"Your Majesty, what if he succeeds . Miss Bella is already going mad . Perhaps you had gotten tired of her by now?".
It was obvious Kenji wasn't really happy since Bella was brought into the palace especially after the unfortunate events that happened to her, Chang had gathered a few of his highest and most trusted men and confidants and told them about his secret marriage to Bella and his plans to make her his one and only empress soon ,when the storm of grieve and madness passes over them . He also told them about his plans to divorce Empress Mei and his concubines.
Kenji was one of the men , who took part in Bella's village massacre, although he was a low scout back then . He was also under the man that paid for Bella and a few women to spend a night with, the same night Chang saw her Bella and favoured her.
Kenji's words hung in the air between them, deliberately provocative and designed to strike directly at Chang Hao's deepest vulnerabilities regarding Bella's perceived fragility. The general knew exactly which buttons to push—the lingering doubts about Bella's mental stability following her traumatic loss, the whispers circulating throughout the palace about her being more burden than asset.
Chang Hao's eyes flashed with dangerous fire at the implication that he might tire of his beloved . "Weak state?" he repeated slowly, taking a threatening step toward his general. "She has endured more suffering than any woman in this empire should ever know, and you dare suggest I would abandon her because of it?"
His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "You forget your place, General. You forget who saved you from execution, when the villages on the south wanted to lynch you because of your father evil atrocities against women . Guess you haven't learnt from his mistakes ."The general clench his jaw and fist at the reminder, but didn't dare to talk back. Rather he bowed his head and apologize
General Kenji's jaw worked furiously as he absorbed the emperor's sharp reminder of his own family's past crimes. The memory of that bloody day etched in his mind, the day his father ran away, at dawn and left his son to bare the cross of his sins at the villagers hands, clearly stung, though he knew better than to challenge his monarch directly.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," he muttered stiffly, keeping his gaze fixed on the polished marble floor. "My loyalty belongs solely to you and your throne. Any suggestion otherwise was foolishness born of concern for your legacy."
Chang Hao studied his general's rigid posture critically before exhaling sharply through his nose. "Concern does not justify insolence. Remember whose authority protects you from those who would see you hanged for your father's sins."
"It will be foolish of me to take action now, since Ichiro hasn't gained much supporters, plus any misstep will only confirm the citizens doubts. Besides I want to strongly believe in the loyalty of the nobles of my Court" Chang said thoughtfully.
" Either ways , keep some spies on him, without causing suspicion,send only men loyal to me , I don't want anyone selling out , incase caught. I want daily written reports. Let your men be alert. Who knows what might come up. And ...."
He steps closer to Kenji's ear. "Never talk about your future Empress in such manner" he warned . With a smile that said,
Disobedience brings grace punishment. He then straighted him self and goes back into the room. Leaving the annoyed and slightly trembling general in the hall way .
Kenji remained frozen in the hallway long after Chang Hao's footsteps faded back into the chamber. The threat hanging in the air was unmistakable - disrespect toward Bella would be met with consequences far more severe than a simple reprimand. The general's knuckles whitened as he clenched and unclenched his fists, his pride smarting from the dressing-down.
"Future Empress," he muttered under his breath, the title tasting bitter on his tongue. "That woman has caused more trouble than she's worth, and yet our Emperor acts as if she's some sacred goddess."
Despite his internal grumbling, Kenji knew better than to test Chang Hao's patience again tonight. He signaled to the two Imperial Guard standing watch down the corridor, before walking away.
As he entered his room, Chang sees me awake, Trying to reach for the wate near the bed . He rushed to me and pours water from a vase into a cup.
Chang Hao set the empty cup aside on the bedside table, his movements careful and deliberate in the dim moonlight filtering through the windows. The room was bathed in silver light, casting long shadows across the floor where his discarded silk robe lay in a heap.
He settled back against the pillows, pulling the thick comforter higher over both their shoulders. His arm found its natural place around Bella's waist, tucking her securely against his chest. The steady rhythm of her breathing filled the quiet space, a comfort he hadn't realized how much he needed.
"Sleep well, my love," he murmured against her hair, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple