The Duke's residence had always been calm in the mornings.
Servants swept the courtyard stones, birds chirped softly from the carved wooden beams, and the smell of morning tea drifted through the halls.
But that morning—
The calm shattered.
A breathless steward rushed in from the outer gate, face pale as ash.
"D-Duke… Duchess… news from the palace…"
The Duke looked up sharply.
"What news? Speak properly."
The steward swallowed, voice trembling.
"They say… Her Majesty the Empress… tried to take her own life last night."
---
Shock Like Thunder
The tea cup slipped from the Duchess's hand.
It shattered on the floor.
Her face drained of color.
"W-What did you say?"
The Duke stood up so suddenly his chair fell backward.
"Repeat that."
The steward lowered his head.
"The capital is already in chaos. They say the Empress jumped into the lake. Prince Liang saved her."
The Duchess staggered, clutching her chest.
"My… my child…"
