Most Beloved Possession

Carmine prepared for the banquet, changing out of her commanding General's uniform into more feminine attire. Sitting in front of the mirror, she gazed at her reflection. Her thoughts turned to Alor and his betrayal. Can I ever forgive him? she wondered. Can I still trust him? She pondered whether understanding his reasons might make a difference.

The memory of his unwavering trust in her during the darkest times came flooding back. Had it not been for his faith, she would have been condemned as a traitor and long been dead. Perhaps I owe him more than I care to admit, she thought. Yet, forgiveness seemed like a distant goal, buried under layers of doubt and hurt.

As the banquet time drew near, Alor arrived at Carmine's residence to escort her. When he saw her, he froze, utterly speechless. His heartbeat quickened as he stood there, captivated.

"Alor, are you okay?" Carmine asked, breaking the silence.

Her voice jolted him back to reality. He blinked and thought, You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. His eyes darted downward, his ears flushing red as he avoided her gaze, fearing she might see through him. His admiration for her was undeniable, a testament to the depth of his feelings.

In his daze, Alor failed to notice the sword lying on the table beside her. Suddenly, Carmine unsheathed Xade (the sword) and pointed it directly at him.

Alor didn't flinch. He closed his eyes, bracing for whatever punishment she deemed fit.

Carmine's voice was stern but steady. "I will trust you this time, as you once trusted me. But if you ever betray me again, we will no longer be friends."

She sheathed the sword and stepped back.

Alor exhaled in relief though disbelief coursed through him. He had not expected Carmine's forgiveness to come so soon, knowing it would be a long road to fully mend their bond.

With a surprising gesture, Carmine held Xade with both hands, her grip tender yet firm, and extended the sword to him. "I entrust my most beloved possession, Xade, to you. Until the day I reclaim it, it is yours to safeguard."

Alor accepted the sword with reverence, his heart swelling with emotion. He had gained far more than he had hoped for. In devising his plan, he never imagined Carmine would trust him again. As he held Xade, he felt a mix of relief and gratitude. He was relieved that Carmine had forgiven him, grateful for her trust.

As he held Xade, he summoned the courage to retrieve a small box from his pocket and offered it to Carmine.

Carmine raised an eyebrow, puzzled. She opened the box to reveal a silver magnolia hairpin.

She hesitated. "I can't accept this. It's something precious, something you made for someone special."

As she moved to return it, Alor gently stopped her. "You're mistaken," he said with a bright smile. "This is just a hobby of mine. I made it to pass the time. Since you've entrusted me with your most valuable possession, I'd like to offer this as collateral for your sword. When the time comes, we'll exchange them back."

Unbeknownst to her, Alor had painstakingly crafted the hairpin with her in mind. The magnolia symbolizes her beauty, perseverance, resilience, purity, and nobility. Initially, he had intended to present it to her upon her appointment as Royal Consort. Still, he knew she would have refused such a gesture. However, he saw a glimmer of hope with this change of events.

Carmine studied him, wondering if she had misjudged him before. With his bright smile and piercing gaze on her, she could not say No.

Finally, she spoke. "I'll wear it as a reminder of our promise until the day we exchange them again." Despite her initial hesitation, Carmine realized that accepting the hairpin was a way of reciprocating Alor's trust.

Both of them made their way to the banquet.

The news of Carmine's appointment as Consort had already reached Taupe, and she was furious. How dare she become the Royal Consort to Emperor Rulean? Taupe's initial plan had backfired. While she could bitterly swallow her pride at not having Carmine executed, the thought of her achieving the prestigious title of Royal Consort was utterly unacceptable.

Muttering under her breath, she said, "You brought this upon yourself. Don't blame me for being cruel." Her bitterness was not just palpable, it was a tangible force, a venomous emotion that seeped from her every word and action.

She approached Rulean. "Your Majesty, I don't want to attend today's palace banquet. It's unfair that the second prince of the nation hasn't been invited to such an event. I refuse to participate in a banquet for those lowly people. Will the Emperor be upset if I don't go?"

Rulean replied calmly, though with a trace of suppressed annoyance, "Consort Taupe, the Emperor may not be angry, but as the sole royal consort in our family, your absence would be seen as an insult to him before all the officials."

She spoke naively but intentionally, saying, "Your Majesty, I am no longer the only Royal Consort. This morning, General Carmine was conferred the title of Royal Consort by the Emperor for her merits and has been ordered to enter the palace."

Rulean slammed his table in rage. "What? What nonsense is this? Are you sure?"

Taupe observed him from the corner of her eye, feigning fear as she replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. You can confirm it yourself."

His inquiry quickly verified the news, further fueling his anger.

"That wretched, shameless woman!" Rulean seethed. "She doesn't know her place."

Watching his fury and hatred intensify, Taupe spoke softly yet dripping with sarcasm, "Your Majesty, don't let anger consume you. Since she is such an eyesore to you, allow me the honour of welcoming her as the new Consort."