I was taken straight to his private chambers. Once alone with him , as Chang held my hand in his, the panic attack subsided. I look up at Chang , with reddened eyes, and trembling lips . My -- b-abies, I manage to say as hot tears fell .
The moment Bella spoke those two broken syllables , something inside Chang Hao shattered completely. He crushed her against his chest with desperate force, burying his face in her hair as his own shoulders shook violently.
"I know, my love, I know," he choked out between sobs that racked his powerful frame. "I'm sorry I couldn't save them. I'm sorry I failed you."
His hands stroked her back frantically as if trying to erase the memories haunting her mind. The silk of her gown felt impossibly thin between them, doing nothing to shield either of them from the raw grief consuming the room.
Physician Tanaka watched helplessly from the doorway before quietly retreating to give them privacy. Guards stationed outside heard the emperor's anguished cries mingling with Bella's softer whimpers and exchanged worried glances.
Hours passed in the quiet intimacy of the emperor's private chamber. The afternoon light softened through the curtains, casting golden stripes across the bed where Chang Hao lay beside Bella. His breathing had finally evened out, the earlier storm of grief subsiding into a heavy silence.
He watched her sleep with an intensity that bordered on worship, his fingers tracing gentle patterns against her temple where tears had left tracks down her cheeks. The silk covers were pulled high around her shoulders, protecting her from any drafts that might disturb her fragile peace.
Awhile later , he wanted to leave to get some food , incase she woke up soon, but she felt him moving in her sleep. Bella's hand held onto the sleeve of his silk. With furrowed brows she whispers Stay.
Chang Hao froze at Bella's whispered plea, his movement arrested midway as he started to rise. The single word - "Stay" - spoken through the haze of sleep held more power than any imperial command.
He sank back onto the mattress with a soft exhale, his body settling beside her once more. His arm now wrapped carefully around her waist, pulling her closer against his side.
"I'm not going anywhere, my dragon," he murmured against her hair, his voice rough with emotion. "I'll stay right here."
His hand came up to stroke through her disheveled hair gently, careful not to wake her but needing the physical connection. The silk of his robe rustled softly as he adjusted their positions until they were spooned together under the covers.
For hours, neither emperor nor his beloved stirred from their shared slumber. The late afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the room in hues of orange and gold. The only sounds were their steady breathing and the distant chirping of birds outside the window.
Chang Hao's arm remained securely wrapped around Bella's waist, his face relaxed in sleep for the first time in weeks. The lines of stress and fear that had etched themselves into his features during her illness had smoothed away, replaced by the vulnerability of a man who had come close to losing everything.
No one was to disturb their much-needed rest. Servants had been instructed to keep all visitors away until morning unless absolutely necessary.
The evening shadows crept across the room as the first stars began to appear in the night sky. A soft knock came at the chamber door, hesitant yet insistent.
"Your Majesty? It is General Kenji." The voice called from outside. "Forgive the intrusion, but there is urgent news from the southern border that requires your immediate attention."
Inside, Chang Hao stirred slightly at the sound of his general's voice but did not immediately move. His arm remained protectively around Bella's sleeping form as if anchoring himself to reality after hours lost in grief-stricken dreams.
"Your Majesty?" Kenji's voice grew more concerned. "The messenger arrived with sealed orders marked 'imperative.' It concerns a reported uprising among the samurai clans led by Lord Nakamura's son."
The general's footsteps paced anxiously beyond the closed doors while servants exchanged uneasy glances in the corridor.
Chang Hao emerged from the chamber with silent steps, pulling the door nearly closed behind him to muffle any sound from within. General Kenji stood waiting in the dimly lit hallway, his expression grim under the flickering torchlight.
"Your Majesty," Kenji bowed low. "My apologies for disturbing your rest, but the situation is grave. Lord Nakamura's eldest son has declared himself shogun of the southern provinces and is rallying support among the disgruntled samurai clans."
The general held out a rolled parchment sealed with the imperial crest. "His declaration names you as a tyrant who has neglected the common people in favor of your palace concubines. He claims to be fighting for the rights of the people."
Chang Hao's jaw tightened as he took the message, his fingers already breaking the wax seal. "How many clans have pledged their swords to this fool?"
"So far we know of three outcast clans. Since his father is of no high noble blood , he is finding it difficult to gain support. But, he is still rallying and meeting other clans in secret . "
"It has also come to my knowledge that some of the common folks seemed unsatisfied saying your duty and loyalty is to a Christian former sex slave and not to the empire."
"They are saying a woman has you wrapped around her finger like a puppet". Kenji lowers his voice at the last sentence, hoping Chang won't off his head for just repeating what the people were saying in secret corners.
Chang Hao's face went dangerously still at the mention of Bella's reputation being used against him. The parchment crumpled in his fist as he processed Kenji's words, his knuckles turning white.
"A Christian former sex slave?" he repeated slowly, each syllable dripping with ice-cold fury. "They dare call my wife such things? They dare use her suffering against me?"
His voice rose steadily until it echoed down the marble hallway. "And who are these cowards spreading such filth? Give me names, General. I want every person who dares speak ill of her in public executed by dawn."
Kenji flinched slightly but held his ground. "Your Majesty, execution may only fan the flames of rebellion. These rumors are being spread strategically - targeting your perceived weakness for foreign women."
The general risked taking another step closer, lowering his voice again. "I even hear from one of Lord Nakamura's servant that his son - Ichiro, has been scouting secretly for beautiful foreign slave women of different religions from brothels , promising them freedom and riches if they can seduce you and possibly win your heart. He is doing so to prove to the people that those are your type of women, he aims to fan the gossip that he is already spreading amongst your good people"
Chang Hao's entire body went rigid, the crumpled parchment falling forgotten from his grasp. For a moment, he stood utterly motionless, processing the implications of Kenji's revelation.
"Foreign slaves?" His voice dropped to a deadly whisper that somehow carried more menace than his earlier shouting. "Ichiro believes he can buy women to replace my Empress? To prove what?"
His hands clenched into fists at his sides as rage coiled tighter and tighter within him. "He thinks he can parade prostitutes before me and claim they hold more sway than Bella? Than my wife?"
Kenji shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his emperor's fury. "Lord Ichiro's servant bragged openly in a tavern last night - how his master plans to present these foreign beauties at court balls and banquets until everyone sees you favoring them over Japanese women."
The general hesitated before adding the final insult.