Before her father could finish, Elizabeth slapped him hard across the face. Tiberio looked amused that his daughter had dared to strike him and raised his hand to his reddening cheek.
“Who would want to be empress for you?! I’ve lived in fear of your punishments, always keeping quiet and doing what you’ve wanted. I’m going to become empress for myself! I don’t care what happens at home. I love Leonardo and want to be by his side!” Elizabeth cried.
Leonardo’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden confession.
“You know what will happen if you raise a hand to me again, Elizabeth. You should have been a better listener. Just do as I tell you. You will be empress and you will prove my innocence. Is that clear?” Tiberio asked.
“No, I won’t. I will no longer meekly obey you! Besides, I’m not afraid of you! You’re being exiled as a criminal!” Elizabeth said, tears streaming down her face. “You used me as a walking promotion for Elizabeth Pink without ever telling me it was toxic! Even though I didn’t know, a crime is a crime. I take this crime very seriously and will live the rest of my life miserable as the daughter of a criminal. You will also suffer and atone for your sins for the sake of all those you have harmed!”
“Elizabeth... I guess I still raised you wrong.”
“You raised me wrong?! You’re no longer my father! I... I hate you!”
Tiberio was stunned into silence. There was no longer any sign of the Elizabeth who had mocked herself for being her father’s puppet.
Tiberio was dragged away, and just before leaving the door of the audience hall, he spoke without turning around. “You’ll just be wasting your time and effort, Westalia Lejainne, on anything you try to do before the final tally is announced!”
Westalia’s shoulders slumped slightly after the door closed behind Tiberio. She glanced out the window, knowing her storeroom was still mostly empty. She might really lose at this rate.
“Don’t listen to a word that man says,” Paige said. She gasped as she turned to comfort Westalia and found her friend gazing anxiously out the window. She couldn’t help but feel a little melancholic after catching a glimpse of how Westalia felt as they waited for the final tally.