"Your Majesty!..." Chancellor Pyun clenched his teeth as he abased himself to crawl over to the Emperor's feet, fighting against his pride to grasp with both hands at those feet an unyielding grip.
There was no second path, Pyun thought, it was either her end or his. He was a man who trusted no one, least of all his malignant sister. He felt no guilt at praying for his sister's death instead of his.
And he begged for Emperor Akishino's pardon by placing his face on his feet. "Your Majesty, I did not collude with the Empress to murder Noble Royal Consort Soyong and your heir... Your Majesty, I became aware of her actions until after the atrocious deed was done..." His fingers curled tighter around the imperial feet, "Please, listen to my side of the story, and show mercy to this loyal subject!"
