The Empress has Arrived

"Snowflake, you look so beautiful!"

Kang Yeona brushed Kyo SeolJu's hair and put it in an elegant high pony with hair framing her face. Enjoying the gentle touch, Kyo SeolJu hummed a light tune as her brothers applied light makeup to her fresh face. Standing up to look in the mirror, her mother and brothers couldn't help but gasp. Her crisp white shirt had two strips on the shoulders decorated with a single gold button. Her raven black tie stopped below her breasts and had two thin white v lines. Two pockets with gold buttons were on either side of the shirt, and her high collar had a Phoenix pin with a chain connected to the military insignia on her tie.

Her black high waist skirt had thin bulletproof plates disguised as a high waist corset that halted just below her breasts. Her mid-thigh skirt had black shorts underneath so her activities would be unrestrianed. Her black, over-the-knee stockings connected to her shorts, and a thigh gun holster, was carefully hidden underneath. She wore black and white, high-top wedge military leather boots with her Phoenix insignia on the outer sides. Her minimal makeup suited her perfectly, and the hair that fell from her messy pony made her face appear smaller. The cuff of her ear held a gold phoenix framing the delicate curve. And her double-pierced lobes had a small diamond stud and a simple gold chain with a hanging diamond.

"You designed this?"

The amazement in Kyo SeolJu's voice was adorable.

"Yes, with the help of the military designers. We made your uniform both cute and ready for battle."

Kyo Ryuji's proud voice did not forget to give credit where it was due. Checking their watches, the twins ran out of the room to get dressed.

"My sweet baby's all grown up."

Kang Yeona held Kyo SeolJu's face in her hands as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Wiping the tears, Kyo SeolJu smiled.

"Let's go have breakfast."

Coming down the large stairs into the living room, the boys stood in a daze at the end of the stairs. The light behind Kyo SeolJu illuminated her frame and made her look like an angel from above.

"Your uniforms look nice on you."

Her face held a lovely smile.

Looking at the boys' uniforms that perfectly fit their bodies, she couldn't help but study Kang SeoMin. His uniform was snug on his lean body, and the white collared shirt showed every movement of his firm muscles. A black leather side gun holster held his black tie that was only slightly loose on his strong neck, and his high collar black and gold long military coat hung on his shoulders. His Dragon and military insignias were connected on either side by a thin gold chain. His black military slacks displayed his long legs and the black leather boots laced up to the mid-calf. His long black hair fell down his back, his bangs fell softly, and a black military cap with a gold military insignia slightly shadowed his face.

His sharp jawline, pointed nose, full kissable lips, sword-like eyebrows, and keen deep silver-blue eyes gave off a sexy but elegant aura. The tips of Kyo SeolJu's ears turned red as she quickly diverted her eyes when they met his. The twin's uniform was faultless if not for their held hats, ties pulled down, and the first few buttons of their shirts undone. Their gun was also at their hip, as opposed to the side of their chest like Kang SeoMin and their tiger insignia. Giving them a huge grin, she ran over to Kang SeoJun. His uniform was the same, but he opted for a vest instead of a coat, his tie hung very loose on his neck, and the sleeve was unbuttoned and rolled back. He had a tiger insignia, his hat worn backward, and his gun holstered on his back.

"I am going to be sleeping at the company."

Kyo SeolJu dropped yet another bomb on the family.

"What! You were supposed to stay with me! No! You are sleeping at school!"

Ignoring her stunned family, Kyo SeolJu allowed Kang SeoJun to pull her to her seat beside him.

"Snowflake, are you sure you want to sleep at the company?"

Grandma Kang's curious voice held a tinge of nervousness. Kyo SeolJu's calm and happy smile made Kang SeoMin's heart stop as she spoke.

"Yes. Sleeping at the company will be good for me. I'll be able to focus on work. And we can have dinner at the company. It'll take the same time to get to school from the company as it would from here. Ahh! Eat! We're going to be late!"

Her rushed tone as she took a bite of her food made everyone focus on the clock rather than her words. Hurriedly eating, they said their goodbyes before running out the door and quickly speeding down the driveway. Staring at the house through the back window as they drove, Kyo SeolJu was speechless.

"I guess you forgot about the ancestral house, didn't you."

Kang SeoJun moved to sit next to her as he started to explain.

"The late Empress Kang EunJu built this palace. When the Kyo monarchs died in the war, their palace burned to the ground, and the Kang palace reduced to half its original size. Empress EunJu took in Kyo's one-year-old baby boy. Being the same age as her son, she raised him alongside her own. She was the Empress of the Kang Empire and the regent Empress of the Kyo Empire."

"To further unify the two Empires Empress EunJu built a palace two times the size of the palaces combined. The center of the palace was built on the border of the two Empires. So the palace you see is the same place Empress EunJu built three hundred years ago. We have made some renovations to some of the rooms. We also added electricity and water. But it's is the longest-lasting palace in the world!"

Kyo SeolJu gave him her undivided attention as he spoke with his voice laced with pride.

"How can you call that palace a house!"

Her shocked face looked so cute to the boys in the car that they didn't even register her words. Kyo SeolJu took a few minutes to let everything sink in. When the vehicle stopped, the driver turned around.

"Empress, we have arrived."

The boys left the car one by one, and Kang SeoMin reached in to help the young girl.

Sticking her head out of the car, the boys were in two lines, with Secretary Lee holding the door. Taking Kang SeoMin's hand, she squinted at the light until his other hand blocked the light. Giving him a quick smile, she was in awe as she looked at the school.