On the way to her chambers, the servants greet her with respect and whispered amongst themselves , how they adored her strength as empress and gentleness as a mother.
Servants bowed deeply as Cheng passed through the palace corridors, their hushed voices following her progress.
"Did you see how she handled the council meeting yesterday?" one maid whispered excitedly to her colleague while polishing silverware in the dining hall. "She made those stubborn generals agree to triple the border patrols. All while balancing Princess Tirzah on her hip!"
Another servant nodded eagerly from across the room. "And the way she comforted General Kenji when he received news of his sister's illness - so maternal yet firm. She truly is born for this role."
In the nursery wing, nannies gathered around Yumi's crib discussing their young mistress's development.
"Little Princess Tirzah has been sleeping through the night since Empress Cheng started giving her warm milk baths," one nurse reported proudly. "And she looks chubbier"
She walked elegantly trying to ignore the child yanking at her hair. She forced a false smile as she passed courtiers and servants who praised her
As Cheng moved through the bustling palace corridors, she maintained a perfectly poised facade despite Yumi's insistent tugging at her elaborate hairstyle. Courtiers lined the hallways bowed respectfully as she approached, their admiring murmurs reaching her ears.
"Such a magnificent Empress," one elderly minister commented loudly to his companion as she passed. "Handling state affairs with such grace while caring for our precious princess."
Cheng offered a brief, dazzling smile in acknowledgment before continuing toward her private chambers. Inside, she finally allowed herself to grimace as she roughly detached Yumi's small fingers from her hair.
"Good riddance, Aiko" she called toward the nursery door. "Come take this little monster away from me before she pulls out every pin and turns me into a mad woman."
Aiko hurried in curtsying deeply. "Your Highness, forgive me for saying so but Princess Tirzah seems especially energetic today. Perhaps she missed her nap?"
"Blame her father, he still acts like a zombie , mourning over the dead. Imagine, he wouldn't let her sleep, he still laments to her about 'His precious little dragon'. Nonsense, he wants to slowly turn her into that wench" she clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Aiko's eyes widened at the Empress's sharp tone, quickly bowing lower. "Of course, Your Majesty. The Emperor's grief has been... extensive."
From down the hall, faint but distinct sobbing could be heard drifting from Chang's chambers. It had become a familiar sound over the past weeks - the Emperor weeping for Bella late into the night.
"He should be focusing on raising his living daughter," Cheng continued, pacing her bedroom with Yumi still squirming in her arms. "But no, he'd rather cry over a corpse than spend time with his heir."
She thrust Yumi toward Aiko more forcefully than necessary. "Take her to the nursery and give her something to chew on besides my hair pins. And tell the wet nurses not to mention 'Bella' or 'dragon' in front of her again."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aiko responded quickly, cradling the fussing infant against her shoulder. "I'll ensure the staff understands your instructions clearly."
As she turned to exit the chamber, Cheng called out again, her voice dripping with forced maternal concern. "And Aiko? See that Tirzah receives extra milk tonight. She needs to grow stronger if she's going to keep up with the royal duties someday."
Once the Aiko departed with the princess, Cheng released a sigh of exasperation. She poured herself a goblet of wine from a decanter on her dresser, drinking deeply while staring at her reflection in the polished brass mirror.
Down the corridor in his own chambers, Lee Chang Hao sat alone in darkness save for a single candle beside Bella's portrait. He traced the painted features with his fingertip as tears streamed silently down his face.
"Bella," he whispered to the canvas image.