The news about Yuan Kingdom withdrawing from the battle makes the two kingdoms left feel pressured. But all in all, they still continue with their plan. On the other hand, the people of Ming Kingdom truly astounded with Nanglong Souka achievement to the point his name is being talked all the time along with Jun Min.
Mountain Kingdom
Kuina had been hiding inside the cave for some time. Given that this is one of her favorite places to hide, her personal servants have secretly hid some food here. With the food inside the cave, Kuina doesn't need to worry about dying because of hunger.
But she cannot stay inside the cave forever. There are things she needs to do outside of this place. She's afraid, but she knows full well in her heart that she had to make the decision to go outside. Staying in this place won't help her regain the throne.
"What belongs to me will return back to me again," Kuina said with determination. She vowed that she would get the throne back and avenge her father. Those greedy and disloyal officials would know the meaning of word regret.
Kuina had been staying inside this cave for a few days and she's itching to have a good bath. Her appearance must be no different from beggar anymore. With resigned feeling, she tried to sneak out and walk in the street. As she had expected, most people who look her will turn their head and ignored her.
"Great, I have just changed my status so drastically."
Partially mocking herself, Kuina walks towards one of the small inns. The owner looks at her with a frown, but upon seeing a gold coin on the table, the owner instead smiling widely.
"Is there anything you need? You can ask for anything."
"Just prepare a room and food for me," Kuina answered flatly.
The owner thanks her profusely before take her to one of the empty rooms. The foods are also delivered insides and Kuina can eat until she's full.
"Luckily, I still have some money."
Kuina sighed then go to the shower and take a bath. Feeling the warm water, she feels rejuvenated again. As a girl, she would love cleanliness and after a good one hour inside the bathroom, she comes out and changes her clothes.
The inn owner also provides her some clean clothes. The clothes are a bit rough, but Kuina doesn't really care about it. She sits down on the bed, thinking about what is she going to do right now? Given that she's already cannot be considered as a princess anymore, the people around the palace is surely her enemies.
"So it means I need to find the people who still support me."
Kuina is not stupid. She knows that to become the empress, she needs support from some of the officials and military officer. The problem is, there is no way she could convince them without revealing her real identity. She wants to go out, but she's also worried that she will die after she tells them her real identity.
Thinking for a while, she decides to sleep first before going. The cave is not a nice place for sleep, so the bed makes her sleepy and she sleeps for a long time. When she wakes up, it's already the next day. The inn owner had prepared some food for her and Kuina eats them happily.
She walks down the street, hearing the people converse along the way.
"Have you heard about the palace? It seems something had happened."
"Really? I thought it's just a rumor."
"The numbers of the officials are decreasing. Many of them are too afraid of going out from their house."
"Well, with the situation like this, who can blame them?"
"But, who will be our next leader?"
Kuina didn't follow most of the conversation, but she noticed something, they have been controlling the information that comes out on the streets. The number of people who knows that something has happened on the castle is limited and they would not reveal it to other people.
She doesn't know where she should go. The only place she knows of the loyal official towards her is only General Hen and Prime Minister Rei, but she's not sure if they are still alive. In the end, she can only try to walk towards Prime Minister Rei house.
"Get out! We are not accepting beggar here!"
Kuina saw an extraordinary view when she arrives in front of Prime Minister Rei house. The servants are tossing out a person outside who then run away from the place.
She braved herself. "Excuse me, is Prime Minister Rei here?"
"Who are you?"
"Um… please tell him that one of his friends is visiting."
The servants look towards Kuina in disbelief, but one of them still goes. Not long after that, a middle age man comes out. His appearance looks a bit haggard, but most of all he's fine. His eyes widen in shocks when he sees Kuina.
"Come inside."
Kuina followed the prime minister as she walks inside. She no longer knows who she can believe any longer so she can only try her luck.
"How can you escape, Princess?" the prime minister asks in a worried tone.
"I don't know," Kuina answered. It's indeed true, even she herself only vaguely remembers that she runs away from the palace towards her secret place.
"Never mind. It's good that you're still alive," Prime Minister Rei smiled.
"What about you?"
"I'm not going to the palace at that day because my wife is sick."
"You're really lucky. The palace condition is really scary," Kuina said in lower tone.
Prime Minister Rei nodded. "Since you're here, it would be better if you take a look at this first and possibly sign it."
Kuina feels that Prime Minister Rei is acting weird. Why would he tell her to look at a document at times like this? Shouldn't they try to find a way to take the throne back?
Seeing the look on Kuina face, Prime Minister Rei shakes his head. "You're just a na?ve little girl. It would be better if you hand down your right to the throne to us. Don't bother resisting, you're inside my territory."
Kuina face turned pale. "Why? Wasn't you're one of the loyal officials?"
"It's the past, Kuina. Learn to accept the truth."
Kuina stares in disbelief. Its over! She had chosen the wrong person. Should she just wait in the cave? But no, if she did, she would never know the truth. Facing the person before her, Kuina braved her heart.
CRASH!
"She's here!"
"You take her and I will distract the other."
Kuina find herself carried away by another person as the prime minister yell here and there. She cannot follow the recent events. What had happened?