Conquering the Emperor

Chapter 166: Conversations with an Angel

I flinched back in fear at her very hostile attitude. Her frail arms reached out between the bars towards me and I quicky took a few steps backward. Shin took a few steps forward towards us immediately and the look on his face was grave.

“Shin, wait!” I cried out to stop him.

Shin halted before turning to look at me to make sure that I was alright before turning to look at Jeely. I could tell that Shin was concerned for me; however, it wasn’t like Jeely could physically hurt me since she was behind bars. I nodded a little to Shin to signal that I was ok. Hesitantly, Shin backed away into the shadows again.

“Jeely. It’s not like that. Since I’ve seen your arrest, I’ve been talking to the crown prince to help you. If you can just tell me what really happened or if this was some type of misunderstanding, then I’m sure...” I began saying; however, Jeely’s hysterical laugh cut me off.

“Misunderstanding? There is no such thing...” Jeely said in between gritted teeth.

“You can’t mean...” I whispered in shock. freёwebnovel.com

“I would have done so much more than what I did if I had thought that it was necessary to get rid of you!” Jeely shouted.

“Jeely...why? Why would you do something like that? I thought that we were friends...” I said feeling very hurt by her words.

“Friends? I was never your friend! You stupid peasant girl! I will never understand what the crown prince sees in you. You don’t deserve him...” Jeely said as her voice dripped with hatred.

“I don’t see what the crown prince sees in me either. However, since I’ve decided to stay by his side, I will try to do my best to be of use to him...” I said softly but with determination.

“If you had never turned up. My life wouldn’t be like this! This is all your fault...” Jeely growled.

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe this is my fault. Jeely, if you beg for forgiveness, I’m sure that the court will show you mercy. You have done so much good for this palace, please beg for your sentence to be lowered...” I pleaded.

“That is none of your business!” she screamed loudly.

“If you don’t do anything...you’re going to be executed...you know that right?” I asked in a shaky voice.

“So what?” Jeely said stubbornly.

“What do you mean by that?” I said, not able to understand her.

Was she really fine with dying? That’s just crazy.

“I would rather die than live in disgrace! I’d rather die than be chased out of the palace with no where to go and only shame to my name!” Jeely screamed loudly.

I flinched as her voice echoed in the enclosed space of the underground. The echoes made her voice seem louder and more intimidating.

I was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Jeely really did try to hurt and frame me. However, I still wanted to help her. From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to believe that she was actually a good person and perhaps it was the various situations that pressured her to act the way she did. I knew that I would probably never find the answer to whether or not my thinking was correct.

“Jeely, I just want you to know that I’m so thankful for everything that you’ve done for me. You’ve helped me so much and I felt so happy being your friend. As for everything that happened, I’m willing to forgive you. So please, confess everything to the court and beg for them to lower your punishment,” I said passionately.

It may not work but I still wanted her to try. The law and punishment for cases of treason were extremely strict and serious; however, the people making the decisions were still human. Jeely was silent as if she was considering my words and I felt some hope rising up in my chest.

“I don’t need your forgiveness. Shut up and leave...” Jeely spat.

I watched in shock and disappointment as she turned around away from me and walked deeper into her cell. The chains around her wrists and ankles dragged behind her with every step that she took. Silently, I watched her frail body walk away from me until the darkness of the depth of her cell swallowed her up completely.

Warm wetness rolled down my cheeks, making me realize that I had started crying. Quickly, I wiped my tears away. She was right. She didn’t need my forgiveness and I bet she didn’t want my pity as well. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

“Let’s go...” I whispered softly to Shin.

...

I felt like I had died a little inside as I rode the carriage with Shin back to my palace. The conversation that I had with Jeely made me feel cold inside. My body wouldn’t stop trembling and my hands felt like it was freezing. I’m so scared...for her...

“What will happen to her?” I asked abruptly. My question breaking the silence in the carriage.

“She will appear in court, and they will decide. Treason has various levels of punishment,” Shin said passively.

“So, the court will decide? If she confesses then it’s possible that her punishment will be lowered, right?” I asked, looking for some confirmation.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this but...” Shin muttered hesitantly.

“Please tell me, Shin!” I quickly demanded to know.

Shin sighed loudly and massaged his temple with his hand before he looked straight at me. I waited eagerly for him to tell me what he had in mind.

“Inner court cases are slightly different from usual cases. You probably know already that women of the inner court legally belong to the owner of that respective inner court. In this case, legally speaking, Jeely is Ren’s property...” Shin explained.

“And so?” I prompted for him to go on.

“Well, the court has the official final say on the punishment but ultimately, it’s up to Ren on how he wants to punish his woman. I’m not saying that it’s best practice but...the fate of women in the inner court pretty much depends on the will of their owner. It could be good or bad. When Ren’s uncle was still alive, he would punish his women with immediate execution without ever brining anything to the court...” Shin continued to explain.

--To be continued...