Please Divorce Me, My Emperor

CHAPTER 10

The Mid-Autumn Solstice Banquet was an affair of blinding luxury. Hundreds of crystal chandeliers illuminated the Grand Palace Hall, reflection pools sparkled with floating candles, and music from a forty-piece orchestra filled the air.

Aurelia sat beside Kaelen on the high dais, dressed in an exquisite gown of gold silk embroidered with silver plum blossoms. Beside her, Kaelen looked imposing in a high-collared black dress coat pinned with the imperial crest.

Despite the music and laughter, Aurelia’s eyes were sharp, scanning the room. The training, the security audits, and her own sharp instincts had put her on high alert.

Below the dais, Duke Valerius was circulating among the high lords, whispering quietly into their ears while sipping from a silver goblet. Nearby, a young footman carrying a tray of rare vintage wine was making his way up the stairs toward the imperial table.

Aurelia’s gaze narrowed on the footman. His hands were steady, but his eyes were darting nervously toward Duke Valerius.

"Your Imperial Majesty," the footman stammered, bowing deeply as he presented two crystal goblets filled with deep crimson wine. "A gift from the Southern Estates to celebrate the harvest."

Kaelen reached out to take his goblet.

"Wait," Aurelia said, her voice crisp and clear.

Kaelen paused, his hand hovering over the glass. He turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

Aurelia stood up slowly. The quiet authority in her movement drew the immediate attention of the nearby tables. The orchestra’s music seemed to falter.

"That is a fine vintage, footman," Aurelia said smoothly, stepping toward the tray. "Tell me, which estate produced this?"

"The... the Valen Valley Estates, Your Majesty," the servant squeaked, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the silver tray.

"Fascinating," Aurelia replied, pulling a silver hairpin set with a raw, unpolished pearl from her braided hair. "The Valen Valley produces heavy tanins this time of year. Pearl reacts quite uniquely to Southern grape processing."

Before anyone could react, Aurelia dipped the silver tip of her hairpin into the wine meant for Kaelen.

Within two seconds, the clear pearlescent tip of the pin turned a dark, sickly shade of violet black.

Gasps exploded across the front rows of the gallery.

The footman dropped the tray. The crystal goblets shattered on the marble floor, crimson liquid pooling across the pristine white stone, hissing faintly as it touched the air. The servant threw himself to his knees, weeping in terror.

"Guards!" Kaelen’s voice thundered across the hall like a clap of thunder.

In an instant, twenty imperial guards with drawn steel surrounded the dais. Kaelen stood up, his face transforming into a mask of pure, terrifying wrath. He didn't look at the servant; his deadly violet gaze locked directly onto Duke Valerius, who was backing away into the crowd, his face ashen.

"Seize Duke Valerius and all ministers of his house," Kaelen ordered, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "Bar the doors. No one leaves this hall."

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The Grand Palace Hall was in absolute turmoil, but amidst the sea of screaming nobles and marching steel, Kaelen moved with terrifying focus.

He didn't step toward Valerius. He stepped in front of Aurelia.

A small faction of guards loyal to Valerius drew their blades near the entrance, attempting to create a distraction to allow their lord to escape through a side corridor. Steel clashed against steel, and chaos erupted near the exits.

A stray guard, frantic and desperate, broke through the perimeter, charging up the steps toward the imperial table with a drawn dagger, seeing the Empress as an easy hostage to buy his freedom.

"Aurelia!" Kaelen roared.

Aurelia didn't freeze. Remembering her lessons in the courtyard, she instantly grabbed a heavy silver wine decanter from the table, spinning on her heel and smashing it violently against the guard's temple as he reached the top step. The man staggered back, stunned and bleeding.

Before he could recover, Kaelen was there.

With a movement too fast for the eye to follow, Kaelen grabbed the man by his collar, disarmed him with a sickening crunch of wrist bones, and slammed him down against the stone steps, stepping heavily on his chest.

Kaelen pulled his own broadsword, holding the tip directly against the assassin's throat. His breathing was heavy, his eyes burning with an unholy, lethal rage.

"Touch my wife..." Kaelen growled, his voice vibrating through the entire silent hall, "...and I will tear your family line from the history books."

The remaining conspirators surrendered instantly, throwing their weapons to the floor as imperial guards shackled them in heavy iron chains. Duke Valerius was dragged forward, thrown onto his knees before the dais, pale and trembling violently.

Kaelen didn't even look at Valerius. He turned his sword over, sheathing it in one smooth motion, and turned entirely to Aurelia.

In front of three hundred horrified, awestruck nobles, the cold, invincible Emperor of Suncrest reached out with trembling hands. He pulled Aurelia into his arms, wrapping his heavy coat around her, holding her so tightly she could feel the thunderous beating of his heart against her cheek.

"Are you hurt? Tell me you're not hurt," he demanded, his voice thick with a desperation that shattered his terrifying regal facade.

"I am fine, Kaelen," Aurelia whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her forehead against his chest. "I am unhurt."

Kaelen lifted his head, his dark gaze sweeping over the silent, bowing crowd of nobles. His arm remained locked firmly around Aurelia's waist, pulling her flush to his side as he spoke to the entire court.

"Let it be known to every lord, every vassal, and every foreign power," Kaelen declared, his voice ringing with absolute, terrifying finality. "Empress Aurelia is not merely the mistress of this court. She is my heart, my equal, and my absolute shield. Any act against her is an act of high treason against my soul—and will be answered with total annihilation."

Aurelia looked up at him, her heart beating furiously. Surrounded by chaos, blood, and broken glass, she looked into the eyes of the man who had just declared her his entire world before the empire—and realized, with a terrifying rush of warmth, that her defenses had completely fallen.