With her entourage of servants, the Empress stormed out of the Moon Palace towards the Crown Palace, the residence of the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, Ghazeyh heaved a sigh of relief at the return of the servants. Taking the Pearl Salt from their hands, he mixed it with the warm water, and held the girl down. Her cries became hoarse from the constant wail. Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, he gripped her chin and poured the contents of the bowl into her mouth.
The task took more strain out of him than he expected.
Xuma writhed like a tortured soul beneath his hold. Her screams reached a pitch, achieving an all new high, as she convulsed and spilled half of the potion. It would've been fine if that was all.
However, just when he thought the most difficult part was over, she sprung up and grasped his collar and croaked, "It's you! You pushed me into this nightmare! Why? Why did you kill my father? Why did you slaughter my people? It's all your fault!" Then with a lurch, she puked a mouthful of blood and crumbled on the bed, unconscious.
Ghazeyh was shaken. He wiped the blood off his face and stared at Xuma in a daze.
Was it him…or did he see hatred in her eyes?
Of course, that couldn't be possible. He had only known her for two weeks. And half of that time passed in taking care of her. She thanked him. Expressed her gratitude and even vowed to repay it with her life.
So why…would she hate him? That too, with such a venomous edge?
"Maybe…it's because she found out I'm the Crown Prince." He whispered unsurely, attempting to console himself. It was possible she thought he deceived her. With his identity as the Crown Prince of the Frost-Flame Empire, it was even more likely she believed he had a hand in the destruction of Blossom Valley.
Yes, that had to be it. If he was in her position, he would've reached the same conclusion.
Even though he thought this way, Ghazeyh couldn't shake off the sense of unease her resentful glare gave him. Such a glare, so cold and vicious, could only be given by a mortal enemy. It was one he'd grown accustomed to over the years.
"Behold, here comes the Empress!" A high-pitched voice echoed from outside, shattering his trance and jolting him back to his senses. Ghazeyh pulled out his handkerchief and cleaned the traces of blood off his face.
With his brows furrowed, he rose to his feet and stepped away from the bed. "Take care of her, and call me if she regains consciousness or her condition worsens."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The servants dipped into a respectful bow and moved to the side to make way for him. Ghazeyh gave Xuma a worried glance. Her complexion looked much better now. However, traces of the dark magic adorned her cheeks in the form of dark crescents.
'Little girl, you'll get better soon. Then I'll tell you everything.'
Whether it was his identity or the matter concerning Blossom Valley, he needed to come clean.
Though he couldn't figure out why she affected him so much, his heart told him he couldn't keep secrets from her. Her resentful eyes stabbed him deeper than any sword or arrow had ever managed to hurt him. And now that the Empress was here, he had to eliminate the source of her mistrust and clear her misunderstanding.
Otherwise, she would become the puppet of a conspiracy in this palace of schemes.
Releasing a deep sigh, Ghazeyh stuffed the bloody handkerchief in his chest and strode out of the bedchamber.
It was time to confront the Empress.
Seated on a golden chair in the Receiving Hall, Empress Yanisha swept her eyes over the shivering servants and smiled. "Now, now, you don't need to be afraid. Just tell me what I asked you. If Prince Ghazeyh has anything to say, he can say it to me. Why would he blame lowly servants who are merely responding to their Master's command?"
She picked up her teacup and took a graceful sip. In a neat and organized fashion, the servant on her right stepped forward to wipe her mouth, before stepping back to her original place.
Kneeled a few inches before her feet, the palace servants exchanged uneasy glances.
"Your...Your Grace..." The Head Servant stuttered, sweat coating her forehead. "Please forgive us for the insolence. But...we can't disclose any information concerning the Crown Palace or the Crown Prince's affairs." It was against palace protocol and the pledge of servitude in the Crown Prince's palace.
"Oh?" The Empress raised a brow and set down her cup. "You mean to say, the words of the Queen Mother have no value in your eyes? Then...is it me you look down on, or the imperial authority?" Frost saturated her voice.
The palace servants turned pale. They frantically shook their heads and cried for forgiveness, as their limbs trembled from the cold pressure the Mother of the Empire unleashed.
They were only adhering to protocol and staying loyal to their Master. But a word from the mouth of this woman could make them lose their heads in a matter of seconds.
All of a sudden, the atmosphere became thick with tension and fear. Empress Yanisha sneered, satisfaction and disdain flashing in her eyes as she stared down at the servants.
"Since you regret your actions, I'll forgive you this once." She sighed and leaned back in her seat. Thinking they had overcame this hurdle, the servants heaved a sigh of relief and thanked her in profusion. "Now, tell me. Who is the woman Ghazeyh brought into the palace?"
When the Empress's following words entered their ears, their expressions stiffened again.
"Your...Your Grace..." Head Servant Hiba raised her head in shock. The Empress still wanted to know about that woman? Didn't she drop the matter?
Hiba audibly swallowed and tightened her grip on her skirt. What was she supposed to do now? She had already turned down the Empress once. If she did it again...her life would be forfeit without a doubt!
Just as she was caught in a dilemma, a cold voice came from the door, saving her from the situation.
"Queen Mother, what brings you to the Crown Palace?" Crown Prince Ghazeyh strolled into the Receiving Hall and claimed the seat on the right of the Empress. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servants, and turned his attention to Empress Yanisha.
"I heard you asking the servants about the woman I brought into the palace. If you were curious, why didn't you just find me? You know lowly servants like them can't move or speak without their master's permission."