Chapter 118: the accident

"I would not touch her." 'and it's not that she would let me touch her anyways, a mere kiss was enough to erupt the volcano inside her.' i said in a grave voice, clearing there is no point of discussion.

The emperor sighed, "then convince her to act like that, we just need duke Wiltshire to believe that you are in love with Marianne now, and Isabella had lost her chance to be the duchess completely." he added like it was a child's play.

"Why would she act with me," I asked, completely sure that it would only make her more suspicious. She was not the one who would help others without any reason.

"You have to convince her, women melt with emotions no matter how witty she is, try to act sweetly, she would respond.

You know that Wiltshire needs your position to get the power of trade back, he is trying to eliminate Essendon from the business so he could usurp the nobles market too.

That's the reason he sent Elizabeth to lure you and now he had all hopes on Isabella. '' he said as if he was not talking about humans at all.

This emperor only had the mind, no heart. He had always treated humans, nobles, even his own child as a step to gain more. Otherwise, he would not have forced Charles to do a second marriage and ruin the life of a poor girl. I know Charles very well, he would never accept Katherine as his wife, he was completely devoted to Rosamund.

"In a way, you are helping Marianne in saving her family too. So, you don't need to feel bad about it," he added and I sighed.

"Your majesty, why don't you just put them in prison for financial frauds," I asked, at least then I will get time to investigate freely.

"So, you still think from the heart. Even after getting so many betrayals, you are still that warm and caring person inside.

All these stony and cold behaviour is just a facade. You disappointed me once again, Cassius" my hands were clenched so hard. I was sure my knuckles turned white yet the pain that I felt was nothing in comparison to what I was feeling right now.

"If turning into a criminal, to get justice, you are talking about, I am ready to do that.

But taking benefits of innocents, aren't I doing enough of that already.'' I snapped and he chuckled.

"There is no one innocent in this world, everything is politics. Charles is wiser than you in these matters." he sighed.

"Alright, offer her a deal she could not deny and ask her to behave lovingly with you for the meantime, once marquees will be sure, that Marianne's newborn would be the hurdle, he would definitely try to harm her no matter what, then you just have to capture them, then she could be free and so as you," he added, he knew my weakness, he was using it against me, and his triumphed smile telling me he won in the battle of wits.

"I will leave the decision on her,'' I added and his smile turned stiff.

"You could not tell her the truth. It's not only about your parents or Ian's parents, it's about the economy of the empire, what if she told her father or alerted the enemies.

I am sure that Wiltshire is also meeting with the nobles of other empires." he added as if I did not know.

"I understand, your majesty. You don't need to worry about it, this secret will always stay hidden with me.'' I added as I took a cup of tea.

"Keep an eye on ian too, that kid is still too softhearted," he added and I shook my head.

"I trust him more than myself, and he still did not know the whole truth. Not because I didn't trust him but I like to keep him innocent as he is." 

"Then let him go and claim his title as earl, he is the only one left in his family, otherwise his title would be transferred to his distant relatives, then he would not be able to claim it." He told me as if I did it know.

"I had told him that, a thousand times, your majesty. I will try again, and if he did not listen I will throw him out of the palace.'' I said as I tried to drink the tea again, my mind and taste were already sour with all the arguments.

He looked at me, raising a brow as I continued to drink the tea, though the discussion was already finished.

"Do you want to say something else too?" he asked and I shook my head.

"Then why are you still here, this is not like you." oh, could I tell him that my wife threw me out of the house, that was also not like me.

"I am here, to give you company, your majesty" this was the lamest excuse I had ever made and his chuckle confirmed that thought.

"You sure think, I am old now, don't you? Tell me why are you here," he asked again, this time more intrigued than before.

"Since you did not like my company then I should leave." and without waiting for his reply I left his office.

"Your highness"

I turned to see only to find a maid waiting for me there.

"Your highness, his majesty had left a message for you." She gave me a letter and I furrowed my brows. Didn't we just meet in the morning when I reached here?

"Cassius, I am sending this letter urgently, Killian fell from the horse in a competition. His leg had been badly damaged." I crushed the letter and put it in my pocket without reading it further as I almost ran towards the carriage.

Ian who was casually chatting with his friends looked at me surprised.

"What happened, your highness, are you okay?" he asked with a worried face and I shook my head.

"Killian fell from a horse and was badly injured."