Chapter 5: Remember your place

It has now been about a week since I officially started playing the part of Kaimera and i FINALLY know what i look like, though im not sure how i feel about it. Apparently she often wore large head pieces or a veil to cover her hair because she was ashamed to have taken after her father. I have the Empress's fierce red eyes and hair as white as freshly fallen snow... In short, i look like an albino. Im cool with that though. She is quite pretty. I had started working on making spirit stones until I realized how unbearably weak this body is... You would think she would have at least a little muscle seeing as she visited a brothel on a regular basis.... That would take a bit of stamina. She doesn't have any tutors and her schedule is basically empty. After realizing these things I decided to focus on body refinement instead. I should still be good on time. The Empress is strong and in good health so as long as she stays that way I'm in the clear. I definitely need to get out of here before she dies though. I have absolutely no interest in being involved in the fight for the throne... Lynn told me that there are currently two likely candidates for the position of crown princess. The first princess, Fang Who is the daughter of the first Emperor and the second princess, Min who is the daughter of the current Emperor. They both have massive support for various reasons... The line of succession here is mostly based on the status of the father and as both are children of an Emperor, they both technically have the same status which is why a crown princess has yet to be chosen... From what I understand though, neither is a great option. The first princess is supposedly just a puppet being used by her paternal family to gain power and influence. The second princess is free spirited, to put it nicely or reckless, put not so nicely.

When I started compiling this list with the help of Lynn, I noticed something odd. The first princess is two years older than me, which is to be expected... But the second princess is the same age as me which to my knowledge was biologically impossible so I asked Lynn to bring me a medical book for my studies, at which point I realized that the reason men are the one's taking care of the children is because they are the ones who give birth... I had to take the whole day off on that one! I'm not easily surprised but that made my brain stop. I read the book and in theory, it makes since but I feel like I'm in a scify rather than an eastern drama... I haven't figured out who the ML and FL are yet but I'm not going to stick around to find out. When Lynn gets back I'll ask him to escort me to the Imperial library so I can get some more information. I have been working hard on my body refinement so I should be fine going out even if I am attacked, I'll just have to work on my reflexes a bit in the future. (Where is Lynn any way? He should have been back by now.)

"Ah, there he is." Using my spiritual sense to scan the area I see him near the north garden talking to someone. hmm.... Looks like a guard. (Lynn) I'm sorry miss, I really must be going. Her highness is expecting me." (Guard) I heard you the first time. Quit worrying so much. It's just the fifth princess. Even if she were to complain about you being late, there's nothing she can do about it." The Guard slids closer with a sly smile and puts an arm over Lynn's shoulders. "It's just a bit of fun. I promise you will enjoy it just as much as I will... Working for that useless woman day and night, I'm sure you need to release some stress" Lynn tries to wiggle away but the Guard just wraps her arm around his waist and pulls him closer. "M...Miss please, this is highly inappropriate. I need to get back to her highness!" The Guard just scoffs and rolls her eyes. "I told you, that bitch doesn't matter. She's just a forgotten princess with no power, she can't bring you any benefit. But if you were to cozy up to someone like me..."

"Someone like you?" I wasn't going to butt in but I have been in Lynn's position before so i decided to head outside to deal with it. This walking peice of human trash obviously doesn't see Lynn as a person but as an object she wishes to obtain. "Your highness, Lynn and I were just having a private conversation. I will be sure to send him over once we're done." Normally, My title alone should be enough to give her pause but not only is she acting like she is better than me but she is treating me like an inconvenience in my own palace. "No, your conversation is over now. Lynn, please inform everyone to gather in the audience hall." (Guard: This audacious bitch! Getting a big head just because you survived a brush with death. She needs to remember her place.) The Guard still hasn't loosened her grip on Lynn and the look on her face seems to be challenging me. I have met many people like her. Narcissists, clinging to a false sense of superiority. "Your highness may not have been aware but I am a member of the Phoenix guard. The soldier's overseen by Princess Min." (Guard: That ought to shut her up. She's no match for the second princess.) "I see. There seems to have been a misunderstanding." The Guard smiled with satisfaction. "It's alright princess. Like I said, I'll have him back to you once.." "I don't care."... "pardon?" The guard stammerd in shock... "I said... I... Don't... Care." I slowly start striding over to the Guard, closing the distance between us... Lynn is such a sweet kid and she wants to use her status to take advantage of him? Hell no!

guard: (How is this the same useless princess that cowered at the mear mention of Princess Min? Her eyes... They look like that of a beast about to attack. No one can change that much in just a few days! It's impossible!) "Your highness I don't.." "SILENCE!" After closing the distance, they now stood about five feet apart. The guard was stunned. Just a week ago this girl was meek and powerless but now... Her voice and her gaze held the weight and dignity of a true princess. Kaimera's eyes, practically glowing with rage glanced around the garden at the onlookers who seem to be enjoying the show, then darted back to the guard. "It would seem several people in this palace have forgotten their place. Now, remove your hand from my attendant before I remove it for you."

The Guard had no idea what was happening. She released her grip on Lynn who then ran to the princesses side. Who was this person? This certainly wasn't the weak pushover she was used to. She snapped back to reality when the princess spoke again. "Lynn." "Yes your highness?" "Do as I have asked. I will meet you in the audience hall... And you, I expect you to be there as well." The Guard nodded quietly and walked away and Lynn ran off to summon everyone to the audience hall. (This has gone on long enough! It's time I show these rats what I am capable of. )

Before meeting up with Lynn I went by my room and retrieved a box from under the bead. It held a sword... A very nice one at that. It had apparently been a gift from the Empress for my sixteenth birthday. It's still quite sharp... OK, now let's go take care of some vermin.

Im sure when it is tended to properly, the audience hall is quite a sight to behold with its vaulted ceilings, Marble pillars and wide reception area... But Seeing as none of the workers here ever want to.. ya know, WORK!? Needless to say, it looks like crap. The bamboo flooring that should be white and glistening is instead splintered and dirty. The seat at the peak of the room where I'm supposed to sit looks like it would fall apart the moment any amount of pressure is applied. The walls and shutters have smudges and cracks and any valuables that may have once been in this room have long sence disappeared, Likely stolen by some of the shady people here and pawned for a profit.

Walking over the creaky floor past faces with an even mix of irritation and confusion, I make my way to the decrepit old chair at the rooms peak. My left hand hanging down at my side and my right, gripping the hilt of my sword... When I reach the chair that looks like it wouldn't even hold a cushion, I lift the hem of my skirt and round house kick it to pieces! I waited until I heard the last splinter of wood hit the ground and then turned around... (Let the show begin! )