When the Crown Falls

Chapter 11 - The other woman

The sky was a canvas of deep indigo, dotted with a myriad of bright stars. The halls of the Imperial Palace were eerily quiet as the nightly activities were long done.

A young servant carrying a basket of fresh bed sheets quietly made her way to the corridor. The quiet night left the hallways empty and only the soft glow of the oil lamps casted streaks of light on the floor. She passed by the emperor’s chamber where a distinct sound of faint muffles froze her in place. The double doors of the room were securely shut, the only sign of life was the slight sound of rhythmic creaking of a furniture. Led by curiosity, she pressed her ear unto the door, only to quietly stumble back with a pang of shock crossing her face. Soft moans could be heard, that yet of a woman’s pleasure.

The servant quickly looked around the hallway, checking if anyone else was around. Not a single soul in sight.

Her heart started to beat feaster as realization dawned on her. It was no secret that the emperor had frequent unofficial lovers, but lately his and Her Majesty’s intimate relationship had been finally showing signs of improvements. However, the fact that she came from Her Majesty’s chambers not long ago only meant that the woman inside was definitely not the empress. “My Lord-!” the woman inside squealed and the servant rushed to her feet and left.

EMI AINU

The next morning was busier than usual. Tenji abruptly called for an audience with the nobles in the throne room. Aside for that reason, murmurs buzzed within every corner of the palace, I asked Kyone regarding the matter yet she only claimed to be as clueless as me.

Servants, guards, and some nobles included were all exchanging hushed conversations as I passed by them.

“Did you hear about last night?” A noble whispered to another.
“Yes, a friend of my maid heard the noise herself. It was unmistakable.” The other replied.

“What is all the commotion?” I voiced out as I entered the room. They quickly silenced their mouths and looked at each other nervously. 

It was all worried gazes until a maid rushed to Kyone and whispered something to her. Kyone gasped and looked at me with concern before speaking, “My Lady…there is something you should kn-”

"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has arrived.” a loud voice suddenly interrupted her.

Everyone instantly quieted down, as they lowered their heads yet curious gaze eyed the door as Tenji eventually walked in. Behind him…was a young woman.

I stood there frozen, completely clueless of the nameless woman hiding behind him. She looked far from any of the nobles I know, yet also not a maid. She was dressed in a long, embroidered silk.

“Your Majesty, what is all this?” I immediately questioned as he strode to my direction.
Tenji stopped and looked at me straight, his expression stoic, one I knew well. “Good morning as well.” he replied. “It’s the start of the morning, what are you referring to?”

Something about his answer made me unintentionally turn my gaze into a glare. “I am talking about the lady behind you, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, her.” he sighed, gesturing to her. “I had planned for a more appropriate introduction, how about we settle with that?”
They brushed past me and the sight of the flowing silk of the woman twisted my gut.

“Who is she, Your Majesty?” my voice cut through the air.

Tenji paused mid-step and turned around. “You’re quite the blunt today, aren’t you?” I frowned at his mocking tone.”I suppose I should have foreseen your reaction…” he paused for a moment as he shifted his gaze to the woman and back to me.
“You are aware that I have the authority to take in concubines I saw fit.”

My heart immediately fell.
I am well aware of the fact, however, what is the purpose to take in one when our marriage is finally trying to fulfill the duty of trying for an heir?

“And before you jump to any conclusions, I’ll have you know that she’s the first concubine I’ve taken in. So you can rest easy, you still have your position as my empress.”

“That is not-!” I almost snapped but this was not the place. Many ears and eyes surrounded us and an imperial love quarrel was not what the throne needed, not right now.
“…Perhaps it is better if we discuss this matter privately.”

Tenji raised a brow and condescension laced his voice. “Privately? I think not.” his gaze flicked around  the room full of eavesdropping eyes. “If you have anything to say, then say it here. I see no reason for secrecy.”

“Your Majesty, speaking about this publicly is a foolish decision.” Don’t do this.

“Foolish? Or is it because you are shamed to discuss this in public?” he quipped. “I think you are forgetting your position, empress. My decisions are not up for debate.”

I looked at him straight and stared intently through those ego driven eyes. “Alright…” Fine.

“Did you not perhaps thought of consulting me before taking in an outsider, Your Majesty? Especially when we have made recent efforts.”

Tenji’s eyes narrowed and I could tell he was getting more annoyed by the second. “You expect me to consult you over a personal decision to take a concubine? I do not recall needing your approval.”

“My decision became relevant when the woman barely knows how to lower her head and greet the mother of the land she is shamelessly stepping on.”

The air was thick with tension as everything fell into silence until Tenji spoke up again. “My decisions are my own to make, not yours to question. Are you so power deprived that you are worried that a mere concubine would take your position?”

“Your Majesty! You know well that is not what I intend!”

“Enough!” I flinched as his voice boomed. This time, his eyes really bore into mine. He looked at me as if I was some kind of a nauseance threat.

“We shall not speak of this matter. My decision is absolute, poise yourself and deal with it, empress.” Tenji turned around and continued to walk, along with the woman following from behind.

Confusion began to overwhelm me and my heartbeat became too intense that it throbbed with my head. It became suffocating all of a sudden. I staggered but thankfully a hand was there to hold me upright. “My Lady?!” Kyone yelled yet I could barely hear the muffled screams of the servants.

It was then that I noticed…he was watching…how long had he been standing there? I opened my lips and unintentionally tried to call out when I saw how worried he looked…it pained me to see him like that. 

“Sujin..” I breathed out. Darkness eventually enveloped my sight and I fell into an endless pit of still quietness.