"What did you say?!" The emperor’s voice thundered through the Empress’s palace.

“Please, calm down, Your Majesty,” Danielle pleaded, stepping forward to pacify him. 

After Isolde had been dragged to the dungeon, Emperor Leonidas had dismissed the banquet and stormed into the Empress’s palace—not out of concern for his wife, but for the future of the imperial bloodline. The imperial doctor’s somber expression only deepened Leonidas’s rage as he announced, “The Empress may face complications that could make future pregnancies difficult.”

Leonidas’s face twisted with fury. “Move aside, Danielle! I’ll kill this useless doctor!” He shoved him out of the way and, in one fluid motion, unsheathed his sword. 

“Your Majesty, no!” Danielle cried, but his words came too late. The blade gleamed as it severed the doctor’s head, blood pooling around the lifeless body. 

“Please stop this madness,” Danielle choked, his voice trembling with emotion. “My sister is still unconscious. Please think of her!” 

“Pfft.” Leonidas scoffed, wiping the blood from his blade. “Why should I care about a useless vixen? A woman who can’t bear me an heir is no better than a wounded warhorse.” 

Danielle’s hands clenched into fists. “And what about the battles that warhorse fought at your side? The victories she helped you achieve?” 

“That’s why you end its suffering with your sword,” Leonidas said coldly, “as an act of mercy.” His glare pierced Danielle as he stepped closer. “Mark my words. If I find evidence that your sister harmed her own child to frame Isolde, it will mean the end of your entire Aurelius duchy.” 

With that, he turned and stormed out, issuing commands to his men. “Summon the Duke of Sable immediately. I want him in my presence.” A murderous aura lingered around him as he disappeared from sight, leaving Danielle behind, trembling with suppressed rage and concern for his sister.

Three days passed. The investigation confirmed that the tea leaf contained poisonous herbs, and Isolde was sentenced to death. Her execution was scheduled for two days hence. Locked in the dungeons, she endured relentless interrogation and torture, but her resolve remained unbroken. The pain meant little to someone who had endured years of rigorous training. 

As Isolde sat against the cold stone wall, the dungeon door creaked open. A figure stepped inside, and the guards bowed before retreating. 

“Well, look at you,” Aerial, the Empress, sneered, her voice dripping with malice. “Counting your days in this filthy hole.” 

Isolde glanced at her, then burst into laughter. 

“What’s so funny?” Aerial demanded, her composure faltering. 

“You,” Isolde said, smirking as she rose to her feet. “You look worse than I do.” 

Aerial stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous. I achieved exactly what I wanted—to rid myself of you.” 

“Did you?” Isolde asked, her tone laced with mockery. “Or is this the part where everything starts falling apart?” 

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Aerial snapped, though there was an edge of uncertainty in her voice. 

Isolde’s eyes gleamed. “Come closer if you’re curious. I’ll tell you.” 

The Empress hesitated but stepped closer, her pride outweighing her caution. 

“Where should I begin?” Isolde mused. “With the long line of empresses who all mysteriously died in childbirth? Or perhaps with your little scheme to avoid the same fate?” 

Aerial’s composure faltered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Oh, I think you do,” Isolde said, her smirk widening. “The slow poison found in the tea—it only grows in Sable Duchy. And the name Amelia…does that ring any bells?” 

The Empress’s eyes widened in shock. 

“Amelia and her father were the only ones dealing in that illegal herb. They tried to use it on my mother, too. But if the poison was found in the Empress’s palace, it could only mean one thing: you were aiding the butler’s treason while cleverly framing the emperor himself.” 

“That’s absurd!” Aerial hissed, trembling. 

“Silence!” Isolde snapped, her voice sharp as a blade. “I’m not finished. Treason. Attempted murder of the Sable ducal family. Plotting to kill the royal bloodline. And hiding the truth that Danielle is actually a woman. Shall I go on?” 

The Empress recoiled, her face pale. “H-how did you—” 

“It takes one to know one,” Isolde said with a bitter smile. “I spent years pretending to be a man. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?” She leaned back against the wall, her expression cold. “My advice? Confess your crimes before my father destroys you.” 

“How dare you threaten me!” Aerial shrieked. “Why should I die giving birth to a stupid child? Why should I let my sister be condemned to that monster of a man?! I have my own dreams! I never even wanted to be Empress!” 

“You shouldn’t have played games with me, then,” Isolde replied, her voice devoid of sympathy. “But it doesn’t matter now. You’ll die soon enough. Why should I waste time on your excuses?” 

Fuming, Aerial spun on her heel and stormed out of the dungeon. Isolde watched her go, her smirk returning as the door slammed shut. 

To be continued....