Seven Devils and a Rose

Wulin

To the east of Aurora resided the majestic nation of Wulin. Across the realm, this prosperous, affluent, and powerful country was famous for its art, poetry, and culture. Tourism thrived here, and visitors came in droves annually for the sight, taste, and experience of what this wonderful country had to offer.

Within the center of this vast kingdom was the Imperial City, and in the middle of the hustle and bustle of this metropolitan area was the grand palace, where the royal family resided. Here, in a beautiful private garden in the south wing, was Princess Li Ju, a fae of exquisite beauty, with silky dark hair, dark-brown eyes, milky-fair skin, and rose-red lips.

Today, her hair was styled fashionably into a chignon with gold and gemstone ornaments as decorations. Her qixiong ruqun was very sophisticated, light, and bright, with the dark-purple pleated silk skirt flowing gracefully from above her breasts to the floor and her sheer white blouse wrapped elegantly about her upper body. Over the blouse, she wore a pastel-purple outer robe, with the sheer fabric branded with chrysanthemum flowers.

Sitting on a stool and surrounded by exquisite blossoms in full spring, Princess Ju was going through the agenda for the upcoming international conference, wanting to ensure that she didn't miss anything important, as it wasn't long until the opening date. After all, she was one of the organizers for this important meeting and didn't want to muck things up.

She was just sipping her tea when her older brother, Prince Li Wei, turned up.

As an heir to the throne, Prince Wei exuded an air of regality, grace, and power. The moment he saw his sister, he came down to take a seat in front of her, fluttering his long sleeves about as he poured himself tea.

"Are you still going through the agenda?" he asked.

She nodded. "I have to make sure things are going according to plan."

He chuckled. "You know very well nothing ever goes according to plan."

She shrugged her slender shoulders. "Well, we'll just have to do the best we can."

After looking at him for a moment, she leaned forward and tapped on the stone table. "By the way, have you found out anything about that pure qi piercing the sky a few weeks back?"

Wei nodded. He leaned forward and whispered, "Apparently, the wise man told Father it's the return of The Great One."

Ju raised a brow. "Really? How fascinating."

Wei nodded. "It is, isn't it?"

Ju sighed. "If only this conference wasn't taking place this month, I would request of Father that I go and investigate such a rare phenomenon."

"Forget it," Wei said. "There's no way he'd let you."

She pulled a face. "I just wanted to meet The Great One; that's all. Nothing more."

Wei picked up his teacup, gracefully brought it up to his lips, and took a sip. When he put it down, he said, "Have you arranged a suitable accommodation for the Lords of Acaedien yet? They're arriving within the week, you know."

Ju nodded. "They're staying at the Waterfall Mansion to the west of the palace. I'm sure they'll like it there, as the estate has waterfalls and a hot spring pool. I heard they're fond of it, just like the Yamato people." Suddenly, Ju leaned forward and said, "I heard rumors that three of the seven lords have acquired themselves a mate. Apparently, they're sharing her."

Wei raised a brow. "Isn't that normal? Father has many concubines, after all."

"Well, of course it's normal for an emperor and ministers of the country to have many wives, but I've never seen it done the other way around. I wish we could do it here, too." She smiled at him cheekily. "Why don't you do that, Wei? Change the rules? I would like to have three or four husbands of my own."

He leaned forward and gave her a light knock on her forehead. "Stop talking such nonsense, silly girl. You're a princess and still too young to be talking of a vile subject like that."

She rubbed her forehead, giving him a hurt look that only made him laugh in amusement.

Wei said a moment later, "Enough about this. We have a meeting with Father in a few minutes. Now tidy yourself up."

She saluted him. "Aye, highness."

He was about to give her forehead a light knock again, but this time Ju swiftly shifted out of the way as she laughed merrily.

* * *

Forbidden Forest

In the center of the Aurora Realm resided the resplendent Forbidden Forest Kingdom. Here, the capital of the nation was surrounded by thick woods and forest teeming with amazing wildlife creatures that had been preserved after the Great Apocalypse.

In the capital to the north was an imposing palace where the Forbidden Forest king, a magical beast named Aslan McTavish, resided.

Within the palace on the seven floor, Aslan pulled his beloved Lilly, a beauty of a girl who had been sacrificed to him by a village in return for the village's protection, wealth, and prosperity, into his arms.

Aslan snuggled his beast-masked face against Lilly's slender neck, causing her to giggle in delight.

"Lilly, my love." He began.

Lilly turned and looked at him, her eyes wide. "What is it, Aslan?"

"I will be leaving for another conference soon," he said. "It's in Wulin, an eastern nation. It's very beautiful. Would you like to come along?"

Lilly stared at him, her eyes wide. Then she laughed and hugged his big body. "Of course I'd love to come along. I've never been to another kingdom before. This makes me so excited."

Aslan smiled. "Then I'm glad. After all, I want to introduce you to some of my friends."

"Friends?" she asked. "I'd love to meet your friends, Aslan." She clasped her hands together. "Why don't you tell me a little bit about them? So that when I meet them, it's easy for me to know who is who."

Aslan nodded. "I guess that is a good idea. After all, there are a few of them."

"Then let's begin," she said.

Thus, Aslan began to tell her about his comrades, the seven lords of Acaedien.