The sounds of footsteps rushing in woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes and realised that I wasn't in my chamber. My own maids were here, though.

They kneeled down and bowed. "Warm blessings to the Empress."

I stretched my body and felt my arms hit the bed. "At ease..."

I was still in the Emperor's chamber. As I rubbed my legs against the soft silk blankets, I felt lighter. Then I realised. After scanning the room, my brocade hanfu was beautifully hung. I wasn't wearing it.

I immediately got up and looked down. Soft, silk sleepwear. My maids gave me an odd look, but my old maids were smirking. "Your Majesty had said you'd never lay with the Emperor!"

My eyes widened. Did we? No, we didn't. I fell asleep on his chest and that was that. I don't think he'd have sex me while I was sleeping. I didn't think, I knew. I would've been awake. I was always a light sleeper.

Who changed my clothes? Was it the Emperor himself? That pervert... If he did, I don't know what I'd do. Possibly murder?

"I-I didn't," I let out a loud yawn. Snoopy put Dragon on my lap and I automatically started petting her. "Where is His Majesty?"

"Right here," the Emperor entered. The maids quietly bowed in his presence, not wanting to interrupt our conversation. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at me. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a baby, Your Majesty," I moaned, stretching again. I touched my sleep hanfu. "Did you change me yourself?"

Now that I think of it, I didn't really care. My nude body was something I was pretty open with actually. I just think a heads up would've been nicer.

The Emperor chuckled. "No. My maids helped you with it. I didn't want to invade your privacy."

As we looked at each other, I smiled.

I was a nervous wreck. Now, I stood on foreign ground. The large field was more than enough space for polo to take place. There was enough space for the audience to sit and watch as well. I can imagine the Emperor sitting on the horse, using that stick to push the ball. I laughed a little to myself. How funny would it be to see that?

Li Shu was with me while I got out of the sedan chair. I was the first one there. Well, not exactly. I know Minister Feng kept tabs on me and he was waiting for me to make a move so he could catch me in the act.

Minister Feng was a man who loved attention. Many officials were like that. Even when he was in court, he was slightly dramatic. So I know he wanted to look like a big hero. He wouldn't stop me now, he would try and put me on the spot later.

I felt Minister Feng's presence. I don't know where he was, but the look on Li Shu's face told me he knew. Holding the object in my hand, I strutted casually into the stable. To my surprise, the horses had enough room. My eyes wandered to the beautiful horses. They looked at me in curiosity, and so did I. I never saw a horse in real life before. Ponies don't count.

Obviously, I couldn't resist petting the horses. All of them. I noticed a black horse. As I touched the collar, I noticed it said 'Emperor' in gold. This was the Emperor's horse. A smile crept on my face when I gently turned the collar a little to the left. All the horses' collars were in the middle but Minister Feng would think I tampered with the horse.

Then, I dropped the object in the haystack and walked out the other way. I walked on the flat grass. It felt weird under my shoes. I haven't walked in the grass for so long. Many others will soon come and I had to go back. I climbed into the sedan chair back to my estate.

In a few minutes or so, Minister Feng will take action.

When I returned to the field, I was surprised by the livelihood of the people. Many from the Imperial family came and the high-ranking women in the harem were there. There were a lot of foreign faces as well.

Niu Lin stood beside me. She grinned. "Your Majesty, this is your first time, isn't it?"

"Yes," I nodded, waving at the Emperor who looked at me for a few seconds. He nodded his head with a slight smile, then continued training the black horse. "I've never ridden a horse before."

"I'm sure if you asked His Majesty, he'll let you." Niu Lin responded. There was no venom in her tone anymore. She was like a friend to me. It was funny how your enemies turned to your friends, and vice versa.

I sat at my designated spot, at the top. Niu Lin, one step below me. The Emperor's seat was empty but after this match, he will sit next to me. To be honest, this was risky. I didn't know when Minister Feng wanted to strike but I knew he wouldn't do it before the match. It would be irrational.

Chang Ying would've sat on the left-hand seat below me, but she was gone. Still to this day, I think about her from time to time.

While the match began, I found myself hypnotized. I didn't enjoy seeing horses being used, but this game was pretty intense. At least one person will fall off their horse. That was a funny sight to me, especially if the person was the second prince.

It was his team against the Emperor. I rooted for the Emperor. He was very advanced in this game. I could tell that he spent a lot of time with his horse.

I watched eagerly to see who would win. I was clueless about the score or the rules, but it was easy to pick up because I relied on the audience's reactions.

"His Majesty is great at polo, don't you think, Empress?" Hua Yang leaned over to talk to me. She was sitting from the far end.

I nodded, leaning to her as well. "He dominates the entire game."

"Have you ridden horses before?" Hua Yang questioned. Her eyes were still glued to the game, but her body was leaning towards me.

"No, I haven't. I feel left out because I haven't," I let out a nervous laugh. Hua Yang looked away from the match and narrowed her eyes at me.

Her eyes softened. "If you ask His Majesty, I'm sure he'd let you."

Again, the Emperor scored. The men on his team shared the victory, grinning from ear to ear. The audience let out cheers.

"Someone else already told me that," I leaned back. "Why does everyone keep saying that to me?"

"Palace rumours," Hua Yang rolled her eyes. She smiled. "You were in the Emperor's quarters last night, weren't you?"

I let out a huge groan. I didn't even sleep with the guy! Hua Yang held a hand to her mouth and laughed. She was teasing me but I let her think that we slept together.

The match ended and the Emperor let everyone congratulate each other. It was fun. I was amused by all of it. I thought the Imperial family was strict and boring, but I liked to see them get loose. I saw princesses and princes who I didn't know existed.

Hua Yang smiled at the Emperor when the Emperor walked up to greet us. He sat beside me, swiftly taking my hand.

"You did well, Your Majesty." I complimented, watching him settle.

The Emperor thanked me, before turning his attention to the next match.

We watched in silence. Both of us, cheering for whatever team it was. I believe it was two princes going against each other. While everyone was watching intently, the Emperor was whispering in my ear, telling me the rules and such.

I listened, absorbing everything like a sponge.

But after the match, Minister Feng was ready to pounce. He seemed like he was enjoying himself, but he was going to enjoy it even more after he exposes me.

When everyone cheered and talked amongst themselves, I was laughing joyfully with the Emperor. Niu Lin joined and went along with us. For the first time, I felt happy.

Not so long after, Minister Feng stepped in front of the audience with a smug look on his face.

He looked up at the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I want to announce something!"

"What do you want to say?" the Emperor, still in glee, grinned at the minister. Even I was expecting the minister to say something positive first.

Minister Feng went straight in. He addressed everyone with his hands. "Everybody! The woman next to the Emperor, Empress Han, has been quite a nuisance for us! I have evidence that she was going to sabotage His Majesty's horse!"

I lightly scoffed. The Emperor looked at him as if he started stripping.

"Her Majesty and her mysterious clan will usurp the Emperor's throne! She is the threat to the great Wang dynasty!" he exclaimed.

People started whispering amongst themselves. Hua Yang was urging the Emperor to punish him. I wanted to laugh at how delusional he looked but I chose to remain quiet. As I turned to the Emperor, the smile on his face was beginning to fade into the darkness.

"I have evidence that proves the Empress tried to fiddle with His Majesty's horse and equipment!" Minister Feng announced pridefully. "Although, she didn't succeed."

The Emperor's eyes narrowed at the minister. I turned to look at the Emperor, trying my best to remain confused as everyone else was. "Your Majesty... I don't understand..."

He didn't acknowledge me. He was so into the moment. His hand still held mine, giving me a slight squeeze to reassure me. Now, I know that he was on my side. For a second, I thought he would turn against me like before.

"What is your proof?" the Emperor stared daggers at the minister.

I felt a slight smile that I had to conceal when Minister Feng held up the pin. He must have looked exactly where I wanted him to look. Or maybe the gold was easy to see? Minister Feng held this pin above his head like it was an award or a trophy.

"Your Majesty! That's the pin I lost... but," I turned to the Emperor immediately. The audience was silent now, and I whispered loud enough for Minister Feng to hear. "I don't understand... How could he have it?"

The Emperor glared at the minister. His eyes darkened and his lips pursed together. He was on the verge of punishing him and the minister could tell. Minister Feng let out a nervous laugh and backed away slowly.

Guards stood behind him and gripped his arms.

Minister Feng chuckled awkwardly. "Y-Your Majesty, I do apologize... I must have... I must have..."

"I assume Consort Feng entering the harem was just a ploy to sabotage the Empress?" the Emperor raised an eyebrow.

Shaking his head, he kneeled with the guards still holding his arm. "No! That's not it! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

I cleared my throat. "Your Majesty... Could it be that Consort Feng took my hairpin? How could Minister Feng have it in his hands?"

And just like that, the Emperor stood up. I felt his power, I felt the anger and the rage.

I burned with anger, I burned with victory. Now, I know that I was capable of anything. No one will be able to step in my way. No one will be able to kill me or plot against me. I had power in my hands and intellect in my heart.

"Execute him and display his head as an example for anyone who tries to plot against the Empress!" the Emperor demanded.

The guards dragged him while Minister Feng continued to plead. He pleaded and pleaded but the Emperor had no mercy.

I watched as the Emperor settled down. He looked for Lian Ying, who stood next to him in silence. He bowed his head. The Emperor continued to hold my hand. "Banish Bao Zhai from the harem. She will leave immediately."

There was talk about Minister Feng and Bao Zhai, not that I cared enough to listen to. I hope it gave a message to people. If they ever opposed or defied me, they would end up like Bao Zhai and her father. I had no mercy. I didn't care if I framed them two. They were both in the way of my journey.

Who knows if they were planning something far bigger? I saved myself from another catastrophe. It was me who mattered, not anyone else as of now. Jaxon and I were going to go home. I was going to make sure of it.

We haven't seen each other for a long time. There was nothing else to talk about. We couldn't do anything, anyway. We were confined in such a space that I was sometimes afraid to go see him. But he still chose to sneak in.

Three in the morning.

"Miss me?" Jaxon announced, but quietly.

I stood up from my bed. It was dark in my bedroom but I still felt his presence. I stayed silent, watching him bow before me.

"Happiness and peace to Your Majesty." he let out an irritated groan.

"That's more like it," I smiled. It was going to be hard to adapt back to our world. Knowing that no one is going to treat me like royalty made me a little upset.

Jaxon kept comfortable on the edge of the bed. He stared at me as I sat next to him, swiftly brushing my shoulder against his. As I sat down, I shifted my body to face him. I was afraid Hua Er would wake up because I wanted her to get enough rest.

It was calming to stay up in the dark with someone. I was always trying to get my beauty sleep so I can wake up less cranky. Seeing Jaxon gave me hope and helped me see that I wasn't alone here. If I was alone, I wouldn't have done anything right. Jaxon was a sidekick. There was nothing wrong with him being a sidekick. I was the only one who could do something.

I had to acknowledge that without Jaxon's help with burying himself in books, we wouldn't be one step closer to freedom. Even if it doesn't work, at least we tried. But I don't want to think about it.

My eyelids were starting to feel heavy but I chose to stay awake. I positioned myself under the blankets. "Jaxon, what if it doesn't work?"

"Hm?" Jaxon shifted his body to face me. He rested his weight on both of his hands; the palm of his hands pressed against the bed. He was spread out and taking up all my space, but I let him.

"What if... we don't get out? I know both of us don't want to think that," I whispered as I pulled my knees to my chest. "I'm scared."

Tonight, I was vulnerable. I was always vulnerable at nighttime. I think everyone was. If you asked someone what their darkest secrets were, there was a higher chance they'll tell you at night. It was never in the morning, it was at night. That is the time someone will strip themselves from the skin they pretend to be in.

In the night, that was when we are real—when we embraced the authenticity of our soul.

To let Jaxon see my vulnerability, felt weird for a while. I didn't want to cry in front of him again, but I just wanted him to tell me everything will be alright. I needed that from someone. I needed to hear it. I wanted to be able to see my family and Cherry. I wanted to be able to live the life I wanted.

And maybe if I had the chance, I'll come back here. It'll be like a stay for me, a hotel even. I still wanted to live with Hua Er, see Su Yin, joke with Hua Yang, and rule the empire with the Emperor. I doubt that I could.

Jaxon stayed quiet for a while but he finally spoke. He held my hand. "We're going to be fine. If it doesn't work out, we're going to find a way. Both of us. We're all in this together and Carmen, you're not a quitter."

I inhaled sharply, trying to prevent the tears from building up. "What if I am?"

"But you aren't," Jaxon whispered, his tone a little louder. He leaned forwards. Our faces were slightly apart, but if he leaned a little more forwards, we would be locking lips.

I didn't want that.

Jaxon continued, "That concubine... the minister... They both went against you and you got rid of them. The late empress and the other Imperial Noble Consort that betrayed you... You also got rid of them."

I lifted my chin. I faced the ceiling and let out an exhale from my nostrils. The tears were coming out and I didn't want them to come out. Not in a time like this, at least. We had to stay strong. I had to stay strong. Jaxon was the strongest here.

"Stay with me, ?" Jaxon took my hand and clasped it between his. He leaned back to his old spot while I tried my best to look at him.

When I did, I felt a tear roll down my cheek. It wasn't major. I wasn't going to bawl my eyes out or start hyperventilating out of nowhere. I was used to this place. I was used to the people. I was so used to this, that I'd feel weird if Jaxon and I left. One way or another, I had to make my decision.

I nodded as a response. "."

Jaxon was still visible in front of me, but he was like a shadow. I wish I could see his face to reassure me. I wanted to see him. In the dark, it was hard to notice his expression. Was he upset? Hopeful? Sad? I wouldn't know.

"We're going to make it through," Jaxon looked away. "But are you coming with me?"

"Of course I'm coming with you," I said, this time slightly louder. "I-I'm just so used to this... However... living as an empress can be fun at times, but I get afraid for my life..."

I sighed. "But I do want to go home. There's nothing for me here."

"We both have goals, dreams, people," Jaxon agreed with me. "It'd be foolish for us to stay here."

"Yes, Jaxon," I smiled, leaning back to rest my head against the headboard. "I'd like to come back here, though... I don't want to completely leave. It'd be nice if we could switch worlds like that."