Truth and Justice

Jewels laid panting in his arms as he had taken complete control and laid claim to her body in every spot in his room and in different positions. He was a complete animal that afternoon and she let herself go, bending and submitting herself to his will, his wants and his needs. She gave herself to him physically, showing how much she cared, knowing she wasn't ready to tell him verbally yet. Once the words where said, she could no longer take them back, so when she said those words, she wanted it to be special.

They lay in each others arms and watched as the room slowly got dark as the sun set for the day. Jewels was a peace and everything felt right at that moment. She was happy. She no longer thought of her past betrayals, of James or Prince Ivan. She no longer thought or cared about her past life and wanted to live her current life to the fullest. She now lived in Redbane with the family, that she cared for. Uncle Jude was cured and she's in the process of curing Pop pop. She has her own house that she bought with her own money, she has money and lots of it! Her Master and senior disciples lived in the same city and not too far from her. Her love, loved her back. He said he would move mountains and the sky to be with her, that he would defy even his father so they can be together and with her help, he was able to break his engagement and tie himself to her. She realized she was truly happy. And she realized she referred to Raiden as her love.

"What are you thinking." Raiden asked her. And without thinking she blurted out the last thing she was thinking about.

"I love you."

The room was quiet for a second before Raiden pulls her on top of him and hugs her tightly to him. He wraps his legs around her and traps her within his embrace. He kisses her lips passionately letting her know that he felt the same way too. When they broke apart from the kiss, Raiden pushes her hair that fell forward and hooks it around her ear. With shining, wet eyes and a shit eating smile, Raiden tells her how he feels too.

"I love you too."

"I wasn't planning on telling you." She confessed. "I wanted it to be special when I finally told you, but when you all of sudden asked me what I was thinking, I just suddenly blurted out what I was thinking."

"Every time you tell me would be a special occasion," Raiden told her. "And I'm glad you told me because I feel the same way."

Jewels's eyes tears up, but remembering that he hated to see her cry, she kisses him instead. And they make love through out the whole night.

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Two weeks later

Uncle Jude's men from the special forces started coming into town. Jewels was able to spot a few thanks to the Infinite Galaxy. If she didn't have the metal bracer on, she would have overlooked every person that the bracer pointed out. They all took rooms in different parts of the town and when Jewels went to the city to run an errand, she was able to pick them out if she saw them.

By the end of the first month in Redbane, the guardhouse and her work building was a built. Pop pop's blacksmith workshop was almost complete. Pop pop was getting more and more excited as Jewels told him that the tonic that she made was successful, however, it took two weeks for the mixture to settle. Today would be the first day for Pop pop to try the tonic and today was the first day that Uncle Jude's special forces soldiers would enter the Brooks Estate under the disguise as Brooks Guards.

When she entered the dining room, Pop pop quickly got up, excited to try the Unbinding tonic. Jewels held in her hands a big jar the size of four of her heads, she had to carry it slowly without spilling a single drop. When Uncle Jude saw her struggling, he stood up to help and and place the jar on the dining room table. Jewels took the cover off and the smell of the tonic smelled pleasant due to Fenghuang's tears.

"Now all you need is just five drops into a tea cup." Jewels told him of the tonic ratio he need to drink the Unbinding tonic. "Then fill the rest with tea or hot water and you're good to go."

Jewels, pulls out a pipette that she made in the grey space and shows Pop pop how to use it. She then puts in five drops of the tonic in an empty cup and pours tea into the cup. Pop pop who couldn't wait any longer, drinks the tonic down in one tip of the tea cup. His throat moving up and down as he gulped it down. Pop pop puts down his cup as Uncle Jude, Jewels, Thomas and Zeze stare at him. Pop pop looks at everyone, before Uncle Jude loses his patience and asks.

"Any change?"

"I don't feel any different if that's what you mean." Pop pop said. He was so surprised he covered his mouth with his hands.

"Father?" Uncle Jude asks. "Say something else."

Pop pop moves his hands away from his mouth and says.

"Well, I'm not so sure what to say, being that there isn't much to talk about right now."

Jewels was the first to cry out in relief and runs over to hug Pop pop.

"My girl," Pop pop says. "It's all thanks to you, my blessing of a granddaughter."

Jewels's tears runs down her face, with his improvement, she now more than motivated to find the sea blue sapphire. Zeze and Thomas comes over to form a group hug.

"Oh, what the hell of it." Uncle Jude said as he comes over to join everyone.

"Its a miracle," Zeze said between sobs,

'Just a temporary miracle." Jewels reminded everyone.

They broke the hug when the maids came in to set the table with breakfast. Seeing the group hug, they wait until their presence was found out before setting the table. Drying their eyes with their hands, Jewels went to cover the jug with its cover while, Zeze waited to bring the jar into Pop pops room. Once it was closed, Zeze takes the jar and with Thomas's help, they carefully place the jar in the safe in Pop pop's room.

After breakfast, a group of men were standing outside the Brooks Estate. The day before, Thomas put out a hiring notice for guards up in the city. The hiring notice asked for experienced, high leveled fighters with a cultivation skill that was no lower than level 9. The pay would be four times the regular pay of a guard and provides food and housing while in the employment of Brooks Estate. There was something new no one ever heard about, but in the notice it said 'paid vacation' and with those two words, more fighters were eager to join, even the visitors visiting Redbane Kingdom decided to try their luck.

Outside of the Brooks Estate stood over 70 men who wanted to try out for a position of guard. When the doors opens, Thomas heads out with Liam and Aiden and they let everyone know that they were now be in groups of 5 for the physical test and questioning by their Masters. Those that are accepted are to stay and those who are passed should leave immediately so the next group can try out. If anyone causes a commotion, General Jude Brooks would handle them personally.

The message was repeated by Liam and Aiden. Liam told the beginning of the line while Aiden told the the end of the line as they met in the middle. Liam and Aiden were to keep the men in line and in order, while Thomas split the group up in fives and brought the first group in. The interview consisted of four quetions. State your name. State your age. State your cultivation level and why do you think you should be chosen. On the side line, Zeze would be recording their answers. For the physical test they just have to show their best move to Jewels, Uncle Jude and Pop pop.

Since the hiring has already been decided by Uncle Jude, they go through the 70 people in less then 2 hours. The forty men were shown their quarters and since they all knew each other already it was a bunch of rowdy friends catching up again. They were allowed to go back to were they were staying to get their stuff. Some of them already brought their stuff with them and were settling in. By dinner time everyone was able to get all their belongings and check out of their rooms and unpack. The house was loud with men talking, joking and laughing. Some of them were already in the kitchen cooking their dinner as others were setting the table. When the table was set, Jude, Pop pop and Jewels walks in. Everyone stops what they are doing and stand up straight and salutes their General.

"At ease men," Jude said. "Tonight we celebrate."

The men cheer loudly as they start to set the table up. Jewels signals Zeze and the other maids to place more dishes on the table and Thomas, Liam and Aiden bring in three more chairs to the table.

When the table was set, the rest of the maids and butler were excused even Zeze. Only Thomas stayed behind, being that he was once a special forces soldier too. They made room for him too, being that the reunion also included him.

"Before we dig in," Jude said. "Let me introduce to you my family. Of course you remember my father, Professor Jordan."

Pop pop stands up and greet everyone. "Good evening, it has been a long time since I've seen you guys, but it is a pleasure to meet you guys again."

Pop pop sits down as Uncle Jude introduces Jewels.

"And the beautiful young lady, here is my beloved niece. Jewels. It is thanks to her that I am cured and walking again. When you are around her, mind your manners, she is a Lady and the Princess Consort to Prince Raiden. She is to be the future Queen of Redbane, so don't try anything, or she'll break you in half."

"Don't you mean, he'll break you in half?" Someone said out loud as they chuckled.

"No, I said it correctly the first time. She will break you in half." Uncle Jude warned them.

"She is a Brooks after all." Someone else said and they laugh in harder.

"So does this mean she's a healer?"

"Yes." Uncle Jude answered truthfully.

"We saw a blacksmith workshop being built, does this mean you're going to making weapons again, Professor?"

"Yes, I will be making weapons again. I've been reading new books that are giving me new ways to temper the blade. I will be experimenting for while before I start making weapons again." Pop pop answered.

"So how did you meet Prince Raiden?" The soldier beside Jewels asked her.

"I was given away by my father as a gift of appeasement. Prince Ivan offended Prince Raiden and told Prince Raiden that he'll give Prince Raiden a gift of gold in his weight. And I happen to be the lucky girl chosen. That's how I became his golden gift."

"And now you're his Princess Consort."

"Yes." Jewels tells the soldier. "You can't help who you fall in love with."

Uncle Jude and Pop pop stop eating when they hear her last statement.

"You love him?" Uncle Jude asks.

"I do." Jewels answered.

"Now I really have to kick is ass." Uncle Jude said dejectedly.

"Yes. Lets!" Pop pop agreed.

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Raiden came by right after the table was cleared of it's dishes and three men were washing the dishes.  Being that they have been together as comrades for such a long time, they already knew what to do without having to argue about who is doing what.  They were disciplined in their work no matter how small or how big the work in front of them is.  When Raiden stepped into the guardhouse, Jewels stood up quickly to bow and greet Raiden.  When she did Unlce Jude and everyone else stopped what they were doing to bow and greet Raiden.  Without warning, Raiden's cold opressive air pushed down on everyone. The cold air seeped into their skin, chilling their bones.  Everyone in the room started shivering. 

"My heart," Raiden address to Jewels. "Would you give our introductions?"

Jewels stood up and walked towards him.  Before she said anything, she leans into him and kisses him on the cheek, looking into his eyes to see why he was such in a foul mood.  When Raiden didn't give anything away, Jewels grabs hold of his hand and intertwines her fingers with his. 

"Crown Prince Raiden Osamu of Redbane, I introduce to you the Brooks guards.  I can't personally introduce you to each and everyone of them to you because I'm still in the process of learning them myself, however my Uncle could help in that aspect, right Uncle?"

"Yes, of course." Uncle said hurriedly.  "It would be my honor."

"Everyone," Jewels continues.  "This is my fiancee, Prince Raiden Osamu of Redbane, future King of Redbane." 

All the guards did not raise their heads the whole time.  They kept their heads bowed, their eyes towards the floor and listened.

"Please do not stand on ceremony. You are to be my hearts, guards and will see me coming and going from this premise. I ask from you all to work hard and protect what is precious to me."

With Raiden's last sentence, the soldiers raises their heads and looked at Raiden.  The cold oppressive air could still be felt, but it was a lot more bearable.  They all engaged him with their soldiers instinct and sought to see if they could win in a one on one fight.  What they saw before them is a man in his prime.  He had been a child genius, able to cultivate easily and fast at such a young age.  His lightning energy element and his cold air killing intent was one of a kind.  His fighting skills was expert level and stories of his exquisite swordplay was well known.  Almost all of them knew that they would lose in a fight with him, but to get a chance to spar with him would be an honor.

Raiden spent his time with them for two hours, getting introduced to them and getting to know them. The whole time, he held Jewels by his side as he met the new guards and as they all chatted with each other.  Jewels could tell right away their rankings by how they gave way towards each other with out even realizing it.  The five people who stayed and sat around Uncle Jude were the men directly ranked under him. 

Andrew O'Brian, David Lucker, Louis Monroe, Stuart Bgigs and Jane Donner glued themselves to Uncle Jude's side.  The whole time the six of them talked and laughed louder than anyone there.  They were all high level 9 cultivators with a deathly presence.

Raiden could guess who the guards were to General Jude with the way everyone was so relaxed and how they talked to each other, he knew, General Jude hired his special forces soldiers as guards.  The reason why General Jude did this, Raiden had to know why so towards the end of the two hours, he excused himself away from the group and Jewels and made his way to Jude.  They're eyes met and Jude knew exactly what Raiden wanted to ask.  Jude stood up and followed Raiden to the closest room and entered it.  When Jude followed afterward, both Raiden and Jude cast a sound barrier so they can talk.

"So what's going on?" Raiden said out right.

"I can't really tell you the details, because of the vow I took when I went into the military.  However, what I can tell you that it does not involve Redbane and its citizens.  There is a last mission that we promised to complete and now is the time to plan and when the right time comes, we will strike hard and fast. Afterwards, most of these men and women here will go back to their lives."

"Redbane won't get any blow back from this?"

"None.  We plan to take the weed out by the roots." Jude told him.

"What abut Jewels?" Raiden asked. "Will she get hurt when you strike back?"

"No, I plan to leave her out of this last mission as well as my father.  They know nothing about it, but Jewels did guess the general idea of why the guards are all my special forces soldiers."

Raiden looked at Jude for a long time.  Before he nodded his head believing him.

"If there is something I can do. Let me know." Raiden offered.

"I don't want to implicate you either, so I won't be taking that offer, but thank you."

Raiden nodded his head and made his way towards the door.  Just when he was about to open the door Jude stopped him.

"There's one more thing we need to talk about, Prince Raiden." Jude told him as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.  Jude held a menacing smile on his face.

"Of course,"

"Jewels is someone very important to me and my Father.  We have raised her since she was four years old and she is someone who is one of a kind. She is giving, loving and caring.  She is fair, strong, and can be vindictive when she is wronged.  She is smart, witty, and she is someone who is very precious to us.  She told us that she is in love with you and that you are in love with her.  Which is great, I'm happy for her.  But as her Uncle who raised her like my own daughter, if you break her heart...I WILL break you." 

Raiden looked Jude in the face and with sincerity he said. "It's only fair for you to do so."

With those words, Raiden left the room and walked straight towards Jewels.  Without even excusing themselves form the conversation, he takes Jewels away from the group, walks her out of the guardhouse, into the Brooks manor and into her room.  Once inside he questions her about the new guards. 

"Why did you not tell me about the new guards?" Raiden asked.

"Because, at first he said he wanted to hire them so I didn't think much of it until I started seeing familiar faces in town a couple of weeks ago.  When I started seeing more than five of them, things just started making sense. I don't know the details about it, but all I know is that on his last mission something bad happened that caused him to be poisoned.  That poison caused him to lose feeling in his legs and he was wheelchair bound for 20 years.  The failed last mission caused a big enough scandal that the whole special forces under my Uncle was discharged and sworn to never talk about it.  There was a whole government cover up, but what is true and what is not, I'm not so sure, I've just heard stories.  None of which Uncle Jude would confirm or deny.  So I'm forced to work with what I know.  And what I know is, my Uncle wants revenge. What I'm guessing is someone must have betrayed Uncle Jude and his men causing Uncle Jude to get hurt.  For 20 years he held on to his hatred waiting for the day he and his men could repay the person or persons who betrayed them.  When I healed him, he could finally do what he has been planning for the past 20 years and his men are here to help.  Who they they are targeting, I don't know. When they are going to do it? I don't know that either.  But I can't deny my Uncle for wanting revenge, so I didn't tell you about it."

Raiden sighed heavily.  "I just talked to your Uncle, he pretty much promised me that it didn't involve Redbane or my citizens.  I let him finish what he wants to finish as long as he keeps his promise and make sure it doesn't involve you as well."

"What if he gets into trouble and I have to go save him?" Jewels asked.

"Then I'll have to go with you and once I'm involved, my kingdom will be involved. But lets not think about that right now. Your Uncle is a meticulous person, he will make sure everything is ready and perfect before making his move."

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Jewels woke up to the guards morning drills.  All the security measures have been discussed and implemented by the time Jewels went downstairs for breakfast.  Raiden had already left early that morning due to an emergency and couldn't eat breakfast with her and her family.    With the close completion to the blacksmith workshop, Uncle Jude and the architect they hire started drawing plans for the extension of the manor.  Uncle Jude wanted the wing to have six bedrooms and only two levels. The wing would have its own entrance and on the first floor it will have two bedrooms with a connected bathroom, a sperate bathroom and a sitting room to receive guests.  The second floor would have four bedrooms with their own connected bathrooms.  The roof would be a roof top garden with seating and a table.  There will be a secret door built so Uncle Jude can go on to the roof top garden from his room.

As the construction continued and the guards stationed and trained, Jewels left to visit her Master and hoped he was in the mood for teaching. 

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By the time she came back to the Brooks Estate, there was a large crowd outside her gates.  The crowd was shouting profanities and causing a ruckus demanding to see Aiden.  All the neighbors have come out of their homes to watch the angry crowd and see what entertainment with their own eyes. When her carriage finally made its way through the crowded streets and the angry mob.  The carriage stopped in front of the gate and the crowd finally stopped its loud shouting.  The carriage left to go around to the back alley where it usually resides and Jewels turns around to look at the angry crowd.  Behind her the gate opened and ten guards came out in their new dark blue uniform with Uncle Judes Emblem embroidered in gold thread on the chest of the shirt.

"What has the Brooks done to you people that would cause you to come to the Brooks Estate and cause a ruckus?  Disturbing the Brooks Estate and my neighbors?"

A man of 20 years steps forward, young, bold and foolish enough and spoke out for the crowd.

"You have employed a thief as a servant, Princess Consort. We are here to take back what is ours and want the thief punished for the crime."

"Who is this servant that you speak of?"

"His name is Aiden Ando, we believe he applied and was hired to be your butler."

"And who are you to be making such claims?"

The young man looked nervous for a second before he took a small step forward and said. "Princess Consort, my name is Charles Ando."

"Then Aiden is your brother and you are accusing him of stealing?"

"Aiden is a bastard." Charles snarled.  "He is not a true Ando."

"And what exactly did Aiden steal?"

"He stole my father's ring.  These people behind me are the Ando servants, they are witnesses to this theft!" Charles declared out loud. 

The people behind him nodded their heads yes and the braver ones voiced their agreement. 

"Why would he steal your father's ring?"  Jewels asked him calmly.

"My father became ill a couple of months ago.  His illness did not go away.  This morning he passed away and Aiden was seen at the Ando Manor.  These servants saw him take the ring off my dead Father's finger and ran away with it.  We are here to demand the ring back and demand his punishment."

"Is that so." Jewels said.  Turning around, Jewels orders the Second Lieutenant Miki Ire to go get Aiden and bring him to her.  Miki left to go do Jewels's orders and they all waited in silence for a long time before Charles started talking again.

"Aiden has always been a problem child, he took things that did not belong to him, he has lied many times in the past. We have forgiven him in the past for his sins against us, but to take the ring of my dead father, that is a sin I cannot turn away from.  I demand he pays for his crime!" Charles yelled out so everyone could hear. 

Aiden came forward with the rest of the servants.  His eyes red as if he had been crying, but his head held up high.  Aiden stepped forward and passed the guards to stand next to Jewels.

"Thank you, Princess Consort, for seeing the truth and bring him out so he can face the punishment for the crime he committed towards his own family.  The Ando family will remember this kind and righteous action, for the truth will always prevail and justice will always win in the end." Charles said as he motioned his guards to take Aiden away.

When the guards came close to Aiden and Jewels, she finally made her move.

"When did I ever say I was going to give my servant over to you?"