How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 29 - The Emperor's Mercy

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Holding her hand firmly in mine, we headed back into the sitting room. Her father rose from his seat with a small smile, eyes flickering to mine and Ria's joined hands before jumping back up to meet my calm gaze.

"Once again, I must apologise for intruding without proper invitation... I have done what I have come here to do, so we will return home now, but I hope to see you again soon." I inclined my head politely as I spoke to the older man.

"You need no invitation to enter this domus, your imperial majesty. Marrying my daughter has made you my son, so please, think of this as your home as much as it is mine." I chuckled at his words as I shook his hand, releasing Ria's for a moment so that she could bid him farewell.

"Stay healthy, father." She went to hug him as I put my cloak back on.

"And you, my darling." He responded, stroking the back of her head.

As we left the domus, the sun had begun to set beyond the horizon as our horses were waiting for us, and Linus was stood with them, but I paid him no mind. Instead, I shifted my attention to my wife as she held her cloak close to her body, her eyes cast down, reluctant to meet mine. But that much was expected.

My hands held her waist, lifting her easily as I settled her on the horse before climbing on behind her, one hand remaining secure on her waist as I pulled her back against me. And with a whip of the reins, I pushed the horse to move.

The ride back home was fairly quiet, the handful of guards that came with us following at a safe distance with Linus being amongst them, and my breaths were all calm and measured as if this drama did not just unfold; it was only when the palace came into view that Ria decided to break it with a question.

"Why did you do it?" I glanced down at the top of her head for a short moment before returning to look ahead of me.

"I have done a lot of things, my love. You will have to be more specific." I responded.

"Why... did you have to scare me that day at the market? Why could you not have trusted me, even just a little? If you had acted differently at the time then we would be much happier right now." She may have been right, but there was no way of knowing. My actions could not be taken back; we will have to live with that.

"I have said it before, but it is not about trust... Because there is no one I trust more than you in this world, Ria, but that is exactly why I cannot let you go. It is the world which I do not trust. And I am the kind of man that would prefer to have a trapped wife rather than a dead one." I felt her body flinch, failing to find any words to speak in response to mine.

So, she said nothing more as we re-entered the palace walls, the gates closing behind us as torchlights flickered, illuminating the palace and the land around it. I jumped off my horse before pulling her down a moment later, keeping her in my arms as I strode into the palace, the guards following us in perfect sync.

"Where are we going?" She asked, noticing that we weren't headed to our chambers, and instead, I entered the throne room.

"I know you must be tired after your unexpected trip to your parents' domus, but this meeting will not take too long." I assured, setting her down on the ground before going to sit on my throne, leaning back as I rested my chin on my hand.

"First of all, we must deal with Linus. You betrayed your emperor; you have acted without orders, endangering the empress' life by taking her out of the palace walls. So, tell me, how shall I punish you?" Surprise took a hold of the man's features as he stepped forward.

But his surprise was nothing compared to Ria's.

"He is not at fault, Stacius. Linus was only fulfilling his duty as my bodyguard; everything was planned out by me so if you must punish anyone then let it be me." She tried to hide it, but the fear was ever so clear in her voice and in her eyes.