The Crown of Wilted Gold.

17

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"The second prince refused to speak with the minister. The prime minister is still trying to convince him to take the throne."

Irisa scoffed, she dumped the tea cup next to the tray, "Thank you, you may go back," Nancy said before turning to Irisa.

"I do not think you know the implication of what you are asking me of me, Nancy, I can only hold out for this long. My child might not even survive, I might die!"

"You will not die, m'lady, we will find you the best physician, and we will make sure everything is done accordingly."

Irisa sighed and wiped the sweat off her head, "I want to know every detail about the search, I must not be left in the dark, are we clear?" Nancy nodded.

"We must find princess..." Pearl busted into the door, followed by her mother, her brother and his wife. Nancy blinked, glancing at Irisa, she hoped they did not overhear anything. It did not look like it as Agnes pushed Pearl into the room, Pearl was crying, her eyes were swollen and tired.

"What is this? Why are you treating the Princess like this?" Irisa asked looking at Agnes.

"I heard you made Princess Pearl your heir, you cannot surely think someone who was adulterous will become your heir?" Agnes asked with a cold smirk. Irisa glanced at Pearl who was weeping, Nancy moved forward.

"What are you insinuating Empress Dowager?" Irisa asked with narrowed eyes. "I insinuate nothing! I only say the truth! Your heir is pregnant with a child of unknown origins," Nancy gasped and Beatrice folded her arms with a smirk on her face. Irisa held her chair arm tightly.

"Pregnant? Is this true Princess Pearl?" Irisa asked, looking at Pearl who was still crying on the floor, "Speak girl! the Empress is talking to you!" Agnes commanded.

"Do not scream at her!"  Irisa snapped, making Agnes go mute. Irisa turned back to the Princess, "Pearl, get up, help her up lady Nancy."

Nancy went to the princess and helped her up, the gown she was wearing covered it well but she could see it, her child should be around five months, almost as old as the heir to Kaley's throne.

"Help her sit, you all should take your seat," she directed at the trio that were standing on the side. They all took their seat before Irisa turned back to Princess Pearl who was now hiccupping.

"I need you to be calm Princess Pearl, the accusation is a serious one, you know that, if you are with a child, we must know of it. As your ruler, sister-in-law, family and predecessor, I must know of it. Are you pregnant?"

"She is!" Agnes said eagerly, "I was not talking to you Empress Dowager," she said again making Agnes glare at her. Irisa said nothing but turned back to Princess Pearl, "are you really pregnant Pearl?" Pearl nodded in tears confirming it.

Irisa sucked in a breath, she looked away, things were getting increasingly tougher and tougher, and she was tired of it. Wondering how exactly she was going to stay on the throne long enough for the Emperor to return, she stared at Pearl who was weeping.

"I said this before! If the ministers hear of this, our family will be dishonoured! How can a family that is said to be god's chosen have an heiress like her? An heiress that is adulterous?! She must be punished for her sins!"

"She is your daughter, Empress Dowager, why are you clamouring for her to be punished?"

"Because she was sinful! She has disgraced us all! How could she be your heir?" Agnes asked Nancy and Irisa looked at each other knowing what it was all about.

"I am sorry, Mother, I know my mistake! I... I... I..."

"Keep quiet you lewd child! The Empress is deciding on what punishment befits your sinfulness! I cannot believe that I gave back to a misfortune like you!"