The Tide Has Turned
As soon as Emperor Leonard the Enlightened finished speaking, the golden curtains surrounding the Imperial Arena dropped all at once. Behind them stood ranks upon ranks of Royal Guards, every one of them armed to the teeth with swords and shields, ready for battle.
Behind the shield-bearing guards, two rows of elite archers drew their bows, arrows nocked and aimed straight at Alexander Hayes.
The two bodyguards who had entered with Alexander Hayes were cut down in an instant by the Emperor’s soldiers, leaving no chance for resistance.
In a heartbeat, the Imperial Arena was sealed off so tightly by the Royal Guards that not even a fly could escape.
Alexander Hayes glanced around, his brow furrowing. "Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning?"
Emperor Leonard lounged on his throne, calm and collected, looking down at Alexander Hayes. "With your intelligence, Prince Alexander, surely you know what I'm about to do?"
"You're going to kill me?" Alexander Hayes's brow tightened.
Emperor Leonard sighed, fiddling with the jade ring on his finger, his expression tinged with regret. "I don't have many true friends in this world—you and Jade Hayes are among the few I truly value. But the power of the Prince of Qin’s household is simply too great. You helped me ascend the throne, now you hold sway over both civil and military affairs. Even my Empress hails from your house. Prince Alexander, with your achievements and influence, as a royal in-law, how could I possibly allow such a threat to exist?"
Alexander Hayes snorted, looking at Emperor Leonard with disdain. "So, this is your true face at last. You really are a treacherous, backstabbing scoundrel!"
"Yes, I am treacherous. I am ruthless. But tell me, what emperor isn’t? If I weren’t cold-blooded and decisive, how would I keep my throne?" Emperor Leonard rose, his gaze sweeping over Alexander Hayes. "Prince Alexander, history is written by the victors. Look around you—everyone here is loyal to me. Your time is up. Accept your fate."
Princess Lily Hayes stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "If you want Alexander, you'll have to go through me first!"
Su Li and Bella Bell flanked Princess Lily Hayes, standing tall and resolute. Not a single one of her companions flinched.
Chief Palace Attendant knelt before Emperor Leonard, voice trembling. "Your Majesty, the Empress—she refuses to leave Princess Lily Hayes’s side!"
Emperor Leonard’s face darkened, his patience slipping. "Drag the Empress away! Separate Princess Lily Hayes and her allies!"
The Royal Guards surged forward, grabbing Bella Bell and Su Li, forcing them away from Princess Lily Hayes.
Princess Lily Hayes struggled against the guards, her voice ringing through the arena: "Let go of me! If you dare touch a hair on Alexander’s head, I’ll make you regret it!"
Emperor Leonard’s cold laughter echoed. "You’re bold, Princess Lily Hayes, but boldness won’t save you now. Take them all into custody!"
The Royal Guards closed in, shackles glinting, as Princess Lily Hayes and Alexander Hayes were seized and separated from their allies.
In that moment, the fate of the Prince of Qin’s household hung by a thread—history would remember this day as the turning point of the Jin Dynasty.