"Miss Emilia?" Robert, the King's aid called in a low voice
Emilia exhaled, stepping backwards and almost falling but Robert caught her and she fell into his arms.
"Forgive me." he quickly apologized and let go.
"Miss Emilia, you shouldn't be here," Robert whispered with caution.
"The King is furious and forbade…"
"I know," Emilia cut in,
"But I must see him." she said, and Robert exhaled.
Long ago when Emilia used to visit the palace with her father when he taught the King, Robert and Emilia including King Lucas used to be close but not for a long time now.
"The King has been in a very bad mood since earlier, I don't think doing this will help." Robert persuaded and Emilia hesitated for a second.
"Doesn't matter. Just inform him that I'm here."
"Don't do this. You are putting your family in greater danger." Robert urged
"I am aware, but I just need a minute with the King" she demanded, pushing past him and Robert followed to stop her again.
Emilia rushed forward, eager to reason with Lucas but then, someone else stopped her and she paused dead in her track.
Her breath got caught in her throat as she stared at Collin Windsor, the prime minister, the one who accused her father and her family's nemesis.
"What is he doing in the King's chambers at this hour?" Emilia asked in a whisper, turning her head slightly towards Robert then bowed slightly.
"My Lord." she greeted.
Collin stared at her with a grin hiding behind the corner of his lips and Emilia can't help the eerie feelings from his expression.
He is the Queen mother, Georgina's elder brother and had always hated her father since the time of the late king.
Seeing him here in visiting the King so late after her father's accusations, Emilia's couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.
He is either responsible for her father's misfortune or he is here to meet with the King to add fire to the situation. But either ways, he got to meet with the King first which isn't good for them.
"Are you here to beg for your father?" Collins questioned but Emilia doesn't respond.
"Your father has tried to harm the peace of the country. No matter how you beg, he can't get free from this." he told her, and Emilia heard the threat in his voice.
"If you don't return quickly, then who knows if every other branch of your family across the empire will be in danger." he added and slowly walked away.
Emilia glared at his retreating back, her nails digging into her palms.
Collins and the other officials in court has always looked for a reason to pick fight with her family and even made a petition to the King for Markham to lay down half his fortune as tax. Emilia couldn't believe they would go this far just because of that and exhaled loudly.
"Who is there?" Lucas's voice booms from inside, cold and sharp that it sent shivers down Emilia's spines. His voice in her head used to be gentle and tender ten years ago.
Her father was forced by Georgina, who was the Queen then to stop tutoring Lucas when he turned fourteen and after then, Emilia has seen much of him. She didn't attend his crowning coronation and avoid seeing him whenever there is a banquet at the palace she needs to attend.
Robert straightened, finding the right words to answer him.
"Your Majesty… Miss Emilia Markham requests an audience." he said and silence followed after for a few seconds.
Emilia's body stiffen as she waited, wondering if Lucas even remembered her name and then his voice jolt her awake.
"Emilia? Did I not commanded everyone from the Markham family to remain in their estate?" Lucas's voice rang out in displeasure.
"Your Majesty," Emilia called, stepping closer.
"Please. Grant me a moment."
"Return home and await the result of the investigation," he said but Emilia refused to move.
"Miss Markham," Thomas, commander of the palace armies stepped forward from the door and threatened.
"Leave now. Don't force my hand."
Tears pricked Emilia's eyes but she turned away and head towards a different direction. She decided to see her father first at the prison and find out anything she can.
Emilia bribed more guards again, as many as they are, standing in her way to her father.
The guards check their surroundings, then crack the heavy gate open just enough to let her in. She discarded her outer robe, tucks it behind a stone wall, and slips down into the damp darkness.
Placing the black robe she took along on her shoulders, Emilia moved very quietly.
The air is cold. The stone beneath her feet felt alive with whispered with Guards further inside laughing and playing games. She slipped past unnoticed and reached the inner cells.
"Father," Emilia called and stoop low.
Markham turned to her, chained behind thick iron bars and his eyes widen to see her.
"Emilia?" Markham stepped forward urgently.
"What are you doing here? If the guards catch you…"
"I bribed the guards. They won't come soon," she said quickly, reaching through the bars to touch his chained hands.
"How did this happen?" she asked, voice tight.
"How did the King find out you hired some men?"
"Collins reported it to the King," Markham said bowing his head.
"Everything happened too fast and I couldn't do anything to deny it. The King wasn't at the banquet at that time because your sister was trying to…" Markham paused, ashamed to continue. He slumped slightly, blaming himself.
After Emilia's mother, who was a princess died. He gave up his position beside the late King to avoid getting involved in conflict and keep his family safe but it was never enough for them and still sees him as a threat. Now because of the issue of the new Queen, they targeted him again.
"Father" Emilia called.
"I would definitely do everything I can to prove your innocence and find a way to give the King the right records of the refuge employment tomorrow." she assured him but Markham shook his head to stop her.
"There's no time. The ministers would force the King's hand in court tomorrow for my execution."
"Now that they are accusing me of treason, they have definitely planned to see it to the end." he said.
Emilia's eyes dampened, the tears coming again.