The Empress's Revenge

Chapter 26

My heart sank down as the carriage door opened, revealing my old household manager.

"Your majesty." Wilcress breathed, his eyes widening.

Dankish pulled away and straightened his clothes and hair then shot me a wink as he stepped out of the carriage.

It was showtime.

I accepted Barvoscha's hand and stepped down from the carriage to see my old home- The Imperial Palace.

"Please follow me." I heard Wilcress say, as he turned and started to head inside. Barvoscha offered me his arm and I accepted.

As we walked into the throne room, I caught sight of Harlow sitting on the dais-

But there was no throne beside him.

Harlow had removed the empress's throne and moved his to the middle of the dais. That meant that he had no intentions of taking an empress and was the sole ruler of the Eastern Empire.

As our trio came through the doors, I discovered that every noble family was gathered in the throne room.

I felt my heart sink.

My grip tightened on Barvoschas arm and he cast me a reassuring glance. All my previous thoughts left me as I approached the throne and stared up at Harlow, giving the smallest curtsy.

"Good evening, Your Imperial Majesty." I said as Barvoscha bowed slightly.

Harlow sniffed. He really did look bad. His hair was flat and oily and his skin was pale making the dark circles under his eyes stick out. He had lost weight so the emperors cloak hung to his body as if it was a burden.

"Good evening to you as well, King Barvoscha and Lady Hesoli. What brings you here?"

I glanced at all the nobles and I was surprised not to see Duke Abaster and his wife.

Wilcress caught my eye as he scratched his neck, and when I looked at him, he ran his fingers across his neck in a straight line.

Execution.

Oh my gods.

The room was silent as I stepped past Barvoscha and glared up at Harlow.

"Where are Duke and Duchess Abaster?"

I was proud that my voice was strong and my face was expressionless, but Harlow simply smirked as he stood up from the throne.

"Since you chose a worthless, violent country over your home, I removed any loyalties to you, for they were spreading rumors and traitorous words."

I felt a tear prick my eye and I blinked.

"You killed them."

Harlow chuckled. "Ah, I suppose I did."

I realized what this meant and I scanned the crowd quickly.

Lady Mayalen.

"Please dont go."

Lady Yanalise.

"We will accompany you in the North as soon as possible."

My lifelong friends.

He killed them.

I stepped closer to Harlow, my foot resting on the bottom step of the dais.

"You're a monster."

He looked at me, his green eyes flashing with curiousity.

"Lady Hesoli, I am the one who stayed, and I will continue to serve my country, and I recommend you keep your pretty mouth shut unless you want to end up in the dungeons for disobedience."