Chapter 25: Dug her own grave

But her awe was cut short when a cold voice pierced the air.

"It seems you and Caelan will never learn to obey me until the day you both find yourselves in the gallows of shame," the Empress said, her tone laced with quiet menace as she watched the princess from her highchair with a displeased expression.

Ave's gaze snapped toward the source of the voice, only to realize that she had been too engrossed in her surroundings to notice the figure seated on the high chair, partially hidden in the shadows. The Empress tipped a delicate teacup to her lips, her face obscured except for the glitter of her eyes in the dim light.

Panic surged through Ave as she realized the Empress knew she had been with Caelan. What if she found out she had knocked him out? Gallows of shame? Like the ones in history where immoral individuals were shamed by being stoned and hanged to death in the center of town?!