When the Crown Falls

Chapter 17 - My Stand

EMI AINU

Despite the stomach curling feeling I get whenever I sit in between these four suffocating walls, the dining hall still had its undeniably breathtaking touch of history and elegance.

Sometimes, I wondered if the previous rulers that also sat in the same seat I'm in shared the same feeling as me. I wondered if they also thought of what the previous person was feeling when they gazed around the enclosed walls of gold and wood.
I wondered if their rambling thoughts were also interrupted by the quiet clinking of the silverware as the people around them ate silently with heads down.

I dragged my gaze to the once again elegant display of food, however, as tempting and delicious as they had looked, it was barely touched.

Kyone stood off to the side, obedient and quiet as always. She had just gone back from my father's residence.

Tenji and his mistress sat next to each other and Sujin sat beside me.

The chatter was subtle, yet the atmosphere felt heavy and strained.

I was becoming used to this depressing feeling.

"I've heard a lot of interesting things lately, Your Majesty." Lady Yua wore her usual devious smirk as she looked at me.

Tenji cut her off sharply, his voice tight with irritation. "Enough, stop your gossiping."

She looked somewhat taken aback
—we all were, but her smile remained, albeit a bit forced. She paused for a moment but still arrogantly continued.
"But it is such an interesting information, Your Majesty. I was quite amazed."

Feigning ignorance, Lady Yua let out a light laugh and leaned slightly forward towards me, her voice came out soft and sweet, one could tell she was trying hard to faking it.
"I wonder if it is true... I've heard that the young, handsome commander Sujin seems to be quite fond of a lady lately."

She turned a glance at Sujin who was now halted in his seat and shifted her gaze back at me before proudly asking. "Is he your favorite courtesan, Your Majesty?"

"Lady Yua!" Kyone yelled from where she was standing. I could tell she was fighting the urge to march towards us and who knows what she might have done if had given the chance.

Expectedly, Lady Yua merely rolled her eyes at Kyone's warning.

"Why can't the empress answer a simple question? We are just making conversation after all, are we not?"

I slammed my utensils down and she was startled to the point where she stopped talking and accidentally let out
a small shriek.

Becoming an official mistress meant Lady Yua was permitted to accompany His Majesty during late hours; including dinner, even if it meant dining in the same room as me, the legal wife.

I took the stem of my wine glass in between my fingers as I lifted it towards my lips, letting the scent linger my nostrils first before taking a small sip.

I placed the glass back to where it originally was and smiled at Lady Yua. "Since when has the empress been obligated to answer a question coming from a mistress?"

Everyone's eyes widened, including Tenji and I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy taking in the embarrassment drawn across Lady Yua's face. She hesitated, her delicate demeanor faltering. "Are you calling me inadequate, Your Majesty?"