Chapter 27

The expensive, gold-rimmed teacup, filled with scalding tea, seemed to fall in slow motion. Its target: the Empress’s own thigh. If this goes wrong, I’m taking all the blame! My brain, predicting the impending liability issue, instantly kicked into overdrive. The moment that cup drops, Iana gets “hurt.” From everyone’s current vantage point, it would be nearly impossible for me to prove my innocence. If Iana, whose political maneuvering is far more developed than mine, decides to frame me, her reputation and social standing will win out, no matter how much I deny it. There is a two hundred percent chance this is a calculated move.