recovered his memory and does not remembers Azarios, does not remembered anything beside this one....this time is not conducive...Ambrose is heading towards a civil war and the that is what my son always wished for, for blood to eat blood."
What her majesty Saintess said Lilith understood half and did not understood some, her highness always talked in puzzles.
"Yet husband lord is...he is suffering, asked this one if her highness can meet everyone but her son..." Lilith had departed for Grevian as soon as she could, if her general was right then how can she let him be miserable in silence. He had done everything for her so if was her duty as his wife to do similarly since Azarios would not hide all anguish under that frosty exterior and be anguished alone.
"If her majesty Saintess cannot come to visit then at least give something for him to be joyous about." When she goes back she would make him happy.
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A strange rumor circulated in the Ambrose capital initially before finding its way to the imperial palace. General Azarios was leaving for training grounds early in the morning and returning late at nights, even sometimes staying back in the barracks for some days. It was also said that a new woman with unparalleled beauty was residing in the general's manor while the General lady was absent.
"Is brother-in-law angry with imperial sister?" The male with onyx eyes refused to say anything and his silence was enough to tell his heart.
"When this princess was with her highness Saintess one had a lavish life, even after coming to the imperial palace of Gaerin this one lived well yet my sister did not had such privelege. Brother must not misunderstand, imperial sister appears cold yet is very sensitive and caring, truly a person who resembles a coconut fruit that has a hard exterior but a soft heart that cannot bear to see her loved ones hurt."
"Did she suffered much?"
"Imperial sister is called and is respected as the daughter of the goddess in Gaerin yet only a few know what she had to sacrifice for becoming a qualified monarch and rule with an iron fist. General must know that earlier sister was coveted by many whether it is Emperor Rial or dukes of Gaerin...there were many that wished to become her beloved yet one must know certain things...what imperial sister wants, she will take by conspiracies and force yet would never relent.
When one heard that she married you one had known that she must have seen some future with brother-in-law. One does not know what is it yet now that you are fighting and have misunderstandings this princess would say that imperial sister is a suspicious person by nature and does not waits to eradicate if someone arose her instincts of hunt yet she did is fighting and trying to prove herself wrong means she trusts you thus brother must not be angry."
Azarios looked at Artimisia(Artilia) when she smiled without malice and sighed. Artilia was an innocent child and was harmed by many, if he was at Lilith's place wouldn't he do the same? Lilith considered her as sisters so wouldn't that make Artilia his sister too?
"That is this general's woman, who dares covet her...she was always this one's."
The atmosphere was lightened and both of them were waiting for the person who had disappeared yesterday night.
"MASTER! GENERAL MASTER an imperial edict of Empress Seycea has arrived!"
Before Azarios could send Seros to throw those foolish people out of manor for disturbing his tea ceremony with his new sister, the demoness he was waiting for appeared with her maids as if descending from heaven.
"Husband lord, this one will see what the empress has sent." Azarios tried to appear nonchalant with his irises lethal yet he there appeared a trace of smile making Lilith go in a trance before she cursed him thousands times in her heart...why was he behaving as such.
Black cloak fluttered and even before she could open her mouth the male had left the pavilion at a second difference as the imperial servants entered.
"General Lady! This one is nurse of her majesty Empress Seycea." Daisy whispered in Lilith's ear giving her an introduction of the fat woman along with several beautiful maidens.
The nurse bowed a little along with the servants yet the women behind her did not cared to do so. The golden scroll was opened and with a heavy voice an old man read.
"Imperial court of Ambrose has been illuminated with the valor of General Azarios. To take care and serve such mighty war commander four concubines are given under the empress's order." The icy atmosphere made the eunuch that read the letter shudder and step back.
Empress Seycea is benevolent and pure to give a war general concubines when the lord has already proclaimed his love for his wife. One believes that her majesty worries about husband lord greatly and thanks her for even managing this household." Those were such impudent words that nanny Lemen stepped back watching the woman with wide eyes...how dare she..yet it seemed that two of the beauties that came in to be gifted had no idea thus they only stood as a block while the other two were somewhat furious.
Only to a fool, they would sound like praise since they it meant-'your empress is foolish and has not seen the world, interfering into affairs of another man, is she even loyal to your king?" Artimisia was rushed in as soon as the servants of the imperial army came yet she listen to the entire conversation from nearby feeling anger, why did the General leave her sister alone to deal with these people?
"Only an emperor can bestow an imperial edict and the empress, mother of the nation does not gets involved in those...asking the nanny to take this back, one is unable to receive the command." Watching how this woman was so arrogant even infront of the empress the beauties that came to become the concubines felt agitated.
"Impudent! Servants punish this general lady for saying such treacherous words against her majesty-the empress!" Nanny Lemen did not see the exquisite smile that bloomed on the face of the demoness that looked calm and placid yet her honey eyes captured the old woman's face.
Truly despicable
Before the female servants that looked rough and coarse can come forward an ink night cloak fluttered and stood before the petite empress making Lilith pout, what was this? She couldn't even see anyone's face.
"G-GENERAL AZARIOS!" The male did not look at the astonished women and instead had a serene smile gracing his godly features
"My wife is virtuous and gentle, as a matriarch its general-lady's duty to teach mannerisms to her subordinates. Since Empress Seycea has been virtuous enough to gift to my wife, she was only playing around yet it looks to this one that maids of the imperial palace are truly bold these days. After giving a plaything it belongs to one's wife thus one wonders why is such chaos happening in my mansion?" The beast of Ambrose said it with a smile yet the more he appeared magnanimous, the darker the atmosphere got.
When one stays in the imperial palace for too long, its only natural to develop instincts that helped in survival against thousand of conspiracies and hundreds of deaths, the maidens were young yet no foolish then three of them decided that even if they battled against this woman for life, tried to snatch favor against the general and in thousandth life after dying at her hands they would still fall short of beauty and brains. The General was now saying that his wife was playing yet in reality he meant that he would let his wife do whatever she wishes for and if you die it's your fault.
"We have been too presumptuous. One did not have proper teaching and tried to bring shame to the Lotus mansion and general lady, one thinks that General and General-lady are pairs of swans residing in Northwestern mountains and can never be separated." A beauty bowed not daring to have another conversation and just wished to get out. She had only one life and did not wish to die. And just like that two others too withdrew.
With their father's connections, it would not be impossible to marry into a good household thus it was futile to enter a lion's cage.
"W-What is this- the empress has ordered you all!" The fourth maiden had no intentions of marrying at all thus nanny Lemen knew it was the time to retreat thus she dared not force General Azarios to accept the empress's decree...
It was just that an empress's decree could be ignored yet how can the General deflect the monarch's words?
Empire of Ambrose that was relying heavily on General Azarios's power upon watching the embarrassment Empress Seycea had to face now had intentions to curb his influence thus the seventh lunar day of the Era of Snake a proclamation infront of the entire imperial court was passed-
General Azarios shall take in a concubine selected by the emperor.
Yet this time the word and actions of the general changed, he accepted the imperial decree with a calm demeanor.
Court officials did not even dare breathe harshly when General Azarios was bestowed with the imperial order of golden silk. Few pondered why would a man of such capabilities refuse a beauty since it was the main wife's duty to extend branches of her husband's family while others somewhat understood the heart of the general- who knows that Emperor Alexander was giving a concubine or a spy?
Yet the General no matter how rebellious and hubristic could not defy the Emperor in the court since such actions were to be seen as launching an attack on the imperial body of Ambrose and would mark under betrayal.
"The General looks displeased with this emperor's decision. This one has not given an unworthy female thus one must not worry."
"Its this one's fortune to have the emperor as one's lord, since it is his majesty that is guiding over Ambrose one has never felt worried let alone about one's own self. Its his majesty's wish to give one a concubine then how come this general not accept?"
When emperor Heun died who was the one that kept Ambrose together?
Who defended against Gaerin?
Which godly power came to the rescue of commoners when Prince Baez killed half of the imperial army that sided with previous traitor General Bezus?
Which mansion the nobles and the commoners looked upto when there was a calamity?
It was General Azarios of Lotus mansion.
Who was Emperor Alexander? Someone that the commoners had come to resent secretly, an entity that was seen warily even by the noble aristocrats for his incompetent nature thus when Azarios said those contradictory words even Alexander felt that he was mocking him.
A monarch that could not even fulfill his oaths well how can there be a day when he can take a decision about the empire's hero? The emperor had his fists clenched with how obnoxious this person was. He must bury the Lotus mansion before Azarios swallows his power.
When General Azarios was inside the court listening to the bickering of ministers regarding the agricultural lands an exquisite fairy had already entered his courtyards.
"What...What is this?!" Despite the imperial decree by the monarch being passed down neither the General lady nor any of the servants opened the doors of the Lotus mansion for her thus making the fairy-like countenance drop as she ordered her own subordinates to open the gates for her carriage to enter. It was known in the entire capital of Ambrose that General Azarios accepted the emperor's command this time without any excuses and refusal thus making the concubine's arrogance bloom too.
"How dare a lowly slave look down at this one, its only now that the general is enamored with her...in future one must show that woman her place!"
"Lady must not worry, our grace is most virtuous woman in the capital, how come anyone compete with you." Tightly clenching the silk cloth in her hands Lady Giana muttered before coming down her silver embroidered palanquin gently as if nothing bothered her and she was an unearthly being descending from heaven.
Servants looked over at the woman and walked right past her as if she was a shadow that could not be seen, despite such treatment Giana did not lose hope and her servant stopped a female.
"W-Where is general lady? This servant's master wishes to meet her." If it was anyone else they might have thrown a tantrum and ran away yet this person who appeared to be as fragile as a flowery vein looked at the maid with teary eyes as if she was bullied.
"Our matriarch is in the southern pavilion, this servant will guide lady there."
"B-But aren't southern pavilions reserved for the master of the manor." When such words were asked innocently, the maid turned around and smiled at the concubine and her maid.
"Isn't that whom the lady is meeting, this manor's master?" Even that woman's servants were so impertinent, called her a lady countless of times when she was the concubine by an imperial decree. Giana felt anger in her stomach yet did not let her emotions get way with it while she was guided along the splendor of magnificent orchards and lush scenery.
In the shade of peach blossoms there was a visage filled with calm and swirling with an enchanting aura, Giana could not see her face yet even the mannerisms were perfectly mastered as if one was raised in the imperial palace since childhood, indeed the general lady was a vixin that could cast spells on males.
"Mistress, lady Giana has arrived."
Lilith raised a brow at that and smiled.
"One would ask lady to have a cup of tea with this one."
"This concubine is humbled that sister has wholeheartedly accepted this one and is even willing to share memories." Giana motioned her servant to pour tea as she sat at the chair settled under the tree beside Lilith.
There were thousand kinds of humans- some resembled Prime Minister Zhan's daughter Cecelia- what she wished for was to be said straightforwardly and not hidden under the façade of friendship, then there were some like Giana, who pretended to be close and would not go against the winds when they were strong yet once the winds weakened she would show her true colors at that time.
"Kun sung tea of west? General lady is truly graceful and elegant, this concubine was under a medicine master of Kun when he taught one how to brew tea of this kind. Watching sister drink it brings back a reminiscence of old times.
Lilith raised a brow at that before laughing merrily making the woman sitting stumped. She had only one 'sister' and that was Artilia, apart from her, Yialos and General Casagon, only Sultan Zexzerus had the courage to call her that.
"This one is not your sister lady Giana." As if she was truly hurt with those words the woman had tears streaming down her irises appearing that she was bullied before saying.
"What is sister saying? Afterall we have same husband...this one understands that sister is angry from this one yet one cannot break the code of conduct." Their interaction had attracted the eyes of numerous people working in the mansion.
Giana felt that despite Lilith's beauty that could not be described in mere words this woman did not understood how to capture hearts. What men desired was a female that can be obedient, soft and always followed them, for now General Azarios liked her due to her appearance but men were creatures that usually got tired of constant things thus she had a better chance to curtail Lilith power and grow hers.
Lilith whom she thought would be affected by the crying rose slowly before looking down at her with a very joyous smile.
"This one has enough of the tea." Before she could go, fingers wrapped around Lilith's hand that stopped the woman.
"Sister! this one was too sensitive and took sister wrongly! One apologizes! L-Lets go to.....to the pond." The walk to the pond was neither too close nor too far yet each of the women were accompanied by their servants. A moment Lilith was walking and the very other she smiled upon watching the feet that were slightly in her way to make her tumble.
Before Giana could have a laugh as she made the General lady fall in the pool unable to breathe, she herself was tumbled into the pond that was of depth equaling to the height of an elephant.
"LADY! SOMEONE COME SAVE THE LADY!" Chaos and mayhem covered the entire Lotus mansion as most of the servants did not care to go and see what happened to the concubine while soldiers rushed to the place. The female maids of Giana listened to the desperate screams of their master yet could not allow a soldier to touch her thus they themselves used a bamboo pole given by a soldier to go inside the water and get their grace out.
It was not that the woman did not had an idea of how to swim, it was just that she could see someone from here that was watching her and Lilith very keenly thus even if she fell into the water she could not let this opportunity go. Emperor Alexander promised her wealth, Empress Seycea that she would protect her so there was no way that she could let go of this one chance.
When she was dragged out after several attempts coughing up the water heavily the woman cried pitifully and shuddered.
"General lady this one was wrong, this concubine was wrong! This one would not tell General anything so don't kill this one!" The voice was so sharp that it garnered the attention of a few servants that murmured among themselves before their voice was gone as they saw their master walking towards the pond.
"This concubine was wrong! H-Husband General!"
Giana swiftly got up trying to bow down before she stumbled again hoping that the man would support her yet if it were not her maids that let her stand with their help then she might have fallen on the floor.
"What is happening?" Azarios raised a brow at Lilith to which she turned her head away yet Giana seeing that this was the opportunity tried to explain.
"N-Nothing! This was nothing!" Tears trailed down her face making her look as if she would have died if he was not there, the maiden did not looked into his eye appearing miserable, her servant instead kowtowed on the floor.
"General that is not true! This one is willing to take any punishment but one cannot see one's lady suffer." The maid that bowed was not stopped by Giana as she continued without watching the General's face.
"It was her grace General lady that tried to harm my master by throwing her into the deep waters! This one asks General to provide justice to my lady." If another official was presented with a situation then no matter how much they doted on their wife, the least they would do was to lock them in their courtyard for several days, few days shall be enough for Giana to try to attract the attention of the General.
"Is what you maid saying is true? Did Lilith tried to do as such?" Giana stayed silent for some time before speaking.
"N-No its this one's fault."
At those moments Azarios smiled at Lilith.
"Does tulip remembers what this one promised before marrying? That one would fulfill all wishes of wife and would help in each aspect. Since the new concubine claim that it was my wife that tried to drown you yet could not succeed it indeed is the concubine's fault." The smile vanished as the frosty indifferent eyes thundered as lips commanded to the soldiers
"Drown her" Horrified screams echoed in the background as the woman was held into a grasp before she was being thrown into the water.
Her head was held underwater with the brutal force for some time before she was declared dead.