The chamber door closed softly behind.
The sound echoed faintly in the quiet room.
Sarah stepped out of the bathroom after some minutes, her damp hair resting lightly against her shoulders. Her eyes moved immediately, sharp, searching.
"Were you talking to someone?" she asked, her tone light… but suspicious.
Alexander didn't even look at her.
"No."
His reply was cold.
Flat.
As if the question itself did not deserve attention.
Without another word, he walked past her and entered the bathroom.
Sarah remained where she stood.
****
Minutes later, Alexander stepped out again.
Dressed.
Fully dressed.
Not like a man preparing to sleep.
But like a man preparing to face something.
Or avoid it.
He moved to the inner table and sat down slowly.
His mind replayed everything.
Amelia's trembling voice.
Her fear.
The way she ran.
His jaw tightened.
She must be terrified now… again.
The thought lingered longer than he wanted.
He reached for a bottle of hard wine.
Poured a glass.
Drank it in one go.
Then another.
And another.
The burn did nothing.
If anything,
It made his thoughts louder.
His eyes darkened.
Slowly...
A faint red flicker appeared within his eyes.
Like fire trying to break through.
***
Sarah watched him.
Carefully.
Then she moved.
Slow.
Deliberate.
She placed her hands gently on his shoulders.
"My lord…" she said softly.
Her body leaned closer.
Intentional.
Inviting.
Revealing just enough, her cleavages where seducing.
But Alexander turned his face away.
Avoiding her.
The rejection stung.
But she didn't stop.
Instead, she leaned in closer,
Trying to kiss him.
But Alexander's vision blurred slightly.
And in that moment—
He saw someone else.
"Amelia… is that you?" he murmured.
Sarah froze.
Her eyes tightened instantly.
A sharp, dangerous emotion flickered through them.
So… it's true.
"So he is sleeping with Amelia…" she whispered bitterly under her breath. "That slut…"
Alexander staggered slightly, moving toward the bed before sitting down heavily.
"How come you are hovering over me…" he muttered. "Do you want us to do it again…?"
Sarah's lips curved into a thin, dangerous smile.
So he thinks I'm her.
"Then… let's do it," she said quietly, her voice shifting.
Her eyes darkened.
But before she could act,
Alexander suddenly frowned.
"Where is Amelia?" he asked.
The name again.
Again.
Sarah's patience snapped.
Her eyes burned with anger.
Still,
She leaned forward, reaching for his belt.
But in the next second,
He pushed her away.
Hard enough to send her to the ground.
"Get out."
His voice was cold.
Final.
Uninterested.
Sarah gasped slightly, her hand hitting the floor, pain shooting through it.
For a moment,
She stayed there.
Staring at him.
At the man who refused her.
For someone else.
Then—
She stood abruptly.
Her expression dark.
Humiliated.
Furious.
Without another word, she stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
******************
The palace corridors were dim.
Quiet.
But her footsteps echoed sharply as she walked.
Fast.
Angry.
She didn't stop until she reached the servant quarters.
"Jude," she called.
A guard stepped out from the shadows immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Come."
That was all she said, they followed the darker side of the palace.
*********************
Moments later.
They entered a small room.
The door shut.
Time passed.
The silence inside quickly broke into low sounds, restless, hurried, reckless, soft moans from the empress.
"Faster," The Empress whispered sharply.
Not soft.
Not gentle.
But desperate.
***
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
"Jude!"
The voice rang out in shock.
Clara stood frozen at the entrance.
Her eyes wide.
Disbelief written all over her face.
"How dare you?!"
Her gaze shifted—
Then stopped.
Her breath caught.
"The… Empress…?"
Sarah froze.
Only for a second.
Then quickly pulled herself together, adjusting her clothes.
"You didn't lock the door?" she snapped at Jude under her breath.
Clara stepped forward, her voice shaking with anger.
"Jude… how could you?!"
Jude grabbed her wrist quickly.
"Clara, Listen..."
"She's the one giving me money!" he blurted out. "Everything I gave you came from her! You said you would leave me, if I didn't give you enough money!"
"Liar!" Clara snapped.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Her mind couldn't process it.
The Empress?
Here?
With her boyfriend?
"And so what if it's true?!" Clara shot back, her voice breaking.
She took a step back.
Shocked.
Disgusted.
Confused.
"Jude I'm pregnant, I missed my period!"
Tears dropped from her eyes!
But before she could leave—
"Stop."
Sarah's voice cut through the room.
Cold.
Commanding.
Clara froze instantly.
"You will keep your mouth shut," Sarah said slowly, stepping closer.
Her gaze locked onto hers.
She looked so much like Amelia, but she was on different uniform, like maids who cooked, she looks more confident!,
Sharp.
Threatening.
"No one will believe you," she continued. "And if you try…"
She leaned closer.
"I will not hesitate to kill you."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
Clara couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
Sarah turned without waiting for a reply.
And walked out.
********************
Back in the upper chamber.
The room was quiet.
Still.
Alexander lay on the bed, already asleep.
The wine had pulled him under quickly.
But even in sleep,
His face was tense.
Restless.
The door opened softly.
Sarah entered.
Her anger was gone.
Replaced by something else.
Something colder.
Fear.
She walked slowly toward the bed.
Then carefully,
She laid beside him.
Close.
Silent.
Her eyes rested on his face.
Searching.
Thinking.
Planning.
Her fingers curled slightly against the sheets.
Because tonight,
She had learned the truth.
"Amelia!"
And now..
She knew exactly who stood in her way.