Imperial Brother, you are truly a sly fox! You easily caught her attention using pity but I will not let you triumph over me!

Little Prince Anders grinned maliciously as he thought of a way to eliminate his rival in a complicated battle called love!

After little Beatrix left, the Emperor sent a guard to fetch the kneeling little Prince Andrew and escort him to the study room where the Emperor, Empress, and little Prince Anders are waiting.

The Emperor confronted Prince Andrew about his blatant disobedience. After he received a direct answer from his son, he angrily sent Prince Andrew to the Imperial Retreat Mansion!

The Empress was shocked and begged the Emperor not to send their son to that terrible place but the latter became deaf and unmindful to the crying and pleading of his Empress.

Little Prince Anders knew that his Imperial Father will send his brother to that horrible place once he heard that his brother disobeyed him. He understood his Imperial Father and the things he would do for the stability of his throne and empire. He knew what to do so his Imperial Father will know about it. It will be up to his Imperial Father how he will deal with his stubborn son! Kicking someone when they are already down is very easy! His brother fell into a fatal trap this time!

There is a big possibility that Imperial Brother will end up dead there. If that happens...

He secretly pinched his arm so hard to prevent himself from smiling happily and showing his true thoughts and emotions to the people in the surrounding.

Little Prince Andrew knew what exactly is waiting for him in that horrible place but even if he denied it, his Imperial Father will still find out the truth and make him suffer more! He did not beg to lower his punishment because doing so will only make his Imperial Father angrier!

Little Beatrix tried to help him and it truly warmed his heart but unknowingly, she does more harm to him. To normal people, it was as simple as eating her food to alleviate the hunger and accepting her coat as a gift to ward off the cold but for the Emperor who ordered the punishment, it was blatant disobedience and a serious offense!

The Emperor gave him punishment in hope that the experience and suffering will teach him a lesson that will be engraved in his mind, heart, and soul so he will not dare to act improperly in the future! When he disobeyed by eating more than once and accepting the coat to alleviate the cold, Prince Andrew disobeyed his Imperial Father's order! By doing so, he seems like he is insulting and challenging the Emperor's power and authority! If he got out of it unscathed then others will follow in his footsteps!

Fear! The people need to fear the Emperor and the things he could do anytime and anywhere to anyone! By giving harsh punishment to his son, the Emperor is sending an indirect message to everyone: If I could send my own son to hell, how much worse if you are not my own flesh and blood?!!

Prince Andrew understands his Imperial Father's way of thinking and doing things but in the end, he chose to gamble! He accepted her food and coat, completely aware of what will be the next if he do so. He already braced himself to face and accept the punishment because he does not want to disappoint her and make her worried. Plus, he cannot continue saying 'No' to her even though he needs to face hell after that.

I can survive this! I will not die in that hell hole! I will come back alive! In the future, everything is mine!

He secretly vowed thinking about her as the guards escorts him out of the imperial palace towards that dreadful and godforsaken place!

The next day, little Beatrix sighed in relief as she saw that little Prince Andrew is no longer kneeling in front of her courtyard.

Andrew's punishment was finally lifted! He won't suffer anymore!

She happily thought and remembered his sweating form in the heat of the day and his shivering form in the middle of the cold night! She expected that Prince Andrew will join their lesson now since the punishment was finally lifted but she was surprised when he did not attend their lesson on that day and the same thing happened for another two days.

"Anders, I have not seen Andrew these last three days. Do you know what happened to your Imperial Brother?" She immediately asked, unable to hide the growing curiosity and worry in her young heart.

"You called my Imperial Brother directly by his birth name. I did not know you were pretty close." He gently smiled at her, masking the gnawing feeling in his heart.

"We just talked a little." She told him honestly then went back to her original query. "Do you know where he is and what he is doing now?"

"Do not worry about him, Beatrix. My Imperial Brother is fine. Our Imperial Father sent him to the Imperial Retreat Mansion. He is so lucky! He is having a great vacation for one whole month!" He is smiling brightly as he is imagining what a great vacation his brother is experiencing now!

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