When I awoke, Huston was sitting by my bedside.
"Your Majesty…"
"There's no need for formalities in your condition."
He kindly placed a soft pillow behind me and personally held a bowl of medicine to my lips.
After I finished drinking, he gently stroked my hair and said tenderly.
"I've already punished Amy's servants. It was their gossip that made her recklessly confront you in your palace."
"Don't hold it against her."
"She usually follows the rules well."
I was speechless for a moment. He had seen her beat me without cause. He must have known it had nothing to do with the servants.
Yet he still defended her.
I sat up straight, looking him directly in the eyes. For the first time, I realized that the frail boy I once knew had transformed into a towering figure, every expression imbued with the authority of an emperor.
"Your Majesty, I've known you for 18 years. I know your heart better than anyone."
"Have you fallen in love with Empress Amy? Do you no longer love me?"
"How dare you!"
He abruptly stood, knocking over the bowl of medicine, and angrily pointed at me.
"I am the Emperor! How dare you presume to guess my thoughts!"
"Who gave you the courage?"
I knelt on the bed, bowing my head.