The Birth of the War Goddess

For our dance training me and Hua get suspended from the resistance training untill the Wedding...

Even the ones chose as guards will be coming to this training, in case that day one will be unable to attend and they will be able to replace them... Also to learn their rotation track during the feast and get familiar with the palace or to manage the peoples pressing on them from outside.

-Miss Ying... Young Master Feng- Dong greets walking toward us...

Before departing for the Royal Palace we managed to take a quick bath and change in more fitting clothes.

We walk down the main street of the Capital, a few stalls are already getting ready for the night and the smell is quite inviting at this hour...

-Would it be that bad if I bought some food...?- asks Hua drooling over a bunch of steamed buns getting steamed as we speak

-I cannot deny to be quite hungry myself... I suppose we can eat if we are quick...

Ohy Dong! we are getting some food you need?- I call out for him, who's walking a bit further away, so he nods approaching.

-One Nai Wong Bao please...- ask Hua

-Same for me thanks- I say paying for the both of us

-And for me- add up Dong Hu

-Here it comes!-

-I didn't think you were a sweet tooth- I comment before taking a bite, munching slowly

-I actually am not... But I got the same as you to make it quicker-

-I see... Ehy Hua'Ge! Come on or we'll be late!- I turn around to call him since he's still at the stall

-Ah! Coming!- he rushes to my side

-Look at you... They will surely find out about our little stop here-

I say cleaning the sides of his mouth, covered in Custard cream.

He closes one eye looking at me with the other before laughing softly -Hehe it tickles! you and Pei really are siblings after all-

-What is that suppose to mean...? We are literally identical-

- I mean, you both take care for me soooo nicely- he smiles hugging me

-Ah what's with this attitude now... Come on you spoiled baby! or do I have to carry you too?-

-Not gonna lie, I'm tired...- he yawn munching lazily, dragging his body lazily

-You should consider sleeping sometimes, you know?-

-Gne gne gne!- he stick his tongue out, murmuring to his bao like a little kid -It is not my fault Uhmph... I wanted to sleep after some time uhhh.

I should have insisted, but Pei is so handsome uff...-

-Nevermind...- I sigh and give up on the topic, looking away as he keep on saying silly excuses to himself...

We pass by the brothel where Youya works... But apparently she's not working today as I don't see her among the other girls, all smiling and trying to catch a new customer for the night

As we arrive we get shown where the banquet will take place, which is the same hall as the other time.

Then we're led to the main entrance, they will build a stage just below the stairs for us to perform while the musicians will be standing at the sides of said stair... The royal family will have a table arranged in between the stairs cases, to have a perfect view of the show.

We're giving a rounded sword each and our costumes... Beige and blue with gold pendants for the soldiers while mine is black and deep red with silver decorations and bracelets.

So we begin our practice following the choreographers...

-Our main focus of the dance will be the Lady, since we are lucky enough to have her with us.

There is also another main character but he will join us in a bit.

As it begins you will be standing on the back, here.

While you are here you won't have to do much, just play casually with your sword... Feel free to improvise.

The first scene will be played by the men... Around there, closer to the stairs

Then... You 6 here!

Nice...

You other guys go behind... A little more... Thank you.

Yes excatly there!-

The main choreographer place each line according to their role, distancing the boys equally before stepping back and clapping, then proceed to explain what we are going to do

-... So, the dance will be divided in 5 parts.

On the first one we will have a normal male type of dance sword, on the second one you all will make place to Miss Ying for her solo dance...

Third part will be all together instead.

Fourth part will be a bit more of a recitation and a guest actor will join us for this part... And the last part will be again all together with some extra female dancer joining too.

I actually wanted to use this occasion to tell a story...

In which a prodigy princess, or goddess, comes to to the world and teach the men how to live and fight... Living them surprised at first but grateful later on.

Then comes a jealous King who tries to seduce her, wanting to prove how men are more rightful to rule while ending up being the one committing...

Then the population feast over the win of the princess and her marriage.

Now we shall begin our practice!-

For our first day we only follow the instructions without actually dancing, it's just a learning process for now... He said we will work on perfectioning once we learnt the choreography's steps.

We get introduced to all the other girls, dressed in pink with their faces covered with matching veils and fully adorned with gold pendants like the soldiers.

-Sorry... I'm late- says a voice coming near

A man with a mask is approaching quickly... His mask is black with silver leaves carved on it, his clothes are red and black like mine with silver bracelets, necklace and belt... His black hair are lose and his fake sword is extremely decorated, beautiful just like mine.

"So this is my counterpart..."

He's tall and built but still maintaining a slim waist, only his serious lips and shaep jaw are showing from his face.

Without any introduction he jumps in the mix of peoples and get ready to act.

Our scene start with him point a sword toward me while the other men fallsmdown and run away...

As he approaches, lowering the weapon, he is supposed to catch my hand and kneel... While doing so, I catch the titling of a smaller bracelet compared to the heavy ones from his costume...

White pearls and a starfish

I am a bit late in my next move but manage to not make the choreographers notice as I rise my sword toward him, "declaring" us as enemies.

...

After the practice everyone rush to get some water and food toward a little table they set up for us...

I begin to walk follow them before turning around -Ehy you, what's your name?- I ask to the guest dancer, who was already slipping away.

-I'm Linghe- he replies coldly

-Are you... From the North?- I ask approaching, not letting him go just yet.

-Mhn... Yeah, how do you know?-

-Oh ehm... Nothing particular... I just noticed your bracelet-

-Ah this? Yeah I got it a long time now... I probably bought it at some local festival, I don't even remember anymore-

-I'm... Sorry-

-It's allright don't worry... I managed to escape and even got a decent job, so it's all good for now-

-For now?- I ask curious

-Yeah... I was a dancer in my region but after I escaped I was forced to perform on the streets to earn some money... When I arrived at the capital a couple of days ago the head choreographer spotted me and offered me to work for this event.

It might not be much for a Noble's life, but this sole event is enough to pay for many weeks of a commoner life... So I'm good for now-

He's quite cold in his speech.

-I understand, well I'm looking forward to working with you then... See you- I turn around, letting him go since I bothered him enough already.

-Are you... One of the soldiers too?-

-Uh? Me? Yeah why?- I ask a bit lost

-Nothing... I just hope you guys will manage to win, so we can all go back to our lives...- he whispers before leaving