How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 24 - Calm Before the Storm

--Valeria POV--

A light breeze stirred the silk curtains causing the faint scent of rosemary to drift in from the garden, but despite the comforting smell, I could find no warmth in it.

As I sat on my seat at the dining table for breakfast with Stacius, I found myself unable to enjoy the meal. Neither the olives nor the cheese left any taste in my mouth, and adding it with the bread only made it feel like I was chewing on dust.

"The empire is on edge lately due to some enemies that have shown themselves at the border, you must listen to me now more than ever, Ria, I am worried." He spoke as he ate his own food, and I wondered what have I been doing all this time? I have already been trapped within these walls like a caged bird, so what more does he want?

He has changed as of late. But is it that he has changed or is he revealing his true self? I could not figure it out, and could only think back on last night. I asked him about the incident at the market, wanting nothing more than the truth, but instead he spoke lies dressed as reason. 

And I realised all too late that his tongue was conniving. Speaking sweet words that caused me to lower my defences, guilt tripping me, and causing me to second-guess everything until the conversation had shifted in a way that made him have full control. He was dangerous, and I never thought that I would become a victim of that danger.

I chewed slowly, trying to rid the taste of doubt from my mouth.

"Ria, my flower? Is everything okay?" I nodded, continuing with my food.

How long has this shift in him gone unnoticed by me? The man that I loved was supposed to be gentle and the kindest of people, but as of late, I see a storm brewing in the depths of his eyes. 

His words are spoken carefully, as if planned out, waiting for me to trip and fall into his trap, and as sweet as his touch may be, there is a cunning feel to his every touch, as if holding me in his arms is not enough, he wishes to completely own me, and chain me to his side.

But it scares me to think that he has always been like this. Was it a trap from the very beginning? Was he only showing me the best side of himself so that I would fall in love, and now that it is too late, he is revealing his true colours? Please, Gods, do not let that be the truth.

I have created a child with this man, and I even wished for more, so before that happens, please let him return to how he used to be.

A shuffle at the entrance of the dining room caused my thoughts to be cut short. A servant entered, flushed and breathless as he dipped into a deep bow, and I noticed a scroll in his hand.

"Your imperial majesties." He greeted carefully, eyes darting over to me. "A letter arrived from her imperial majesty's family domus, it has been marked urgent." The servant moved to hand Stacius the scroll, but I moved quicker.

It is my family that the letter is about, so of course I should be the one to read it first.

Unravelling the wax-sealed parchment, my eyes scanned over the contents, and with each line I read, it felt as though I were getting hit with the force of iron.

"My mother's health has declined." I felt my breath whisper. "The physicians believe that she may not endure till the end of the week." How could this be? She was perfectly fine when I last saw her, laughing and smiling as though everything were all right. 

Had she been suffering in silence? Without sharing a single word with me? How could I not have known about this until now? What kind of daughter does that make me?

Through the silence that felt like a sharp blade, I heard a quiet gasp of a sob slip passed my lips, filled with worry as my hands trembled with every word I read over, again and again and again, hoping and praying that it was all false, nothing more than a silly, unfunny joke.