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.

"It seems our Emperor has grown weak."

The voice immediately seized our attention. It came from an older man, who emerged from behind the crowd and walked confidently into the center of the crowd. My eyes narrowed at the sheer arrogance in his demeanor—it was none other than Baron Malir. The Emperor remained silent, his expression unreadable, allowing the Baron to continue his tirade without interruption.

"Do you truly believe in the promises made by our Emperor?" Baron Malir sneered, casting a disdainful glance at the farmers, whose furrowed brows revealed their growing unease. How dare he! His audacity was infuriating, but he wasn’t finished.

"The farms were burned down, most likely because of the Emperor's negligence! Or perhaps it was no accident at all. Could it be that he’s losing his grip on power? That someone has dared to challenge his rule?" Baron Malir exclaimed, his voice growing louder as he confidently spouted his accusations. My jaw tightened, my teeth grinding in frustration. Who did this man think he was to openly question the Emperor's authority? He showed no respect whatsoever!

I glanced at the farmers, noticing their shifting expressions. Doubt flickered in their eyes as they seemed to reconsider the Baron's words. Slowly, the worry returned to their faces, as if they were starting to believe him.

A smug smile crept onto Baron Malir's face as he surveyed the scene. "Are we really going to continue trusting a leader who can no longer perform his duties properly? Perhaps what happened was a sign—an omen—that the Emperor we chose is no longer fit to sit on the throne!" His chin jutted out proudly, as if he had no fear of the consequences his words might bring.

"My lord, restrain yourself. You speak disrespectfully about the Sun of the Empire. Do you realize such insolence could cost you your life?" Henry’s voice rang out, firm and cold, his words a warning directed at the Baron.

For a brief moment, Baron Malir hesitated, but then he laughed—a mocking, bitter sound that echoed through the tense silence. "I would rather die than serve under him. I would rather sever all ties with the palace!" he declared, his defiance evident in every word. I smirked at the absurdity of his declaration. Was he truly that foolish?

"Baron Malir, by all means, feel free to leave the Empire," the Emperor's voice cut through the air like a blade, deep and cold, as if winter itself had spoken. His words sent a shiver down my spine, and for a moment, my legs felt weak beneath me. The weight of his command blanketed the entire scene, thickening the already suffocating tension.

I heard the collective gasp of the nobles in the distance, while the farmers stood frozen, too stunned to react.

I wanted nothing more than to silence Baron Malir myself, but the man had the audacity to continue, "Now, do you all see? This is the heartlessness of the ruler you serve! Think carefully, all of you!" he shouted, turning his back on us as if he were the one in the right, mounting his horse with a flourish. He rode off without another word, likely preparing for his departure from the Empire. My fists clenched in frustration. If luck was on his side, he might escape the Emperor’s wrath. If not, his body would rot in his manor, forgotten and disgraced.

"Now, return to your homes and expect the aid that will be sent from the palace," the Emperor's final command was resolute, his tone leaving no room for doubt or disobedience. The farmers, their heads bowed low, accepted his words in silence.

As they dispersed, the weight of what had just transpired lingered in the air. Baron Malir had sowed seeds of discord, but the Emperor had crushed them with his authority. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder—what would become of Baron Malir, and how long would his defiance last before the inevitable came to claim him?

As I had suspected, the Emperor ordered the knights to deliver goods to the farmers. Half of the stockpiles from the palace were taken and sent directly to the workers, a sign of his commitment to easing the burden on the people.

I later heard that the Baron had been ordered to be arrested, but by the time they arrived at his estate, he had already disappeared. Only his family remained, left to face the consequences of his rebellion. Now, who exactly are you, Baron Malir? You can hide for as long as you want, but one day you will face the full wrath of the Emperor.

While I was watering the garden, Henry approached me with his head bowed in deference. "Your Majesty, His Majesty has summoned you," he said respectfully.

I paused for a moment, taken aback. The Emperor was calling for me? For what reason?

Taking a deep breath, I handed the watering can to Sarah and quickly made my way inside the palace. With Henry by my side, I headed straight to the Emperor's office, wondering what could have prompted this sudden summons.

As soon as we entered, I saw him standing by the window, gazing out into the distance. His posture was tense, and it was clear he was deep in thought, perhaps troubled by recent events.

"Your Majesty," I called gently, pulling him from his reverie. He immediately turned to face me, his sharp eyes softening slightly as they met mine.

He approached me, his presence commanding as always, and stopped right in front of me. "I'm leaving this afternoon," he began, his voice steady but with a trace of urgency, "And I want you to manage state affairs in my absence." His eyes locked onto mine as he reached for my hand. "Can I count on you, wife?" his gaze was intense, as if studying my reaction.

I smiled at him, nodding with confidence. "Of course, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice clear and unwavering, "But where are you going?" I asked, curiosity flickering within me.

"There weren't enough goods provided to the workers," he confessed, his voice calm, but I could sense the underlying concern in his words. This was clearly weighing on him.

He released my hand and turned away, pacing toward the window again. "I'm going to negotiate with a foreign nation," he said, his tone resolute, "The chances are slim, but I must take the risk."

His words echoed in my mind. He was right—our Empire had long prided itself on its independence from neighboring countries. Negotiating aid was not something we did often, and the chances of success were indeed slim.

"What about the other regions? Can’t they offer any help?" I asked, watching his back as he stared out at the horizon.

The Empire was vast, composed of numerous territories, each governed by local leaders like Duke Sebastian, my parents the king and queen, the marquesses, counts, the Senate, viceroys, and local princes. However, after Baron Malir's open defiance, we certainly couldn't expect any assistance from his region.

"We can't rely on them," the Emperor said thoughtfully, "They have their own people to care for."

His words made sense. If they gave too much aid, they risked depleting their own resources, which could leave them vulnerable. It was a difficult situation, one that required careful navigation.

It was clear that the crisis had affected more workers than anticipated, and the damage was more extensive than originally thought. The aid from the palace had not been enough, and the devastation was greater than we had prepared for.

I let out a soft sigh. "Then I wish you luck, Your Majesty," I said, my voice now resigned to the reality of the situation. There was no point in questioning him further.

He turned to face me again, walking toward me with purposeful strides. Once again, he stopped just in front of me, taking my hand in his. This time, he brought it to his lips, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my skin.

"Thank you, wife," he said softly, his voice filled with an unexpected tenderness.

For the first time, my heart seemed to stop at his words. I blinked several times, taken aback by the sudden rush of emotions that washed over me. I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure.

Could it be? Has he finally realized how much I contribute to his life, how vital I am to the running of the Empire? But then, why do I feel this sinking sense of hopelessness?

Is it because I’ve fallen for him?

Am I truly so helpless when it comes to resisting my heart? No matter how much I try to guard myself, it seems I can no longer control my emotions. I am hopelessly lost. Damn it.