Chapter 9  : “If Only Didn’t Loved Him.”

Eleanora’s pov ~

Charles moved me towards the door and I walked as best I could without him needing to push me.

historical

My eyes burned so much from the tears I had shed, my vision blurred, but I managed to walk somewhat steadily.

I had agreed to not make it harder for Charles to take me to the trial grounds and I owed him so much for those short moments he had given me.

I would walk the rest of the way in silence and without protest.

“Only if you didn’t married that bastard and nothing like this would happen. Only if he wasn’t our emperor, we black knights would tear him down.”

Charles said as he clenched his fist tightly.

.....

Hearing his words made me somehow shocked and happy. So there is still people who loves me, trust me.

Why did i never saw this before?

Why did i only realised it now?

If only i didn’t loved him.

I abandoned them to become the empress, i tried to please the people who have turned their back against me now.

This was my punishment for not cherishing the people who was always with me for a man who never looked at me with gentleness.

“Thank you, for trusting me Charles.”

This is the only thing i could say to him.

“We all trust you, You will forever be our Empress in our heart.”

They loved me so much and yet all i could give him was a smile with tears.

Soon, we reached the trial grounds.

When we arrived, it was immediately clear that every noble family was present.

Their eyes were all filled with malic, sorrow, hurt, sadness as they parted to let us walk through the gathering, some spitting or cursing at me as we walked.

Inside I could see a few key figures.

Cathain stood behind a podium and was dressed handsomely with his traditional Emperor crown on his head.

Looking at him now felt weird.

I remembered how not too long ago butterflies would have filled my tummy and my heart would have raced just by seeing him.

But now there was nothing except fear; fear that he would end up executing me today.

Fear he would hurt me one final time along with my baby.

Of course, Jena was present also, sitting in a chair to the right of Cathain.

This place was typically reserved for the empress.

Then i noticed the crown on her head, which was mine till a week ago.

I wanted to feel angry about Jena sitting there but I couldn’t. I couldn’t care less about my former position anymore.

I never had asked for it anyway.

What i wanted was his love, to be his one and only woman, the only one to sleep beside him.

Not the empress sit or the crown. Suddenly rage filled my heart.

I did so much for you people but you people never paid me back in kind.

It would take the empire descending in power to nothing before they realised their mistake.

Jena was no gentle at heart.

The family head’s sat in a semi-circle around Cathain and Jena, and to the left Brayden and Duke Ravens sitting with a wide smile on his face.

I wasn’t surprised to see him smiling here since he was always a rival of our duchy.

The empire needed another strong power to replace our duchy. Which was taken down just because of my stupidity.

He loved Jena so much that, he took down our duchy that was established since the founding of this empire.

The long history of our duchy, our pride, fame, everything has become dust now, just because of my love for him.

Seeing Jena and Duke Raven together, the more i look at the more they look familiar.

Even his own son, Cedrick Raven was not so similiar to him even after having his light blonde hair and green eyes.

Jena had caramel brown eyes but the more i noticed, the more familiar i found her to be with the duke.

Specially her face looked more and more like the duke.

So, is it merely a coincidence that, Jena, a commoner has similar hair that represents of being a member of the Raven?

Cedrick looked at me with sorrowful eyes and i was surprised because of this.

We had never really been close, but then again I had never really had the opportunity to get close to anyone growing up.

Then i remembered the man with light blonde hair whom i imagined the other day.

From the moment I was born, i was choosen as the future empress and trained as one.

A large oak stump laid before the podium.

I knew what this was, of course, and my stomach ache as my baby kicked me.

‘Sorry baby, Mommy might not be able to save you today.’

They seem to determined about me being guilty.

I had seen it used only a couple of times but it was enough to bring nightmares.

This was where the guilty would lay their heads to be executed, a large ceremonial broadsword doing the honours.

Then another guard grabbed me and pushed me to the podium.

As i was handcuffed, i fall down on my kness as i failed to keep my balance.

Fortunately i didn’t falled on my stomach.

I stood up by holding the podium, my body already shivering from the cold.

I wore only a thin white dress shabby dress as my previous clothes having been taken off me not long after I had been locked up.

Everyone cheered seeing me on my knees, saying a evil woman like me deserved it. I couldn’t help but laugh a little.

They are the same people who kissed my feet to gain profits.

“It looks like everyone is here now,”

Cathain said, projecting into the crowd.

His eyes scanned over the faces of everyone around before finally landing on me.

“Today we are gathered here today to bear witness to the trial of Eleanora Dalton, former empress of our empire.”

I couldn’t breathe, i was scared... what if he kills me today?