Xinatta
"I know you're smart enough, I've seen your capability. But isn't this method easier than having to transform into a phoenix and use your precious feathers, crown princess?" The girl said to Xinatta with a mix of confidence and sass. She didn't bother answering and just went straight in, the girl's reasoning is enough to prove she completely believes Xinatta is Crystal. That means her cover's effective.
The insides of the cement-like door were filled with gold, antique weapons, and machineries. The troop formation stood out though. It's placed right at the top of a wooden cabinet. The silvery paper basically outshines all gold. Xinatta was about to jump and take it but the girl sung a tune, making it float towards her. When it was near enough, the girl wanted to grip it tight. However—Xinatta's strange threatening lack of emotion voice stopped her, "Lay your hand on it and I'll kill you."
The silvery paper ended up dropping on the ground. Xinatta picked it up and turned to leave. The girl hesitated for a while but asked anyway, "Before you go, can I atleast have a copy?" This time her voice wasn't sassy, neither is it pleading. Just serious and stern. Hearing this, Xinatta didn't bat an eye, she continued to walk and ignore her request. The girl asked once again, desperately, "I'll do anything you say. So can I?" Xinatta halted and decided to accept the deal. They agreed to let the girl copy the troop formation as long as she'll let Xinatta interrogate her.
"Fine. Go ahead." The girl said while frowning. Clearly displeased.
"Who are you?" Xinatta asked unbothered.
"You might not know this but I am the crown prince's second consort, Nuxiera."
Second consort? Xinatta have heard a lot of rumours about her. She's known as "short-tempered hothead from mermaid clan." A sassy confident outcast. She often gets into misunderstandings with other consorts and concubines. The servants working in the royal palace find her fights entertaining and juicy that everytime it happens, it spreads like wildfire.
"Why do you want this?" Xinatta asked again while raising the silvery paper.
"For preparation, incase my queen has new plans." Nuxiera answered.
"I see. Make two copies."
"Two?"
"We should put back the original."
"Oh I get it now. Put back the original so they won't notice that we got their troop formation. You're a cunning woman, crown princess." Nuxiera said, smirking.
She sung words normal mortals won't recognize. Then the silvery paper floated and produced two copies of itself. One landed on her hand, the other on Xinatta's. The original went back up on top of the wooden cabinet. Where its initial position is.
They parted ways after getting out of the underground passage. Both knowing that they should not tell anyone about what they have done. Xinatta tucked her troop formation copy in her pants and rushed for her room window. The window is still open, like how it was left. She jumped down and successfully snuck inside her own room. After changing clothes, she hid the silvery paper under her pillow. The closer it is to her, the safer.
The night passed peacefully. Xinatta awoke to the chirping of birds outside. She sat on her comfortable bed and just stayed still for minutes, staring at the wall. She herself has no idea why she's doing this, it just felt like a necessity. After a while, a loud horn played, ringing through her ears. The same sound she heard when she first entered the Immortal Sect's huge white gate.
Xinatta's room door flung open, revealing several servants holding different stuffs. A gown, a brush, a hair tie and rouge. She remained sitting, just casually looking at them. When the servants reached her bedside, they bowed and the lead maid spoke, "Crown princess, your highness the crown prince has arrive, you are required to welcome him. Therefore, her majesty the queen sent us to assist you."
So that spoiled brat succeeded. Good for him. Xinatta stood up and faced the servant who spoke, "Put the things down." The servant then gestured to the others, they immediately followed. "You may leave." Xinatta ordered as clearly as possible.
"But your highne-" Another servant muttered.
The lead maid glared and quickly cut her sentence off, "Yes, your highness."
After they left, Xinatta dressed herself up while thinking. That girl is probably being scolded by the lead maid right now. General rule of servants, "Always follow your master." As one herself, she can speak from experience. Whoever disobeys that rule will be punished by the lead maid. Most of them don't mean harm, they only punish to correct lower servants' mistakes. Just so the worst scenario won't happen-- being killed by the master. Apparently, that's how cheap higher-ups view servants' lives.
She changed to the gown the servants brought. It is a sleeveless, full-length gown made by luxurious satin. The upper part is filled with embroidered circle-like rose structure. The lower part on the other hand, has tons of glittering gold vines. Preparing all this just for the arrival of a mere creature is incredibly a tick off for her. They could have spend these resources on better, actually deserving creatures or mortals. Xinatta sighed, brushing her hair while staring at the mirror. She then applied some rouge, supposed it's a condition.
Thereafter, she went downstairs and waited for the crown prince to arrive along with other consorts and concubine. They were all dressed up fancy. Finn crossed the gate, riding his horse. His troops followed behind, also riding their own horse while pulling a humongous cage. There's a woman inside. She's bleeding, wounds and cuts surrounded her unconscious body. Why did he only captured her? Didn't he say they were taking out barbarians?
Finn hopped off his horse and handed the rein to a servant. The girls, like before, squeaked and admired him. Xinatta stayed behind, watching everything unfold. Finn motioned to his troops and they nodded, proceeding to follow whatever order he gave. He then walked towards the royal palace entrance. Everyone parted, except for one girl who dared to approach him.
"Your highness, it must've been hard. You've suffered. Why don't you let me serve you just for today?"
"Go away."
The girl stepped away in humiliation, her face darkening. He shut her off immediately in front of all these creatures and mortals. If Xinatta's her, she would be embarrassed too. The crowd seeing this remarkable scene, whispered to one another.
"First consort's bravery is admirable."
"You mean foolish? Everyone knows the crown prince only loves that Liu'er girl."
"Yeah, she should've expected that reaction."
Xinatta disregarded their discussion and didn't bother lingering for too long. She wasn't interested nor does she care. Things like that isn't her business. When she got back her room, she spotted Nuxiera sitting beside the window, looking out with one leg swaying. "Why are you here?" Xinatta asked to get her attention, while walking towards her own bed. Nuxiera looked up and smirked, "You're here."
She paused for a while and looked out again, "My queen has been captured." Face all solemn, she waited for a response or atleast a reaction but there was only defeaning silence. So Nuxiera stood up and purposely blocked the unbothered sitting Xinatta's vision.
"I need your help." She muttered, pleading.
Xinatta's soulless-looking eyes gazed at her, "I don't do things for free."
Nuxiera sarcastically smiled, "Certainly, that's why I have a deal to offer."
Finn
Finn arrived at the throne room and bowed while greeting, "Father, mother."
The king smiled at him tenderly, "You did well, my son."
Finn replied almost immediately, "Thank you. However, I have matters to report."