What's that... tomato? Jez, don't tell me that's another one of your silly pranks?"
I pressed my hand to his wound—hot blood welled between my fingers.
He was suffering. Truly suffering.
Still... I couldn't believe it.
"No... Your Highness... I'm fine... completely fine..."
Jezstro's voice barely rose above a whisper, each word labored.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" My hands pressed harder against the wound—too much blood soaking through his shirt.
The Emperor watched from the shadows, motionless. Calculating. maybe preparing his next move ..
The guards stood frozen swords half-drawn, arrows nocked awaiting his command.
"That's not her... That's not the submissive Empress I know."
The Empreror William's stare—confused, almost lost—said everything.
It felt like receiving the wrong order at a Chinese restaurant.
....
What's "Chinese" again?
Oh god. Focus. Focus on what matters...
...on the blood pooling beneath my palms as Jezstro chokes.
"Use me..."
What?
"Use me, Emily." Blood bubbled at his lips. "As a shield... please..."
His trembling hand clutched my wrist.
"Not late... still not late...
You... can still... escape."
"No.."
"No... Jez. You can't pay for my mistakes."
I lowered him onto the grass, his body frighteningly still.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright, okay?"
Jezstro couldn't move... I'm afraid he's dying.
I snatched the apple knife that fell before Jez did—its blade painted in his blood.
Then I stepped toward the Emperor.
I knew I'd lose.
I knew it.
"I should resist...
I should resist...
I should resist!!!!
IT CAN'T BE HAPPENING AGAIN!"
"Your funeral will be here."
The Emperor's eyes locked on mine—but his blade tilted toward Jezstro's still form.
He was waiting to finish him.
I lowered my knife....
It dropped involuntarily...
"I give up."
Then, a whisper...
"...This time .."
The Emperor slightly lowered the bow.
"Well said "
"Not yet." I pointed at Jezstro. "Not before you get him medical attention first."
"Medical ? excause me ?"
The Emperor stared, momentarily bewildered, as if I'd spoken another language...
"I meant..." I swallowed scrambling for words he'd understand... or we both understand "Not before you get him urgent care!"
"I want to see Jezstro as a clown again."
"What? That little... silly rat?" William's lip curled, gaze flicking to Jezstro's motionless body. "He'd be dead by now."
I grabbed the knife again. One of the guards moved, thinking I'd harm the Emperor
But I pointed it at my throat.
"'They'd be dead by now you mean?"
"Aehhh... fine" the Emperor sighed.
"You will face punishment later."
He said this to the guard who'd moved without orders.
He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me closer—forcing me to face him.
I refused his eyes, staring past his shoulder instead.
Then I smirked. a slow, provocative challenge
"You're not the Empress—not the one I truly know, at least."
He said it with fury, then tried to steady his voice.
But his frustration refused to be tamed.
Not the Empress ... I'm glad you said that. I don't feel like being called that
We will have a great honeymoon....
You will remain a happy wife for the rest of it
Nothing happened.
Guards take that rat away and cure him! The Emperor Clapped , giving orders
He turned to me, smirking.
"It's your fault, bringing that baggage of jokes here.... "
"....And it's not a good idea, seeing you both together from now on..."
He sighed, then somehow snapped back into his ordinary emperor's guise.
"Let's go! Let's have a great honeymoon! Emily ! "