"It is only proper that soone else assus control of the harem," she continued, her gaze sliding toward Sorayah. "And that person... is Sorayah."
Shock coursed through the chamber.
Sorayah’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mind reeling from the unexpected announcent. Beside her, Dimitri stiffened, his jaw tense.
"Huh?!" Mira was the first to speak, her voice rising sharply in disbelief. "Your Highness, Sorayah is just a concubine too! If anyone should be managing the harem, it should be you, not her!"
"You’re right," the Empress Dowager responded coolly, her voice composed and deliberate. "Sorayah is a concubine. But I believe the Alpha Emperor will promote her. In fact, I’m confident he will. She deserves to be promoted."
The Empress Dowager turned gracefully to address the gathered won, her eyes sweeping over them with asured authority. Her tone grew clearer and sharper.
"Not only did Sorayah save the lives of her fellow concubines, she also restored order within the harem, and protected the royal wombs....yes, the very future of this empire. Her vigilance, her loyalty, and her courage have proven that she is more than capable."
She paused for effect, allowing her words to sink in. Then, her voice dropped slightly, becoming firm and unmistakably serious.
"For that reason, I believe she is the most qualified to oversee harem affairs... at least until the Luna Empress safely delivers her child. Rather than harboring jealousy, the rest of you should take this opportunity to learn from her."
Sorayah’s heart pounded painfully in her chest. This wasn’t part of her plan. Her eyes darted quickly to the Empress Dowager, trying to read her true intentions. She had expected the Empress Dowager to take control herself. Why the sudden handover of power then?
What are you plotting, Empress Dowager? she wondered anxiously, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard. Why would you hand this much power... unless there’s sothing you’re not saying?
"The Empress Dowager is right," Dimitri suddenly voiced, his deep tone slicing through the silence. His voice was calm, sending an icy ripple down Sorayah’s spine. "We would not have uncovered the truth today if not for Concubine Sorayah. Therefore, she should not only be comnded, she must be rewarded."
What is he saying now? Sorayah thought, her breath hitching slightly. Why is he supporting this?
"Hear my command, all of you," Dimitri continued, standing tall before the court. "From this mont forward, Concubine Sorayah shall be elevated to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort....a position befitting her virtue and achievents. Her strength, wisdom, and devotion to the empire have proven that she is a woman of great value. As such, she shall oversee the affairs of the imperial harem starting today, until the Luna Empress gives birth."
His declaration echoed through the chamber, followed by stunned silence. Then, like a crashing wave, the concubines all dropped to their knees, their silken robes rustling against the polished floor.
Sorayah knelt slowly with them, her expression composed, but inside she was spiraling.
Why are you doing this, Dimitri? Sorayah thought. Aren’t you supposed to reject such a ridiculous suggestion? Why go along with it so easily?
But no words ca. No protest as nothing could be done now. The decision had been made and sealed in front of everyone.
Maybe Dimitri has a plan, she reasoned to herself, her gaze flickering in his direction. He always does... right?
Behind her, llisa remained seated on the floor, refusing to kneel. Her expression was one of barely concealed hatred, her lips pressed into a hard line. Her clenched fists trembled in her lap as she stared daggers at Sorayah.
Several of the other concubines mirrored her rage and bitterness, their eyes darkened with envy and disbelief.
With as much grace as she could summon, Sorayah bowed her head low before the Emperor and Empress Dowager, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
"Thank you... for your magnificent grace, Your Highness," she said, each word carefully asured, her tone steeped in practiced humility.
"Alright then. Since everything is settled, I would love to return to my manor," the Empress Dowager voiced out as she rose gracefully from her seat. Her tone was poised, yet distant. "I still expect to see you at my manor, Imperial Consort Sorayah. You may visit when you’re less occupied."
"Yes, Your Highness," Sorayah replied with a slight bow. The Empress Dowager gave a small nod in response before turning away. The other concubines offered polite bows as well, their gestures stiff and filled with hidden tension, until the Empress Dowager disappeared from sight.
"Let’s get out of here," Dimitri said curtly, his voice low but commanding. Without waiting for a response, he reached for Sorayah’s hand and led her out of the hall, his stride confident and swift leaving Mira with her mouth half-open, unable to interject.
"Farewell, Your Highness, the Alpha Emperor! Farewell, Imperial Consort!" chorused the concubines behind them, their voices echoing in unison as the pair exited the harem hall. The words sounded sweet, but bitterness laced their tone.
Outside, the air was crisper, but Sorayah’s mind was anything but calm. She quickly pulled her hand free from Dimitri’s grasp, her brows furrowed with confusion and rising frustration.
"Why would you actually give the title of Imperial Consort?" she demanded, her voice sharp with disbelief. "It’s obvious the Empress Dowager is up to sothing. Why else would she suggest you promote of all people? I’m still just a human, Dimitri! She’s never liked . So why would she suddenly favor like this? Sothing is definitely fishy."
"I know," Dimitri said, exhaling slowly as a smirk crept onto his lips. His nonchalant response only fueled her irritation.
"If you knew, then why did you agree to it? Why did you go along with it?" she snapped, her gaze narrowing suspiciously. "What are you planning, Dimitri?"
Instead of answering, Dimitri slid his arm around her waist, pulling her against him in a sudden, intimate gesture.
"What are you doing?" Sorayah hissed, glancing around nervously. "We’re outside and people are watching!"
"No one is watching. And even if they were... who cares?" Dimitri replied, his gaze flicking toward the servants and eunuchs nearby. They had already averted their eyes respectfully, giving the couple a wide berth.
"Since you already suspect that the Empress Dowager is plotting sothing," he continued, his tone low and deliberate, "then what’s the point of being confused by it? You made her the harem’s authority figure when you exposed the Empress’s sches. But in a twist of irony, she’s now made you the ruler of the harem. It’s like she saw through your strategy and flipped it back on you."
Sorayah’s breath caught in her throat, her heart thudding with unease. Her eyes widened as realization began to dawn.
"Anyway, there’s no point in defying her now. The mont she publicly suggested your promotion, it was already decided. One thing you need to understand, Sorayah," Dimitri added, the seriousness in his voice cutting through the air, "is that you’re now her pawn. In her chess ga, she wouldn’t support you without a calculated reason and certainly not just out of kindness. Not when you’re a human. She’s using you. And to use you to the fullest, she’s placed you in a position of power."
He finally released her waist, allowing her to stand on her own.
"People often die in their places of power if they don’t know how to use it," he warned. "You’ll have to be careful from now on. But don’t worry, I’m here with you."
He paused, studying her face intently.
"What you need to figure out now is what she wants to use you for. What role are you ant to play in her ga? Only when you know that will you be able to truly defend yourself and maybe even turn the tables."
"I think it’s already obvious," Sorayah muttered, folding her arms over her chest. Her voice was heavy with thought. "She’s using to stir chaos in the harem. By elevating to Imperial Consort, she’s made a target. The other concubines already hate . They can’t help but question why a re human would be placed above them. Now they’ll unite against out of spite. They’ll plot together, work to bring down."
She sighed deeply, her gaze hardening.
"There’ll be attempts....assassins, sches, traps...framing , or worse. I’ll have to stay alert, just like you said. But as for the Empress Dowager..." Her voice slowed, growing more contemplative. "Even if she doesn’t want to use her as a tool, it’s only a matter of ti before she asks to cook for her again."
A subtle smile flickered on her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
"Let’s see then... if she still sees as a pawn she can discard at any ti or if she realizes I’m a jewel worth keeping. I don’t believe my cooking can’t move her. I’ll wait. I’ll see."
Dimitri watched her silently. "Nice one." He finally uttered.
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