Gongsun Guanyu, 17th prince of the empire, stepped onto the bow of his ship. The sun gleamed off his lamellar armor and the helmet under his arm. The salty breeze offended his nose, but the feeling of the gale and flecks of water on his skin made up for it.

Guanyu had always enjoyed sailing, but despite being out on the water, he was...irritable. That was how his underlings would put it.

Of all the people that the 26th fleet had to kill, they left the most important breathing.

And that’s why they needed him. To clean up a botched mission’s leftovers. How hard was it to follow the orders “Kill everyone. Leave none alive?”

“How long until we reach the island?” he asked.

“Another two weeks, sir. If the winds are with us,” his navigator said.

Guanyu nodded, "Good.”

“That maybe too long, brother,” a female voice muttered from behind.

Guanyu turned to Yahui, 3rd princess. They were far apart in age and in line for the throne. Yet, they two were the only offspring of Shegenoi Nai, the only concubine in the emperor’s court to come from the Aritadori tribes.

Like their mother, Yahui was taller than the average Nikan woman. And even some men. Guanyu included, actually. Her black hair was dressed up with imperial decorum, but she lounged on the deck in a silk robe one would wear around a private quarters to go to bed in.

“Sister, don’t you think you ought to put on something more professional?” Guanyu asked.

“Have you ever worn a dress, Guan?” she called him by a ridiculous shortening of his name she hadn’t let go of since childhood. "Because if you had, you’d share my sentiment. Besides, aren’t I already pretty enough?”

Guanyu frowned. "The point is that you put a slovenly image of us into people’s minds. Dare I even say immodest. But what’s this about not being fast enough?”

“I heard from a report there’s an Ascommani on that island.” Yahui said.

“And?” Guanyu asked. "How is his size going to change anything?”

“It’s not about his size, idiot. Ascommani are taught from childhood to build their longships, which are much faster and more agile than our junks.” Yahui said. "If they have access to wood, they’ll have a boat within two weeks. And that’s on the slow end.”

“Why didn’t you say this earlier?” Guanyu snapped.

“You didn’t ask.” she shrugged.

Guanyu clenched his fist, but decided against reprimanding his sister. “Captain!” Guanyu shouted at the captain on the upper deck. "I want the oarsmen rowing night and day! Pay and feed them double if you have to!”

“That’s a tad excessive, don’t you think?” Yahui asked. "We can still  intercept them without rowing our oarsmen to death.”

“We don’t know if the Shedim Masters will come our way, sister. I’ve never allowed my prey to escape me. Not once. I refuse to start now!” Guanyu growled.

“Father just said to kill them. As long as they end up dead, you’ll be fine, right? Stop deluding yourself and trying to look at your job as some kind of great duty to the emperor. You’re on clean up duty,” Yahui scoffed.

“I didn’t ask for your input or your company on this trip,” Guanyu seethed.

“I thought you could use some sagely advice. And from what I’m seeing, I was right.”

“So what I’m hearing is that you’ll be fine growing up to be an old hag who just spouts nonsense to everyone around her,” Guanyu said. "You’ve already got it halfway down.”

“No need to be hurtful,” Yahui frowned. "I just have to find the right man…”

“Right man...I don’t get why you’re so obsessed on finding this ideal man. Let father arrange something for you so the rest of us will be spared from your swooning during feasts. I can tolerate it from our younger siblings, but you’re one of the Twelve. Act like it.”

Yahui rolled her eyes, “It’s because I’m one of the Twelve that I should be able to do as I please. Stop acting like my old tutor.”

“Prince Ali of Qahtan’s been getting antsy. A marriage could solidify our alliance with him,” Guanyu said.

Yahui gagged, "Prince Ali? No thank you. That man is a child locked in a man’s body. Besides, we sent Xiulan away for him a few weeks ago. Maybe you should try keeping up on court politics for once.”

“The court bores me to death. And you can’t be so picky,” Guanyu sighed.

“Can’t I? I’d rather be happy alone than be in a failing marriage,” Yahui said. “Like our dear little Yuhan. I don’t trust father not to set me up with a walking tub of lard thrice my age.”

“Still, you’re nearing that age,” Guanyu said. “The respect of the Twelve would plummet if one of them was a Leftover.”

Yahui had always had a rebellious streak, but everyone had to grow up eventually. And for women, there was a time limit.

“Like you’re such a ladies’ man. How many women have you been with that weren’t concubines or war spoils, huh? Let’s see ‘em,” Yahui smirked. "Oh yeah, you had that one affair with that Jambudvipi diplomat that ended in flames and almost caused a third Gongsun-Dvipan war.”

Guanyu thought to rebuke her for bringing up buried skeletons, but chose to focus his efforts back to his mission. He was done with this pointless conversation. "I don’t have time in my life for women right now,” Guanyu said. "Once father gives me my title, I’ll be more open to it.”

“You and your title…” Yahui muttered.

“Easy for you to say,” Guanyu said. "You have five! I don’t even have one and I’m about to come of age!”

“Well, they don’t call me the Goddess of Victory for nothing,” Yahui shrugged.

“If father would just let me lead an army…” Guanyu gritted his teeth.

“What? Only then could you prove to him that you’re worth his time?” she asked.

“Yes,” Guanyu said.

“Whatever,” Yahui sighed. "You’re going to fail one day, Guan. Everyone does. Stop betting all your happiness on father’s word.”

Guanyu furrowed his brow, "You threaten treason with those words, sister.” Guanyu waved her away. "Go...annoy anyone else. I have Shedim Masters to kill.”

As Yahui shrugged and walked off, a thought occurred in Guanyu’s head. Perhaps...perhaps he could use a wife. Or just...something that could help him. Anything to get him what he deserved. Yahui knew better than anyone that his father had held him to higher standards than the rest of his children. Guanyu would prove to the Emperor he was strong. Strong enough to meet his father’s challenge.