"If Your Majesty has fallen in love with the Empress, then please let me go. I'm willing to pray for Your Majesty from afar."
"If you dare speak such nonsense again, I'll have your head!"
Huston did not answer my plea. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
For half a year after that, Huston didn't set foot in my palace.
He had confined me, forbidding me from leaving freely or seeing anyone.
His imperial guards surrounded the palace, and anyone who attempted to send me winter clothes or firewood would be executed.
Fortunately, I was quick-witted. I had several blankets taken apart to make coats for everyone and chopped wood from the back garden to light fires and keep warm, preventing others from suffering alongside me.
However, there was no solution for the food shortage, and my medicine supplies were running low as well.
Gradually, my old illnesses began to resurface, and my body grew weaker.
Each week, the head of the imperial guards would knock on my door arrogantly to inquire,
"Miss Renee, has the Emperor's question been answered?"
What question?