Chapter 4

On the first day of autumn.

The palace was decked out in lanterns and streamers.

Red silk hung all the way from the Meridian Gate to the Grand Hall.

The coronation was to be held there, in the Grand Hall.

Every official of the court, civil and military, had gathered.

Envoys from every neighboring realm had come as well.

Letitia Chavez wore the empress's ceremonial robes, embroidered with the twelve imperial emblems.

On her head sat the nine-jewel, four-phoenix crown.

Step by step, she climbed the stairs, slow and stately.

Her father, her brothers, her uncles.

Every one of them had been raised in rank and title.

They stood at the very front of the assembled officials.

Chins high, puffed up, insufferably pleased with themselves.

The whole Chavez family, glorious and riding high.

The Emperor sat on the throne, smiling from ear to ear.

The head eunuch held the decree of investiture in his hands.

He cleared his reedy throat and read it out in a ringing voice.

"Lady Chavez is virtuous and gracious, gentle and reverent in all things."

"Kind and loving to her kin, tender and true in conduct."

"She has raised the Princess and treats her as her own."

"She is hereby installed as Empress. So it is decreed!"

The decree finished.

Letitia Chavez knelt on the floor.

She refused it, all false modesty.

"Your servant has neither talent nor virtue, and dares not stand beside the Late Empress."

"Still less am I fit to hold the empress's place…"

The Emperor praised her with a smile.

"My beloved consort is humble and virtuous. It gladdens My heart."

"There is no need to refuse!"

"Who but you could be mistress of this palace?"

The Empress Dowager joined in the praise.

"Lady Chavez truly is fit to be mother of the nation!"

The officials chimed in one after another.

"Lady Chavez is virtuous and gracious. The empress's place belongs to none but her!"

"Indeed. Her Ladyship treats the little Princess as her own."

"And now she carries a dragon son. Truly a blessing upon the realm!"

Letitia Chavez could not keep the corners of her mouth down.

She even made a show of walking over to me.

She crouched down and took my hand.

And before the whole court, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"Now that I am Empress."

"I will still treat Princess Rosalind as my own."

"For her, there is no such thing as good enough, only better and better!"

She finished speaking.

Then, all false tenderness, she stroked my head.

The whole hall was full of praise.

It was then.

I lifted my head and looked at her.

And for the first time, I opened my mouth to speak.

My voice rang clear, carrying through the whole Grand Hall.

"Letitia Chavez, you're right about one thing."

"You are false and hollow, with a heart like a viper's."

"You framed the heir. You harmed the royal children!"

"You truly are unfit to be mother of the nation!"