Empress Mei's voice dripped with icy authority as she addressed the veteran captain. "You dare interrupt me while I am addressing the court? Remember your place, soldier."
Captain Riku bowed deeply, though his expression remained professional rather than deferent. "Forgive my impatience, Your Highness. However, military procedure dictates reporting directly to the commanding officer - namely His Majesty the Emperor - when called upon."
General Kenji stepped forward menacingly. "Show proper respect to the Empress, Captain. She carries our future Emperor within her womb."
But Chang Hao raised a hand silencing both parties. His voice cracked with exhaustion but carried undeniable imperial command.
"Both of you cease this posturing!." Chang said rubbing the bridge of his nose with clear exhaustion.
He looked straight at me for the first time. "Bella, do you have anything to say to defend your self?" I looked at him , my expression edging on hatred. "You and I, that I didn't commit this crime. But you are too spineless to stand for the truth" I spat at him.
Chang Hao's face contorted with a mix of guilt and frustration, his eyes flashing with pain at Bella's brutal honesty. For a moment, the entire throne room seemed to hold its breath, awaiting his reaction.
"Guards," Empress Mei interjected sharply, standing abruptly from her seat. "Silence this insolent prisoner! Her accusations against our Emperor are treasonous!"
Several soldiers moved toward Bella menacingly, but Chang Hao raised a hand to stop them. His voice shook slightly as he spoke directly to Bella.
"You speak freely even now," he murmured, almost to himself. "Perhaps that courage is the only thing left you."
Concubine Sakura gasped dramatically from her position along the wall. "Your Majesty, she has no remorse whatsoever! This proves her guilt beyond doubt!"
Minister Aikoku cleared his throat awkwardly, adjusting his robes nervously. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider the possibility of foul play? Many enemies seek to destabilize your reign through false accusations."
Empress Mei scoffed loudly. "Oh please, Minister! We all saw Lady Bella's madness firsthand. She's clearly fabricating stories to escape justice."
General Kenji's hand rested on his sword hilt as he studied Bella's defiant posture. "Her words carry conviction," he admitted reluctantly. "But conviction does not necessarily equal innocence."
Chang Hao gripped the throne tighter, his knuckles white against polished gold. Every word from Bella's mouth resonated with truth he desperately wanted to believe yet couldn't afford to acknowledge publicly.
"Captain Riku," he commanded hoarsely, "tell me precisely what you observed upon arriving at the Empress's chambers that day."
Captain Riku spoke. "That evening, a few hours before the celebration started, my partner and I were on duty. We noticed the criminal suspiciously lurking around our empress's wing".
Minister Ren interrupted. "Was there anyone there too aside your duty partner?" He asked. "Yes. A kitchen maid , called Sora, intervened and called her attention urgently to the kitchen and a spilled wine accident.
The court error with the new information."
Captain Riku's revelation sent ripples of confusion through the courtroom. Whispers broke out among the ministers and concubines as they processed this new detail.
"Sora?" Concubine Momo repeated aloud. "I know that name - she works in the royal kitchens, doesn't she?"
Empress Mei's expression faltered for the first time, her confident demeanor cracking slightly. "What does some kitchen maid have to do with this? Her testimony is irrelevant."
Minister Ren stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Not necessarily, Your Majesty. If Lady Bella was intercepted before reaching your chambers, it suggests premeditation or perhaps even someone else guiding her movements."
General Kenji crossed his arms, studying Bella's profile intently. "Interesting development. A potential accomplice or perhaps a redirection attempt ?"
Chang Hao leaned forward on his throne, his interest piqued despite himself, perhaps a sliver of hope for him?
Empress Mei's face paled visibly at the command. "Sora? Why bother with some insignificant kitchen servant? She can offer nothing relevant!"
Several concubines exchanged worried glances, their earlier confidence wavering under this unexpected twist.
General Kenji signaled for guards to depart immediately. "Find this woman and bring her here at once! Search every kitchen and storeroom if necessary."
Within twenty minutes, a slightly chubby young woman in stained aprons was ushered into the throne room. Her eyes darted nervously between Bella's kneeling form and the imposing figures on the dais.
"Kneel before the Emperor!" Sergeant Hiroki barked sharply, gesturing toward an open space near Bella.
Sora dropped to her knees trembling, her hands clutching nervously at her uniform.
Empress Mei glared daggers at Chang Hao. "Don't tell me you actually believe this peasant over your own wife!" Chang spoke, "Tell us what happened that day."
Cheng looked worried of being exposed but then her worry melted away . The maid, looked up at Cheng and smiled mischievously at her, as if assuring her to side with her.
Empress Mei's worried expression vanished, replaced by a smug smirk as Sora's mischievous glance confirmed her allegiance. The maid straightened her posture slightly, wiping sweat from her palms onto her apron.
"Your Majesty," Sora began in a surprisingly steady voice, "that evening I was carrying wine to the celebration preparations when I spotted Lady Bella sneaking toward the Empress's wing. She looked very suspicious, so I called out to her."
Several concubines nodded approvingly from their seats. Concubine Hana leaned forward eagerly. "Go on, girl! Tell us everything she said or did."
Sora paused dramatically before continuing. "When I approached her, she acted very strangely - muttering about 'justice' and 'punishment.' It was obvious she intended harm."
Empress Mei clapped her hands together softly. "See? Even this humble servant confirms Bella's malicious intent."
For the first time I flinched, I turn to the side to look at her. "Even you?", I mouthed disheartened. She ignores me and continues speaking . She claimed that I threatened to punish the kitchen staff for the" little spilled wine" by stripping away their free resting time.
She claimed I wanted to fire the head chef, and almost struck him. If not for the eager pleading of the kitchen staff. Mei grinned pleased with her false testimony .
Sora's fabricated tale grew more elaborate as she continued, painting Bella as a tyrannical monster abusing her power over palace staff. "She screamed at poor Chef kei , claiming he was insolent careless and unfit for his post , since he couldn't handle those under him. The whole kitchen was terrified."
Concubine Sakura gasped dramatically. "How dare she threaten our talented chefs? The audacity!"
Several ministers scribbled notes furiously, recording each damaging accusation. Minister Hiroshi frowned thoughtfully. "These claims against palace personnel are serious allegations. If proven true, they suggest deeper corruption within the household."
Empress Mei leaned back with satisfaction, enjoying the spectacle of Bella's world collapsing around her. "It seems even servants recognized her dangerous nature long before that unfortunate incident."
General Kenji stepped forward again, his expression hardening. "Sergeant Hiroki, verify these kitchen staff members mentioned by Sora. Interrogate them personally regarding Lady Bella's supposed behavior."
After about ten minutes, the kitchen staff were brought in for questioning. They were told of Sora's statement. Some agreed vigorously while some, especially the head chef wanted to oppose.
The head chef, Kei, knelt stiffly before the throne, his face flushed with anger but his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I... I confess that Lady Bella did reprimand me severely that day," he said through gritted teeth. "She accused me of wasting ingredients and neglecting duties."
Several junior cooks nodded rapidly, their voices overlapping in agreement. "Yes! She was shouting about discipline and proper work ethic!"
Cheng clapped her hands together delightedly. "Wonderful! These witnesses confirm Sora's account without question."
But one young pastry apprentice hesitated, biting his lip nervously. When Empress Mei's glare landed on him, he squeaked out, "Well... maybe she wasn't entirely wrong about the wasted wine..."
General Kenji's patience wore thin. "Either speak clearly or face punishment for obstruction!" he roared, making the boy jump.
Chang Hao pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly.