Dear Immortal Tyrant

[Flashback continued.]

Atlan was in love with the Fourth Princess.

Miah was the first to realize it. She was the maidservant that always accompanied the Princess. Whereas most of the handmaidens were giggling and gossiping about how handsome Atlan was, Miah was observing him differently.

Miah always knew there was something strange about that man. He stuck to the Fourth Princess' side like her very own shadow. 

When Atlan was greatly awarded for the expedition's success, he attributed it to the Princess. When he had spare time, it was always dedicated to the Princess. Anything and everything that concerned the Princess, Atlan was there to offer her aid.

"Oh, dear…" Miah trailed off, frowning to herself. "What to do?"

Miah knew about this small crush. She paid no mind to it. Miah had grown up in the palace amongst all the other maidservants. She knew of the hierarchy and how strictly enforced it was.

Just look at the Second Concubine and the Emperor. Even though the Second Concubine had royal blood, she had an unfavorable background. The love of her life had to marry two other women, sleep with them and sire their children before he could even marry her.

"Not like that, Princess. You must situate your elbows this way," Atlan instructed, placing a hand upon the sacred woman's limbs.

Miah's face darkened in displeasure. This man. With each passing rank and promotion, he was growing bolder. His adoration towards her was becoming more frequent, too. 

The Fourth Princess was wise, but naive. She knew how to manipulate people, but didn't know people were manipulating her. She was cunning enough to test the Empress, but innocent enough to ignore men.

"Like this?" Lina asked, fixing her elbow according to his guidance. She smiled fondly at him.

Miah's gaze softened. 

"Oh, Princess…" Miah whispered.

The Fourth Princess had men wrapped around her fingers and she didn't even know it. Atlan had swooned from her wholesome smile. Even Miah was starstruck and she was just a spectator!

Miah let out a small sigh. She looked at the other maidservants, who didn't even realize Atlan's feelings. It was because they were too busy admiring him to pay full attention to the tiny details. 

"Wow, look at how handsome he is today."

"The patrol uniform suits him so well…"

"Right! He's so dashing, it hurts!"

Miah didn't know what to do. Should she inform the Princess? Should she tell the Emperor? Both options were out of line for Miah. Just then, she caught Atlan's stare.

Almost as if he could read what was running through her mind, Atlan narrowed his eyes. He shot her a glare, forcing her to look away.

Miah's heart trembled at his frightening stare. The Princess might've believed Atlan was as docile as a lamb, but Miah knew he was a dangerous wolf. She swallowed.

"Yes, just like this, Princess," Atlan softly said, despite the hatred in his eyes earlier. He checked if Lina saw it. She didn't.

Lina was too busy paying attention to her posture to understand. Just then, in the distance, a horn was loudly blown. Immediately, there was a rush of people. She saw aristocrats preparing themselves, eagerly walking over to the stands to witness the amazing battle of women.

"You'll do great, Princess," Atlan reassured her, patting her on the shoulders. "Are you sure you don't want one of my calming teas?"

"I'll be fine," Lina softly said with a shake of her head. She widened her smile and placed her hand over his.

"It's all thanks to your last-minute check, Atlan. Thank you." 

An endearing expression flashed on his face. Atlan's features softened.

"Please, Princess, there is no need to thank me."

- - - - - 

When the tournament began, Lina placed her veil back on, that way, people wouldn't realize it was her. The tournament was divided quickly between two pairs of opponents, then the winner advanced, and so on, until only two pairs were remaining.

"Commander, isn't that her?" A voice murmured in between the trees. They were situated in the dense forest that overlooked the entire tournament arena.

"What a bunch of idiots," Kade coldly remarked. He watched as his prey sauntered into the arena. She was wearing a white veil, but he could see her perfectly. 

Only fools wouldn't recognize her. Princesses walked with a presence unlike any other. They held their head a bit higher, their shoulders more relaxed and their elegance far more prominent. No one could ever match their charisma, but this one was even more special.

"Are we certain it's that one, Your Highness?" Sebastian asked, peering at the woman who unsheathed her sword. His eyes widened at her footwork. In an instant, she had side-stepped the opponent's blade, tripped them, and aimed a sword at their neck.

"She looks like an excellent fighter, Commander," Sebastian mumbled, twisting his bracelet with unease. This Princess was the only one he had seen the entire tournament, but she was frightening.

"L-look, Your Highness," Sebastian stated, pointing to how quickly she disarmed another opponent. 

This Princess was quickly sweeping up the ranks in an impressive yet daunting manner. He had blinked and she had already won her second fight.

Sebastian pressed his lips together. He couldn't decide which way to properly address the Prince when they were on missions. Usually, it was the Commander to hide the Prince's identity, but now, it was just the two of them. Their comrades were nearing the tournament, blending into the background, ready to grab the woman at any awaited moment. 

"She'll do," Kade spoke, with an air of mystery in his voice. He crossed his arms and leaned against the tree.

Kade's brows shot up. She was entering the third ring, preparing for another fight. Despite that, not a single flaw was in sight. She wasn't breathing hard. She wasn't sweating. She was perfect.

A Princess through and through. 

"Woah…" Sebastian breathed out in surprise as he witnessed the other opponent. "Is that even a woman?!"

Sebastian gawked at the sight of an extremely tall woman, with muscular arms and thighs, appearing like she was built for war and not a tournament. He swallowed hard, watching the third fight like a true audience.

"She's quick on her feet," Kade muttered, frowning deeply at how nimbly she jumped back from the blow. That was not a good sign. 

The Princess would definitely run faster than most of her peers. She would not be an easy conquest.

Kade straightened when he saw the Princess take a blow to the chest. She faltered backward, but swiftly recovered. He was engrossed in the battle now, watching as she sliced at the opponent's leg. When the opponent dodged, she aimed straight for the neck.

"VICTORY!"

Kade's face darkened. The Princess dropped her sword, turned to a man in the stand, her eyes crinkling. She was smiling—grinning even. Foolish. Never turn your back on the enemy.

He saw the opponent rise, ready to strike again, but a man quickly ran to the field. It all happened so suddenly. The man grabbed the Princess, blocking her from another attack. Instantly, people swarmed the opponent, warning her to back down.

Reluctantly, the opponent retreated.

Kade realized she was authoritative but arrogant in her abilities. Her stubbornness was going to get her killed one day. He watched the entire encounter unfold.

"That man," Kade said. "Keep a close eye on him."

Sebastian curtly nodded his head. From their perspective, they believed the man was either a lover or bodyguard. Perhaps both, given how intimately he held her. One thing was for certain—this man could ruin their grand scheme.