Morning came quietly.
Soft light slipped through the tall windows, brushing gently across the royal chamber.
Alexander stirred.
His eyes opened slowly,
Then stilled.
Sarah was in his arms.
Clinging to him.
Her body pressed against his, her head resting lightly on his chest as if she had belonged there all night.
He frowned slightly.
"Sarah…" he called.
His voice was low.
Uncertain.
Sarah shifted, her lashes fluttering open as she looked up at him.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then,
"Did we…" he began, his brows tightening slightly.
Sarah frowned faintly, as though surprised by the question.
"Yes, my lord," she said softly.
Her voice carried a quiet weight.
"You were… too hard on me last night."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I even bled."
A pause.
"Because I was a virgin."
The words settled between them.
Carefully placed.
Deliberate.
"I had to clean myself up afterwards."
It was a lie.
A perfect one.
She was twenty-three.
Far from untouched.
But her expression, convincing.
Alexander exhaled slowly.
"I'm sorry," he said.
His voice carried a hint of regret.
"You are my wife… you're not angry, right?"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"I drank too much last night. I couldn't control myself."
But even as he spoke..
His eyes moved across the room.
Searching.
Something felt off.
Amelia was here last night…
The thought came suddenly.
Uninvited.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Sarah's hand moved gently across his chest, pulling his attention back.
She leaned closer,
To kiss him.
This time—
He didn't resist.
But there was no warmth.
No presence.
Moments later, he pulled away, and stood up, heading toward the bathroom without another word.
Leaving her behind.
***********************
In the Empress's chambers—
The air was not gentle.
It was sharp.
Cold.
Violent.
"Amelia."
The name was called like a blade.
Amelia stood trembling,
Before the first slap landed.
Smack!
Her head snapped to the side.
Then another.
And another.
Five heavy slaps in total.
Her cheek burned.
Her lips trembled.
"Did you go to the emperor yesterday evening?" Sarah demanded.
Amelia said nothing.
Her silence,
Infuriating.
"You still won't answer me?" Sarah snapped.
Without hesitation, she grabbed a whip.
And struck.
Crack!
Amelia cried out.
"Please—please, Your Grace!" she begged, tears streaming down her face.
But the whip came down again.
And again.
Each strike sharper than the last.
Outside..
Liam passed by.
He stopped.
His eyes shifted toward the scene.
He knew what was happening.
But he said nothing.
Because he couldn't.
All he could do, was pity her.
From afar.
"Please… Your Grace…" Amelia cried again, her voice breaking.
"I beg you…"
Sarah's eyes burned with anger.
"He sent for me…" Amelia stammered through her tears. "A-and… and…"
"And what?!" Sarah shouted.
Amelia shook her head frantically.
"Nothing! Nothing happened, please...!"
The answer only made things worse.
Sarah grabbed a sword.
The metal gleamed under the light.
"If I kill you now," she said coldly, "nothing will happen. No one will save you."
She shoved Amelia harshly.
Amelia fell to the ground, her elbow injured.
Hard.
Pain shot through her body.
"Do you have a twin named Clara?" Sarah asked suddenly.
Amelia froze.
"Yes… yes…"
Sarah's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that was Jude's girl last night…
The realization settled in her mind.
Dark.
Dangerous.
Without warning,
She pushed Amelia again.
This time harder.
Amelia crashed against a stone edge.
A sharp cry escaped her lips as pain shot through her ankle.
Blood slowly began to spread.
"Lock her up," Sarah ordered coldly.
Guards stepped forward immediately.
Amelia struggled weakly, her body shaking.
"No… please…" she whispered.
But no one listened.
"You will do more work in this palace," Sarah continued. "And you will be given no food."
Her voice dropped lower.
Colder.
"Until you rot."
Amelia's tears fell endlessly.
"A slow, painful death is what you deserve!"
Those were the last words she heard,
As she was dragged away.
Helpless.
Broken.
And completely alone.