Chapter 159: The Empress’s Gambit
"How can I not remember my child?" the old man pleaded, his voice trembling as he met Princess Vixara’s gaze. Tears welled in his eyes, adding to the sincerity of his plea.
A stunned silence descended upon the hall, broken only by the faint rustling of silk gowns and the occasional cough. Then, a soft, incredulous laugh escaped Princess Vixara’s lips. It grew, gaining momentum until it erupted into a burst of controlled laughter that echoed through the chamber.
Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Has she lost her mind?" one courtier hissed. "Is this some strange jest?" another questioned.
Vixara wiped away a single tear, a playful glint in her eyes as she addressed the bewildered audience. "Forgive my amusement, but the absurdity of this situation... it simply tickled my funny bone."
The old man’s face contorted in confusion. "My daughter," he stammered, "why do you mock me?"
Vixara’s smile vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. "Mock you? No, father. But your claims are... fanciful, to say the least. Devoid of logic, even. Laughter seemed the only appropriate response."
"The empire would know if the Empress was with child," she continued, her voice growing firm. "The arrival of an heir would be a cause for celebration, not a whisper in the shadows. How could you, claiming to be the father, be oblivious to such momentous events? Your ignorance casts a rather large shadow on your entire narrative."
A wave of murmurs washed over the hall, the old man’s bravado crumbling under the weight of Vixara’s words. He slumped onto his knees, his body trembling, as the princess’s gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering.
"So, this elaborate scheme was meant to sully the Empress’s reputation?" Princess Vixara’s voice rang through the stunned hall, a spark of defiance in her eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, disbelief and confusion evident on their faces. "Unbelievable!" one courtier gasped. "Could it be true?" another whispered.
Without hesitation, Vixara issued her command. "Apprehend him and throw him into the dungeons. I demand a thorough investigation - uncover his motives, his accomplices, everything!" Guards materialized, their steps echoing as they dragged the trembling old man away.
The princess surveyed the hall, her gaze sweeping across the courtiers who had so readily believed the man’s lies. "Have you all been so easily swayed? One fabricated tale, and you were prepared to cast aspersions on the Empress? Such gullibility is... disheartening, to say the least."