Chapter 13 - Female Soldiers

The blisters under her foot made it hard for her to walk straight. As she made her way to the tent. Elliot pulled her towards him, and not saying a word, he carried her on his shoulder.

'Has this man gone crazy?' Emelia asked herself while she struggled to push her way out of his grip. She was as light as a feather to the point Elliot didn't mind carrying her all day long.​​

After a while, Emelia stopped struggling and instead covered her face. Even if nothing shows on her face, she was flustered with what he was doing. She didn't need his help and she certainly didn't want it either. Why is this man making her life harder?

Elliot placed Emelia down on the sleeping bag and then left the tent without saying a word. She was about to throw the pillow towards the entrance, but she remembered how hard it was to walk. So instead, she stretched her legs on the sleeping bag and looked at the blisters on the feet. She couldn't understand why the Emperor was treating her like some ally instead of a prisoner like she is. Doesn't he know how annoying it is to deal with the soldiers?

Out of nowhere, a girl entered the tent and held a tray that Emelia guessed was food for her to eat. But what interested Emelia more was it was a female soldier who delivered her food. She handed the tray to Emelia, telling her to get the tray and eat.

From the way, she looks and acts, she looked like a female soldier. But do they even exist? Emelia thought as she kept looking at her.

The female soldier didn't look kind, but at least she isn't as rude as the other male soldier. Emelia took the tray then placed it on the sleeping bag. She looked at the beef stew, and her stomach grumbled, but despite being famished, she didn't know if she could trust them to eat this.

"It's not poisoned," the short-haired female soldier spoke as she looked down at Emelia. But then Emelia answered, "How can I trust you?". The female soldier sighed out loud as if she didn't want to entertain her questions any longer, but in the end, she did and answered, "His Imperial Majesty is treating you this kind. Don't ask me any further questions and eat or starve."

After hearing this, her mind went blank. All the more, Emelia didn't want to eat the hot beef stew, even with her stomach grumbling. But if she doesn't fill her stomach, she might faint under the hot sun. So in the end, she hesitantly grabbed the spoon and took a taste. Given that she hasn't eaten for what felt like an eternity, she gobbled the food in an instant.

"See, it's not poisoned," the female soldier said as she rolled her eyes and walked out of the tent.

Emelia took her words from earlier back. Even the female soldiers were rude. Well, what can she do if she's powerless in an enemy Empire? She might as well be counted as the lowest of the lowest. Once her stomach was filled with the delicious stew, she felt like her eyes were starting to shut slowly. At first, she forced herself not to sleep but however, soon, her heavy eyelids gave up, and she ended up going into a deep slumber.

The next morning came and it was about time for another episode of walking, but this time it was quite different from the day before. Since when did they have a troop just for female soldiers? To add, they were closer to the Emperor. No, rather you could see him just a few meters away.

But to have female soldiers in a strong empire was certainly a surprise. They don't look weak either. Maybe they are a group of female soldiers who are well trained.

"Surprised?" asked a female soldier who has been wanting to talk to Emelia. She looked energetic and chatty, but she may be the right person to get information from. Emelia nodded her head and stayed quiet. "The Vivian Empire is different from your Empire. In this Empire, women are equal to men. Ah, but there is still discrimination against women. It's sad, but this is why we female soldiers exist."

"Ahem," intruded another female soldier who pulled the loud female soldier and whispered, "What are you doing, Aimee?". The female soldiers called Aimee looked at her with confusion, then answered, "Talking to her?". Aimee didn't understand why the other female soldiers were so worried about Emelia.

Well, she is a Princess of the opposing Empire, but she didn't look like the type to harm people if they don't try harming her.

"It's alright. Even if she tries harming us, she wouldn't be able to do so," Aimee gave a smile to the female soldier.

Emelia had a bad feeling about this girl. With those pair of eyes looking at her, it's as if she's looking down at her. 'What a two-faced person' Emelia thought. But she didn't mind acting two-faced either.

"How long have you been wielding the sword?" Emelia asked Aimee, who happily answered, "Seven years?" Just seven years? And she looks proud of it. She can be proud of herself if she's called a master, but if she isn't, what is the point of training to become a soldier?

"Very impressive," Emelia flashed a fake smile, but then Aimee knew she was being laughed at. The cheery eyes turned into cold-looking ones. Emelia was right. She is a two-faced person. This is why trusting people is an issue.

Aimee walked away from Emelia's sight as she didn't want to talk to her any longer. In her mind, she didn't want to befriend a future slave. What would others say about her? Reputation over friendship was normal for the people. It's nothing rare.

The long walk continued, and after how many hours, she reached the walls of the Vivan Empire. When the Emperor passed through the gate, the people started to rejoice, but as soon as they saw Emelia, they all threw her a disgusted look.

Mutters and stares, she was all used to it. It was better for them to say it to her face rather than muttering things to each other. It's just the same as her old hometown.

"Wherever you go, there will always be someone who dislikes you."