The Grand Finale Part 4

When they were alone, Gilyn would call the Holy Empress the name he picked out. Her mood slowly began to improve. However, the light in her eyes had long since faded away. At the party she hosted for the Imperial envoy, he could see the hatred and despair which consumed her heart.

After the envoy left, Gilyn watched as the Holy Empress play with the caged bird. He glanced at the bright blue bird, "The Imperial King gifted this to you for being such a good host. You must really treasure it since you look at it every day…" 

The Holy Empress didn't respond. 

Gilyn cleared his throat, "He told me in private that he wanted you to have this so you wouldn't feel so lonely… Meret… Did you and him…"

She turned away from the bird and pulled out a paper and pen. She wrote on it and held it up. -We did. It was far better than the nights with the King-

Gilyn was furious. He took the paper and shredded it up, "Meret! Y-You can't do such a thing!"