Episode 18

"Aren't you going to keep your promise?" I urged with my mouth dangerously close to his.

"She is going to die now, but she lasted quite a while." I heard someone say.

"Doesn't she know she must not touch His Majesty? Has she no love for her own life?" The murmurings continued.

"How can an Empress be so careless. Look at what she does in public, she truly deserves to have her head chopped off and thrown to the dogs." It seems people really do wish for my head to roll. Icaro's hand reached down for his sword. "The show starts now."

"My dear wife, you cannot undo my belt here. Do not be hasty, please." The Emperor said, holding my hand that rested on his belt.

"The Emperor using"please"? Am I hallucinating?" Everyone at the ball only talked about us.

"Did he accept her touch or her request? Are the rumors true? That woman must truly be a witch." The comments didn't stop, and Icaro acted as if nothing was happening.

"It's not my fault" I said, pouting "You came all this way saying you had something to surprise me. You dared to lie to me? No, right?" You said you would give me the empire's greatest treasure. I see nothing valuable here.

"My dear, do not be upset. The greatest treasure of the kingdom is our subjects. I’ll let you do as you please with them. They are all yours." The Emperor said.

"Them? But they're so ugly and dull. They are no use to me. I want something that truly carries value, or do you not think your wife deserves everything she desires?" I stepped back and crossed my arms.

"Wife, these people can be used for anything. They will do everything you command if they want to stay alive. They are like cattle, they will work tirelessly until death for the empire. Don't you think you can even use them as targets for shooting practice?" You said you wanted to learn to shoot, right? You can use any of them. "The Emperor said to the despair of everyone there."

"Is this really what you said you would give me if I came out to see these lowlifes? Ah! Spare me. I am going back to my room, I will not waste my precious time with these people. It tires my beauty." I said, moving away from him. I had to leave quickly before bursting into laughter, the look on everyone's faces was priceless.

"My Empress, forgive me. You are always so impatient, but it can't be helped, it's part of your charm." The Emperor said, pulling me back by the waist towards him.

"How is she still with her head attached to her body?" The comments were whispers.

"Is His Majesty really under the Empress's thumb?" The subjects were exactly as Icaro predicted. The reaction was expected.

"Ah! I don’t know. I'm not in the mood to feign kindness with these lowly people." I grimaced.

"Just wait a bit. I promise it will be worth it." The Emperor insisted.

"Stop! You are an idiot. Let me go. This place is so boring. You promised me a treasure and fun. I do not like lies." I said, crossing my arms.

"And you are so beautiful! Even more so when you are upset." Icaro said. "I’ll let you do anything as long as you are happy. I’ll give you everything, but still, could you let me bring what I prepared for you?"

"Really? Can I ask for anything? Then I want all those who are here today to lose their heads. Can you give me that? I did not like any of these people, and I am bored" I looked into their eyes as I spoke. There was a small commotion, people began fleeing from the hall. "Can I choose who will be the first to die? Better yet, can I cut off his head? Will it be like chopping off a chicken’s head?"