Chapter 185: Interrogations
"Mother," Princess Sylvia began, her voice laced with curiosity, "why does your face betray such displeasure at my ascension?"
The Empress scoffed. "Why ask? You have what you desired. Is there more you seek from me?"
"Not trouble, Mother," Sylvia countered, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "Seeing your disquiet, I came out of concern."
"Concern, or a desire for further taunts?" the Empress retorted, her eyes narrowed.
Sylvia’s smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps a little of both," she admitted. "But I have no wish to dwell on this matter if it burdens you. If there’s nothing more to say, I shall excuse myself."
The Empress hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the door. "What of brother?" she asked, a tremor in her voice.
"That," Sylvia said firmly, "is a conversation I will not avoid. You see, Mother, secrets have a way of resurfacing. The truth, however long buried, will eventually come to light."
The Empress met her daughter’s gaze with a steely resolve. "Proof? You have none. The evidence vanished years ago. How can you accuse me of a crime you cannot even prove?"
"Proof may be elusive," Sylvia conceded, "but my own convictions are not. I will pursue the truth, whatever the cost. No amount of denial can erase the past."
With that, the Princess turned and left, her steps echoing through the palace halls. Her path led to the dungeons, where the prisoner from the enemy empire awaited interrogation.
"Have you discovered the information you seek?" the Concubine Feng Mei inquired, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
Ignoring the taunt, Sylvia gestured towards the prisoner, his form slumped in a nearby cell, his leg crudely bandaged. "Consider this a gift," she said coldly.