Your Highness! I Would Like To Live

On the television screen, a news reporter spoke with pride as a sea of youth held banners and cheered in the background. The pride of the nation, Joy Rider, the youngest martial arts athlete, had just won yet another international gold medal for the country, solidifying her status as the most admired woman and most idolized personality of the century.

A woman with long slender fingers sat in a room, watching the broadcast with a sense of satisfaction. She was a fair beauty with dark hair that was no longer than her shoulders, and wore deep red lipstick and sharp-winged eyeliner. She clicked her tongue and turned to a man lying on a white hospital bed, his face covered with an oxygen mask and head wrapped in a white bandage.

"I see you're proud of your sister," she said, sitting beside him. "Sadly, she decided to leave the company. You know what she said to me before the fight?"

The woman glanced at the body as if she was expecting him to ask her, but he remained motionless. "Before her last fight, she said she was going to cancel the contract and take care of you from now on," she said, her voice becoming hoarse with annoyance.

"I know right! You too think she's speaking complete nonsense, right?!" she exclaimed, biting her nails and glancing down at her phone where she had received a message. In a blink of an eye, her face changed and a creepy smile decorated her face.

"And you know what I told her? I told her she would be meeting her brother after she won the match, and she would stay by his side forever and ever," she said, her words becoming clear as she reached the bedside. "And you know I keep my promises well, so... go meet your sister," she said, her hand hovering over the man's face before she pulled away the oxygen mask mercilessly.

"If Joy refuses to make me money when she's alive, I'll use her death to make myself a profit," she chuckled coldly. The man, who had been lying motionlessly a moment ago, twitched painfully. The green lines on the monitor showed odd movements and after a few painful moments, the line went straight, signaling the end of his pain and the start of his eternal slumber.

"I had a great time working with your family, Mr. Rider," she said, her voice cold and devoid of any emotion.

................................................................

"Your Majesty, the caravan from the Kingdom of Ridavell has arrived at the castle. They have brought the princess," a man in a long, flowing grey cloak spoke with reverence, his head hung low, not daring to look directly into the king's piercing aqua blue eyes that held a serious expression. "They request an audience with Your Majesty," he added.

The Emperor of Ohaeria was known for his youthful appearance and cold personality. He had golden hair that shone like strands of gold and a pair of deep aqua eyes that could captivate anyone. Although he was in his late forties, he looked youthful and handsome. However, his intimidating aura made it difficult for many to approach him, despite numerous ladies throwing themselves at him. He was a cruel man with a ruthless heart.

"Bring her in," said the Emperor in a deep, grave voice, making the man in the cloak shiver. Under the Emperor's penetrating gaze, the man walked out of the throne room. It wasn't long before the door of the room opened once more and the man in the cloak stepped in, followed by three people. Just before the stairs of the throne, the man in the cloak stopped and cleared his throat before speaking.

"The princess of the East, the light of the Kingdom of Ridavell has arrived."

After saying these words, he stepped away, clearing the path for the people behind him.

As Arcane Lachtara, the third princess of Ridawell, stepped forward to meet the Emperor of Ohaeria, all eyes were drawn to her. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, reaching her knees, and her clear white skin complemented her red eyes that shone like fully bloomed roses. She was a rare beauty, with dark black hair and glass-like clear eyes that absorbed all the light that struck them, making her appearance breathtaking.

Gently bowing, she spoke in a sweet and comforting voice. "Your Imperial Highness, I am Arcane Lachtara, daughter of Duke Jackal Somerset and the third princess of Ridawell." Her layered gown puffed up as she bent her knees and her straight long hair fell on her shoulder, creating a thick curtain on her cheek.

The Emperor, known for his youthful appearance and cold personality, stared at her with a serious gaze. After a few moments, he lifted his hand, signaling for her to rise. "You must be tired after the long journey," he said, his voice lacking any emotion.

"Thank you for your concern, I will surely send a good word to the Imperial Father (the king of Ridavell)," she said, her snow-white teeth showing through her red lips that made her look like a fairy.

"I am pleased to hear that. The empress is not well, so you can meet her another time. For now, my chancellor will lead you to your palace," he said, still looking down at her eyes.

"Thank you once again, Your Majesty," she bowed her head again.

The chancellor led Arcane and her two attendants to the Hortus Palace, which was built amid fruit orchards. Every type of fruit that could grow in the Kingdom of Ohaeria was found there. The palace was a rest house for kings and queens or envoys of other countries, built to showcase the wealth and greatness of the kingdom. The architecture was grand and ornate, and the palace was surrounded by lush gardens and orchards.

"Your Highness, this chamber has been selected for your stay. If it does not meet your liking, there are many grandiose rooms within the palace to choose from. Pray, make yourself comfortable," the chancellor spoke in a clear and humble tone.

"Thank you, Chancellor," Arcane replied, offering him a warm smile before entering the room with her maid who had followed her in silence.

As the doors closed behind her, Arcane looked around the spacious chamber with wonder. The room was divided into two sections, separated by a few steps. The lower level featured plush couches and a study table, as well as a wide terrace overlooking the palace's orchards. Up a few steps, the upper level held a grand king-size canopy bed, draped in rich, blood-red curtains. Everything in the room was adorned in the opulent colors of red and gold, and although the hues may have been overwhelming, they added to the grandeur of the chamber. Arcane's eyes wandered around the room with a tired gaze. She approached the bed and collapsed onto the soft mattress, letting out a sigh of relief as her tired body was enveloped by its embrace.

"Blanca?" she called out to her maid. "Yes, my lady," the maid, whose dusty grey hair and sparkling yellow eyes betrayed her own fatigue, responded. "You must be tired as well," Arcane said with her eyes closed, her breath heavy with exhaustion. "Here...the bed is too large for me alone. You may share it with me," Arcane gestured to the mattress.

"But..." the maid hesitated. "Do not argue with me, just get some rest," Arcane grumbled, turning on the bed. The bed was indeed too large for one person, so grand that it could comfortably fit five adults with room to spare. The maid nodded in silence and made her way to the other side of the bed, ready to rest at last.