How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 31 - The War to Win her Heart

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I should have been listening, but the Senate members voices continued to drone on about grain shipments, border patrol, and tax flows, all matters that once commanded my precise, undivided attention. But now, as I sat perched upon my throne, my fingers drumming against the cold lion-carved armrest, my mind was focused elsewhere. 

Specifically, on my wife locked behind our chamber doors on the third day of her confinement.

Was she still sleeping? Or had she risen, pacing across the floor in anger? Was she throwing anything and everything around the room again? Has she eaten? Has she slept enough? Every thought of mine was focused on her, I could not stop it if I tried.

I should have stayed with her, even if it was only until she woke up. To see how high her temper was burning today, and to tame that very temper. To remind her that she was mine, regardless of how she has been glaring at me with those soft, wet eyes filled with both love and hate.

Because at the end of the day, it changes nothing.

"Your imperial majesty." I blinked, the Senators voice fading away, replaced by that of a familiar servant whose eyes remained downcast through all the sudden attention.

"Well?" I spoke, voice low and confused.

"Forgive me for the intrusion, your imperial majesty, but it is about the prince. He is agitated." She swallowed, fingers fiddling with each other as she gulped, and I finally recalled why she looked so familiar. She was Evan's personal maid.

"Is it not your job to fix that?" I asked, raising a brow.

"But I am not the prince's mother, your imperial majesty... I believe that is the cause. But due to certain circumstances, the empress is unavailable right now. The wet nurse cannot calm him, and the nursemaids are afraid that he will work himself into a fever." Her voice trembled with every word she spoke, and I hummed my response, my fingers going to rest against my temple.

Even in her absence, she still had an effect on this palace.

"Bring him to me." I waved my hand, dismissing the servant. The senators shifted, discomfort rippling across their lined faces, but that was no problem of mine as I watched the servant dip into a deep bow before rushing away to do as told.

The conversation with the Senators continued for a minute before we were interrupted once more by none other than my wailing son in the arms of his servant.

Red-cheeked and blinking slowly through his glassy tears, his sobs stilled the moment he caught my gaze. Pushing myself off my throne, I picked him out of the servants' arms with ease before heading back to my throne with him in my arms.

His small, chubby fingers reached out, clutching at the folds of my purple robe as I watched his sniffles turn into soft giggles.

"What is amusing you so much my little lion?" I murmured, brushing his hair out of his face as he continued to fiddle with the material of my clothes through curious giggles.

His laughter echoed across the hall, sharp and bright against the heavy air, and I noticed a few senators cracking uncertain smiles which eased the tension hanging in the room. It was almost absurd, how the weight of the room could so effortlessly be undone by a child's laughter.

"Now, let us continue." My voice returned to steel as I waved for them to continue with the meeting while simultaneously settling Evan in my arms, and as he continued to play around in my lap, Tiberius stepped forward to speak.

"Regarding the tribes along the northern frontier, reports have confirmed that they grow bolder by the day. Small settlements have been raided, and the people are unsettled. We risk greater rebellion if we allow these barbarians to continue as they are without consequence." A murmur ran through the senators.