The Empress's Revenge

Chapter 8

Love is a fickle thing.

One minute you have someone you will only love for the rest of your life and never leave them, and the next minute it all changes.

The days following Fedyor's departure, I was often alone. I hadn't seen Jade since the day before the ball, and that slightly concerned me. 

I had inquired about this to Harlow, but he only told me not to worry.

"He is a strong cat, M'lady." He would say. "Try not to worry."

But these days, that was all I did.

I often sat under a tree in the garden and pondered my life.

If Tasheyo was to have a child, they would be illegitimate. Since Periclene wasn't an empress as I was, that also affected her child.

But, say if Tasheyo divorced me and remarried Periclene, that would change everything.

I would be demoted and tossed from the palace immediately. My social status would change and I would be reduced to nothing. 

But surely, Tasheyo wouldn't.

Right?

I wore a simple white dress, only one layer and that ran across my chest as I sat under my favorite oak tree.

It was a beautiful day, but I noticed a few dark clouds in the distance.

The blades of grass prickled and rubbed against my bare feet as I closed my eyes.

Divorce.

Remarrige.

Royal Blood.

Wait.

Royal Blood?

Of course!

Tasheyo couldn't divorce me without reducing himself!

I was the one that was born into an imperial family and therefore would be the one to stay!

If Tasheyo ever tried to divorce me, he would be the one reduced to nothing.

Thank goodness.

I let out a sigh.

But, an empress can't run an empire by herself, let alone the Eastern Empire.

I would have to remarry someone myself.

"My queen."

I opened my eyes.

Harlow stood in front of me, his raven hair drifting around his face, being blow in the slight breeze. He wore a simple white button up shirt, but the sleeves were rolled up. He wore black dress pants and a belt. His shoes shone in the sunlight as he grinned at me.

"May I join you?"

I nodded, patting the soft grass beside me.

Harlow sat himself beside me, folding his long limbs to lower the body that followed.

I studied him. He was very handsome and I was sure that there was an impressive number of muscles underneath his shirt.

He closed his eyes and sighed. The tree stood strong as Harlow leaned against it, letting his head rest on it.

"Harlow..."

His eyes shot open as I said his name.

"Yes, M'lady?"

I gulped.

"Have you ever imagined yourself in the emperors throne?"

He chuckled and turned his head to face me directly.