When The Empress Counterattacks

*Gasp!

I woke up and touch my c.h.e.s.t, gasping for more air. Some times that certain memory still appears in my dream, my very first memory since I was reborn in this world.

The experience of dying and being alive again...is unforgettable.

At first, I was really shocked and surprised to found out that I was transmigrated into a body of a mere one month old child.

My soul was plunged into a body of an already cold corpse of a child, a fear that I didn't feel for a long time sprouted at that time, although just faint, it still there.

The feeling of given a light of hope yet a fleeting one is frightening.

The feeling of being alive for a seconds and then died after is a truly a traumatic experience.

I didn't even fear death when I sacrificed myself for that man's safety, my husband Emperor in my Empress coronation.

I didn't love him. I just respected him as he is a just and fair Emperor.

And specially, he was the one who gave me everything.

The food I ate, the luxurious garbs I wore and the things I used.

He was the one who gave me everything so I didn't hesitated to save him in expense of my life.

I already welcomed death for the second time but unexpectedly. The child's body began functioning when people in white clothes that they called doctors did something to me and managed to saved my life.

That incident happened three years ago. So basically my physical body's age is three years old while my soul is twenty seven years old.

"What's wrong Lan'er?"

A gentle and pleasing voice of a woman sounded beside me.

The same voice I heard for the first time since my rebirth.

The same heartbreaking voice who begged without care about her pride and dignity, just to save her child.

'My mother. Bai Lixue."

I dived into her embrace and just hug her silently.

This warmth and security can only be felt in an embrace of a family.

A feeling that I almost forgotten.

In my past life. My mother and two big brothers died because of an unknown plague that killed about thirty thousands of people in White Empire, the 'Illness of Dyanara'. Which is the Goddess of death in my past world, Hue Realm.

That illness s.u.c.k.e.d the people's vitality in a fast manner until they died after three days. It has no cure but the illness just vanished in thin air after six days.

My father was really devastated at that time and he too, passed away. He banged himself in my mother's grave.

They left me behind.

Fending for myself in the palace. I am fourteen at that time and I am still a normal concubine, thus prone to the dark schemes of the other women in the Imperial Harem.

So I almost forgot what is love.

The one that pushed me to move forward and continue fighting was my hatred of those people who trampled my life. For all of what they did to me, all shall be paid.

Thus, the Emperor must noticed me and be favored.

But he lack nothing but beautiful women in his harem.

My chance arrived in a certain night when I was sneaking in the middle of the night to read, that I always do, my night routine. In the Palace's Library.

After I enter, I saw an injured woman in white thus, the blood in her c.h.e.s.t area is very noticeable. She was beautiful, but not that much. The one that makes her stands out in the masses is her exotic allure, her whole body is screaming of a very tempting and inviting charm that one cannot possibly to ignore. Her face was very pale, like that of a sheet of paper, due to her injury but her uniquely stunning and menacing aura, didn't diminish at all.

An aura of an expert killer.

Then a series of heavy footsteps can be heard in the silent palace, and there is also some of them who are coming in the direction of the library.

The woman, although weak managed to pull me and hide me together with her in a dark corner where possibly people can't see.

The footsteps entered the library and searched the place, I take a peek and saw a dozens of muscular soldiers.

The soldiers only search for a minute before going out.

The woman withdraw her hand covering my mouth after they left.

Everything happened too quickly that I did not recovered for some time. I was so nervous and afraid. Nervous that the soldiers will find us, and afraid if this woman will kill me.

Clearly, this woman was hired to assassinate someone of a high rank in the palace and the only person I could think of who can dispatched those dozens of soldiers is the Emperor.

I was lost in a moment until a chilling voice entered my ears.

"Leave!"

Her voice was soft yet domineering and full of killing intent.

I don't know what's in my mind that time that I help her carry, that she herself didn't reject in my very small and shabby maid courtyard and treat her wounds.

She stayed in my courtyard for three days before she decided to leave.

Before she left, she asked me something and warn me to not tell anybody about what happened, if so my life will end, threatened her.

"Thank you for saving my life. I owe you one so please state your payment."

I was stunned by her directness and straightforwardness.

A thought run in my mind that time.

'If she was here in the palace , then she can capture the Emperor's attention and will surely be favored . She was also an expert in martial arts.'

So my answer was simple.

" Teach me martial arts and how to lure a man!"

She was surprised first then a hint of understanding flashed in her eyes, her s.e.xy red lips curved into a devilishly bewitching smile.

"Deal."

Hence, every night after that incident, she will come into my courtyard and she will secretly bring me somewhere in a  secluded place and teach me a lot of techniques in both arts. She also requesting a payment so I gave her my savings in the last five years.

In our interactions, I gained knowledge about a lot of things about the different people living in an underground city. She also introduced herself as a part of that underground and secret city.

She is called 'Bloody Rose' in the pugilistic world. She got quite of fame there. She is one of the top killer there.

Thus, the word 'love' was not in my world when the only reason I am still alive was revenge, hatred and conspiracies.

I belong in the society where love have no space as it can bring destruction and chaos to yourself.

But now, I have a family who cares and love me unconditionally.

I am contented as long as my mother is happy and safe.

In this life. I just want to protect and help my mother.

As in this world. Women and people has way more freedom.

'So I just want to do what I want to do and be free!'