The prison was cold.
Damp walls, flickering torches, and the faint smell of rust and suffering filled the air. Amelia sat on the hard floor, her body weak, her spirit worn thin from days of exhaustion and fear.
Footsteps echoed.
Slow. Confident.
Amelia lifted her gaze.
The cell door creaked open.
Standing there… was the Empress.
Sarah.
Dressed in elegance even in a place like this, her presence alone seemed to poison the air. Behind her stood a royal guard, silent and tense.
Amelia's heart dropped.
She immediately fell to her knees.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace!" she cried, her voice shaking. "I promise… I will run away whenever I see the emperor. I will never cross your path again. Please… forgive me…"
Tears streamed down her face.
But the Empress only stared at her.
Then she laughed softly.
"Oh, Amelia…" she said mockingly. "Such a pitiful… creature."
Her tone turned sharp.
"Do you really think you matter?"
She stepped closer, her eyes filled with cold cruelty.
"You're nothing but a nuisance, a shameless slut!. You disgust me!"
From her side, she pulled out a small knife.
The metal gleamed under the torchlight.
Amelia gasped, her body trembling violently.
"P-please...!"
"Quiet!" the Empress snapped. "Don't make noise. I don't want to stain my hands with your useless blood."
She turned to the guard.
"Kill her."
The guard hesitated.
His grip on his sword tightened, but he did not move.
"I said kill her!" the Empress shouted, her voice rising with anger. "Or I'll have your head!"
Fear flashed across the guard's face.
Slowly...
He raised his sword.
Amelia shut her eyes tightly, her entire body shaking.
***
"Stop."
The voice was calm.
But powerful.
Everyone froze.
The Empress turned sharply.
Standing at the entrance… was the Empress Dowager.
Her presence commanded immediate silence.
Sarah's expression hardened, but she quickly forced a smile.
"You… stay quiet," she whispered harshly to Amelia before stepping back.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the prison, her anger barely contained.
Silence followed.
The Empress Dowager stepped forward, her eyes resting on Amelia.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Amelia bowed her head quickly. "A maid… Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager studied her briefly.
Then she spoke, her voice firm:
"Never offend a royal again… if you wish to keep your life."
Amelia nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Leave."
Amelia didn't wait.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!" she said quickly, her voice filled with relief.
She ran.
Out of the prison.
Out of danger.
Her heart pounded wildly, but for the first time in days,
She was free.
**********************
Later that evening—
The royal dining hall was calm and grand.
The Empress Dowager sat beside the Empress Sarah, while Emperor Alexander Roland sat across from them, silent as always.
"I saw you earlier," the Empress Dowager said calmly, sipping her tea. "You seemed quite angry with a maid."
Sarah paused briefly.
Then she smiled sweetly.
"I've forgotten about that already, Empress Dowager," she said gently. "I apologize for my behavior."
Her voice was soft.
Convincing.
A perfect lie.
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly.
"You are now the Empress. Be kinder to those beneath you."
"Of course," Sarah replied with a graceful smile.
**
Across the table, Alexander remained silent.
He had no idea what they were discussing.
He did not know,
That the girl in question…
Was Amelia.
The very girl occupying his thoughts.
So he said nothing.
After the meal,
Alexander walked through the palace corridors with his guards.
Simon. Ryan. Rock. Bryan.
And Liam.
Their footsteps echoed in unison.
Then—
He stopped.
Ahead of them, three maids were walking.
One of them,
Amelia.
His gaze locked onto her instantly.
"Stop," he said.
The guards halted.
The maids turned and quickly bowed.
"Your Majesty."
But Alexander didn't move past them.
His eyes remained on Amelia.
Something inside him stirred again.
Strong.
Uncontrollable.
Without warning—
He stepped toward her.
Amelia's breath caught.
Fear gripped her instantly.
He reached out.
His fingers brushed her hair.
Then her face.
Amelia trembled, her eyes lowered, her body frozen.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't refuse.
Not here.
Not in front of everyone.
Slowly, he leaned closer.
Backing her gently against the wall.
His hands placed on either side, trapping her in place.
Then—
He kissed her.
Soft at first.
Then deeper.
Amelia's eyes widened in shock.
She tried to pull away slightly, but stopped herself.
She couldn't resist.
She couldn't disrespect him.
Not in front of the guards.
Not in front of the others.
It will be unacceptable and she might be beheaded!
The corridor fell silent.
The guards stood still, shocked but unmoving.
The two maids beside Amelia stared in disbelief.
After a moment—
Alexander pulled back.
His expression unreadable.
"Come to my private chambers tonight!", he whispered to her ears softly, Then he turned and walked away.
His guards followed.
Leaving silence behind.
Amelia stood frozen.
Her heart racing.
Her lips trembling.
"Amelia…" one of the maids whispered. "What was that?!"
"I… I don't know," she said softly, still shaken. "I was surprised too…"
She looked at them, fear filling her eyes.
"Please… don't tell the Empress," she pleaded. "She will have my head."
The maids exchanged glances.
"We won't"
They understood.
Because in the palace.
Secrets were the only way to survive.
And Amelia had just become part of one of the most dangerous secrets of all.