Euphemia's hands went cold. Treason? Was she going to be executed? That would not make sense. The Imperial Family needed her. This must be one of their ruses.
"On what grounds am I accused of treason?" Euphemia asked. Her cold gaze made the soldiers shiver.
"This is not the place to discuss. You shall come with us, Lady Euphemia. Please get down the carriage quietly," the officer said.
Lucien got down the carriage. His emerald eyes seemed to glisten in fury. "No. She will not come with you."
"Lucien, it's fine." Euphemia directed her gaze at the officer. "I am sure this will be explained to me in detail, right?"
"No! It's dangerous! That prince must be up to something!" Lucien said.
"Yes, I think so too. Will you come with me then?" Euphemia asked.
"What do you mean?" Lucien asked.
"Officer, I will come with you but in the condition that my fiancé will accompany me," Euphemia said.
The soldiers looked unfazed.
"As you wish, Lady Euphemia. You may use the carriage. Follow us to the Imperial Palace," the officer said.
The soldiers went off to retrieve their horses. Lucien got inside the carriage again. The carriage began to move, following the soldiers from behind. The carriage was supposed to bring them home but now it was going to bring them to the place she had tried so hard not to be in. Home. When had she started thinking of Lucien's mansion as home?
"Euphee, have you read about this? Do you know what will happen?" Lucien asked.
Euphemia shook her head. "No, there's nothing like this in what I've read. It must be because the Saintess just stayed inside the Palace so there was no reason for her to be charged with treason."
"It's a good thing I'm coming with you," Lucien said.
Euphemia frowned. "I thought they would not agree to that and we would have to argue with them but they agreed too quickly."
"Perhaps they do not wish to duel with me," Lucien said.
"Maybe it's part of their plan. Maybe they predicted that you would come with me," Euphemia said.
*
*
*
The Imperial Palace exuded of brilliance and extravagance as always. It was a mix of white and gold. It was said to be painted with the brilliance of the sun in mind but Euphemia could only feel icy dread from it.
Euphemia and Lucien walked in the corridors quietly following the soldiers.
"Euphee," Lucien whispered.
Euphemia looked up. "Yes?"
Lucien held out his hand. "Would you like to hold hands?"
Euphemia's eyes widened.
"So you won't be scared," Lucien said with an embarrassed smile.
A small smile crept to Euphemia's lips. "Thank you."
The two held hands as they walked the corridors going to the throne room. Euphemia could feel Lucien's warmth from his hand. It gave her a sense of comfort. She must have looked incredibly nervous and Lucien must have noticed that.
They walked on the red carped leading to the throne steps. To their left and right, soldiers were lined up by the walls, their gazes followed their every step. Euphemia remembered the soldier who stabbed himself and how she was forced to heal him. Euphemia gritted her teeth.
They stood below the throne and waited. Lucien squeezed her hand gently. Euphemia squeezed back. She was not alone this time. Lucien was with her.
The Queen arrived but this time, she also had someone with her. He followed her from behind and when he saw them, he smirked at them. Prince Vincent.
"You have accused me of treason. I haven't incited a rebellion and I haven't plotted against your lives. What did I do to you?" Euphemia asked as soon as the Queen sat on the throne.
Queen Celestinia laughed. Her laugh was like the twinkling of bells. It was a lovely sound but her eyes contained no merriness.
"Still insolent, I see. You did not even greet us," the Queen said in her melodic voice.
"Shall I punish them, Queen Mother?" Vincent asked.
"No, not yet," the Queen said with a smile.
"Praise be, Light to the Sun's Empire," Lucien said and bowed.
"Well, one of you has manners. The Light shines upon you. Rise. Tell me, Duke Ashburn. Why are you here with this criminal?" Celestinia asked.
"I have come to give support to my fiancée. I would also like to hear why she has been charged of treason. I believe she has done nothing to warrant that," Lucien said.
Celestinia noticed their linked hands and narrowed her eyes.
"Vincent, my prince. Tell them, will you?" Celestinia said.
"Yes, Queen Mother," Vincent said with a quick bow and opened a scroll.
"Holy Saintess, you have been charged of treason for the following reasons. One, you have been impudent to the royal members of the family. Two, you have incited the people to make a presentation that mocks the customs of nobility," Vincent said.
"Presentation? You mean the play? I didn't mock anyone with that!" Euphemia said.
"The story is obviously a call for rebellion against the nobility's norm for arranged marriage with nobles. Your little play is inciting the nobles to go against their arranged marriages and marry lowly commoners. Disgusting!" Vincent said.
Euphemia couldn't believe what she had just heard. She wanted to hit his head with the scroll he was holding. She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Your Highness, that was not my intention at all. I have no interest in changing your norms. I just wish to entertain people with my play and give jobs to the poor people. I do apologize if my play offended you," Euphemia said.
She was not truly sorry but she didn't want to be put to prison because of their ridiculous reasons.
"We understand you are still uneducated about etiquette and the rules of our society. We will be lenient to you, Holy Saintess," Celestinia said with a smile that almost looked angelic.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Euphemia said in relief.
"Naturally, you shall still be educated. You will be given etiquette lessons until we see that you are fit again to be released to society," Celestinia said.
Euphemia frowned. What nonsense was the Queen saying?
"You will be confined here in the Imperial Palace until we have deemed you fit for society again. As for your punishment . . ."
Confined?! They were not going to let her out of the Palace!
". . . your engagement with Duke Ashburn shall be deemed null," Celestinia said.
"You can't do that! You can't imprison me here and break up our engagement!" Euphemia shouted angrily.
"I can, Saintess. I'm the Queen after all," Celestinia said with a sadistic smile.
"Your Highness, I do not agree with this. Please reconsider," Lucien said.
"Duke Lucien Ashburn, heed my words. My words are your law. You shall break off your engagement with the Saintess. You shall have nothing to do with her anymore. If she tries to go back to you, you shall punish her with your own hands and return her to the Palace alive. We still need her alive . . . for now," Celestinia said.
Euphemia felt the air go out of her. She forgot how to breathe. Perhaps it was her mind wishing for time to stop if she would stop breathing.
Euphemia turned her head to look at Lucien. Was it a trick of the light or did Lucien's bright emerald green eyes seemed dull? Almost like there was a thin veil of fog covering the vibrant greens.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Lucien said.