Page 105 of Empire's Curse

Daiyu looked between the two of them, then at the nobles milling about the rooftop, and lastly at the glitzing capital sprawling in the horizon. Was it possible that the rebel forces had infiltrated the city and were making plans as they spoke? Or that there were enemies within the palace right now? The thought made her uneasy and she was suddenly reminded of this aspect of royal life that she had surrendered herself to when she had married Muyang—the uncertainty. The possibility of Muyang’s dynasty collapsing and her life being changed to collateral damage.

A shiver rattled her spine and sent goose bumps down her flesh. There had even been that attack in the gardens a few weeks ago when she had been having tea with the princesses. She had chalked that up to being Yanlin’s work, but what if it was actually the rebel cause? Did they really think she was useful enough to be used against Muyang? A new sense of fear took hold of her and she had to remind herself that she was safe here with Muyang, with thePeccatawatching her, and with Feiyu acting as the head mage.

She snapped back to reality when Muyang touched her lower back. “I’ll be right back. I have to make the announcement soon.”

“Oh! Sure.” She waved him back while he made his way through the parting crowds. Another layer of anxiousness brewed in the pit of her stomach—this time completely different. It was almost time for her to light the lantern. Her hands suddenly grew clammy and she rehearsed her steps in her head: take one step at a time, one foot over the other, make it to the lantern, smile, light the lantern, and send it off to the night sky.

That was it.

And above all,don’t trip.

This was going to be her first real step in becoming the empress. For getting acknowledgment from everyone that she was Muyang’s favored woman. That she was his, period. It should have been enough that she was married to him, but considering how his reputation was so drenched in blood, it was no wonder that people thought she was replaceable. But at least this was one thing she could do to help her position. To make her seem more like the wife of the emperor.

“Are you all right?” Atreus asked. “You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine.” She plastered a smile on her face and tried to tamp down the clawing nerves rattling her being. She couldn’t make a fool of herself today. Not when practically the entire empire—well, the capital, to be exact—was waiting with bated breath. She could imagine herself making a mistake and rumors spreading from these very nobles to their servants, and those rumors tumbling down to the servants in the palace, and from the servants to the common folk, and the common folk to the farmers—until the entire empire knew she had made a mistake.

She wrung her sweaty hands together and resisted the urge to wipe her palms across her skirt—the last thing she wanted was for someone to notice any stains on her. Though she was sure she was sweating buckets at this point, despite the chill of the night.

A hushed silence fell over the crowd when Muyang reached the giant lantern. It bobbed in the wind, secured by a ropeanchored to the floor. It was just a few inches shorter than Muyang, which was impressive in and of itself.

“Good evening, my loyal court,” Muyang announced, and everyone quieted even further, an excited buzz in the air. “As we enjoy ourselves during the last evening of this glorious Autumn Festival, let us remember that this is the beginning of a new era. Come next year, all the rebels will have been defeated. All of those who oppose the Drakkon dynasty will be ashes at our feet. Here’s to many more prosperous years.”

People nodded and hummed their approval while Muyang scanned the room, his black eyes narrowed as if waiting for someone to say otherwise. Daiyu shifted from one foot to another. Was she supposed to go up to him now? Or was she supposed to wait for him to call out for her? She turned to Atreus to ask him just that, but he was too focused on Muyang. She tapped her foot on the floor. Should she just go?

Finally, Muyang held his hand out. “It’s time.”

Daiyu took a step forward, but Atreus grabbed her bicep before she could take another step forward. Confusion marred her as she turned to the young man. “What?”

Atreus raised his eyebrows and whispered, “What are you doing?”

“What?” She couldn’t hide the annoyance from her voice. She turned to Muyang with what she hoped was an apologetic smile, but whatever words she had planned remained stuck in her throat.

Time slowed as Muyang had his hand held out. Except, it wasn’t Daiyu he was waiting for. In fact, he wasn’t even looking in her direction. The crowd parted for Wang Yanlin, who strolled forward with her head held high, a pleasant smile lighting her face, and all the grace of a woman who was born to be there.

Daiyu felt like someone had punched her in the gut. All the air seemed to vanish from her lungs as Yanlin nestled her tiny hand in Muyang’s. She looked over at the waves of people until her sharp gaze settled on Daiyu. She seemed to lock onto her and Daiyu realized with growing nausea that this was part of her planall along. Victory seemed to gleam in her rich, brown eyes. Another viper-like smile lifted her thin lips.

Daiyu could feel the glances sent her way. Her body trembled, but not from the cold. She wanted to throw up, she wanted to pass out, she wanted to fall to the floor. Her knees were weak, her stomach empty. The sea of faces seemed to blur together into a singular laughing face.

She blinked, not sure what was happening.

Muyang had chosen …Yanlinto light the lantern.

Not her.

But that couldn’t be, she told herself, swaying on her feet. She was married to Muyang. She was his wife. He had told her that she was his, and that he was hers. He had shown her such love and adoration. And yet he had chosenher—Yanlin.

More people seemed to turn to her, and she realized with a sinking feeling that she was gaping at the two of them, all the color draining from her face. She probably looked absolutely horrified. She was sure they would gossip about it to everyone. But in that moment, she didn’t care.

A giggle came from her left and she turned sharply to find a group of noblewomen snickering at her from behind their hand fans. They all leaned in closer together and began whispering, all the while sniggering and chuckling in her direction.

Daiyu’s stomach clenched tighter and she turned back to the spectacle.

Muyang passed Yanlin a candle, a strong fire burning on the wick. Yanlin said something to him, but they were too far for Daiyu to make out what was being said. All she could do was watch in stunned horror as Yanlin lit the lantern, Muyang cut the rope, and the lantern buoyed in the air.

An eruption of cheers filled the rooftop as the lantern went up and up into the night sky. And soon, in the distance, she could make out the thousands of other smaller lanterns lighting up the horizon.

Daiyu’s whole world seemed to be tipping on its axis.

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