The Legend of Carmine

As she fled with her horse to the outskirts of the city and towards Shar. As she galloped on her horse 🐎 towards her destination she could sense a shadowy figure behind her as if it was pacing her. However, she knew who this figure was, it was Alor.

At one point, she intentionally sped her horse, as expected, he too shadowed her movement and in few minutes both of them had left the company of their comrades and were way ahead.

Then, suddenly Carmine, who was ahead of Alor, turned her horse on the middle of the path. Therefore, he had to immediately pull the rein of his horse in force, which nearly caused him to collided head-on, with the Carmine horse, as his speed was very high.

As both of them faced each other mounted from their horses, there was an environment of silence with only the sound of rustling leaves of the trees in the forest.

Finally, Carmine spoke, "Alor, do you know why are we here?"

"I have no idea, General, please enlighten me"

To which Carmine gave a subtle smile and voiced, "Lord Alor, I know you are a very smart and capable man. Therefore, I will not beat around the bush. Lord Alor, I know that your real master was Emperor Cyanx and not General Rulean, as it appears. And I know even General Rulean does not know this.

Lord Alor, I do not care who was or is your real master; if it is Rulean or Cyanx. I do not care who you will report to either because I work with integrity. So, it does not matter to me. However, Lord Alor I only expect that your actions will only be for the country's advantage and not to be influenced by your master's personal intentions. That is the only thing I expect from you. Since, we are already sailing in the same boat, now."

Alor was surprised after Carmine confronted him head-on. He did not admit to her but on the back of his head, he was really admiring this woman's skills, because his master was indeed Emperor himself. Though Rulean always thought he had discovered him during the military training but it was Emperor Cyanx, who has statistically planted him beside Rulean, without Rulean's knowledge. Then, he said, "Do not worry General Carmine. I shall abide by it. But.. General, Why do you think so?"

"If I am correct, wasn't you the one, who had got Emperor Cyanx in the dungeon to save my life; when you had failed to persuade General Rulean not to kill me. I know for the fact if you had just been Rulean's comrade. Just a mere sentence from you, the Emperor would not have rushed in by himself to save me. Unless, he trusted you immensely, which can only happen if you are one of his trusted comrades. Isn't it?

After hearing her explanation. Alor laughed," Oh, so that is what gave it away."

Then, Carmine who was still looking right in his eye as if peering into his soul said, "I am looking forward to working with you as my comrade since both of your masters think very highly of you."

After the departure of General Carmine and the proper appointment of officials in the Lapen Emperor Cyanx's returned to his capital of Norand, Eijin.

After he reached his palace, all the officials came one by one to visit him in name of welcoming him back to the palace and to congratulate him. But Cyanx knew that each of them had come to visit him with their hidden agendas to discuss. Finally, a beautiful lady walked in to greet Cyanx. As soon as she entered she bowed him and said," Your Imperial Highness, Consort Taupe would like to heartily welcome you back home and She would also like to congratulate Emperor on conquering Lapen."

Cyanx signaled her to raise her head, "Thank you for coming personally to welcome me back, but it is not necessary for you to do it."

Consort just raised her eyebrows and replied, "Why should I not do it? After all, I am the only woman in this family. I should personally attend to it. Anyway, Imperial Majesty I know you have been pestered by all those officials as soon as you got back. I thought a beautiful face like mine would help you give you a break."

Cyanx smiled, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Your Imperial Highness. Why don't you take some rest for a while, when you are with me. She looked at Head Butler Leng and he understood it and got some tea and snacks.

As both of them sat for the tea and snacks. Consort Taupe enthusiastically asked, "Emperor, how was your journey this time. I heard we were able to include Lapen without any bloody war."

When she finished her sentence she noticed that Cyanx had taken a long sigh.

" Your Imperial Highness, Is everything okay?" Consort Taupe showed her concern.

"Nothing everything is fine, it's just this time everything did not go as I had planned."

" Well, Your Imperial Highness, sometimes everything does not go as it is planned, but as long as the goal is achieved it will be worthwhile."

"Come to think of it: You are right, Consort Taupe, because this time I not only achieved my goal but I also end up gaining a rare treasure."

Consort Taupe showed her excitement hearing about rare treasure," Is it, Emperor? Can I please have a look?"

"Consort Taupe, sorry but I will have to disappoint you regarding it because I have not got it here. Besides the actual treasure, I am talking about is an extraordinary woman. Therefore, for her extraordinary capabilities, I have conferred her the title of General and is currently stationed at Shar."

Consort Taupe was shocked to hear it but she only expressed being surprised, because it was the first time Emperor had appointed a female official. Furthermore, the thing that shocked the Consort the most was this was the first time the Emperor had ever praised a woman. Then, she playfully asked, "Is she prettier than me?"

The Emperor was stunned by this question and replied," Who can compete with your beauty?"

Consort Taupe tenderly said, "Emperor, since she is such a rare talent and you have already established her as one of your alliances. I think Your Imperial Highness should be happier that you have achieved more than you had aimed for.

"Consort Taupe, you are right. I have to admit that you are gifted to say the right words to make anyone feel better. Thank you for taking your time out to visit me today. Butler Leng, please escort Consort Taupe back to Prince's residence."

Consort Taupe bid Emperor farewell and went back to her Prince's residence. As soon as she reached the residence she said to her handmaiden Aan-gi in an arrogant tone," Get me information about the newly appointed General in Shar."

When the Consort instructed this to her handmaiden it could be seen that an entirely new person had emerged, she no longer was the tender, sentimental and loving woman as seen in the Emperor's palace.

In the evening as the Consort was lying lazily in her lounge drinking wine from her glass and it being refilled with a pitcher by one of her maids. When Aan-gi came in she singled other maids to leave. Then, Aan-gi sat beside her to serve the wine from the pitcher, she entailed to Consort Taupe regarding the newly appointed General. She stated that the General name was Carmine, who was actually the Princess of Lapen, that was supposed to be the official wife of the Consort Taupe's partner, General Rulean. Aan-gi intentionally said this part just to observe her mistress's reaction but there was not even a single flinch. She was disappointed because she knew that despite having being consort of Rulean for the past 2 years she still had not got over her love of Cyanx. Not seeing any reaction from her mistress she continued her story and told how Rulean had taken over the Lapen without marriage. And how everyone had thought the Princess had died during the run but later it turned out that she was actually General Armine, who had defeated both Ouran and Norand on the battlefield. Therefore, for her capability, she had been conferred the title of General.

"Oh... Is it? Now. No wonder she is the only woman, the Emperor had ever mentioned as well as praised. Since she has gained such high recognition, I should send her a reward, Isn't it? What do you think Aan-gi? I shall go to visit Uncle Ren tomorrow. Please make the arrangements.

As Aan-gi left the room to make preparation for tomorrow she could not shake the sense of sarcasm in every word of her mistress.

With no one in the room, Consort Taupe who was looking into the wine glass raising it to her eye level and swirling the glass which caused the pinkish liquid to spin inside the glass she 🍷 whispered, "Princess Carmine ...."