Frozen Hearts

Where It all Started

Today I stand before a decision that would undoubtedly change my life forever. Ever since I was younger, it was my duty to be the emperor of the Eastern Empire. As a child I had no decisions of my own I could make, not even my empress. She was selected for me at a young age, and today I must force myself to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. I understand the decisions I make for my empire must come above my own wants, but today is the first day I wish I could be selfish.

Sweat drops down the emperor's forehead as he holds his head in his hands looking into the mirror. "Why did it have to come to this?" he wondered to himself. Bloodshot eyes stared back at him, clear signs of a drunken night. He sighed to himself and got up from his seat to attend the trial, his wife's trial.

Empress Navier was truly the only empress this kingdom would ever need. "She is the backbone of my entire country" he thought to himself. "Today I must divorce her, for the sake of herself and my empire." He stood up with a steadfast look walking into the grand hall.

A woman stood in the crowd with silver hair and shining eyes beaming at him. The emperor grimaced seeing her. He looked ahead at his empress in her perfectly calm state. She showed no signs of emotion. Emperor Souvieshu sighed to himself thinking "even to this day she wont show how she feels".

The minister interrupted his thoughts stating the case to the court "We're gathered here today to discuss an important decision".

As the court minister spoke I turned to Navier and whispered to her "You never change do you?" upon seeing her attire. A bright red dress with white linings and ribbons with a gold chemise adorned her body. "Always the perfect empress" I sneered in my mind.

"You always manage to keep your compose" I continued speaking to her with derision in my voice. "History will always remember you as the empress who wore lavish dresses even at her own trial" I sneered.

"If there are those who change. Then there are those who remain the same." She replied calmly and composed.

"Is the honor of a noble that important to you?" I questioned her.

"No, your imperial majesty it is not. Do you think that all I've done is simply to maintain my dignity?" She questioned me.

"What?" I asked in surprise.

"I am the empress of the Eastern Empire. Wherever I go, whatever I do, how I dress, the tone of my voice, the way I speak, and all the things I do, I do it to maintain the dignity of the royal empress." She replied calmly and proudly.

I stared at her and said "Let's see how long you maintain that precious dignity of yours".

She turned her back on me, as she always does. I kept my composure and looked back at the prime minister.

"Empress Navier, your husband Emperor Sovieshu has requested A divorce." He said disappointingly.

I watched Navier out of the corner of my eye, of course there was no expression from her.

"Do you agree to the following documents regarding the divorce without objection?" The prime minster asked solemnly.

I reflected to myself, I was always by her side and even now I stand by her side. We made this oath in joy and sorrow to be together through it all, and I had been. That's my problem tho, Navier had been the perfect empress, but never the wife I longed for.

"The oath pledged under the eyes of God will be broken, and your marriage terminated. Empress Navier. Do you accept the divorce?" The minister continued.

I held my breath, it would be easier on me if she did, this was painful enough.

"Yes I do". I heard her pronounce calmly.