Caroline's words shocked Hayden. He never thought that the empress would interfere in these mundane matters.
"Your Majesty, I love your son... that's why I contacted Young Master Hayden to dissolve the marriage contract. But he refused... and confronted Prince Franklin. I don't love him, Your Majesty! My heart lies with Prince Franklin," said Mave.
Caroline's eyes flashed with disgust.
Love?
Was she delusional? Did she really think that a bastard like him loved her?
"Love? Hmmm... Franklin's love is a bit... cheap, isn't it? And Lady Mave, are you hit by a cupid or something? Or Franklin, do you have a personal cupid working for you?" mocked Caroline.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
The two princesses exclaimed simultaneously.
Franklin's eyes were filled with rage. His nails were digging his hands as he tried to control himself.
"What? Do you love your brother too?" asked Caroline.
Hayden could see the empress's mischievous eyes clearly. He had heard from his father that the empress was a very unpredictable person. At first, he didn't believe that. How could the person running the entire empire after the emperor's death could be like that? But it seemed he was wrong. Honestly, he liked that look in her eyes. Realizing what he was thinking, he bit his tongue, disrupting his thought process.
Caroline smiled in her heart. Hayden's reaction wasn't new for her. Right now, Hayden was vulnerable which meant she could easily attract him. But did she want that? It was a difficult question... and the answer lied with Hayden himself.
Both Shuri and Iuya sweated heavily. A question formed inside their minds. 'Did mother know something?' It was a taboo to love your own blood. But what could they do? Their brother was the most outstanding person they had ever seen in their life.
"What are you trying to say, Second Mother?" hissed Franklin.
Caroline shrugged, "Why are you acting weird? Isn't it normal for sisters to love their brothers? You are their family. Of course, they will love you."
Shuri and Iuya loved at each other and sighed heavily. Their mother was an enigmatic woman. She never loved them or even liked them. The same went for their maternal grandparents. They always loved and favoured their daughter, while ignoring their very own granddaughters.
Why?
Their resentment towards their mother was heavy. The only person who really loved them was their brother.
Caroline turned towards Hayden and stood up. She said, "You should stand up now, Young Master Hayden. Besides, your injuries are healed."
"Y-yes... Your Majesty! M-may the s-sun a-always... rise in your f-f-favour... Your Majesty! T-this humble... servant greets you," stuttered Hayden. He immediately got up on his feet and bowed. His father told him to always respect the royal family, especially the empress. Besides, she was also his saviour.
Caroline smiled, "Raise your head. You know what?" she turned towards Franklin, "I am very surprised by your conduct. You seduce someone's fiancée and beat him. Are you even a man?"
"Second... Mother!" Franklin gritted out.
Caroline snorted, "Shut up! Are you disrespecting my authority? You think that you are above me, right? Did you forget who you are dealing with? Guards, strip Prince Franklin's pants and strike him fifty times."
"Your Majesty!"
"Mother, what did my brother even do?!"
"You are being biased, Mother!"
The princesses and Lady Mave were shocked. They pleaded to Caroline to reconsider her decision.
Franklin was gritting his teeth. He was so angry that he felt that his heart would stop beating if he heard his stepmother's nonsense anymore. How could someone be so poisonous?! Even a viper was better than this woman! He was never embarrassed like this before.
"What? Do you need some beating as well?" Caroline turned towards Mave, "I don't care about your sappy romance. What I do care is, your inability to behave respectfully in my presence. Did any of you greet me? No. Although, Young Master Hayden greeted me late... still I can ignore his mistake as he was injured. But what about you all?"
Everyone flinched, except Hayden and Franklin. Caroline smiled widely and asked, "Iuya and Shuri, do you want to accompany your brother in his quest?" she turned towards Mave, "Lady Mave, what about you? You love him, am I right?"
Mave took a few steps back in fear. The empress's smile was so terrifying that it made her skin crawl.
Franklin yelled, "No need! I am the one who made mistake! So, I will bear the consequences. Please pardon them." He wanted to tear this hypocritical woman in front of him. The only thing good about her was her looks!
'Is he a rabid dog? How dare he look at me with those disgusting eyes?!"
Caroline wanted to pluck out Franklin's eyes. The protagonist's harem began crying and fussing about his 'noble' sacrifice. Hah, there was anything but noble in his sacrifice.
"Accountability is must for a human being. Franklin understands, and so you three must understand as well. Or else, you can accompany him. Guards, start punishing him. Trisa, stay here and count, okay? There has to be no error in this. Otherwise, public will say that the imperial family is biased. Also, whoever disturbs or cries hit them without any mercy. It's my order."
Trisa nodded, "Your Majesty's command will be executed."
Caroline said, "Good. Now, Hayden... follow me. We have some things to discuss." She wanted to see how Hayden would react if she revealed some important secrets to him. The more she thought about it, the more she smiled.
If Hayden was intelligent, then sure he would do what she asked him to do.
The protagonist could keep his heroines, because that was what the only thing he could do. But that didn't mean, she could ignore this. Franklin was a fool to leave 'openings' for her. So, as a good 'mother,' it was her job to 'use' them properly.
'Hayden Rudolpeh, you are my first 'opening.' Let's see what kind of reaction you will give me~'