The infirmary door swung open abruptly, and Cheng Mei swept into the room with the air of someone expecting to find an empty bed. Her silk robes rustled dramatically as she took in the scene - Bella's pale form on the cot, Chang Hao's exhausted vigil at her side, and Physician Tanaka checking Bella's vitals.
"Emperor, what is the meaning of this?" Cheng Mei's voice cut through the quiet space like a sharp blade. "I was told your... concubine... had finally expired. Yet here she lies, taking up valuable space in our infirmary."
Her eyes narrowed as she noticed Bella's condition - the stitches across her abdomen, the signs of recent trauma. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face before being replaced by practiced disdain.
"Physician Tanaka, explain yourself. Why is this peasant still receiving medical attention when our own guards are injured in service to the throne?"Chang Hao rose from his chair with a suddenness that made the room seem smaller. His exhausted eyes flashed with protectiveness as he positioned himself between Cheng Mei and Bella's vulnerable form.
"She is not a peasant, she is my wife," he stated firmly, his voice regaining some of its imperial authority despite his fatigue. "And she will receive every resource this palace has to offer until she is fully recovered."
He took a step closer to his first wife, his jaw clenched tightly. "Furthermore, you will refer to her with respect. She has suffered more in her life than you have in your entire pampered life."
Cheng Mei's face flushed with indignation at being addressed so harshly in front of servants and physicians. "How dare you speak to me this way? I am your Empress, your equal!"
"Equal?" Chang Hao scoffed bitterly.
Yes equal !!!. Empress Mei shouts back. Or have you forgotten that I am carrying your child too?. The heir to the throne. Mei rubs her big belly arrogantly. I slowly turn my head to her as she uttered those words . Mei gives me a pointed look with a crooked smile. Now that her bastards were practically riped out of her, she is of no use to you . Don't you agree your Majesty? She asked Chang with a crude smirk, without taking her eyes off me.
My eyes darts down to my stitched belly. As if , reminded of my horrific reality, I clutch my head, tears streaming down my face. I want to cry , I want to scream, but it gets trapped in my throat. The only sounds are grating of teeth and muffled screams a person unable to speak , when their world shatters can only make. The pain too much much. I mounted internally . Myy babies, my babies but no sounds could be heard. Why can't I speak? I thought as fear clutched my veins.
Cheng Mei's cruel smile widened as she watched Bella's silent breakdown, clearly enjoying the display of vulnerability. "There now, see how pathetic she is? Crying like a child because she lost her heirs." She gestured dismissively toward Bella's trembling form. "Perhaps it's for the best. A useless concubine is no longer necessary in our household."
Chang Hao's face contorted with fury, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "You are a monster," he hissed at his first wife, taking another step forward as if to physically shield Bella from her venomous words. "How dare you speak to her this way after what she has endured?"
Physician Tanaka moved quickly to intervene before the situation escalated further. "Your Majesties, please! This stress is harmful to the patient's recovery." He placed a firm hand on Chang Hao's shoulder.
Mei steps closer , too close to Chang.
And for the record. I will never recognize her as the new Empress. I am your only wife, the only Empress you and Japan will have and will ever need. Your secret marriage to her is nothing but an invalid child's play, especially since there were no imperial witnesses and the fact you married her under her religion not ours. She barked. She's practically useless since she has no heirs currently and I doubt she will ever have. She stretch her neck to eye me. Look at her, she's going to turn into a mad woman any moment from now. The Empire will never accept a Christian, and a mad woman who might never bear heirs. Think about your options carefully Your Majesty. Do you want a full blown bloody war with my clan people, putting thousands of innocent lives at stake because of your false and selfish love and lust ?. Or will you do the right thing and discard that little rat over there and stay with me your true loving wife, your empress and raise our child , your heir that I will give birth to?. She glare at him. My advice , think it over carefully, she spat out . Once she was sure that her words will give the Emperor some thoughts, she gave a fake polite smile.
Chang Hao's expression grew dangerously still as Cheng Mei delivered her ultimatum, her words about war and imperial succession hitting him where he was most vulnerable - his duty to the throne. His gaze flickered between Bella's broken form and his first wife's calculating face.
"You speak of war as if it's a choice," he said through gritted teeth, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. "Do you truly believe I would let your family's ambitions start a civil war over your jealousy?"
He moved towards Bella's bedside deliberately, glaring at Cheng Mei with the predator's gaze that had won him battles across Asia. "Let me be perfectly clear. Bella is my wife, not just in my heart but by the God she believes in. No imperial decree can change that."
His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her pregnant belly. We both know that thing is your belly is the bastard.
Mei's triumphant smile falters for her minutes,clenching her jaw and hands, but she immediately masks it and composed herself. As a fellow woman , I will try and understand that she needs you for now..... she says her voice fills with false pity . But my patience is not enough to fill a vase. With that she turns around and walks out.
Cheng Mei's departure left a heavy silence in the infirmary, broken only by Bella's ragged breathing and the distant sounds of palace life outside. Physician Tanaka cleared his throat softly, moving to adjust Bella's pillows with practiced care.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should rest," he suggested gently. "You've been awake for two days straight. Your own health is suffering."
Chang Hao ignored him completely, his entire focus remaining on Bella. He sank back into the chair beside her cot, his elbows resting on his knees as he watched her hands tremble with unshed tears. "She's right," he said quietly, almost to himself. "My duty is to the empire. To our people."
His voice grew stronger as he looked up at Physician Tanaka. "Send word to my personal guard captain. Tell him to begin discreet inquiries among the concubines' quarters. Someone knows something about what happened to Bella."
Chang Hao's lips brushed against Bella's knuckles with a reverence that belied the exhaustion etched on his face. His touch was gentle, almost hesitant, as if afraid he might cause her more pain. "I'm here now," he murmured against her skin, his voice barely above a whisper. "No one can hurt you again. I swear it on my life."
He didn't seem to notice Physician Tanaka clearing his throat pointedly or the guards shifting uncomfortably at the door. In this moment, there was only Bella - her trembling hand in his larger one, her silent tears tearing at something deep inside him.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there," he continued softly, his forehead resting against their joined hands. "I should have killed them all myself instead of trusting those incompetent fools." His thumb stroked over her palm soothingly. "But you're strong, my dragon. You survived. You came back to me."
Chang Hao's lips lingered on Bella's hand, his breath warm against her cool skin. He felt the tremor that ran through her body, a response to his touch rather than fear. It gave him a flicker of hope.
"I need you to fight, Bella," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "For me. For us. Because I need my wife ." He gently lifted her hand to his cheek, letting her feel the stubble that had grown there from days of neglecting his own care.
Physician Tanaka approached cautiously, holding a bowl of warm broth. "Your Majesty, she should try to eat something. Her body needs nourishment to heal."
Chang Hao nodded without looking away from Bella's face. "Help me lift her up slightly. Just enough for her to drink." He carefully shifted his position on the edge of the cot, making room for Tanaka while keeping one hand firmly clasped around hers.