THE DECISION-2

While everyone else was pondering over the issue that Concubine Merlia asked, the eyes of the Empress and the Prince met.

It felt like eons since they looked into each other eyes. It has been two years since they saw each other.

Empress Rosella felt that Nicholas has become colder and frighteningly more handsome than before. But she could also detect a trace of tiredness in his eyes. After a few seconds, Empress Rosella settled her gaze on a nearby pillar.

Outer beauty does not matter if the insides are rotten! No one knew this better than Empress Rosella herself!!!

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"Rosella dear, why did you fight with the Revenue Minister's grand daughter this afternoon? You know, I don't like you arguing with fools!!!"

Prince Nicholas asked Rosella who cannot leave her room for one month as a punishment.

"Prince, she broke my beautiful Sapphire bracelet that you brought, especially for me. How could I let her go? She is openly violent and jealous because you take care of me and not her!" said a smug thirteen-year-old Rosella.

"You could have told me, I will bring you a thousand more bracelets! There was no need to chop off her braids!!! Now you have been confined to your room, then who will accompany me to the Annual Dance Festival?" spoke Nicholas passionately to Rosella.

" She needed to be taught a lesson. I don't like others touching or breaking my things. Moreover there is nothing or no one who could confine me! I will eventually find a way to sneak out!" pouted Rosella...

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PRESENT

Prince Nicholas lazily said-"Why, my dear concubine Merlia, you are very anxious regarding the fate of the Empress, you are truly a concerned little sister!"

Some were amazed after hearing him but the wise ones knew that these were mocking words. Everyone in the entire capital knew about concubine Merlia's rude behavior with the Empress. Both of them could not stand each other's sight!

Some were even betting that soon the title of the empress could be given to Merlia! And this was something Empress Rosella could not stand.

The Emperor looked like his soul has flown away. He even looked absent-minded. He started remembering the advice that his near ones once, gave to him.

They were circulating in his mind continuously! - "Beware of her, she is not as good as you think her to be", " Lady Merlia has been spotted with a mysterious man", "Son, this Merlia could bring your downfall, act wisely" and what not!

He suddenly remembered his argument with his Empress and recalled her words," Your Highness! I will not be silenced today! I do not ask for your love but what I want is respect. You made me the Empress, yet I am not the Empress in your eyes!!! I look after the political matters with you, provide you with ideas and suggestions, yet you can't fulfill my only wish to keep Merlia away from my issues! You have to restrain her otherwise Your Highness will have to suffer in the future!!!" this is what Rosella said to him after receiving a slap from him. It was two years ago...

The Emperor realized that he doesn't deserve the title and the position of the Emperor if he couldn't even distinguish right from wrong!

"My dear Emperor brother, you should know one more thing! Your beloved Merlia helped me in achieving all this, that is, your downfall " Nicholas stated, looking at Emperor Austin and chuckled.

Now Merlia was sweating and she exclaimed, " What!!! though I don't want to die, I never did anything against the Emperor, nor did I help you, Prince Nicholas, I think you are mistaken! "

*Pa* a slapping sound was heard! Merlia's beautiful face now contained five red fingerprints! "Shameless! is this the way to talk to your future Emperor?" one of Prince Nicholas' subordinate fumed!!!