Emika’s Original purpose

Emika's family was one of the most prominent military family in the Empire. Thirty seven years ago, her father had been the force behind Emperor Akishino's ascension to the throne, and he quickly rose to be one of the three generals protecting the Empire.

However, General Yun Hishoku ruled over the mightiest army, making him the most powerful man after Great Emperor Akishino. When the Empire was threatened by foreign invasions, and the other generals could not form a coherent strategy and were in complete disarray, it was General Yun Hishoku who not only saved the nation, but also extended the Empire and achieved in bringing peace and prosperity.

Yes, he was greatly successful in consolidating the economic and military might of the Empire so that other kingdoms kneeled to Emperor Akishino.

Therefore, is it not surprising that Emika became a pawn in the Empress's game for power? General Yun Hishoku was the guarantor that, come what may, no one could overthrow her son once she'd crown him Emperor. Taizong would marry Emika, thereby consolidating solid and real power.

"As I told you before, my son, in order to strengthen your royal authority you will need stable and real power, armed forces and the loyalty of the people. Now by this marriage you will have it all.

"History books teach us one common truth: when the people rise against its emperor, it offers the perfect excuse for those deceitful ministers in thirst of power to strike against you.

"But with this marriage we will benefit from the General's popularity and secure the love of the people. Also, whose man would be foolish enough to sentence himself to death by conspiring against you since the General is your father-in-law?"

Before all else, after his marriage with Emika, Taizong would gain both status and support from the ministers and the Noble's houses. And coupled with the reputable image he had garnered over the years, being appointed Crown Prince would be much anticipated. So, in the end, his ailing Father Emperor would have no choice but to comply with the ministers recurring appeal to name his heir.

And so it was that under his Mother Empress's supervision, Taizong had spend years nurturing his friendship with Emika.

Since seven years separated Taizong from Emika, a romantic relationship seemed far fetched to begin with.

In fact, the very first time they met, she was only twelve and he was already eighteen years-old. The Empress purposely befriended the ambitious General's Madam, hence Taizong was continuously dragged into spending time with her young daughter.

Those visits required of Taizong to lock his pride away. It was not so easy for him to feign interest in dolls and excitement over invisible pastries and tea!

At the very beginning, they were in a sibling-like relationship. She was indeed very young mentally and her body was still growing up into a teenage girl. It was the perfect age that she would develop feelings for the other gender, and instinctively be attracted to the handsome person who would fill in the void of her father's lengthy absence, drawn to the warmth, gentleness and protection that she yearned.

As such, to get this youthful heart to bond with him, Taizong treated this whole experience as a military campaign.

Her heart was his battlefield and Taizong fought skilfully to conquer it by and by. With strategic planning and the exploitation of her weaknesses, victory was the most likely outcome. So he thought…

Therefore, he attacked at once her mind, her heart and her senses; and exploited the naivety and innocence inherent to her youth.

The times Emika was overwhelmed by thoughts of her father risking his life in a world she couldn't control, she sought solace in Taizong.

Emika loved his words when in need of strength.

She loved his eyes when looking into them for comfort.

She loved the warmth and protection of his embrace when she missed her father.

But while she grew into a young woman filled with contradictions and inconsistencies regarding matter of the heart, Taizong steadily became confused and frustrated. There were times she treated him as a brother, and other times she would rush to him with a single breath and cradle in his arms as lovers do. He had this gargantuan assignment to make her fall in love with him and still she seemed to remain indecisive.

This young girl was tempestuous, spoiled and capricious, but most importantly of a foolish nature with the right amount of naivety and gullibility that he could exploit to coax her into loving him if all else failed. And the sooner the better since he could not bear any longer his mother's constant nagging!

Actually, all in all, Emika seemed to be sharing her affection equally with him and his brother Shufeng.

There was only a three-year gap between Emika and Shufeng, could it be that their closeness in age meant they could fall in love more easily?

Taizong only blamed himself for wasting years of planning and nagging from his mother.

Eight years ago, on the day sealing their fate, he should have kept his mouth shut when Emika expressed curiosity about the lute player living in the abandoned palace.

Why did he even suggest that she befriended Shufeng?

Back then, Taizong believed that his brother was a complex variable sabotaging his assignment. In retrospective though, this new variable served a purpose.

Some unforeseen circumstances resulting in the General's death thwarted his and his mother's twelve-year ongoing plan. Luckily, they had been quite adept to respond appropriately to the new situation and turn it to their advantage, advancing their plot to oust the Second Prince once and for all.

You may wonder what were the events leading to the General's death? More will be revealed in due time…