Princess Lunalah stopped reading as her mind filled with rage.


    “That old bitch!” she cursed.


    She was nearly tempted to tear the letter up, but Ling Wei had written much more. She stomached the insult to read further.


    Lunalah’s heart jumped.


    This was the exact outcome she had sent Ling Wei to avoid.


    How could she have failed so miserably?


    She dared to read on.


    Lunalah’s heart leapt again, but for a different reason this time.


    Her Iron Bull had grown far stronger than even she could have imagined.


    It was nearly too good to believe. She had prayed for him to return home a legionnaire, but an Imperial Marshal? And now worthy of rank far beyond even that?


    Her heart swooned.


    He would be more than just worthy of becoming her consort. In the public eye, she would be envied amongst her peers. Envied even by her older sisters. sea??h thё N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lunalah let out a giggle as she stomped her feet with excitement.


    She hadn’t felt this giddy in decades.


    Centuries even.


    She’d done it. She’d cultivated the perfect husband.


    One fitting of a true princess.


    And now, in mere days, he would be returning home to her. And betrothed to no one.


    Lunalah’s mind spun with daydreams of how it would all unfold. She would have to literally sit on her hands when he came to present himself to her. She had to remember he would still be grieving. She would have to woo him with tact.


    But Ling Wei had chosen well in making him her proxy. What better way to display his talents and worth than in the largest of public eyes. The High Council. The trial would have to take place upon the core worlds on the edge of the Celestial Realm. She would be in a position to display herself on a stage even greater than that of the lower courts. Perhaps even her father might deign to watch from afar.


    she thought, as her excitement dampened a little.


    In truth she had not seen her father for over a century. After the celebration of her eighteenth birthyear, he had long since moved on to his next wife and family. And the times seeing him before that were sparse as well.


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    Lunalah shook the thoughts away.


    She was too old to be some girl pining for her father’s attention. She would have her own husband soon. A man to finally call her own. One she would now, not only be proud to put on display, but one that would be the envy of all her dreaded sisters.


    She was so enthralled that she skimmed the rest of the letter.


    Most of it spoke of the details of the trial and how they should prepare. The Iron Bull would have at least eight months. According to Ling Wei, Rheutera would be hard pressed to find a subject worthy of matching him in status much less power. Her victory was nearly assured.


    That caused Lunalah’s heart to jump for a third time.


    If he reached Lesser Deity Realm, the Iron Bull would surpass even her.


    She needed to wed him quickly.


    Eight months should be more than enough time to grieve the loss of that foolish girl and her child. Lunalah’s mind quickly went to work, strategizing. She would need to use the trial as a means to make the offer. A reward even.


    Yes. She would be his prize for defending her.


    Lunalah read through the rest of the letter.


    Luanalah grimaced at the thought. She didn’t like the idea of being dictated decisions by a subordinate, but in this case, Ling Wei was likely correct. The Iron Bull had saved her planet by securing that grant and with that money they could complete the gate in record time. In months instead of years even. Perhaps even fast enough so that they could travel to the High Council hearing not by ship but through the gate itself.


    she thought with a smile on her lips.


    Lunalah made a mental note to issue a new edict to General Xi Lui to restart the project and to spare no expense to get it completed in record time. She finally read the last page of the letter.


    Lunalah chuckled inwardly.


    She thought. She would rather for him to come home and satisfy a different kind of lust with her, but that would have to wait for their wedding night. Still, there would be much to do before then and not least of which was to meet her foolish sister’s challenge head on.


    She drew a fresh sheet of parchment and began writing.


    She ended the letter with a laugh.


    , she thought.


    But there was one other sister she needed to put in her place.


    She wet her brush again.


    Lunalah laughed as she sealed both letters with her imperial seal. The second letter was perhaps a bit immature and unnecessary, but to hells with Ul’vera and her presumptuousness. Still, she was certain, if Ling Wei were here, she would perhaps try to convince her to send neither of them.


    Lunalah laughed again.


    Ling Wei would probably be right, but she had an Imperial Marshal to defend her now.


    And one soon to be her husband.


    Lunalah quickly summoned her administrator and posted both letters.