10 _ Queen in Death.

Lucian retreated back into his regal chambers. He was now left alone to ponder on the happenings of the day.

He could not stop the recall of that prisoner. Those gunky clothes and unkempt hair , the batters and bruises , and her looks ; As if he hadn't been fed,What did he do to deserve such horrible treatment? Such a pitiful state that even had he , Lucian poignant!

Never once had he ever been moved about a person in such manner.

He had to speak with his mother at once. Aurora was his moral compass ; guiding him safely when he was lost between raging storms. Made him see reason when ever he was about to make brash , ruthless decisions.

Lucian was without doubt that his mother would have a solution to the problem he was currently facing.

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Aurora was taken unawares when Li Huang gained entrance into her chambers.

As arrogant as he was , She had expected that he would ask for her presence.

Since he was not there to ask for the fulfillment of her marital duties as they had both grown past that and he had a number of concubines in his imperial Harem, Li Huang must have something important to discuss with her.

At many a time , he had asked for counsel with the political affairs as she was Prudent, diplomatic and cunning.

Aurora assumed that this was one of those times.

How wrong she was.

She ordered her maid servant to prepare some tea for His highness. "What puzzling circumstances bring you here , Li Huang? A upcoming revolt ? Contemptuous Eunuchs or Inordinate Ministers?"

"Your son." Li Huang said blatantly.

Aurora sighed.

She knew trouble was around the corner as It was the first time that he had referred to Lucian as her son.

But what the problem was exactly...

She had not the faintest idea. But all That it meant was something was not right.

"What of Lucian, My Lord?" She replied moving cautiously towards where Scrolls were kept for future reference .

"You have influence on the boy." He began.

If I did not have any influence over him , how would he be my son?" Aurora said calmly.

"You stop him from reaching his fullest potential as a King because you pamper him as a child. In a few weeks , he will ascend the Throne and before then , Lu needs to learn how to behave in accordance with his Princely Status. To rule a Kingdom is difficult and he needs to do so with an iron..."

"An iron fist?" The empress rudely cut in. "Just like your brutal and vicious Father , who died impudently. I am glad Lucian is nothing like him or you Li Huang. As long as I'm alive, that curse will be averted because I will never have my son go down HIS path." Aurora said breathlessly, staring hard into his eyes as she stood in front of him.

Li Huang looked at her with contempt.

Aurora was about to turn away when she felt a sharp and extremely painful sensation in her backside. Blood dripped from the side of her mouth as she looked at Li Huang in horror.

"My lovely Aurora!" He shook his head derisively. 'You always were too independent for my liking. Supposing you weren't..." Li Huang dragged out the dagger he used in stabbing her and wiped of Aurora's blood on her garment. "It might have gone differently."

"Nothing can stop Lu from his ascension to the throne and his predestined destiny. Not even you."

Aurora could not respond to this treacherous man. She lay there , mouth agape breathing heavily as she heard Li Huang's departing footsteps.

She had never seen this coming. If he could murder her in cold blood , None of her children were safe. All Aurora had to do was hold on to life as long as she could in order to warn her son...

But breath by breath, she began to slip away.

########$#$

Lucian knocked on the door leading into his mother's Chambers. Getting no reply, he knocked again but still he got no answer.

Nudging the door open, he stepped in and was mortified at the sight of seeing Aurora gasping for breath in a red pool of her own blood with her maid servant standing over her frozen . Lucian rushed to his mother's aid and commanded that the girl fetch the royal physician.

He held his mother in his arms as she cupped his face with her bloody hands.

"Who did this to you!" Her son asked , his body vibrating with anger and pain.

"It matters not , My Prince. " She groaned and brought his face down to hers. "I will no longer be around to protect you and your brother from the wrath of your Father. You have to leave now..."

"What brother..." Lucian said confused . "Mother you must be confused. Just Please hold on mother." Lucian pleaded.

Aurora continued. "Take Hikaru along with you for I fear the plans Li Huang has in store for each of you." She managed to beam a smile at him. "Promise me , Lucian , You will never become like him..."

Lucian heard some footsteps coming down the hall and turned to the Empress Consort bleeding in his arms. "Just hold on mother, the Physician is almost here."

"Promise me !" She insisted."

Lucian nodded and held the pale woman's hand tight as her face was losing every trace of its previous bright clear rosiness.

The physician soon arrived in the company of Yu and some ministers of Court and saw the pale face of Aurora .He placed his hand on her neck for her pulse .

He glanced sorrowful at Yu and then Lucian and Shook his head.

Lucian began breathing raggedy as he held Aurora closer.

"Mother ...Mother wake up...Please do not Leave me, I beg of you ."

By dusk the message circulated around all the Kingdoms as everyone came to offer their Condolences.

Her Royal Highness of Davinda Empire daughter of the Deceased Qi Dao ,The Empress Consort of the Kanerria Dynasty , Crowned Queen and wife to the Emperor Li Huang , Gòngzhû Aurora Dao Huang ...

Was dead.