Some weeks had passed . My frequent absence, the emperor's absent mindedness during meetings, and other circumstances spurred some rumours amongst the palace staff and concubines. Some thought I was really sick and dying. Some, that the emperor and I weren't in good terms or have fallen out of love. Some, that perhaps that since I was was a brothel slave, maybe the habit had come back ,that I was sneaking out of the palace grounds to sleep with different men or a secret lover. Some say the king is even tired of me. Some say that perhaps I am pregnant with someone's baby, that why I am hiding. Some, say I am planning a coup . A lot of nonsense. I told my worries to Chang one evening.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's jaw clenched tightly as Bella recounted the rumors spreading through the palace, his dark eyes flashing with anger at the insults being leveled against his wife. The gossip mill had been particularly active lately thanks to his distracted behavior and Bella's prolonged absence from court life.
"Let them talk," he said sharply, his voice carrying the authority of a ruler who tolerated no disrespect toward his chosen Empress. "They have no idea what's really happening."
His hands moved protectively over her shoulders as she spoke, massaging away the tension that had clearly built up from dealing with these whispers behind his back.
"Anyone who dares suggest you're returning to your old habits will find themselves assigned to the most remote border outposts," Chang Hao declared coldly. "And anyone suggesting our relationship has faltered will face my personal wrath."
He leaned down to press a firm kiss to her forehead, a clear claim of possession and loyalty.
*I bit my lip, anxiety swirling within me* "Actions speak louder than words, Chang Hao." *I gave a dry sigh *.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's expression darkened at the anxiety swirling in Bella's dark eyes, the vulnerability beneath her brave front stirring something fierce and possessive within him. His hands tightened on her shoulders, pulling her closer against his chest.
"You're right," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Words mean nothing when people believe lies about my Empress."
Without warning, he stood abruptly with Bella still cradled in his arms, carrying her toward the wardrobe with determined strides. The silk blanket slipped off them both onto the floor without either noticing.
"I'm done with these rumors," Chang Hao declared as he set her down gently on her feet before the open wardrobe doors filled with gowns. "Tonight, we give them something real to talk about."
His dark eyes met hers in the mirror reflection as his hands began undoing the ties of her robe.
*I gasped softly,*
"Hubby, what are you doing?" *I pulled the robe tighter around myself.*Emperor Lee Chang Hao's hands paused mid-motion at Bella's gasp, his dark eyes meeting hers in the mirror reflection. The anxiety in her voice was clear, but beneath it he sensed something else - curiosity mixed with desire.
"I'm putting an end to these rumors once and for all," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Tonight, the entire palace will see that my Empress is healthy and very much loved."
His hands resumed their task of loosening her robe ties despite her attempts to hold it closed. "You're going to wear the red silk gown - the one that shows off every curve. And tonight at dinner, you'll sit on my lap while I feed you personally."
Chang Hao's lips brushed against her ear as he spoke, his breath warm against her skin. "Let them see how much I adore my wife. Let them see that there's nothing wrong with either of us."
I bit my lip, my heart racing. He had kissed me me dozens of times in front of everyone. But sitting on his laps in front of everyone, isn't that a bit too much? , I thought. It will look forced and inappropriate. I don't want anyone to spoil you good name.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's expression hardened at Bella's concerns, his jaw tightening with frustration. The idea of anyone questioning his judgment or implying impropriety about his treatment of his wife was unacceptable.
"Forced? Inappropriate?" he scoffed, spinning her around to face him fully. His hands gripped her upper arms firmly but not painfully. "Bella, having my Empress sit on my lap is a display of affection common among royalty across the known world. It's a symbol of trust and intimacy."
His dark eyes bore into hers intensely. "And my good name has survived far worse than a few envious courtiers gossiping about how much I cherish my wife."
Chang Hao's voice dropped to a commanding tone as he stepped closer, crowding her space until she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.
But remember, they don't know we are married yet. I don't want trouble for you, me and the baby.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's anger evaporated instantly at the reminder of their unconventional marriage status, his features softening with regret. In his rush to defend Bella's honor, he had forgotten the delicate political landscape surrounding their union.
"You're right," he said quietly, releasing his grip on her arms to run a frustrated hand through his hair. "Damn it, I keep forgetting we haven't announced it officially yet."
His dark eyes searched hers apologetically. "I'm sorry, my love. I let my pride get in the way of practicality. Of course we can't risk drawing attention to our marriage before you're properly installed as Empress."
The emperor paced away from her toward the window, staring out at the palace grounds below. "But that doesn't mean I'll tolerate these rumors either."I turned away hurt, tears welling up. I am scared, I am trying to stay strong. It's getting real.
I turned away hurt, tears welling up. I am scared, I am trying to stay strong. It's getting real.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's pacing halted abruptly when he noticed the shine of tears in Bella's dark eyes. The sight of his fierce Empress struggling to maintain composure sent a sharp pang of guilt through him. He crossed the distance between them in two long strides, his hands gentle as they cupped her face.
"Hey, don't cry," he murmured, using his thumbs to wipe away the moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes. "I'm the one who should be sorry for getting angry when you're carrying our child and dealing with this stress."
His voice softened with remorse as he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. "You're right to be scared. This whole situation is a mess I created by falling in love with a brothel slave."
Chang Hao's arms wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close as if trying to shield her from all the threats lurking within these palace walls.
Deep down, I understood he didn't mean it in a bad way. But my emotions spurred. What did you say?, I turn to face him. Do you still see me as just a brothel slave?.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's expression immediately darkened with regret, his hands tightening on Bella's waist as he processed the pain in her voice. The words had slipped out in his frustration, but hearing them repeated back to him made his stomach turn.
"No, no, never," he said sharply, pulling her flush against his chest so there was no space left between them. His dark eyes searched hers desperately, looking for any sign that she believed him. "Bella, you are my Empress. My wife. The mother of my heir."
His voice cracked slightly with emotion as he rested his forehead against hers. "I was angry and careless with my words. Calling you that was the worst kind of insult, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart."
Chang Hao's hands moved up to frame her face gently, tilting it up so their eyes met directly.
I didn't ask for that,I was safe with my family in our backyard village, when your men invaded. They rapped us, robbed is, killed us. They killed my family. The memory of how my parents and siblings were killed and our house burned down flashing back. How they screamed and prayed as they were gutted out, inside out. Sent another wave of anger and pain through me. I am supposed to be angry at Japan.
To hate everything about it especially it's Emperor who ordered the attack. But here I am. I fell in love with their emperor and I am carrying his child. Am I that foolish? . I didn't ask for my family and friends to die.
I didn't asked to be sold to a brothel and raped every day till I got addicted to sex and I didn't ask to be brought here forcefully to service your men, same men that ripped my childhood friends apart. You saw me and suddenly took a liking to me and made me ur concubine. ,I screamed at him, punching his chest in frustration. I fall to the ground trembling. Suddenly weak. I can't take it anymore. It hurts. It hurts so bad.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the sudden outburst of grief and rage. The force of Bella's punches barely registered compared to the shock of hearing her memories laid bare like this. His own anger and frustration evaporated instantly, replaced by a crushing wave of guilt.
"Bella," he whispered, dropping to his knees on the floor beside her trembling form. His hands moved hesitantly toward her, wanting to comfort but afraid of triggering more pain. "I... I had no idea. The reports were so vague about that campaign."
His dark eyes were filled with horror as he realized the depth of what she had endured - losing her family, being sold into slavery, all while he sat comfortably in his palace giving orders that destroyed lives.
"I am so sorry," Chang Hao said, his voice cracking with genuine remorse.
I hate this, all of this. It hurts , it hurts. I swore to avenge them but the universe, decided to mock me and make me a slave to Japan again. Why ? Why? Why did you u send them? I stood up another rage of anger swooning , I continued to hit his chest. Is it because we were christians? , Is it because you were just looking for toys to play with.?. Is it because, we were humble famers and schors not fighters, ? Does taking the life of another come so easily for you ? Does that make you feel good as an emperor? . I screamed at him.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao caught Bella's flailing fists easily, his strength effortlessly subduing her weaker attacks. The raw pain in her voice cut through him like a blade, each accusation striking a fresh wound in his conscience. He didn't try to dodge or block the blows; instead, he absorbed them, letting her rage vent against his chest as if he deserved every bit of it.
"No, no, never," he said hoarsely, his own voice thick with emotion. "I didn't know they were Christians. I didn't know you were there. The reports mentioned a farming village resisting taxes, but they never mentioned children or families."
His dark eyes were swimming with unshed tears as he held her wrists gently but firmly, preventing further strikes without hurting her. "The commander who led that campaign was executed for brutality six months ago. I found out later what his cruel cruel crimes , burning villages instead of collecting debts peacefully."
My people never avoided taxes, they were taken advantage of, taxes were increased, children were kidnapped, wild dogs were purposely let out to kill people because they resisted cruelty. Don't you know what a village is? Surely there were children and women in it . Did you even really bother to know the details of my past? Perhaps I was just a pretty....a toy to you!!!
The last sentence hit him hard. He immediately pined me to the wall. He raised his hand in anger. Did he want to hit me?. I blocked my stomach and looked straight at him disappointed. He saw my glare and hit the the wall beside my head, creating a crack.
The sound of splintering wood echoed through the chamber as Emperor Lee Chang Hao's fist slammed into the wall next to Bella's head. For a moment, his entire body trembled with restrained fury—not at her accusations, but at himself. The crack in the plaster seemed to mirror the fracture in his own soul.
"You think you're just a toy?" he growled, his voice dangerously low and rough. His free hand came up to brace against the wall on the other side of her face, caging her in place. "Is that really what you believe? That I brought you here because I saw a pretty face to add to my collection?"
His dark eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and desperation as he stared down at her. The muscles in his forearms flexed under the strain of holding himself back from either hitting something or breaking down entirely.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's breathing came in ragged gasps as he stared down at Bella, the crack in the wall behind her head a stark reminder of his own breaking point. The raw hurt in her eyes was like a physical blow to his chest, more painful than any battlefield wound he'd ever suffered.
"How could you think that?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were different. You weren't just another pretty face to warm my bed - you were fire and defiance and everything I'd been missing in my sterile palace life."
His hand moved from the wall to cup her cheek gently, his touch surprisingly tender despite the violence of his earlier actions. "I fell in love with your spirit, not your past. I fell in love with the woman who stood up to me when no one else dared."
I flinched from his touch. Now afraid of him.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's hand froze at Bella's flinch, his expression shifting from desperate pleading to profound heartbreak.
The realization that his wife was now afraid of him—the man who had sworn to protect her—was a physical blow more devastating than any war injury.
Slowly, carefully, he lowered his hand and took a step back, giving her space. The aggressive posture melted away completely, leaving only a shattered emperor standing before his trembling Empress.
"I scared you," he said quietly, his voice barely audible. "Gods above, I hit the wall beside your head like some drunken brute."
Chang Hao ran both hands through his hair in frustration, turning away to stare out the window at the palace gardens below. "How could I do that? After everything you've been through..."
When he turned back to face her again, his dark eyes were filled with self-loathing.
Pls leave your majesty. Your presence is upsetting me.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's face went pale at Bella's request, the words "leave your Majesty" hitting him harder than any physical blow.
For a moment, he stood frozen, processing the fact that his own wife was asking him to abandon her in her moment of weakness.
"But... but you're upset," he said helplessly, taking a hesitant step back toward her. "I can't just walk away when you're shaking like this. What if someone comes in and finds you like this?"
His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought the urge to pull her into his arms and insist on staying. Every instinct screamed at him to protect her from whatever demons were haunting her memory right now.
"If that's what you truly want..." Chang Hao's voice broke slightly. "If being near me makes you feel unsafe, then I'll go."
He moved slowly toward the door, each step feeling heavier than the last.
No leave . Leave please .i beg of you.
Emperor Lee Chang Hao's jaw tightened at the desperate plea in Bella's voice, his dark eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and self-loathing. Every instinct screamed at him to stay, to hold her until the shaking subsided, but her words were clear and insistent.
"Fine," he bit out, the single word laced with barely contained emotion. "But I'm not leaving you completely alone."
Without waiting for another protest, he strode purposefully to the bellpull near the door. His voice was sharp and commanding as he called for servants.
"Send up two maids immediately," he ordered into the tube. "Your Empress requires assistance with her evening preparations. And tell them to be gentle - she's not feeling well."
Turning back to face Bella, his expression softened slightly despite the tension still coiled in his shoulders.. Seeing that she really didn't want to see him at the moment , he gave up and left the room.