The New Empress: To Right My Wrong

Yukio was back in his room. I have to know what happened. The whole room was heavily guarded but I was able to sneak behind the room and listened to the conversation.

“It appears he’s been poisoned your majesty. He must’ve eaten some peanuts.” Oh my god, my son is allergic to peanuts. How could I have been such an idiot? I could’ve killed him. Wait a minute… allergies? I have to find some stinging nettle. 

I went over to the garden and was able to find some stinging nettle. This is perfect. I just have to prepare it to make it an effective antihistamine. I doubt the doctors here know what an antihistamine is. 

After creating the medicine, I went straight to Yukio’s room. But I was immediately stopped by the guards. I forgot I still wore the night gown that the Emperor saw me in while holding Yukio.

“Stop! You are not allowed to enter.” Fuck I have no time for this. My son is going to die. As quick as a flash, I went behind the guards and knocked them out.  I entered the room and was stopped by the doctors and the Emperor himself.

“It was you. Why did you poison my son?” The Emperor made a beeline towards me but I was quick to dodge him. 

“We have no time for that. Just let me heal him.” The doctors scoffed at me.

“What can you do? He needs an antidote. He’s been poisoned. The young prince cannot eat peanuts. Its poison to him.” For the love of…

“I have an antidote. Get out of my way and let me treat him.” The Emperor grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.

“After what you’ve done? You are not allowed to get near my son.” His eyes were cold as ice. If looks could kill, I might have been dead by now. But I’m not going to give up. 

“So what? You’re going to let Yukio die? I’m not taking any chances.” I pulled back from his grasp. But he still wouldn’t let me near Yukio.

“I don’t trust you.” 

“FOR ONCE COULD YOU JUST TRUST ME?! You forbade me to see MY son and now that I want to help him, you still keep him away from me?” Tears started welling in my eyes but I quickly wiped it off. I walked past them and put the medicine in Yukio’s mouth. 

Please be okay… Please be okay…

His little eyelashes fluttered as he opened them. 

“Ma…ma?” I couldn’t help it. My tears rolled down my cheeks as I hugged him.

“Oh my Yukio. I’m so glad you’re okay.” He looked up at me, confused. He looked at Sora then back at me.

“Mama, that’s my Papa there.” He said as he pointed to Sora. I nodded and kissed his forehead.

“Yukio, I’m your mama… Your real mama.” His eyes started welling up with tears. He looked at Sora for confirmation and he nodded. Yukio burst in tears and hugged me tightly.

“I have a mama now. I won’t be sad anymore. Mama!” He sobbed and hugged me; and I couldn’t stop my tears either.

“My sweet pea… Mama’s here for you.” Tears kept streaming down my face as Yukio hugged me even tighter.

[The Emperor’s View]

Seeing them hugging and crying… It makes me feel… relieved.

Yukina… I’ve kept Yukio away from you for so many years. I forbid you from seeing him, but now, it must be fate that you two met. Your tears show your sincerity.

“How could that be…?”

“How did she know what antidote to use on the young master?” The two doctors murmured in the corner of the room. How did she even know? I asked myself the same questions. 

But, it doesn’t matter now. As long as Yukio is well and happy. I stepped outside to take in some fresh air. This night has been a mess.

[The Empress’ View]

I tucked Yukio into bed.

“Good night my sweet pea. I’ll come and visit you tomorrow, okay?” I kissed his forehead as he fell asleep. The doctors must have left and the Emperor was nowhere to be seen. He must’ve gone back to his room. I’m gonna go back too. 

When I stepped out of Yukio’s room, I saw Sora dreamily looking at the moon. His face showed a sign of relief. He must be happy that Yukio was back to normal. I must go back to my room without him knowing. 

I tried to slip past him but he must’ve noticed me.

“Yukina.” His tone… is surprisingly calm. He’s been nothing but indifferent to me since I woke up.

“Your majesty, I must go back to my room now.” I bowed my head and went on my way. 

“Wait.” I stopped dead on my tracks. I turned around and met his gaze. 

“I want to… apologize for keeping Yukio away from you.” I clenched my fist but immediately let it go.

“I’m not one to hold a grudge, your majesty. I’m just happy that I could see him and act as a mother towards him. So you don’t have to worry. I harbor no ill will towards you.” I gave him a smile to show him that I am sincere. Even though I want to kick your butt for keeping my precious baby away from me, I’ll let it slide since I love Yukio.

“You can move back to your own room. You do not have to stay in the Cold Palace. Or perhaps you would like the room nearest to Yukio’s room. I’ll have the servants prepare the room so we can sleep there tonight.” He’s acting a little off character. But I don’t mind. Just as long as I can stay with Yukio. Wait wha—did he say ‘we’?

“D-did you say ‘we’? As in you’re sleeping with me in the same room?” 

“Why? Is there a problem?” He looked at me with a smirk on his face.

“N-no, definitely not.” I flashed a smile. I went to my room first. Sora said he still had something to do in the study. Since Aino was still asleep, I decided to draw myself a bath. Man, the olden times are so inappropriate. The only thing dividing the bath and the bed is a paper wall divider. Well, I can’t sleep with all this grime on my body. Might as well bathe before I go to bed.

[The Emperor’s View]

I had to finish the paperwork that was on my desk in the study. Good thing there were only a few papers left. I finished up and went straight to the Empress’ room.

Yukina, I feel something different when I’m with you.

I opened the door and heard singing.

"And at last I see the light. And it's like the fog has lifted.” Is it Yukina? She’s singing.

“And at last I see the light. And it's like the sky is new.” Her voice… it sounds magnificent.

“And it's warm and real and bright. And the world has somehow shifted. All at once everything looks different. Now that I see you.” *lub dub lub dub* my heart… is beating so fast. I must’ve stood for a long time when Yukina called out to me.

“Your majesty, you should go to bed and have some rest. Today has been a tiring day for you.” She stood out of the bath and wore her nightgown. I quickly turned away and went to the opposite side of the room. I changed into my evening wear and went to bed. 

“You should sleep. I’m going to wait until my hair dries.” She smiled at me. *lub dub lub dub* her smiling face… I don’t know why but… it’s making my heart beat so fast.

She sat down on the opposite side of the bed. 

[The Empress’ View]

This is so embarrassing. He must’ve heard me singing. I thought he was gonna take a little longer to finish whatever he was doing in the study. So what if I was singing a Disney song? It was the last movie I saw before I died. Somehow that’s the only song I could remember clearly.

I glanced over at the Emperor. He’s already asleep. Being this close to him, I could clearly see his face. It’s like the face of an angel. His nose, his cheeks, they all look perfect together. 

I unconsciously held his cheeks but I immediately retracted my arms.

“I must not fall in love with you. It’s not right.” I whispered hoping he could hear me but at the same time, hoping he couldn’t. I put distance between us as we slept. I must not fall for him. I must not.