The lovers seemed to ignore everyone one and stared at each other. Bella stared at Chang, a broken and trampled doll feeling betrayed once again. While Chang, stared at me , his love and reason for Bella battling against the evidences and past instances of madness and attempts of suicide.
The tension in the tea room was palpable, thick enough to choke on. Behind Chang Hao, whispers spread like wildfire among the nobles and guards - "unstable," "dangerous," "jealous." Empress Mei watched this unfolding drama with satisfaction, cradling her false injuries as if they were genuine.
Chang Hao's knuckles whitened as he gripped the hilt of his ceremonial sword. His eyes remained fixed on Bella's blood-streaked face, searching for something - an explanation, a sign of innocence he desperately wanted to find.
"Your Majesty," General Kenji urged quietly from behind him. "We need to secure the crime scene and question these maids separately. The evidence is compelling."
The head maid stepped forward nervously. "Your Majesty, Lady Bella was always kind to us until recently. But these past weeks... she's been strange. Talking to shadows and saying things that didn't make sense."
Empress Mei seized on this immediately.
Empress Mei's dramatic cry of pain echoed through the bloody chamber, drawing gasps from the onlookers. She collapsed onto a nearby chaise lounge with practiced grace, clutching her stomach and groaning.
"The baby is coming early!" she cried out to her maids. "Send for Midwives Rin Himari and immediately! And tell them o bring the special herbs she prepared for my delivery."
Her maids scrambled to obey while Empress Mei continued her performance, panting dramatically between words. "And bring my personal birthing attendants - Lady Yumi and Lady Hana. No one else is allowed near me!"
General Kenji frowned at this new complication, turning to one of his guards.
"Send someone to fetch these midwives at once. "
As Mei was taken into her bedroom. Kenji asked the emperor what to do with me and the body. And his answer shattered my soul completely .
"Take her and lock her up in the ishimuro . And for the body, carry it and get rid of it. I want this room cleaned up. I don't want her anywhere near my wive and empress . My sole heir won't be born into a bloody scene caused by madness and jealousy." He commanded .
Kenji masked his inner joy with pity at Chang Hao's command, but he bowed obediently. "Yes Your Majesty. Guards, seize Lady Bella and take her to Ishimuro prison immediately."
Two palace guards hesitated before approaching Bella cautiously, their expressions uncertain. The dead midwife lay forgotten on the floor as servants began frantically scrubbing bloodstains from marble tiles under General Kenji's sharp orders.
"Move!" he snapped at the hesitant guards. "Your Emperor gave an order!"
Bella remained motionless amidst the chaos, her eyes fixed on Chang Hao's who avoided eye contact with her. The finality in his voice when he called her 'madness' echoed in her ears louder than any accusation.
The guards grabbed her arms roughly, pulling her to her feet despite her limp resistance.
As we reached the door , I hesitated forcing out one last once of strength. I didn't do it I repeated calling out to his conscience and love I believed he has for me.
You know I didn't do this . He didn't even turn to look at me. All he said commanded with finality was . The celebration is over, and get her out of my sight.
Chang Hao's back remained turned as Bella's desperate words faded behind him. His jaw clenched visibly at the sound of her voice, but he did not turn around. Instead, he addressed General Kenji with cold finality.
"General, ensure she is secured properly. No one is to speak to her or bring her food without my direct order."
Kenji nodded sharply, motioning for the guards to continue their march toward the prison wing. "As you command, Your Majesty. We will treat her as a dangerous criminal."
The guards dragged Bella's unresisting form through dimly lit corridors while servants hurriedly covered the bloody scene in Empress Mei's chambers.
Meanwhile, Empress Mei's dramatic groans echoed from her private chambers as she continued her performance for the attending midwives and maids. "The contractions are getting stronger! Fetch my birthing gown immediately!"