Chapter 49

With great haste, he strode forward and stood right beside my seat, and we all quickly rose to greet him. "Why did you not say it was you?" Those around me furrowed their brows, and we could not discern who among us he meant.

All that lay within my downcast gaze were his feet and his weapon, and I felt that this time I would surely perish if I did not satisfy his curiosity. Slowly, I raised my head and looked up at him respectfully. "If it is I whom your Majesty refers to, then I see no right I have to be rewarded by you." I continued, my eyes fixed upon him, hoping these words would remind him of what he had forgotten. "I am a concubine of Prince Achilles, your Majesty."

He smiled with derision and then slowly stepped back, turning his body towards his seat. His steps were quick and assured, yet he did not sit in the chair.

The Crown Prince stood before the curious Emperor before ascending the raised platform. He fixed his gaze upon him sternly, until the Emperor felt all the alcohol had vanished from his body. "I conquered the Northern Kingdom with my own hands, so what does that mean?" The Emperor stood in fear, realizing for the first time... he no longer wished for the monster he had created. The Emperor smiled sheepishly at this embarrassing situation. "This concubine is not fit for you, my son. It is an unwanted trinket that I have cast to your brother."

The Crown Prince cut off the Emperor's words, disrespectfully. "I am the one who decides what is fit for me and where my belongings go." The Emperor felt no safety from this beast, knowing that if he were to pounce now, there would be no one to protect him. The Emperor understood that he was losing his authority now, and even the Empress could not find the strength to stand up to him. How could she dare to when she witnessed the power of her husband's rule crumbling before her?