I look at my father who seems to have been dumbfounded by what he just heard. Beheadings and executions are not a normal occurrence in our kingdom. It is because it believed that self-reflection and a chance to change should be given to everyone who has made a mistake. At least that’s what I was taught in my studies on the justice system.

“I know they have made a grave mistake. However, and I don’t mean to offend you, you, the target of the assassination wasn’t harmed. This may be the time to practice exercising mercy and benevolence,” my father tells her.

A few seconds pass then she leans in, her hands clasped together, looking straight into my father’s eyes. Her gray eyes calm and cold, it reminded me of the calm before a storm.

“Indeed, I was not harmed but that is not the point. Rather, I would have thought you of all people would understand my decision. The crux of the matter is one thing only, the intent,” she answers unflinching.

“You might remember me as the small child my parents used to bring whenever they visited and I do cherish the memories but I am not the same person. I am Bellona Aife Pavenia, the Empress of the Pavenia Empire and as such, I myself am an extension of the millions of people under my rule. If they were successful in their plot, it would have left the citizens of my empire in turmoil,” she clenches her jaw and I could see how she’s fighting to keep her calm.

“And that is what I cannot forgive. So while I do respect your advice, I will not be following it but do heed my warning, if I do not see these men beheaded in a week’s time, I will take it as an act of war. Make your choice,” she says, leaving the room just as abruptly as she had entered it.

For a few minutes the room was silent save for the clinking of the shackles that bound the marquess and the count. I was surprised by how subservient they had been. I would have thought they would at least plead their innocence or apologize and beg for their lives but they never did. Why did they just accept everything Bell said?

My mother wordlessly rises and places a hand on my shoulder, looking to the door – a signal for us to give my father and his two friends alone. I stand and bow, following my mother out of the room.

“Could I interest you in a cup of tea?” my mother asks and I nod, eager to unwrap what has happened in the past few hours.

We make our way to her parlor in silence and as we sat I notice how my mother had aged. The wrinkles on her cheeks were more pronounced, her skin was duller than I had remembered but most importantly, her once bright eyes seemed exhausted.

The notion of aging has not left my mind, after all it was a normal occurrence that eventually happens to everyone however, what caught my attention was how much she had seemed to age in the months that I wasn’t home.

Was I just too involved in my own affairs to notice how my own mother had seemed to become frail or did something happen while I was away?

When the tea arrived, she methodically picks up the cup and sips no doubt mulling over how to start the conversation.

“Bell is just as I remember her. She reminds me so much of Thalassa, her mother. Did you know that she came from a commoner family?” my mother asks and I shake my head.

“She did and the late emperor, Nikodem fell in love with her at first sight. Hal told me that the first time they met she rescued him from the sea. Nikodem who was only the crown prince at the time was visiting Tiarhan, a coast district and Hal’s hometown, and while he was playing in the sea he was suddenly swept away by a wave. It was a stroke of luck that Hal had been watching and was an excellent swimmer,” she tells me, a smile on her lips.

“She was always full of life and she enjoyed telling me stories of her life with Nikodem. Oh, how I miss her,” she laments then she looks at me.

“Your engagement wasn’t only because we were such close friends nor was it only to cement the alliance between our two nations,” at this I was surprised. What other reason could there be to betrothed two children with stations such as ours?

“I don’t know if you remember but when you were a shy and quiet child but when you met Bell, you were instantly taken with her. You were the one who always initiated interaction and you followed her around for the whole month they stayed,” she says, smiling.

“When it was time for them to leave, you didn’t let her go until we told you that you were to be married. It was the first time I saw you fight for something,” she tells me, a twinkle in her eyes at the memory.

I feel my face heat. What had happened that I was so taken with Bell and why do I have no recollection of it? I was about to ask more about it when someone knocks on the door, a messenger from my father.

“Your majesty, your highness,” he bows. “Your majesty, the king requests an urgent audience with your highness at his chambers,” he informs me and I look to my mother.

“You should go,” she says and I nod.

“Please inform the king that I will be there shortly,” I tell the messenger who bows and leaves the room.

We both stand and she hugs me then she whispers “Don’t trust your father too much, he is still human after all,”

Before I could ask her about what she meant, she departs the room leaving me confused and with more questions than when I came.

I knew it was inevitable for father to call on me. I have no doubt that he will ‘request’ that I coax my wife to defer to his judgement for the marquess’ and count’s punishment. What he fails to comprehend is that I hold no power over any decisions that Bell makes, especially when it involves the citizens.

When the guard sees me, he knocks on my father’s door and announces me. I am invited in immediately and I go to sit in front of my father who was staring intently at the document Bell distributed earlier in the day.

“The marquess was the first one I told when your mother and I conceived you. I didn’t tell my father or mother, I told the marquess. It was because he was – is – my closest friend and confidante. I gather you already know why I called on you,” he says, finally looking at me. I nod.

“You want me to convince the empress to at least compromise on the punishment and revoke the beheading,” I say and he nods.

“I make no promises but I will try my best,” I tell him, leaving him to his own thoughts.

Even if my father hadn’t asked me to intervene, I still would have tried to talk to Bell about her decision. The marquess and the count have always been present while I was growing up and I see the both of them as family.

On my way to Bell’s room I notice a handful of guards stationed next to Bell’s room instead of outside of her own room. If I remember correctly, the room next to her would be Sir Anthony’s room, so why would they be standing guard outside of his room unless Bell was in it too?

With this realization I was enraged. She was the one who told me that extramarital affairs were a non-issue and Sir Anthony told me himself that he would honor our marriage and respect Bell’s decision, does this mean she went to him?

I walk faster toward a room and was stopped before I could knock.

“Please wait a moment your highness,” one of the guards tell me then leaves, I presume to inform them that I was outside.

After a few seconds, I was allowed to pass and go in the room. Just when I was about to ask for what reason why Bell was in another man’s room only hours after our wedding in my own kingdom, I see Sir Anthony bandaged on the bed and Bell sitting on a chair beside him.

It takes a few moments for me to process what I was seeing, from Sir Anthony’s pale face to the blood seeping out to the bandages wrapped around his wound.

“You were injured,” I manage to croak out.

“Yes, I was. I apologize that I am unable to greet you properly,” he says and I shake my head.    

A few seconds later, a nurse comes in and tells us that it was time to change the bandages. Bell nods and takes my hand, guiding me to her room and telling me to seat while she went to prepare some tea. After a while she returns and hands me a cup of sweet smelling tea.

“I put in some vanilla, I noticed that you were partial to sweets,” she explains and I take a sip, pleasantly surprised by the new flavor.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Sir Anthony was injured?” I ask and she shrugs.

“Why would I? While he is a close friend of mine, it was irrelevant because he is my knight, and it is one of a knight’s duty to fight for who they are loyal to, and sometimes they sustain injuries,” she explains.

“How bad was it?” I ask and she puts down her cup.

She looks at me, determining how much she could tell me but I wasn’t perturbed. Even if it seemed unusual, the moments I spent with Sir Anthony in Pavenia were the moments I felt like myself and I had grown fond of him, even if I hadn’t said it.

“The blade was poisoned and he had lost a lot of blood. He was on the brink of death and he might have died if I was even a second late,” she explains and I could see that even the mere thought of Sir Anthony’s death rattled her.

“Is this why you are adamant about beheading the marquess and the count as punishment?” I ask and at my question she turns her head swiftly that I was afraid it might break.

“I am many things but I was never one to decide based on my personal bias and I am offended that you think I am,” she answers, her face stoic.

“I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you but I would have understood if you did,” I hastily explain.

“Do you mean to tell me that if Lady Olivia was injured you would have executed the perpetrators regardless of the cost?” she asks.

Her question catches me by surprise, not because she likened my relationship with Olivia with her relationship with Sir Anthony but because I don’t know if I will. She senses my hesitation and she smiles.

“You might not be as hopeless as I thought you were. Remember what I told you before, when we make decisions we hold the fate of all our citizens in our hands. I will never be the type of ruler who will let the fate of my citizens rest on a decision made by fleeting emotions,” she says then she continues.

“But that does not mean I feel nothing. It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t angered; in fact it would be more appropriate to say that I was ready to raze your kingdom to the ground but I knew that doing so would do me no good so I didn’t and that is why I will refuse your request to revoke my decision regarding the punishment,” she finishes.

I blink. I hadn’t said anything about revoking her decision yet, had I?

“That is the reason why you came to visit me, is it not?” she asks.

“It is not the only reason,” I mumble and she chuckles.

“You do not need to feel bad. I have been in this position for ten years and it is easier for me to read situations especially when I have something that someone else wants,” she explains and I nod.

“Since you already know my primary intention, I will just ask it outright. Will you please rethink your decision? I have known the marquess and the count my whole life. They are like family to me. If needed, please think of it as a favor for your husband,” I request unabashedly.

In my time with Bell, I found that it was easier for me to communicate with her if I were honest. She always seems to know my train of thoughts and I am not a competent liar, it would be to my advantage to be forthright about the things I want to discuss instead of sowing more distrust.

“I know of your relationship with them and I do understand how you feel but I am sorry, I cannot and will not grant you request. Nor was I jesting about waging war if you fail to behead them within a week,” she clasps my hands and I raise my head to look at her.

“Contrary to popular belief I do not relish war but I will do it if I deem it necessary, so please make the right decision,” she says.

“You may stay in my room. I will be next door, tending to Tia. You may also accompany us if you wish,” she stands and leaves me to stew in my own thoughts of an imminent war.