#hakuyuu

Kita doesn't really want to be on this team...

As soon as those words left your lips, you saw Sinbad smiling. Not knowing how to react, you remained silent but looked at him questioningly. 

"I didn't expect that you would confess." He spoke in a clear yet surprised voice.

"Y-You knew?" 

"My dear, did you think that I would allow an enemy to roam about the palace freely?" A smirk appeared on his lips, but he was a bit hurt to learn that you underestimated him. 

"Then, why? Why didn't you stop me?" You asked aghast. 

"I was intrigued to see what you were capable of, but I wasn't expecting you to confess." Your husband arose from his throne, his smile no longer visible. Sinbad glared at you with a piercing gaze as his eyebrows drew downwards. 

"Sin, I-I am sorry." You knew you were in trouble, but deep down, you hoped that he would forgive you. 

Behind Sinbad, his generals were staring at you as if they were going to rip you to pieces. For the first time, you felt as though you were going to die. 

"My queen, are you prepared to suffer the consequences of your actions?" 

"Yes, your majesty. I will accept any punishment that you give me, but..." Though you wanted to speak in your defense, you decided to trust your husband.

"Very well, first, you will inform your kingdom about your decision. You will not be permitted to walk around the palace freely, and you will only be allowed in certain areas of the palace. Lastly, you will have to prove your loyalty to me." 

You were relieved to hear that he wasn't going to break the marriage. Just as you were about to sigh in relief, Sinbad spoke again in a razor-sharp voice. 

"If I get even the slightest hint that you still plan to betray me, then I will have you executed." 

Every muscle in your body tensed up. You knew the road was going to be long and difficult, but you were not going to give up. 

Armakan kept his eyes closed and remained as calm as ever. You were baffled as to why he remained unfazed even though you just informed him that his wife is a spy. 

"Your majesty?" No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't keep your voice from shaking.

"I know." 

His short response was enough to shake you to the core. He knows? He knew all along?

Narmes stood next to the throne, glancing at his king as if he was waiting for a signal. 

When your husband continued to remain silent, Narmes spoke in his stead, "We have known all along that you were a spy. King Armakan ordered us to stand down for the time being."

You shifted your gaze from Narmes to Armakan, waiting for him to speak. 

After what felt like ages, he opened his eyes and stared at you emotionless. "What do you expect in return for your apology?" 

"My king, I will do as you say, but please have mercy." Even though you knew it was selfish, you hoped that he would forgive you. You wanted to spend the days by his side, and the nights in his strong arms. 

"I can no longer accept you as my queen. It is my duty as the king of Heliohapt to protect my kingdom and my citizens. I, King Armakan Amun-Ra, banish you from Heliohapt." 

"Your majesty." Tears began to roll down your cheeks as you stared at him, frozen. "P-please, don't..."

Your pleas fell on deaf ears. Studying his expressions, it was evident that he had no intention of changing his decision. 

The guards approached you to escort you out, but your eyes continued to plea to your husband. Please, don't. I love you and want to stay with you. 

He did nothing to stop the palace guards from dragging you out. When you turned your head to get one last glimpse of your beloved, you saw him watching you with soft, sad eyes, almost as if he was saying take care, my love.

Emperor Hakuyuu couldn't believe his ears. How could his wife be a spy? His council warned him, but he was foolish enough to discard their warnings. He trusted you, but you betrayed his trust.

Prince Hakuren, on the other hand, clutched his fists and glared at you, "How could you? My brother trusted you!" 

"Hakuren." The warning in the emperor's stern voice was enough to stop the prince from speaking further. 

"Why are you telling me this now?" Your husband had regained his composure, at least on the outside. 

"Your majesty, I could no longer stay quiet. I came to Kou as an enemy, but then I realized that you were a good man. You don't deserve this." 

Though you poured out your heart, Hakuyuu stayed silent. Meanwhile, your words only added fuel to Hakuren's anger. 

"I am sorry. I have yet to send any information to my kingdom. Please forgive me." 

"Forgive you!? You are the empress of this kingdom. Your duty is to stand by the emperor, not backstab him!" Hakuren grabbed his spear and pointed the head in your direction. 

Your eyes darted in your husband's direction, pleading him to stop his brother. 

"Hakuren, enough." 

A small smile appeared on your quivering lips upon hearing his words. Your heart tightly held onto the last bit of hope you had. 

 "Brother, will you permit her to walk away from this crime?" 

Hakuyuu rose from his throne with his gaze fixed on you. "No, Hakuren, I am an emperor before a husband." 

His words were enough to shatter your hope, but you were not expecting to hear the next words. 

"Guards." Upon hearing their emperor's call, two guards rushed into the throne room. "Escort the empress to the dungeon. Provide her with the comfort she desires as this will be her last night." 

"Dungeon? L-last night? My king?" You were confused and could only manage to get those words out.

"Tomorrow, you will be branded as a traitor, and," he paused for a second before continuing, "then, you will be executed." 

Your mind went blank as soon as you heard the word executed. Never once did you expect to hear such words from your caring husband. 

As the guards dragged you away, you screamed out in a panicked voice, "Please no! Hakuyuu, I am sorry. Forgive me! I don't want to die."

The last words Hakuyuu heard were I love you. 

Hakuyuu turned on his heels and walked away, ignoring his brother calling out to him.