Everyone was hurrying and running everywhere, trying to make this day even more perfect as it could. There were flower decorations on every wall and altar. It was one of the grandest festivals of them all. Lustrous foods from various countries were on all tables. Sitting arrangements were set on the ground with silk cloths. Everyone was helping out.
Lady Suki was caring for the child. Xiaomao was reading a little picture book. She giggled as she saw a little cute cat. Lady Suki encouraged her to read a lot. After a year not much changed. Xiaomao had grown a lot now, her hair was up to her shoulders now, since Lady Suki didn't want to cut it.
Lady Suki put on a pink floral dress to wear for this special day. The emperor also gave some safe jewelry to the child. A necklace made of amethyst and a gem made of diamond.
As the festival came drawing near, the emperor walked to the corridors of the rear palace. He knocked on the door as he opened the door, "Lady Suki" he said looking at her and the child.
"Hello there emperor," Lady Suki showed her respect by putting her head down and then putting her head back up. She ruffled the child's hair as the emperor sat next to the child.
"It's almost time, get the child up and ready. And get yourself ready too." The emperor said then walked out.
Before he left, he stopped at the door and said in a voice that only Suki could hear. "She's coming to the party. I had to invite her, otherwise it would seem biased."
As for the response, Lady Suki said, "We just have to watch Xiaomao more than. She won't be able to do anything if she's under surveillance."
"Yeah." He said, sighing, and then stifling a yawn. "We got a big day ahead of us." After he said that he stood up and walked away.
All the ladies in waiting for Lady Suki decorated the corridors and the outer palace, the other ladies in waiting assisted them as well. They all worked together, for the rare times. Well they had to. They built little flower beds and flower crowns for everyone. Each had their own crown.
Finally it was time for the festival, all the consorts were sitting in their flower beds, the child was in her little carriage with Lady Suki and flowers were thrown around.
It was quite lovely to say, it was now nightfall and Lady Suki and the emperor were cruising around the palace, they were heading to the gift giving ceremony.
This will be where Xiaomao will be blessed with blissed dreams and good luck. Many people made a line towards Lady Suki and Xiaomao.
"Long live the emperor. Long live the empress!" Everyone around them said.
One by one each person started blessing the girl. It could be from stealth to fighting techniques. Each and every of them gave the child something. After a while, it was finally the turn for the consorts and the princess to bless the girl.
First up was the consort Nari, it was because she was the oldest out of them all and since Consort Suki had already gone.
Consort Suki had blessed the child with great healing abilities. She should naturally be able to make poison and medicine. This was considered a S rank ability. The ability of the Coneflower, also known as the Echinacea, but as well the ability of the Hibiscus
Consort Nari walked to the child and did a little curtsy, she brought her finger and placed it on the child's forehead.
"May this child be blessed with the power of eternal fame. She will be known everywhere." Lady Nari said, bowing and walking to her respective area.
Everyone applauded as she got her blessing from Lady Nari. She had blessed Xiaomao with eternal fame which wasn't much to some people. But she will need it sooner or later for her reign over the kingdoms. Influence is key. The flower blessing Lady Nari had bestowed was of the Phemearanthus
flower. It was quite a nice one, if I do say so myself.
The little girl giggled as she received a few more blessings from the Consorts. She received the gift of Tiger Orchid, which was the power to copy fighting techniques with ease, this blessing was from the Consort Yumi.
After Consort Yumi, Xiaomao received the blessing of the Daffodil. The blessing gave Xiaomao more honesty and morality but as well gave her a great memory. With this she also got a boost to her determination and motivation when starting something. Consort Mei was the one who had blessed Xiaomao with the power of Daffodil.
It was Consort Aiko's turn, she was one of the members of the Rose flower. (She was born on the blooming of a rose) And yet even though roses were quite common and known. She was a consort for Emperor Aranthor, and this was rare since the emperors were usually picky and they chose exotic and capable women.
She gave Xiaomao the blessing of an eternal rose. With this, she would have blessings of intuition. Intuition could be thought of in many ways such as, it could mean she would know that someone is behind her or it could mean she could infer/predict what could happen 10 minutes later. At most though, the highest rank of this power could lead to mind reading.
Xiaomao had received many great blessings, but she wasn't done yet. They had left this one for last. It was finally Li Shen's turn.
She walked towards the child, the emperor and Lady Suki, wary of Li Shen's actions.
Li Shen bowed and placed her hand on the child's hand. Li Shen was a person born on the blooming of the Rhizomes, a quite handy flower for doing errands. She then whispered a few words and then blessed the child.
She had blessed the child with the blessing of the Rhizomes. The Art of War and Deception. Now this might seem more of a negative blessing. But this is not considered a curse, as one could say that this blessing is very useful. It all depends on how you use the blessing.
Any blessing could become a curse either way.
Everyone applauded as the ceremony of blessings were over. Now it was time to eat. Everyone there was a certified big back. Just like one itself. Everyone gathered around the food court and devoted themselves to food. It was like they haven't eaten in days. Which might have been true, you know?
While the emperor and Lady Suki were chattering amongst themselves or doing whatever they were doing, one does not have a clue what horrific deeds they were doing. Li Shen began to drink some of the finest nectar that was served. Then she went to throw the container of the glass away.
The emperor was conversing with one of his trusted knights, Maximillius he was from one of those with great ancestors in the kingdom. So high that they were right below the emperor.
"Hey congrats on the girl. You always wanted a princess." Maximillius joked, laughing with the emperor. "Well you've got a son, so that only makes things fair." The emperor said, sharing this laughter.
"You know, I would let your son marry my daughter, he's just a couple of years older isn't he? What was his name again?" The emperor said.
"Ren, that's my boy's name. Really though? Wouldn't a prince of a kingdom be more suitable?" Maximilius said, baffled. This was one of the things that shocked him.
"Nah you're like a king to me so, your son must be like a prince. You'll be my first choice forever Maximillius." The emperor said in a serious tone.
"...huh? Oh..uh really? That's good to know. I'm sure your daughter will be just as great as you Emperor." Maximilius said processing what the emperor said. Why'd he have to say it like that?
Lady Suki looked at the emperor sharply, "His son better have some mannerism and grace for our daughter." She said with a hmph.
"And his daughter better have some respect for other people." the wife of Maximillius said.
"Now ladies calm down. This was all just a little joke the boys made." The emperor calmed the ladies down.
The emperor and the knight shared a sigh. Women were a different breed. They just couldn't understand them.
Just a few minutes later, a huge commotion could be heard.
"What's going on?" The emperor said his guard was up, and ready to send in help. Maximilius looked ready as well to assist whatever was needed by him.
"Fire! Fire! Save us all!" Multiple people screamed as they ran around like children that never saw the sun before.
Multiple people began to escort the consorts away from the fire. The emperor then called the knights to save the victims and extinguish the fire. While that the emperor rushed to where the child could be.
Where is she?
She was right there. I just saw her a few minutes ago.
The emperor frantically searched as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
Oh god. Please...
Where is she?
Hot sweat filled the emperor as he lifted the rubble to see if his child was there. Lady Suki and the other consorts were escorted to safety. Which was a good thing, it wouldn't be good if they saw him like this.
The emperor searched even more, nearly going into the fire until he heard a yell from a familiar voice.
"Brother!" Li Shen called out. She was in a devastating state, she had multiple burns and cuts on her arms and her red spots on her face as well.
"What- what happened to you?" The emperor said multiple emotions flaring inside him at once.
How did the fire even happen..
They don't even have any neighboring kingdoms that want war.
Was it a traitor?
Multiple things were swirling around the crowned man. While this Li Shen took the emperor's hands and looked at him with a teary face.
"I tried to save her. I really tried. But- but it was too late." Li Shen said with tears in her eyes.
What...?
This can't be
He must have drank too much wine.
Yes...that must be the case.
There's no way in hell that this would happen.
The emperor froze, as he heard her words. His hands shaking, "...where is she..?" He managed to ask.
Without any words, Li Shen moved aside to show him the same basket that Xiaomao had put him in before.
The emperor clutched his stomach in pain. No way this happened. No way.
He was watching her and this still happened?
What did he do wrong? Did he even deserve this?
He fell to the ground holding onto the basket that she was in. He held on to her tight, not truly believing what happened.
The charred and burnt child lay lifeless in the emperor's hands.
People made a circle around the emperor for consolation. The consorts were brought out of their rooms for consolation as soon as the fire was out.
Lady Suki was the one crying the most. Her sobbing and tears were quiet. But not disgraced. The other consorts placed a hand on Lady Suki to show they cared as well. The princess was a hope for them.
No one could believe what just happened. It was chaotic.
But it was the emperor's duty to serve in the chaos. He made all the injured get treatment at the hospital. And he made a memorial for those that passed in this fire.
Xiaomao's burial was in front of all 26 dead people of the kingdom. The emperor had great difficulty carrying the small casket.
It poured that day, when the funeral was held. It was as if all the life of all flowers and people were lost. No hopes or dreams were seen. No one went to work that day either.
The emperor stayed in his quarters until he had to come out again. Lady Suki stayed in her room holding Xiaomao's old blanket. The ladies in waiting tried to console the Lady but they were just unable to.
During this commotion, Li Shen had told the emperor that she would not be able to work in the conditions of hers. She had received second degree burns on her arms and face. She couldn't move her arm without pain.
Without thinking or being himself, the emperor let her go. Not knowing what else would happen.
He just didn't want to deal with the pain any more. He felt no reason to live but no reason to die. He hated this feeling.
He just knows that whoever. Whoever was the cause of this fire. Of his child's death.
Will absolutely have no mercy.