Red Rose | The Remarried Empress

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟞

Avaenará POV:
I became alarmed when Sovieshu brought out his sword. I was done with Sovieshu's childish acts for this mistress and Heinrey is just adding more fuel to the fire. I snapped my fan close, turning the attention to me.

"Emperor please be civil about this matter and lower your sword." I commanded. Sovieshu looked hesitant to obey my order.

Navier then stepped in, putting her hand on Sovieshu's and guiding the sword down. "Your majesty please calm yourself." She then turned to Heinrey. "Prince Heinrey you are our guest. Please both of you stop."

"We should end dinner here. Thank you all for coming." Navier then walked away. I was the next to stand up. "My appetite has been ruined by this childish argument."

I turned to Sovieshu. "Thank for inviting me to dinner emperor. But next time I'm going to have to decline your invitation if this were to happen again." Sovieshu nodded in shame. "My apologies your imperial majesty." Heinrey did the same.

I walked to the door with Sovieshu and Heinrey to see Navier and Rashta, who was sobbing. "Why are you always so mean to me?"

"What's going on? Why is Rashta crying?" Sovieshu pushed past me and went to Rashta's side.

"I asked her why she has been lying about me sending a gift to her." Navier answered. Sovieshu sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Can't you just overlook it?"

"Sovieshu!" I called out to him. How can he ask such thing?

"Don't blame Rashta. I was the one who sent a gift to her in your name." Rashta then looked to Sovieshu with not-so-innocent eyes.

"Did you really your majesty?" "Yes. It seems you've been blamed for something you didn't do." "It's okay your majesty. I'm touched you did that for me."

"If your the one who wronged me..." Navier spoke. "It is you I should blame. You admitted your fault." She looked over to Sovieshu.

"Just because you're the emperor doesn't mean you can misappropriate someone's name." She was right. No one, not even the emperor himself is allowed to wrong someone's name.

"So what is it you want?" He asked. "An apology. And to let everyone know you were the one who sent the gift." She answered.

"Navier..." "Afraid you'll lose face? We'll I've already lost mine." "If sending a gift to Rashta in your name was enough to make you lose face, how piddling your honor must be."

I started to rub my forehead. 'These two are giving me a headache.'

"Then I'm sure it will be piddling for you to let everyone know it wasn't me. And do make haste?" Then Sovieshu was just daring enough to ask such a question.

"Why are you being so petty? You didn't used to be like this?" I've had enough.

"Sovieshu! How dare you ask that?!" I walk to him. "I expected more from you. Did anything I taught you teach you nothing? What have I taught you?"

"Never to mix personal matters with politics." He responded quietly. "Exactly. And to never tarnish a woman's honor. Especially your wife's. Navier is the empress of this empire and her name must not be dragged through the dirt." I then turned to Rashta. "Especially if it's because of this dog."

"Is...Is it because you dislike Rashta? I only wanted to be friends with you, your majesty." Rashta whimpered while she looked at me. I walked right up to her.

"You are right Lady Rashta, I do dislike you. But even I would never lie for someone else about a matter that has nothing to do with me." I narrowed my eyes at her. "And it's your imperial majesty. The next time you forget I won't let it slide like the first time."

Before I left I turned to Sovieshu. "This is my last warning Sovieshu. Keep your dog on her leash or out of my sight until I leave or both of you will face the consequences." With that I leave.

I headed back to the northern palace.

Darla and Mira were there waiting for me. "Your imperial majesty, how was the dinner?" Mira asked. I sighed. "Tiring. Apparently prince Heinrey has an anonymous pen pal and Lady Rashta and her lady-in-waiting decided to play around and say they were his pen pal. Then Lady Rashta said she was doing it to keep her 'friend' a secret."

I then fell on my bed. "Then I had to give Sovieshu a lecture. It's exhausting to even think about it."

"I'll go get you some tea and water. In the meantime, please pick out a dress for tomorrow's special banquet." Darla left to get the tea and water.

I looked at all the dresses and decided to go with this one. Darla brought the cup of tea and water soon after.

I did my usual before heading to bed for tomorrow.