CHAPTER 1: My Mother Was About to be Remove from Her Empress Seat So I decide to plot something to avoid it.
The grand hall of the Ramonia Empire's palace reeked of rosewater and hypocrisy. I, Deliahla Von Dobris Cades Ramonia known to my few trusted souls as Delia stood hidden behind a carved marble pillar, my fingers curled so tight around the cold stone that my knuckles blazed white. Below, the Imperial Council those smell old farts, as I'd taken to calling them in my head circled my father like vultures, their long beards swaying as they spoke in voices that dripped with false concern and naked ambition.
"My lady, please stop glaring." Susan, my personal lady-in-waiting, whispered beside me, her voice trembling so much that the lace trim of her sleeve quivered against my arm. I shot her a sidelong glance, my eyes still fixed on the councilmen who were pushing my father, Emperor Degusto Von Dobris Cades Ramonia, to take one of their daughters as a concubine. "Imagine they greet me nicely with those sly smiles plastered on their lips and plotting to ruin my parents' marriage," I hissed, my teeth clenched. Susan's stress level seemed to climb another notch. "My lady, please watch your words. If anyone hears" "Hears what? That I think they have a death wish?" I interrupted, my voice rising despite her warning. "Susan, I want to gauge out their eyeballs." She gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. "Please, my lady, don't. The guards" I waved her off, my gaze returning to the court.
The council's leader, Lord Harroway, a man whose face looked like it had been carved from dried mud, leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Your Majesty, the alliance with Susania grows weak. The Empress Dahlia has given you only one child hardly enough to secure the line. Taking a concubine, preferably from one of our noble houses, would strengthen our ties and ensure the empire's future." My father, a tall man with broad shoulders and hair the color of storm clouds, remained silent, his jaw tight. I saw my mother, Empress Dahlia Voughn Estrama of Susania, sitting beside him, her back straight, her face as pale as the silk of her gown. She said nothing, but the way her fingers twisted the fabric of her skirt told me she was fighting back tears.
I'd always known my parents' marriage was forged in alliance. The Ramonia Empire and the Susania Empire had been bitter rivals for centuries, until my father and mother had wed to bring peace. But over the years, I'd seen the way they looked at each other how my father would reach for her hand during long meetings, how my mother would laugh at his terrible jokes, how they'd sneak away to the garden at night to share wine and stories. They loved each other, I was certain of it. But lately, the distance between them had grown. The council's pressure, the rumors of my father's supposed affection for a "lowly woman," the weight of ruling two empires all of it was pulling them apart.
Then, it happened. Lord Harroway turned his gaze to my mother. "Your Majesty, if you refuse to allow the Emperor to take a concubine, we will have no choice but to consider removing you from your seat as Empress. The empire cannot afford a weak link." A murmur rippled through the court. My mother's face went even paler. I felt my blood boil. How dare they? She had given up her home, her family, her life in Susania to stand by my father's side. She had ruled with grace and wisdom, earning the love of her people. And now they wanted to cast her aside like a worn-out shoe?
I was about to storm out from behind the pillar, to scream at them until my throat was raw, when my mother spoke. Her voice was quiet, but it carried across the hall, clear and steady. "I will accept the divorce."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stumbled back, my hand flying to my mouth. Am I the only one who looked as if the world was ending? Susan caught me, her arms wrapping around my waist to keep me from falling. "My lady," she whispered, her voice filled with sympathy. I pulled away, staring at my mother, unable to believe what I'd heard.
"No. What are you talking about, mother?" I cried out, stepping into the open. All eyes turned to me. My father looked up, his expression a mix of relief and regret. I marched toward the throne, my boots echoing against the marble floor. "Mother, is it because of those old farts? Are they pressuring you? Or is the rumor true, father? Have you taken a liking to a lowly woman?"
My father's eyes widened. "Delia, that's enough." "No, it's not enough!" I shouted, standing before the throne. "You can't just divorce. You can't just throw away everything you've built together. What about me? What about the empire? What about the love you have for each other?" My mother reached out, her hand trembling as she touched my cheek. "My sweet child," she said, her voice soft. "It's not that simple. The council's pressure is too great. If I stay, they will tear this empire apart. If I go, perhaps there will be peace."
I pulled away from her touch. "Peace? What kind of peace is that? Peace without you? Peace without us being a family?" I turned to my father. "And you? Are you just going to let them do this? Are you just going to let her go?" He looked down at his hands, his jaw tight. "Delia, I have no choice. The council has the support of the nobles. If I defy them, there could be a rebellion." I felt tears prick my eyes, but I blinked them back. I would not cry in front of these vultures.
Lord Harroway stood up, his face twisted into a smug smile. "Your Highness, your concern is touching, but this is a matter of state. The Empress has made her decision. The divorce will be finalized in one month's time." I glared at him, my eyes burning with hatred. "One month," I repeated, my voice low. "One month is all I need." He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, your Highness?" I didn't answer. Instead, I turned and stormed out of the hall, Susan scrambling after me.
We ran through the palace corridors, past servants who bowed as we passed, past tapestries that depicted the glory of the Ramonia Empire. I didn't stop until we reached the garden, my favorite place in the entire palace. It was here that my parents had first confessed their love for each other, here that I had spent my childhood playing, here that I had come to find solace in times of trouble.
I collapsed onto a stone bench, burying my face in my hands. Susan stood beside me, her hand resting on my shoulder. "My lady, what are you going to do?" she asked. I looked up, my eyes filled with determination. "I'm going to plot," I said, my voice firm. "I'm going to find a way to stop this divorce, to make my parents see that they belong together, to show those councilmen that they can't just destroy our family. But I won't tell you my plan yet. Not until I'm sure it will work."
Susan nodded, her face filled with hope. "Whatever you need, my lady, I'm here to help." I smiled at her, grateful for her loyalty. "Thank you, Susan. Together, we're going to save this marriage. Together, we're going to save our family."
As the sun set over the garden, casting a golden glow over the flowers, I sat in silence, my mind racing. I had one month to come up with a plan, one month to change my parents' minds, one month to defeat the council. It would be the hardest challenge of my life, but I was ready. I would not let my parents divorce. I would not let the empire tear them apart. I would do whatever it took to keep my family together.
Over the next few hours, I sat in the garden, watching as the stars began to appear in the sky. I thought about my parents, about their love, about the life they had built together. I thought about the councilmen, about their greed, about their desire for power. And I began to form the first threads of my plan, a plan that would be both funny and dramatic, a plan that would bring my parents closer together and show the councilmen that they had underestimated me. But for now, I kept it to myself, waiting for the right moment to reveal it.
As Susan led me back to my chambers, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could save my parents' marriage. Maybe, just maybe, we could all be a family again.