The Greatest Villainess (Completed)

Chapter 29

We were quietly enjoying our meal when Henry arrived, his sudden presence breaking the calm atmosphere. He immediately bowed low before approaching the Emperor, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. I noticed the change in the Emperor’s demeanor at once—his expression hardened, becoming distant and cold, as if the warmth he had shown moments before was completely extinguished.

He turned his gaze to me briefly, and Henry, sensing the shift in mood, stepped back a few paces to give him space. "It's unfortunate," the Emperor said in a clipped tone, "But I have an urgent matter to attend to. You may continue with your meal, wife." his words left no room for discussion, a finality in his voice that made it clear he wouldn’t elaborate further.

My brow furrowed as I watched him rise from his seat, his movements deliberate and swift. Without another word, he left the room with Henry following closely behind, the door shutting firmly behind them. I pressed a towel to my lips, wiping them quickly before standing, my curiosity piqued by the urgency of the situation.

I followed them at a distance, my footsteps light as I trailed through the grand halls. By the time I reached the gates, I could already see the commotion outside. A large crowd had gathered, and the air was thick with tension. The people appeared to be protesting, their desperation palpable even from where I stood.

I quickened my pace, my fists unconsciously clenching at my sides. As I neared the gates, their voices became clearer, echoing through the courtyard.

"Your Majesty! Wala ng makakakain ang pamilya ko!" 

"Paubos na ang aming pundo, wala na kaming mapagkukunan pa!" 

"Maawa kayo sa amin! We haven't earned anything for weeks!"

These pleas came from the weary mouths of farmers, their clothes soaked in sweat and their faces lined with fear and exhaustion. I reached the Emperor's side and could feel the weight of their desperation. Their eyes, hollowed by hardship, were fixed on him as though he were their last hope.

"Calm down," the Emperor said in a firm, commanding voice, "We won’t be able to resolve anything if you let your fear take control," his words were met with immediate silence, the crowd’s frantic cries dying down as they strained to hear him. There was an authority in his voice that demanded attention, though I couldn't help but notice the few nobles lingering in the background, observing the spectacle with detached curiosity.

I frowned as I caught sight of them, their presence feeling out of place amidst the farmers' struggles. They stood idly by, their expressions indifferent, as if the plight of the common folk was merely another point of gossip to entertain them.

"Do not worry," the Emperor continued, his tone resolute, "I promise that we will find a solution to this problem. The palace will not abandon you, and you have my word on that," his assurance seemed to resonate with the crowd. I could see the relief in some of their faces, a few even sighing as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

Despite the Emperor's promise, I couldn’t help but feel that this was only a temporary fix. While the palace did have stockpiles of goods to share, enough to sustain the people for now, this was merely treating the symptom, not the root cause of their suffering. The farmers needed more than just words and temporary aid, dahil papaanong isang araw lamang ang nakalipas ng pagsunog ay naghihirap na sila ganito? Surely, they needed lasting solutions, ones that would ensure their livelihood and prevent them from reaching such a desperate state again.

Still, for now, the crowd seemed pacified, their trust placed in the Emperor’s hands. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, wondering what his next move would be and how far his promises would go to truly address the people’s growing unrest.