The Empress

Amraphel looked at her with pity and sorrow in his eyes. His foot stepped forward, he came close to her and sat on the bed where Hera settled. The old wooden bed creaked as it held his weight. His hands reached to her face, gently, and he caressed her cheeks with the back of his palms. His eyes lit as if he adored every inch of everything she had, calming as he spoke.

"You're not a fugitive, Hera. You were never, for you did nothing wrong. Hera, you're an Empress, and you'll forever be, I guarantee you that."

"There's no forever in my reign, Amraphel. They've plotted to kill me, to seize the throne. How can I trust your words when the situation had come this dire?"

"As long as I'm here, your reign will be endless. I would not allow anyone apart from you or your kin to sit on the throne of the great Emperor."

His voice sounded so assured, it was as if Amraphel could guarantee no one covets the throne from the genuine Empress of Zemira.

As great as a battalion of a thousand men, that's what made Amraphel known to many. His promises are assured to be kept, his words are truth. Amraphel, the son of Prime Minister Hampshire, was a nobleman of the Imperial Palace. His greatness is known to every living around the continent.

Though since the assassination of Prime Minister Hampshire after the enthronement of Emperor Gavryll, Amraphel succeeded as the Prime Minister to The Highness Gavryll. He wished otherwise, but if it assured Hera's safety, then he'd do anything even if it was against his beliefs. For Amraphel, Hera's safety concludes his worth, his friendship with her bound him with her thicker than blood which bound relatives.

Hera conceded to the decision Amraphel made for her. She stayed in the shabby niche for days, and because of the fear of her execution, Hera secluded herself inside the place. At first, Amraphel only paid her for three visits every seven days, but a month had passed, and Hera found Amraphel to have settled with her.

He cooked and served her food and brought and bought her numerous dresses and jewelry. He shared internal intel from the palace. Furthermore, he took care of her, even though what he was doing counted as treason in Odette's eyes.

"Gavryll, this is insolence! It's been two months since Hera had gone missing! Is it not safe to say that she neglected her duties as the Empress?" Odette said with angry remarks. She threw a fit at how unruly it was to even consider Hera's return.

"Odette, Prime Minister Amraphel, was concerned about this. Because my kin was not the origin of the throne, I have yet to make everyone agree. At least two of the Imperial Committee thought differently of the matter. But since Amraphel is the Prime Minister, his words are absolute, and his disagreement on a matter will be a massive backlash to us. To him, what we are doing is plotting to overthrow the throne and hail you as the new Empress. He was keen and upright, that even what he said about us through the eyes of his judgment is true."

Odette pouted, truly for an insider like her who does not possess the ability to learn the value of every member of the Imperial nobles and the roles they portray.

"Well…" she snickered with sinister on her lips. "I just have a certain feeling, Your Majesty…"

Gavryll looked at her, inclined to listen to that so-called certain feeling she is giving.

"The Prime Minister and Hera are intimate with one another, are they not? Well, I might be mistaken, and I do not want to falsely accuse the Prime Minister, but could it be that the Prime Minister is protecting Hera and that he's hiding her from us? I'm afraid if what I say is true then the Prime Minister will be convicted of treason to the Imperial crown, I'm concerned, Your Majesty. What if Hera threatened him with the length of their long friendship? It is unfair if he goes through punishment if this were the case." Odette acted as if she were truly concerned, but certainly, she was only vying to run the Emperor on her fingers.

"What you say may be true. Hera might take all measures so that she can conceal herself from us, and we can't let this happen." Gavryll sighed. "We shall see through all the estates the Prime Minister owned, inside and outside the gates of Zemira."

"But Gavryll…" she stopped him, doe-eyed manipulating him, she gazed with concern that was apparent in her eyes.

"I-I don't wish for the Prime Minister to think I suspected him. I tried hard to earn his trust, I already did…but if he learned I suspected him…" her eyes fell as if they were drenched with melancholy.

"I don't want him to hate me, he's my friend! I only want what's best for him, right now, Hera might have been holing into his house after her threatening. All I wanted was to save him. Hera is a wicked woman, we have to save him!" She pleaded, but all of this was only to put on a show, everyone could tell except for Gavryll.

Gavryll reached his hand to Odette, his fingers ran through her hair and gently kissed them. "I assure you, Odette, I will not let the Prime Minister know of what you've said. In fact, I'll raid every dwelling and estate of every noble, so he would not suspect you. But I can't assure you anything about him not being punished, Odette. Even if Hera was threatening him to hide her, he'd still be condemned of treason. There's also a possibility that Amraphel is willingly concealing Hera considering the strong bond of their friendship, if I assume, the whole month of his absence not showing a face once in the Imperial Palace might be evidence of his treason…"

Odette could only rest assured after she heard Gavryll's statements.