Chapter 4: Finding order

The situation with the chef resolved itself rather quickly once she realized I wasn't messing around. She reluctantly but willingly resigned and I appointed her assistant as the new head chef. He was in complete shock and kept babbling about how he was unworthy and lowly and a bunch of other crap that I didn't feel like listening to... So I told him he could either accept his appointment or resigne along with the chef. I also said that I didn't need anyone in my Palace that was going to question my decisions. That shut him up pretty quick and he is now FINALLY making my breakfast. This is only day one of being awake. Why do I have to start dealing with this crap first thing in the morning?

We arrived back at my room and as soon as I heard the door shut behind me it was as if a switch was flipped."Your highness! That was amazing!! You handled the chef like she was just a bug beneath your feet! You were so cool! You were like, You don't work for the first princess.. and the face! The face she made when you said that was priceless! I won't forget it as long as I live!" (Wow, this kid can really talk) As Lynn rambled on, recounting what had just taken place in the kitchen I walked to the table, sat down and poured myself some water. For him to be this excited, I'm guessing the chef has been a problem for a while. I know he may feel uncomfortable talking about it but I really need to know... "Lynn" "Oh! Yes your highness?" "What kind of person was I before today? I realize it may be a difficult subject but if I am to move forward, I need to know where I have been. I hope you understand. " Lynn looked visibly uneasy and I could feel his apprehension but unfortunately this is a subject that can not be avoided. I need to learn all I can so that I can start planning for my easy life in the future... Ideally, The priest would recognize the Devine power traces and assume that I must have some higher purpose. Then I would be able to live out the rest of my days in the temple. it's hard work but it's a lot less stressful than other options. If there were a sect nearby I would try to join them but as of now, the temple is the only option... Thats why I need more information. Lynn nodded and proceeded to give me a personal history lesson.

As I expected, I was treated like crap by all of my siblings and there are a lot of them. I have four half sisters and seven half brothers. Three of my brothers have been married off and are no longer inside the Imperial city. Which leaves me with four of each The guards here (Who are all women) don't do their jobs and just slack off all day because they have no respect for me and feel like they have gotten the short end of the stick by being sent here. The servants (who are mostly men) are the same way which is why the place has fallen into disrepair and I only have one clean set of cloths. I also found out that because Kaimera was treated so badly here in the palace, she was always acting out. she would throw a fit and brake things and when she was scorned for that as well, she started taking out her frustrations at the Silent Lotus pavilion which was apparently something like a brothel or a host club. So rather than spend her money to buy new cloths and jewelry or hire contractors to come fix the place up, she blew all of her money on pretty boys. I want to be mad at her for living her life this way but I kinda get it... The Empress, her mother was keeping her at a distance because she thought Kaimera would be safer that way. Her siblings are constantly at each other's throats because a crown princess has yet to be named and they all have more influence and power than her. Last but not least she is looked down on by even the people who serve her because she didn't have the power to fight back. Her body needs to be toned and trained in order to handle all of my spiritual power but that's not going to take long so now I just need to make a decent foundation for myself, save up some money and buy some supplies. If I am unable to go to the temple them maybe I can build myself a little cabin in the mountains and enjoy my solitude.

As I was going over information in my head, there was a knock at the door. It was the new cheff with my breakfast. The fact that he brought it himself shows me how little the servants do around here. "I'm sorry for the wait your highness. I hope the food is to your liking." I would say so! now that's more like it! along with the rice are eggs, bacon and a vegetable soup. "What was your name again?" The boy bowed his head and stammered "H.. Huan, your highness." This kid is as quiet as Lynn is energetic. but I suppose he is cute in his own way. His appearance seems to match his personality. Dark brown hair that looks almost black, Hazle eyes and thin as a twig... wait, he works in the kitchen! How is he so skinny? "I see. Thank you Huan. This looks delicious. I made the right decision appointing you as head chef." He tried to hide it but I can see a faint smile past his hair and his ears are red. "Thank you your highness. It is my honor to prepare your meals. I will do my best not to disappoint you." "Yes, I'm sure you will do great. You may leave now. Don't forget to feed yourself when you get back." He nodded quickly then turned on his heels and ran out the door. I suppose he isn't used to receiving praise...

For the rest of the day I had Lynn fill me in on various things like my relationship with my siblings and their personality, the important people to take note of and the people I should avoid at all costs. I also found out who is responsible for the allocation of funds in my Palace... I will have to start taking over that responsibly soon but this is still just day one. I can deal with that later. Besides, that's not the only means I have to make money. I asked Lynn if he has ever heard of artifacts, or spirit stones and he told me that although they do exist in this world, they are extremely rare and valuable... which is exactly what I want to hear! There are two artifacts currently in the Imperial city. The first belongs to the Empress and the second belongs to the captain of the Imperial guard often referred to as the Phoenix guard because they are directly responsible for the safety of the Empress. That's not the part that's important to me though. The value of the spirit stones is what I'm really excited about because I happen to be able to create spirit stones! It's a difficult process and it's impossible for regular mortals to make them. Normally spirit stones can be found deep in the woods, At the bottom of a river or lake or deep in a cave. That is because natural spirit stones form in places with the highest concentration of spiritual energy.

The reason that I can make spirit stones and normal mortals can't is because of what is required to make them... Devine power... Spiritual energy is gathered in the heart and compressed, that compressed energy then becomes Devine power. After one has accumulated enough Devine power it is then concentrated to a single point between the hands and compressed again. This compressed Devine power then becomes a spirit stone. The process is long and tedious but worth it. The more you compress the Devine power, the higher the grade of the stone. The quality can often be judged by the color of the stone. The lighter it is, the higher the quality. For example, a dark blue stone is the lowest grade possible and a white stone would be the highest grade possible. Spirt stones are so valuable not only because they are rare but also because they have several uses. They can be used to inhance your physique, give you a boost in your cultivation and recharge depleted artifacts. There are, of course many other uses but those are the most common.

All I need to do is create a fake alias, make a few spirit stones and sell them. Once that is done I will be able to leave here and live comfortably. Luckily there are four people ahead of me in the line of succession so my disappearance won't matter too much. I don't have any consort's or concubines like my sisters do so I won't have to be responsible for anyone when I leave. Except maybe Lynn if he wants to tag along... I will start working on the stones tomorrow barring any more annoying interruptions... I will have to get to a library soon to look at a map but for now! sleep! Goose down really is the best...