"Imperial Father, I am wrongfully accused by my Imperial Brother! It is me who suffered great losses here! I am supposed to marry Princess Madeline, a princess of Cloud Empire. This marriage is beneficial to me and a great help to the stability of my status and future! Why would I willingly destroy it? It is my Imperial Brother who always says that this marriage is beneficial, he is probably jealous of my fortune and planned all of this!" Prince Andrew explained with great confidence in front of everyone!

"That is nonsense! I love Beatrix so much! I will not trade her for any fortune or benefit! I will never do evil tricks like that!" Prince Anders angrily replied and this started a series of heated arguments between the two brothers in front of the Emperor and Empress. The fierce arguments smothered the sobbing and crying of Princess Madeline, making everyone forget about her existence!

Prince Andrew's statement fueled Beatrix's foul mood!

So what you did to me last night is a great loss?!! Good! Good! Good! Why am I not surprised? You are willing to ruin everyone and everything for your own benefit! You do not know respect! There is no love in your evil heart! Everyone is merely a pawn to satisfy your selfishness!

Her anger reached to the heavens now but she remained silent. The Emperor made their heated arguments stop and he suddenly noticed Beatrix...

"What is your opinion regarding what happened, Princess Beatrix?" The Emperor asked her about what happened.

"To answer, Your Majesty, I am also stunned that something unspeakable like this happened. I do not exactly know the details and I can not accuse someone because I do not have concrete proof. I do not know if I could still become Prince Anders' wife after what happened but if not, I will not blame him if he would like to divorce me..." She said and looked into the eyes of Prince Anders and shifted to Prince Andrew. "Prince Andrew, I will not ask Your Highness to take responsibility for what happened. Worry not, for you will not suffer any losses..." She coldly and indifferently told him and shifted her attention back to the Emperor and Empress. "Your Majesties, I will be honest with you. I feel awful now, I just want to go back to my Father's Mansion and stay there while Your Majesties are still in the process of investigation. Will Your Majesties be so generous to grant this simple request from your humble servant?" She declared confidently and asked to be granted without being forceful.

Both the Emperor and Empress felt pity, guilty (on behalf of their sons' misbehavior), and sympathy to her so they nodded their head. Prince Andrew and Prince Anders were alarmed by her statement so they bowed to their parents at the same time!

"Imperial Father and Imperial Mother, I am willing to take responsibility for what happened! Please allow me to marry Beatrix as my Imperial Wife and Princess!" Prince Andrew immediately begged in front of the Emperor and Empress and bowed his head to the floor like an ordinary servant.

"Imperial Father and Imperial Mother, Beatrix is already my Imperial Wife and Princess! I do not want to divorce her regardless of what happened!" Prince Anders also begged and bowed his head to the floor like his brother.

Beatrix could not take the drama anymore so she sighed deeply. "Your Highnesses, please do not make it more difficult for everyone!" Beatrix said to the two princes and asked the Emperor and Empress to allow her to leave the throne room and go back to the General's Mansion now. After she received the approval, she immediately stood up and removed herself from their presence. She let them settle whatever they need to settle, she does not give a damn anymore!

Outside the throne room, she saw her parents worriedly waiting for her. They embraced her and gave her comfort. When the three of them boarded the carriage, Beatrix could not take it anymore and begin to cry miserably. Her mother embraced her tightly while she tried to vent her misery and helplessness! Her father sits there silently staring at them on the opposite side clenching and unclenching his hands. Whatever he is thinking at that time, only he is aware! They did not try to stop her and even encourage her to let her feelings out...

Before they arrived in the General's Mansion, Beatrix got a hold of her feelings. She stopped crying and tried to relax. She feels better now that she let her emotion burst and the frustration out! When they arrived in the mansion, she remembered her father's words...

"What do you want to tell me before the wedding ceremony?" She immediately asked.

Her parents looked at each other. It was General Ardor who decided to tell her everything.

"We do not know if it is the right time to tell you but it is better that you immediately know about it straight from us." Her father started to explain.

© 2021 Jezel Mandin Sapata-Gentiles. All Rights Reserved.