"Then you are going to let Miss Catherine attend the banquet in your place?" June asks,
"If Catherine wants to go to the banquet, let her," Emilia replies with finality.
The maids fall silent, carefully working on her hair. June fetches silver heels.
"My lady, what if we met with the King instead? Maybe the agreement can still be canceled," Alice pleads, making a last resort.
"Yes, my lady. Marriage is forever and divorce is never allowed. Associating with master Cornelius is going to ruin your position forever."
"I know you're worried, but Cornelius is the better choice. Once we get married, I will set him in place and won't have to share him with other women," Emilia answers as June returns.
"Bring me expensive wine, gold, and valuables. Prepare a carriage with twenty servants. We leave in ten minutes."
The maids bows resignedly and hurry off to fulfil her orders.
—
Later that evening, Emilia reclines in her luxurious carriage, eyes closed, a smile playing on her lips. Her gamble has paid off.
Cornelius's family was thrilled to receive her.
Though it is unacceptable for a woman to propose her own marriage to the family of the groom. Everyone knows that Emilia holds the same power as her father and her words carries much weight.
The promise to stay married to their son no matter what happens-was enough to —was enough to win their hearts.
They agreed to send an official proposal the next day to the Markham manor. The marriage can happen in three days.
"June, how much longer until we get home?" Emilia asks.
"In a few minutes, my lady."
Emilia calculates the time, and her family should be back from the palace's banquet already.
She's eager to share the news—though her father will likely protest, he'll have to accept it.
The carriage pulls into the estate, and Alice help Emilia get down and they head inside the house but as they approach the front hall, they saw the place in a state of chaos.
The servants rush about, the main hall is in disarray, and no one notices Emilia's arrival.
"Don't you see the young lady?!" June snaps at a maid who nearly collides with them.
"S-Sorry, my lady!" the maid gasps, dropping to her knees. Others follow suit.
"What happened? Why is everywhere like this? Why are you all out here?" Emilia demands.
She spots Emily among them—without Catherine.
"My lady… something terrible has happened," one of the maids whispers.
Emilia's brows knit.
"Where is my father?"
She questions but everyone keep quiet, looking at each other with whispered silence.
Alice and June looks at her, alarmed.
"Let's go inside."
They rush into the hall and a few servants, including Emily follows them but the space is empty.
A servant finally speaks,
"Everyone is in Madam Sophia's quarters."
Emilia leads the way, her heart pounding. Inside, the air is heavy with dread. Louis meets her first.
The rest of the family, sitting with worries etched on their faces also turn towards her.
"Mother collapsed. She's just woken up."
"Collapsed?" Emilia echoes.
"Why?"
Her eyes searches everyone in the room but Catherine wasn't there.
"Father… he's in trouble," Louis says.
"There was an accusation at the banquet. Someone claimed he's been sheltering rebels—planning to help them overthrow the King." he explains.
"Rebels? What nonsense! Who accused him?" Emilia yells
Sophia stirs, whispering Emilia's name. Emilia hurries to her bedside, clutching her frail hand for the first time in years.
Everyone else also turns to Sophia, relieved.
"Emilia… you have to do something to save your father," Sophia gasps.
"Save him? He's innocent!" Emilia protests, but Sophia's weary eyes silence her.
"The truth will be confirmed soon and he will be proven innocent." Emilia assures but Sophia shakes her head in tears.
"They brought evidence. The King's guards found the people your father hired—people he gave shelter to. Turns out they're not just homeless… they're escaped rebels from the last uprising and followers of Jurua."
Sophia coughs violently unable to continue and Emilia shouts for medicine.
"The king sent people over to check, evidence was found against your father and the guards took him away after placing us under house arrest." Sophia continues, declining the medicine bought to her.
Emilia sighs, angry and worried. She has warned her father severally about taking in strangers, but he believed he was helping the kingdom. Now that same kingdom has turned on him.
"Take your medicine first." Emilia says after a short silence and Sophia complies.
Her maid helps her with some water and others look on, fearful of what will become of them.
If their master is convicted of treason, the entire household could be executed.
"Where's Catherine?" Emilia asks, seeing that Sophia is a little better.
Margaret speaks up this time.
"She's in the palace."
"Why is she in the palace?" Emilia demands, but the stares around the room make her heart sink.
"That stupid girl" Margaret utters in anger.
"She… she was caught in the King's bed while my lord was being accused," Hannah reveals with disgust.
"She even dares to use aphrodisiac on the king."
Emilia stares, stunned.
"That fool."
"Because of her," Hannah continues,
"People now believe your father tried to plant someone close to the King to aid his evil plans."
"Nonsense," Emilia whispers, horrified.
"What did the King say? What will happen to her?" she questions.
Hannah shakes her head.
"No one knows yet."
Emilia stands frozen, her world unraveling.
Half a day. She was gone for half a day—and everything has fallen apart.
---
"I need to see Father. Right now," Emilia says, her voice firm, already heading for the door—when a servant rushes in, breathless.
"My Lady… someone from the palace has arrived."
Emilia stops. Her stomach sinks.
"Let's go," she commands.
They all step outside together. Sophia leans on Emily and a servant for support, her face pale.
Emilia stands at the front, chin lifted, as the King's aid unrolls a parchment.
They all drop to their knees.
"In accordance with His Majesty's command," the man begins, voice cold and formal, "Lord Markham has been found aiding the enemies of the crown and is imprisoned pending investigation. Until further notice, none of his family are permitted to leave the estate."
The silence after the announcement is suffocating.
Emilia rises slowly and steps forward to receive the edict, her hands trembling only slightly. The King's aid lowers his voice, eyes full of regret.
"My Lady… be strong. Take care of your household. I believe your father's loyalty will shine through. In time."
He knows her father well. And he fears what this could mean.
As he turns to leave, a small detachment of royal guards takes position around their estate.
Making it a gilded prison for them.