Huston did not answer my plea. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
For half a year after that, Huston didn't set foot in my palace.
He had confined me, forbidding me from leaving freely or seeing anyone.
His imperial guards surrounded the palace, and anyone who attempted to send me winter clothes or firewood would be executed.
Fortunately, I was quick-witted. I had several blankets taken apart to make coats for everyone and chopped wood from the back garden to light fires and keep warm, preventing others from suffering alongside me.
However, there was no solution for the food shortage, and my medicine supplies were running low as well.
Gradually, my old illnesses began to resurface, and my body grew weaker.
Each week, the head of the imperial guards would knock on my door arrogantly to inquire,
"Miss Renee, has the Emperor's question been answered?"
What question?
Huston simply wanted me to beg for forgiveness, to promise I'd willingly stay by his side as a nameless, insignificant servant woman, never to leave.
I shook my head bitterly.
"No. Please, do not ask again."
He glanced at me in shock, scoffed, and left with his sword.
When hunger became unbearable for everyone, I asked someone to bring me paper and ink.
I coughed while writing by the dim light of a kerosene lamp.
I wrote about how Huston and I met, how we came to know and love each other.
I wrote about how we fought side by side, resisting the former Empress's attempts to destroy us.
I wrote about my five years of imprisonment, enduring suffering and torment, surviving those endless nights only by holding onto a single scrap of his words.
I wrote about the beautiful dreams I had for our future, hoping to win his heart and grow old together.
How simple my wish was.
Yet the world changes, as do hearts.
All the love and sincerity I once gave had been repaid with, "Ah, how easily the heart of an old friend changes."
Tears fell as I wrote.
I handed the folded letter to the head guard, asking him to deliver it to the Emperor.
The next day, Huston, with tears in his eyes, lifted my confinement.
Since my release, it seemed that Huston wanted to reconcile with me.
Not only did he lavish me with gold, silver, and jewels, but he also sent the latest fashionable dresses. Every time I wore them, he would gaze at me, resting his chin in his hands, showering me with praise.
"My Renee is truly the most charming woman!"