The Empress's Revenge

Chapter 7

I stared at Harlow.

"Of course it's my responsibility. He's my husband."

Harlow spun me around, more fiercely then brought me back, a scowl on his face.

"M'lady, you shouldn't have to be punished for a full grown man's actions. They are his to control."

I shook my head.

"I am the empress, and if something isn't in the emperor's control, it must be in mine."

Harlow gave a sigh, and we both heard the waltzing music end. I went to step away, to return to my dais and listen to Tasheyo, but Harlow gripped me tight.

"M'lady, just please consider coming with me. I can give you anything you want." 

I raised an eyebrow, allowing a cheeky smirk to appear on my face.

"Are you bribing me, Lord Harlow?"

He blinked and stared at me. I reached up to brush his hair aside, but my wrist was grabbed roughly.

"I think that's enough socializing for one evening, your majesty." Said the emperor coldly, glaring at Harlow.

I turned to glare at him, and tugged my wrist free. Harlow was staring daggers at Tasheyo.

"I do hope that you can treat the empress better than you have, your majesty." Replied Harlow, mockingly.

Tasheyo narrowed his eyes at him.

"You have crossed too many lines for tonight, my friend." He said. My husband turned to two unnoticed guards who were flanking him.

"Take him away."

I turned and watched in horror as the two armed guards pounced on Harlow.

"Stop!" I cried.

They hesitated, giving Harlow enough time to slip away through the crowd of nobles who were watching the scene unfold.

The emperor turned to me, fury flashing in his eyes.

"You let him escape! That is it! I've had it with your scandalous behaviour!"

I took a step towards my husband and tipped my chin, to look him square in the eyes.

"My scandalous behaviour?"

Tasheyo flared his nostrils and nodded. A burble of laughter escaped my lips as I turned to the crowd gathered around us.

How dare he.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" I called to the nobles.

"In the past few months the emperor started acting quite strangely towards me. He no longer spent time with me, and we disagreed on everything."

I heard Tasheyo sputter behind me. I opened my arms and gazed at my people.

"It turns out the emperor fell out of love with me. He fell in love with another."

I scanned the crowd with my eyes. Then they found their target.

"Eastern Empire, I present you with the woman that Emperor Tasheyo Hesoli cheated on me with and spilt royal blood."

I gestured to my target and the crowd turned to look at her expressionless face.

"Lady Periclene Merioles. My former servant."

The crowd gasped and started chattering at once. I turned on a dime and faced Tasheyo. His face was pale as he searched my eyes, looking for something. I just crossed my arms and returned the glare.