※ Chapter 4 ※

Meihua's POV »☆●

"M'lady, you really gave me a fright over there. Please don't do such things in future. I beg you," Oyshi pleads while using a feather to draw the plum blossom between my eyebrows. The huadian is an emblem of my makeup.

She pricks my forehead with the pointy part of the feather.

"Careful," I hiss.

"I'm trying but you're not sitting still-"

Suddenly, a servant knocks my door. I nod at Oyshi and she lets the servant in.

"The Royal Guardian has arrived to visit your Royal Highness," the servant announces with a bow and moves aside as my godmother storms in with maids following her.

"Not again.." Oyshi whispers while escorting me to her. We bow as she approaches us.

"Princess, kneel," my godmother commands. I nod, looking down and kneel in front of her. This is time for punishment. At this point I'm so used to it, I don't even care.

"You climbed over the wall, brought shame on the royal reputation, and violated the rules of Wuluan. Do you admit?" She chides me.

Oyshi immediately kneels down next to me, "Her Royal Guardian, it's all my fault. I shall be blamed. Please spare m'lady."

I sigh, glancing at her, "Oyshi, don't. It's my fault. Don't take the blame."

"Well, since you confess, you'll take the punishment," she glances at her maids, "Bring the needles."

The maids bring a tray of needles. Godmother takes one and starts to prick me. Oyshi embraces me, trying to shield me. She implores godmother to spare me.

"l wanted to spare her. I always hope I don't have to do this. But look at her, do you think she's trying to be spared? She attempts suicide every week! How can she be so careless?" Godmother bursts off.

My skin tingles with a sharp sensation of pain wherever she pinches, trying to hold back, I mumble, "l told you. I don't try to commit su-"

Before I can finish another servant approaches, "His majesty summons her Royal Highness to the throne room at once."

Godmother sighs and puts the needle aside, "Escort her to the throne room," she commands Oyshi. We both get up and prepare to leave.

I've missed father so much. He was busy with the kingdom matters as usual. He calls me to meet whenever he gets free time and I yearn for those times.

The other maids approach, holding the curtains around me and escorts me to a foyer. We climb the grand staircase that leads up to a balcony overlooking the foyer. We head down the hallway, stopping before the throne room. The guards bow and move aside, swinging open the gates to the throne room. Stepping inside, I find my father and his sister, Aunt Victoria lounging in the furniture. My heart fills with joy at the sight of him. I forget everything that has just happened. It happens every time I get to meet him. He's my comfort in this hell.

They both stand up noticing me as the maids remove the curtains and take their leave. I drop into a courtesy addressing them.

Before I can rise, father clasps both my hands in his, "My little butterfly! Let me see you, I haven't seen you in so long!"

"You were busy for about a week, your majesty. You cannot lose sight of your daughter, can you?" Aunt chuckles, "What are you going to do when she gets married?"

"No man can take me away from him," I say and fall into his embrace. I notice the dampness in his cheek as his arms close around me.

I pull away and cup his face, "What happened, father? Are you crying?"

He shakes his head, "No, l..l hope you're right my little butterfly. I hope you're..right," he takes my hands from his face, kissing them. He gets overly sentimental whenever such topics arise, like we'll be together, I'll be by his side. And everytime, I see a fear in his side. Like he knows something that I don't. And he always makes me promise that whatever happens, I've to fight back, I've to try my all to survive.

Am I gonna die?

And if so..

Will my father finally be able to stop having to fight against so many things for me?

Will he finally be able to rest?

"Let's just talk about the reason I summoned you," his voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

Father picks a piece of parchment up from a table and hands me, "1 wanted you to see it before I begin the procession."

I frown as I take the papers from his hands and begin to read.

"l, King Wu Yichang of Wuluan, formally declare and recognize my youngest daughter, Princess Wu Meihua to be the rightful heiress of Wuluan and entitled to all legal rights and recognition thereof. In the case of my death, the Wuluan Kingdom and its title will fall to Princess Wu Meihua."

Heiress of Wuluan..

He made me the HEIRESS OF WULUAN..

The first girl to ever rule in that throne would be me....

I gasp, almost losing the grasp of the paper from my hand, "Father, this is-"

He looks directly at me, smiling widely, "My darling girl, whenever I look into your eyes, I see an empress, a Queen. And your compassion for justice reminds me of my own. For which, I've rewritten my will. You're the new heiress of my throne. Our line has a long and proud heritage. And I believe you'll add to it greatly. I'm sending out my will today."

I feel my breath catching up. It all feels like a dream. No, it's something not possible even in the dreams of a princess. I look up to meet his eyes and he's waiting for my response with a smile.

"Father, l..l don't know what to say. It's just so...overwhelming," I blurt out, unable to form more words.

He shakes his head, "It's not just pomp and responsibilities, you know. It's family, your family."

I shake my head, "But father, are you sure? This is..l mean, it's a huge honour. And I'm.."

"Just a princess. Isn't that what you wanted to say, dear Meihua?" Aunt Victoria steps forward, glancing at father irritatedly.

Father shakes his head, "Nonsense, my dear, I hoped for this since your childhood. Ever since you were a child, the way you think and make decisions has stunned me. Among all your brothers and sisters, you were different. And that made me feel like you should be the heir. But I didn't write you on my will at first because I considered the risks of a female ruler and I knew the odds were good that you might prove unsuitable when you grow up."

Aunt Victoria slides up behind father and hisses in his ears, "And she has."

She adds something more to it but I don't hear because she lowers her voice alot. I assume she filled in father about what happened today. Father ignores her as he takes my hands in his, "But you've proven over and over that you're born to rule. And one day, you'll make a greater ruler than I do."

"I.." I breathe deeply, trying to calm my nerves, "l thank you, father. I hope to fulfill the hopes and responsibilities you bestowed upon me. I promise to never let you down."

I bow as I formally receive the will from his hands, but aunt grabs it.

"Apologies, Meihua. My brother simply thought this would be a great...joke," she smiles through clenched teeth.

"This is no joke, sister," father growls.

"It's something best discussed in private, or do you disagree, your majesty?" Aunt gives him a look, fire blazing on her eyes.

"This is private. And shouldn't you have left to tour the lands? I'm sure our subordinates would treasure the opportunity to acquaint you," Father glares back at her, unbothered.

At last, Aunt Victoria loses her temper, "I'll depart once you explain the meaning of all these. Why do you plan to make a big fool of yourself and completely destroy Wuluan's legacy to a girl?"

"She's not just any girl. She's my daughter. And you do not tell me how to treat my own daughter," Father states.

"You have a perfectly able-bodied and fit son, suitable to be the heir as you, yourself have previously written. Why'd you make a princess the heir now?" she raises an eyebrow.

"l didn't make her the heir because I felt lack of something in others. I simply made her the heir because she's more suitable than the rest, rest of the daughters and rest of the sons. I know in times of tragedy, she'll be the one to not give up. I'm only making the best decision for Wuluan," Father blurts out, no hesitation.

Strange emotions swirl inside my heart at his words. To have someone believe in me, have faith in me like this, is like owning the whole world. If I had been asked for my fondest wish, I couldn't have asked for more than a father like him. My eyes get teary.

Aunt Victoria shakes her head, "What could a girl possibly-"

"Aunt Victoria, you look well tonight," I comment, interfering her.

"And you look out of place," she growls.

"She belongs here. She deserves this," Father prompts.

"What exactly is your problem, Aunt? How do you belittle someone for being a certain gender, that, I can clearly see that you are too? Are you still hoping that your son will take the advantage of my brother's trust in him and trick him into giving up the throne to him? I'm extremely disheartened to inform you that fantasy of yours isn't gonna come true," I smirk.

I can see the colors drop from her face as she almost charges at me, "You insolent brat, how dare you! I'm his sister and-"

"And I'm the King of Wuluan. As long as you leech from my success, you'll hold your tongue," Father growls. His voice echoing through the throne room, leaving Aunt Victoria speechless under his wrath. Father is the calmest soul usually, and it's extremely hard to make him furious. But once you've done it, you'll wish you never had done that.

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Yifan's POV »☆●

"You're home!" Nikita squeals as soon as I get in home.

She approaches me, leaning on my shoulder, "l was wondering what's making you run so late. Tao came and he has been waiting for you so that we can eat dinner together. Go get fresh, we're gonna eat."

Nikita and I go way back. Some people think she's my betrothed and some people think we're married. It's too much to explain so I let them think whatever the fuck they wish. I don't fucking care.

Nikita and I had the weirdest acquaintance. I first met her when I was thirteen, in the woods during a war in Wuluan. That time, I was too young to join the official army but I assisted the soldiers in the battle. In midnight, I walked deep inside the woods in search of assassins as I was commanded, when I came across a woman in armor, fighting an assassin, while bearing a child on her lap. Without a second thought, I jumped in and helped them. As a barbarian, I've participated in battles like this around the five kingdoms since I was very little, although I joined the army late.

After taking down the assassin, I glanced back at them. And the weirdest thing is, she stopped crying as soon as she saw me. Although I had no idea who she even is. She approached me with a smile.

That woman with her was a royal advisor and her godmother. She was the first woman I had met who wears armor, who battles like a soldier. Now, there are few more female warriors.

That day, I helped her save Nikita from that attack and since then she gave Nikita her identity and raised her as her own daughter. She always kept connection with me throughout these years and treated me well. She wanted me to marry Nikita but I told her I'm not planning to get married anytime soon. I don't know if it's the curse, but this type of things never concerned me and it still doesn't. Even mom is bothered by this. But I'm not gonna ruin someone's life by marrying them.

Nikita stays with me now. Because her godmother, as per her words, is getting alot of pressure to get her married but she likes absolutely no one in the world except for me. I tell you, this girl is mentally ill. I knew it since the day we met.

All of a sudden, my instincts rise and I grab the back of her waist, pulling her closer, just a second before she slips on her own dress.

"How the fuck are you so clumsy? You literally just took two steps," I ask before moving away from her.

"It's not my fault. My head is all dizzy from protecting your brother from yet another guy," she sighs.

I shake my head, "On the run again, huh? When is he gonna learn.."

"Brother!" Tao comes out from the lavatory and smiles seeing me.

I raise a hand to stop him, "Whose wife are you chasing this time?"

He glares at Niki, "You told him?"

She smirks, "Off course I did. Everyone needs to know the drama I had to do to save you," she turns to me, "He was staring at that woman like a pervert when her husband saw him. I pretended to be a courtesan and told the man that he had vision problems. He thought his wife was me."

"If I'd known her husband had biceps the size of barrels, I never would've-" Tao trails off, smirking, "Who am I kidding? Of course I still would've."

I raise my hand to punch him, he flinches and moves away, "Hey, come on, I've a type. Everyone has a type. I can't be blamed for that!"

"Long hair is a type, fair skin is a type, married women isn't a type you idiot," Nikita rolls her eyes.

He smiles, "There's just something about a lady with a wedding ring that-"

I silence him with a hush, "Don't say a word. I don't wanna hear whatever you're about to say."

"But say that he owes me," Nikita pouts.

"He owes you. Now shut up and let's go eat. I'm tired," I address as I head inside. After dinner, I make my bed on the floor next to the bed where Nikita sleeps.

"You know I wouldn't mind if you sleep with me," Nikita says glancing down at me.

"Yeah I know. It's me who minds. You're fucking annoying. You touch me without permission," I tell her then lay down, drifting into a deep sleep almost immediately.

To Be Continued »☆●