Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Once we neared the thrones, I released her hand momentarily to draw hers back for her.
It was odd, but for some reason. . .I held my breath as Monique eased onto the throne.
Staring down at her, my breath caught in my throat.
She whispered, “thank you.”
In all my years, I had never seen anyone else sit there besides my mother.
Yet. . .with Monique there. . .I had this strong sense that she rightfully belonged there. The throne seemed to embrace her too.
Chen passed me. “Is something wrong, Mountain Master.”
“No.” I cleared my throat. “Everything is fine.”
I went over to my throne and sat down.
The last notes of my dreaded theme song faded into the night.
Everyone took their seats including Hu and Duck who sat by Chen.
Waiters began serving glasses of champagne in anticipation of my welcome toast.
My gaze wandered over to Yan, I caught her eyes darting to Monique in our mother's throne.
A scowl decorated her face.
Once it appeared that everyone had a glass of champagne, even at our table, my ceremony host, Xia approached. “Welcome, Mountain Master.”
I nodded.
She handed me a small microphone.
I rose and lifted my glass.
Everyone waited in hushed anticipation.
I raised the glass, “Good evening.”
Many smiled back at me.
“I wish we were here under happier circumstances, but alas, life has its own designs.”
A few people in the audience shifted uncomfortably.
“The mission we embark on this week is unlike any other,” I scanned all of their faces. “We face a challenge that cuts deeper than any wound, one that reaches into the very core of our existence here on this mountain.”
I paused, gathering my strength. “The founding Mountain Master, my father, has been tainted by a darkness that has seeped into his soul. A darkness born from heartbreak, from the immense grief of losing my mother.”
A murmur ran through the audience. I could hear faint sobs and the sight of hardened warriors wiping away tears was almost too much to bear.
“Our duty,” I continued. “Is to approach this mission with the respect and honor befitting a leader of his stature. We are not just addressing a threat. We are confronting our own history, our legacy.”
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to someone I never thought I'd share the same side with in this endeavor. My sister, Yan.”
The space went still, all eyes darting to Yan. She sat with a neutral expression, her unreadable eyes never leaving mine.
“Our journey ahead is laden with sadness and pain, but I take solace in the fact that our family, fractured as it may be, stands united in this.”
Someone cried in the audience.
I made sure to not gaze that way. “Yan, your presence by my side, your support, it means more than you know.”
A few more stifled sobs echoed in the area.
“Let us remember,” I sighed. “That this challenge will only make us stronger. Together, we will navigate this somber task and come out on the other side, united and resilient.”
With that, I handed the microphone back to Xia.
A sorrowful standing ovation came.
I held my glass up higher.
My men and women joined me.
And then, we drank the first sip together.
The champagne was sweet and bubbly but, it did little to ease the pressure in my chest.
I lowered into my throne.
Meanwhile, Yan's gaze had never left Monique. In fact, I doubted that she had even toasted with all of us.
I frowned.
The orchestra began to play a calm song, providing a soothing sound in the background.
Monique leaned in close to me. “That was. . .amazing.”
I snapped my view to her. “What was amazing?”
“The speech.”
“Oh. You liked that?”
“I did.”
“My people are used to grand stories to reason violence and missions.” My expression softened. “While I would love to rage for hours on the microphone about how my father violently murdered Chanel and Romeo, forever tainting our father-son bond, Chen thought that the whole darkness-broken heart angle would be easier for them to swallow.”
“I could see that.” Monique set her champagne glass on the table. “And did Chen write your speech?”
“No.” I shook my head. “That was just my talking.”
“So right off the dome?”
I grinned. “What?”
“You just put that speech together in your head?”
“I did.”
“I'm impressed.”
My heart warmed. “Are you now?”
“Yes.”
“Therefore, you are less upset with me due to being so impressed?”
“Not at all, but I can appreciate your way with words.” She winked, picked up the glass, and took another sip.
Suddenly, several servers, dressed in royal blue uniforms with gold sashes, gracefully emerged from a concealed entrance.
They carried large, gleaming silver platters. Delicious aromas wafted through the area.
The first server approached our table with a large dish of what looked like honey-glazed pork slices. Thin slices of red and gold edible leaves decorated the meat.
Following the first server was another, this one carrying a tray of dim sum. But these were no ordinary dim sum. Encased in a translucent blue rice wrapper, one could see a filling of lobster and black truffle.