A Reaper's Smile : Smile Beyond Redemption

General Hagris knew that he can't keep his silence any longer, his majesty is demanding for his decision. He took a deep breath and kneel on his one knee, bow his head and put his fist on his chest.

"Your majesty, my daughter is only two years old. She's very young and my sole daughter. I want her to grow up living the way she wants, a life that can makes her happy. When she grows up I want her to wed the man that she loves.

Yet, I do not reject your offer your majesty but I hope that when the time comes and my daughter decided that her happiness can't be find with his highness, his majesty as belovelent ruler of this kingdom can give her a chance to be free. We don't hold the future nor we know what changes might happen so I hope his majesty won't hold my daughter accountable if she decides to rebuke this engagement." General Hagris respectfully let his thoughts come bare before his majesty. He knew it is too much to ask to his majesty but this is what his true desire as a father. He won't object to his majesties order but he also wants to ensure her daughter's freedom if she desires not to marry Prince Rhuy.

Emperor Valier momentarily pause hearing General Hagris answer. Indeed, his general is courageous enough to laid his thoughts straightforward.

" Well said then, if that is what you desire, I must consider. Let's engage the two of them for now until little Shizuna turned eighteen years old. Then, let her decide whether she would like to marry Rhuy or she prefer gaining her freedom and marry another man. " his majesty concludes which makes the Hagris family sigh in relief and feels deep gratitude for his majesty.

After his majesty stated his verdict, the tension in the air finally vanished and the joyous activity cames back to the hall. Every guests ate in their hearts content, famous performers sung and dance that makes everyone enjoys the party more. Some well known scholars even perform on the spot, shown how knowledgeable they are by presenting inspiring poems.

After playing the whole time , little Shizuna finally get tired. She yawn and her eyes started to drop a little. Seeing her daughter tired and sleepy , Lady Shinye excused herself from her friends and politely bid her farewell to his majesty then carry her daughter back to her room.

Little Shizuna despite her drowsiness still holds the gift she had chosen. She grip it so hard that Lady Shinye found it hard to take it back. After so much effort with beads of sweat on her forehead , Lady Shinye successful recover it.

Lady Shinye observed the Handfu hairpin carefully in her hands. It is indeed very beautiful but there is something strange about it. She tried to observe it more until she found a small line at the center tip of the hanfus flower. She tried to slide it a little and she was shock on what she found out.

A thin, sharp and deadly needle is inside of it. It looks like needle but bigger compared to a normal needle and it's four sides has flat sharp tiny blades.

She is not sure if it can really be use as weapon so she tried to use it on little Shizuna's pet, a little sparrow. She tries to cut one of its wings not expecting that the little needle can really cut it.

Seeing the blood drops from one of the sparrow's wings shocked her and she wonders why is this beautiful Hanfu hairpin has this hidden sharp needle . It was clear that the person who gifted it doesn't wish to hurt her daughter since the needle is safely hidden so she guess that its main purpose is only for her protection, a self defense if necessary. But what is this gift implies to her daughter's future. It is unsettling the more she thinks about it.

She thought that it was the most shocking discovery she would uncover about the present but no , it was not. There was more shocking discoveries than this.

The little sparrow suddenly dropped dead, its eyes lifeless. Its body started to blackened and the wound in its wings started to corrode. If she wasn't mistaken, the little sparrow was poisoned. A lethal poison is embuded in the needle.

The magnificent present can really be deceiving. Elegant and beautiful in the outside yet poinsonous in the inside. Just like an alluring lady with captivating charm yet once you sink deeper in its mesmerizing eyes would you uncover the stinking stench of blood shrouding it.

Terror and anxiousness.. it is the feeling that envelops Lady Shinye at that moment.

Knowing her daughter will lives a normal and peaceful life as a future princess makes her happy but now she has second thought. What if this deadly needle-blades hidden in the hairpin symbolize her daughter's future will encounters misfortune or worse death, it makes Lady Shinye shudders , frighten for her daughter.

She fearfully lay down in Shizuna's bed and hugged her tightly. She solemnly swears to herself that she will never let harm befall on her daughter as long as she is alive. She plans to discuss this later with her husband.

While little Shizuna and Lady Shinye are resting, everyone decided to continue the party. Everyone drunks , sing and dance merrily. His majesty together with the royals, nobles, generals, commanders, scholars and other guests toasted and drunk their wines until some them collapsed on their chairs.

The children also enjoys eating snacks, cakes and candies. Some of them dance with each other. Prince Rhuy led young lady Lhia to dance while young master Elmon asks young lady Kharen. The two pairs dance gracefully, admired by many.

Prince Rhen sat silently, still have a wide smirk on his face. He is looking at his brother and friends dancing at the dance floor but he is not focus at all. If anyone would look closely on his eyes, they will notice that he's is in a trance. Immersed in his own thoughts. Nobody knows what he's thinking or what he is feeling at the moment. Mystery surrounds him and everybody knows that whoever dares to explore deeper on his secrets might bring them nightmares to their ends.

Lady Leona looks curiously to Prince Rhen. She's wondering what might be bothering his highness right now then a thought suddenly came to her. Has it something to do with his gift and the engagement??

"Your highness Prince Rhen, what exactly is the present you brought for little Shizuna? ", Lady Leona curiously questioned.

"Oh... That? Just a simple hair ornament. Are you perhaps jealous?", a teasing smile bloomed in his face. But young lady Leona ignored his teasing and ask again.

" Really, then why a hair ornament? Isn't it too plain and common as a gift from a crown prince? , curiously inquired again by young Lady Leona.

"Haven't you heared a saying that curiosity kills a cat? Are you sure you want to know?" his highness playfully ask.

Then in a flicker his face ubruptly changed. His teasing face suddenly hardens, his playful eyes turns cold freezing Lady Leona on the spot. A suddenly fear engulfed her. It is as if the person in front of her is not the friend she knew.

"N-no, I-i'm j-just.... " young lady Leona stammers , feeling anxious.

Then, as fast as his face changes, it suddenly turns back to normal which makes Lady Leona wonders if she is just hallucinating then he brightly said...

" Oh chill down haha ... I gifted it to her because .... "