Tyranny of Steel

Itami sat upon her throne with a disinterested look in her sanguine eyes. Standing across from her was someone she had never wanted to see again. However, against her wishes, the Ming Prince Zhu Li had returned to Japan, and in doing so appeared to have the goal of gaining Itami's favor. The young man bowed respectfully before the Japanese Empress as he presented gifts to the woman who he longed for most in this world.

"Empress Itami, your beauty is renowned across the world. I fear whatever gift I may bring is inadequate for a woman of your caliber. However, it is my humble opinion that these furs and fine jades will help enhance your noble bearing."

The fur shawl was as white as Itami's hair, and was masterfully crafted. One glimpse of such a fine accessory would be sure to drive most women crazy with envy. However, in Itami's eyes, it was a gift she would rather not accept.

Aside from the exquisite white furs, there was also a dragon pendant made from imported german white gold, and the purest white jadestone. It, too, was manufactured by the best of craftsmen that the Ming Dynasty had to offer.

Though Itami wanted nothing more than to deny these gifts, and send Zhu Li packing once more. She knew better than to antagonize her largest trading partner, and as a result, she sighed heavily before nodding her head in silence. A few servants stepped forward and accepted the gifts on her behalf, causing a smile to curve itself upon Zhu Li's lips until the moment Itami finally chose to speak.

"How goes your brother's conquests in Indochina?"

These words caused the Ming Prince's heart to sink. Itami had not even thanked him for the gifts, nor given them any mind. Instead, her servants merely dragged the presents off to some unknown location. As for her first question, it was in regards to his elder brother, and not himself.

Though Zhu Li had been sent packing the last time he visited the Japanese Empress, the woman left an impression on his heart that had caused him to fall madly in love. He had forsaken all of his concubines and had tried to come up with the best ways he could think of to win Itami's affections. However, his gifts had no impact on the woman's icy heart. Instead, she seemed more interested in his elder brother. As a result, Zhu Li did his best to smear his brother's reputation.

"My brother is doing his best to conquer Indochina, but his results are slow, and father often complains about his methods. He has apparently been quite cruel in his campaign thus far. I begged father to allow me to undertake the effort on his behalf, but unfortunately, he chose Brother Zhi. As a result, the amount of innocents who have perished in this invasion is no small number. However, I'm sure as the Empress of the mighty Japanese Empire, you have no concerns about such small matters."

Itami said nothing, nor did she react in any way to this news. She had not met Zhu Zhi and thus was not aware of the man's personality. Her agents were also stretched thin as it was, and she could not get any reliable intel about the war in Indochina. Despite this, she did not trust a word Zhu Li had said about his elder brother. After all, the man seemed to be willing to lie through his teeth to accomplish his goals.

After careful consideration, the Japanese Empress simply nodded her head in silence. Not willing to waste the breath that was required to entertain this fool's fantasies. Instead, after several moments, she responded rather cruelly to the Ming Prince.

"Since you have come all this way to visit, I shall show you my hospitality. There will be a feast tonight for your pleasure, but unfortunately I have other matters which I must attend to and will not be present for it. Enjoy your stay, and have a safe journey back to your homeland, Prince Zhu Li."

Zhu Li could not believe his ears. After all the effort he had gone through, the woman was only willing to meet with him once, before sending him packing again. He was struggling to accept this outcome, even as Itami stepped off her throne, and began to depart from the great hall. He could not help himself but call out to the aloof woman, who seemed to be entirely disinterested in worldly affairs.

"Empress Itami, wait! I have come all this way to see you, and yet you are not even willing to dine with me? What is so important that you must abandon your guests?"

Itami stopped dead in her tracks and turned around to glare at the man who was so impudent that he would intervene in her personal affairs. She had a murderous glint in her blood-red eyes as she spoke the honest truth to the man.

"Zhu Li, out of respect for your father, I have taken time out of my busy schedule to see you and accept your gifts. Though I have taken these items which you have presented to me, it does not mean that I have responded positively to your affections. In fact, I find your attempts to woo me quite laughable, especially after the shit you pulled the last time you visited my domain.

Allow me to make this clear to you, so that you can abandon your wild fantasies, and go on with your life, free from the chains that bind you. I shall not belong to any man who has not bested me at my own game. You are no warrior, nor are you a great scholar, or even a talented artist.

You are a pitiful Prince who has no extraordinary talents to speak of whatsoever. Your greatest assets are the fact that you are your father's son and are somewhat good looking. Unfortunately for you, there is a man in this world whose appearance makes you look mediocre by comparison. To put it simply, you are entirely incapable of winning my affections. You are not even qualified to make an attempt. So go home, before you make a further fool of yourself."

After hearing all of this, Zhu Li was enraged beyond measure. He had grown up with an exceptional background and appearance. Because of that, women from around the eastern world were willing to throw themselves at him. Never before had he been rejected, let alone so ruthlessly. Just who did Itami think she was?

He could forgive some of the things she had said, as they were accurate, and even he could not deny such statements with a straight face. However, the one thing he could not forgive was her insulting his appearance, which caused him to lash out at the Japanese Empress, who was kind enough to host him in her home, despite his ill intentions.

"You say there is a man who makes me look mediocre by comparison? Who is this bastard? I'll maim him in a such a way that no woman will ever dare to gaze upon his mangled flesh! So much so that you will forget the words you have spoken to me today!"

Despite his threats, Itami merely wore a pitiful smirk on her perfect face as she dashed the man's dreams with a single name.

"Berengar von Kufstein... Tell my Zhu Li, do you dare say the same words now that you have heard his name?"

Berengar von Kufstein was a name that the entire royal family of the Ming Dynasty was keenly aware of. Mostly because it was the crown Prince who spoke so highly of the man. However, no matter what praises escaped Zhu Zhi's mouth, the man had never said a word about Berengar's appearance, even when cornered by his sisters about the topic.

Naturally, Zhu Li had researched into Berengar's background, and the words spoken about the man were almost fantastical. So much so that he had a hard time believing even 1/10th of the man's history was accurate.

However, there was one thing that was undeniable: Berengar von Kufstein had brought the entire western world beneath his heel in a matter of ten years. That alone was enough to make the Ming Prince understand that the Kaiser of Germany was not a man to be trifled with.

Thus Zhu Li backed down, and lowered his head upon hearing these words, an act which only gained contempt from the object of his affections. In fact, a mocking smile appeared on Itami's face as she once more spoke with vicious intent.

"The fact that you are willing to bow your head and swallow your pride at the mere mention of his name proves that you are unworthy of my attention. Enjoy your stay here in Heian-kyō, because it will be your last time you ever step foot in my palace.

The arrogance you have displayed to me today has persuaded me to revoke your rights as an ambassador of your people. The next time your father wants to get in touch with me, tell him to send someone more respectful!"

After saying this, Itami walked off, leaving the Ming Prince and his delegation in shock as to what had just transpired. Ultimately, Zhu Li's hopes of getting into Itami's pants were thoroughly dashed, and he could only return home with his head hung in shame.