"GATHER!" I commanded.
The men who had been collecting information and finding clues gathered at my command. Once they assembled, I didn't let them explain—I teleported back to the imperial palace.
What did she mean when she said Mulan might leave once she regained her memories? What did I do in my previous life that was so bad? Shit, this is starting to piss me off. Appearing back in the palace, I headed toward where I sensed Mulan.
I entered her quarters and found her practicing her swordsmanship. I tensed as I walked closer. She noticed and smiled at me.
"Welcome home, dear," she said.
Though she looked serene, this only made me wary. Shouldn't she be asking why I returned so early today?
"How are you doing?" I asked.
"Why do you ask? Is something wrong?" she asked in return.
Why was she dodging my question?
"I have found the one behind the curse."
She just gave a simple smile.
"Oh, who is it?"
She doesn't look surprised. She must have regained her memories. But why is she playing around with me?
"Stop the act."
Her smile faded. "Fa Long," she said, with a hint of affection.
My eyes shook. I just stood there, silent. I only had one question on my mind.
She smiled again.
"You don't have to worry. I don't plan to leave. Besides, even if I wanted to, I don't think I'd be able to," she said.
"Do you think I would stop you?" I asked.
"It's not whether you would—it's that you will. Because of the curse you've placed on us, every lifetime we meet it will activate and turn your love into possessiveness. There were already signs of this happening when I tried to leave before," she said.
What she said made sense. I did lose my composure a few years ago.
"How do I destroy the curse?"
"There are two ways to destroy the curse. The first is to convince the demon. The second is to sever our karma from each other, which means we will never meet again in this life or the next," she explained.
I clenched my fist but calmed myself.
"Tell me. I'll let you decide."
Her eyes widened for a moment before she smiled.
"Are you afraid I'll choose the second one? Well, you're mistaken. I still love you. The only problem is the obsession you brought from the curse. But I'm fine with it since it won't activate as long as it isn't triggered," she explained.
Though I sensed the truth in her words, it still unsettled me. That curse was really powerful—it could even affect me.
"How do I contact the demon?" I asked.
She just smiled and started inspecting me.
"Well, it's quite interesting," she said.
"What is?"
"You told me you were a god. I can sense your energy, and it tells me you're not a full god," she explained.
"Of course not. I have yet to reach enough power to make a god body."
She hummed and turned to me.
"If that is true, then you don't need to find the demon. When you reach enough power, you can destroy the curse without messing with our karma," she explained.
That was reassuring, but will she continue to act like that? I guess I have to get used to her new personality.
Sensing something was wrong with me, she smiled.
"You don't have to worry. This personality will disappear when my soul finishes combining."
I just nodded and stayed quiet. I'm glad she said that because Mulan becoming assertive and playful was not on my new resolution. I should be the one to be assertive.
"Well then, we've been so busy talking I've forgotten about supper. Let's go eat," she said.
I nodded and followed her. Hopefully her personality will return to how it was before. Those smirks and playful gestures are going to be quite difficult to get used to.
We soon reached an open garden and sat down at a table. There were maids and eunuchs around as usual. I grabbed my utensils and started eating.
"Do you plan to give me another child?"
I stopped my movements and looked around. Seeing the maids and eunuchs looking away in embarrassment, I smirked.
"Are you sure? The last time we did it, you couldn't walk for a week," I smirked.
The maids blushed and the eunuchs tried to look calm.
"But I didn't get pregnant. Why don't we do it again?" she teased.
This was getting interesting. Maybe this wasn't so bad.
"When do you want another child?" I asked.
"Right now doesn't sound so bad," she smirked.
I stopped everything and put down my utensils. Looking at her plate, I could see she's already done eating. I grinned and stood up.
"Clean up," I said. The maids and the eunuchs rushed around and started cleaning the table while I walked toward Mulan.
I then picked her up. Her teasing grin faltered.
"I—it was a joke," she tried to say.
"But I'm not joking," I said as I walked to our quarters.
"No, wait. I've only just healed. We did it just seven days ago."
A few days later
I sat in a tent, planning with my men.
"Shang, what have you learned so far?"
"Your Majesty, the kingdom is called Aldoria. The king is quite old, and from the information I've gathered, they're not very strong. Their last war was over 50 years ago."
I nodded. This means there will be less bloodshed when I invade. The only thing I have to worry about is whether the king is a fool or a wise one.
"And how are the men preparing?"
"They have all gathered and are ready for your arrival, Your Majesty."
Good. This will mark my first solo conquest. I've trained my army personally—they should be ready. I believe none of my men will die in this battle, but there might be unexpected outcomes.
"Your Majesty," someone called from outside.
I looked up from the map on the table.
"State your purpose," I commanded.
"The princess has arrived."
I paused. Why was Yao here? She shouldn't be here right now. Besides, wasn't she heading to her grandparents with her mother?
"Come in," I replied.
The tent flap opened and Yao entered. She walked closer before bowing slightly.
"Father," she said.
I nodded.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"Mother is pregnant," she said, straight to the point.
My officers looked a little embarrassed.
"Already?"
She nodded.
"She expects you to finish this matter before she gives birth."
I scratched my head. It was possible, but stabilizing the kingdom would probably take longer.
"Tell her it will be done," I sighed.
She nodded and prepared to leave. Seeing her about to go, I stopped her.
"Wait," I said.
She stopped and turned around.
"Yes, Father?"
"As a father, I've barely spent time with you. Tell me—what do you want?" I asked.
She paused and pondered.
"Then—can I travel around the world?"
I paused at her words.
"That's a difficult request, but I'll try to make it happen. For now, you can only travel to the lands your grandfather has conquered since they are safe," I explained.
She smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Father."
I nodded and smiled at her. She bowed and left with brighter energy around her.
After she left, a general spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I think you're a great father. Usually an emperor only sees their children a few times a month, but you see her every week."
I side-eyed him.
"Those are bad fathers," I said matter-of-factly.
Their mouths twitched.
"Cough—well, I think we should head toward the southern region of Aldoria. That's their weak spot. They barely have any defenses."
I nodded at his words. That was the best choice, but should I go head-on and use dragon's breath? No—it would be too powerful. It would kill too many people. I want the area to be habitable when I invade. I don't need a wasteland.
We could just charge in, but there's a reason it's their weak spot. The terrain makes it hard for them to set up bases.
Though the terrain was our best bet, it was also our worst enemy. The winding paths and rocky hills could separate us in the process.
My fingers tapped on the table. Then I paused when inspiration struck. Couldn't I just transform into my dragon form, fly straight to the castle, and teleport my army in?
I grinned at the thought and started laughing. I stopped when I noticed the uneasiness from my men.
"Cough—I have a plan if the first one doesn't work," I said.
They nodded but still looked a little scared.
"All of you, leave."
They nodded and got up from their seats before leaving. I sat there and watched them go.
Once they'd all left, I let out a breath. Being an emperor is quite annoying. But I did promise Dad I would conquer some land. If only my siblings were more capable. Thinking of them, I couldn't help but sigh.
They were all unique—but none met the criteria my father set.
Clyde: Merida's second son. Extremely energized and loves the sea.
Appearance: Blonde with blue oceanic eyes. Stands at 6'2" and wields a rapier.
Divine Skill: God of Water—the ability to control all forms of water at will.
Fergus: Merida's third son. Has a heavy thirst for battle. Loud and obnoxious.
Appearance: Long, wild red hair. Stands over 7 feet tall, dwarfing even his father. Uses an axe as a weapon and likes to eat pie.
Unique Skill: Battle Beast—the longer you fight, the stronger you become. Power can vary from rank 10 to above.
Rune: Merida's fourth son. Quiet and mostly stays in the library. Has a great aptitude for magic and rune skills.
Appearance: Messy red curly hair. Extremely pale skin from staying inside too long. Wears glasses and oversized clothes. Stands at 5'9", the shortest of the brothers.
Unique Skill: Book of Monsters—a special book that the user can form. Each time the user reaches a new level of mastery or knowledge, a new monster can be summoned. Monster strength ranges from rank 1 to 10.
Claude: Elsa's only male child. Barely shows emotion and at times feels almost apathetic.
Appearance: Blonde, almost golden hair. Bright blue eyes that don't match his stoic face. Pale skin like his mother and ruthless like his father.
Unique Skill: The Lucky—able to change future outcomes to go in the user's favor.
Moon: Erik and Merida's first child and daughter. Extremely playful and loves adventure.
Appearance: White hair and fair skin. Usually doesn't wear shoes when her parents aren't around. Wears a tiara that Erik made. Usually carries a large sword given to her by Erik.
Unique Skills: Fire Dragon Slaying Magic. Fenrir—can transform into a large and powerful wolf that rampages.
Crystal: Erik's second daughter and Elsa's first child. Extremely smart, though her intelligence wavers when she spends time with Moon. Deprived of love from her previous life, she follows Moon's example on how to gain affection.
Appearance: Golden flowing hair. Always wearing a dress and tiara. Beautiful blue eyes.
Unique Skill: Queen of Frost—can control and manipulate ice (inherited from her mother).
Melody: Innocent and kind. She believes everyone is a good person. Has an extreme love of cute things and loves singing.
Appearance: Golden brown hair with mesmerizing blue eyes. Wears dresses and a tiara.
Unique Skill: Siren—her voice can calm even the most unstable and can slightly affect nature and the laws.
Liora: Possesses kindness that even surpasses Melody's. When she was born, the clouds split and revealed beautiful light.
Appearance: Long golden hair with golden eyes. Extremely fair skin. Said to be the most beautiful in the world.
Unique Skill: Blessing—can bless an individual with strength, healing, knowledge, etc.
Blanche: Loves romance and dreams of her own prince, though her father seems to be against it.
Appearance: Golden, almost white hair. Born with extremely pale skin.
Unique Skill: Guardian—an extremely powerful humanoid creature that protects her. Its power is ranked at 10 to above.
Note: theres no name for the kingdom or village Cinderella is in so I had to improvise. Also about sleeping beauty if I can find a way to watch malificent without paying then I'll write about that instead of just normal sleeping beauty. Enjoy.