Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

"Is it done? If so, let's go!"
Fred glanced at the simple mechanism that Harper set and thought, 'Her Highness is so smart and terrifying. She truly would
destroy the Harmony Palace so that Rolando will be unable to find us, as the fire will cover up our traces, making it more difficult
for Rolando to find us!'
"Let's go!" With his arms around Harper's waist, Matthew jumped into the hole they had dug beforehand. Any trace left behind
was swept by Fred before he disappeared.
Rolando and his officials were discussing the details of tomorrow's coronation ceremony for the empress when Harper and
Matthew escaped the Harmony Palace. With him making sure that the Harmony Palace was heavily guarded and that no one
could break in or escape, Rolando felt secure that no unprecedented thing would happen. He was sure that Matthew would
deem a rescue impossible and that he wouldn't have any choice but to try his luck at tomorrow's ceremony. Because of that, he
knew that he must prepare in advance not only to make sure that the ceremony would become a success, but also to secure that
Matthew would not return home alive.
"Your Majesty, everything is ready. Do you have anything else to add?" Miguel asked, his face a bit pale. He felt that more things
had happened in the last two days than what had happened in the past five years.
Rolando thought it over and said, "Tomorrow, the city gates should not be opened. No one is allowed to leave the capital."
Miguel nodded, understanding why Rolando would order such a thing. If Matthew were to destroy the ceremony tomorrow and
run away with Harper, the two of them wouldn't be able to leave the Imperial Capital with the gates closed and guarded. Rolando
could order his army to search every corner of the city to find Matthew, killing him the moment he found him.
"I am on it," Miguel said, preparing to leave. When he reached the entrance, however, he stopped and turned around. "Your
Majesty, what are you going to do with Lady Lilian?" he asked. "When did I ever give her title?" Rolando asked, sounding
confused yet uninterested. He had never clearly stated that he gave her any title, but the people started calling her Lady Lilian
anyway. Miguel turned around and looked at the emperor in disbelief. "Your Majesty, didn't you acquiesce in her title?" "I don't

remember, and honestly, I don't care," Rolando responded in a cold voice. "Miguel, didn't you advise me to not act rashly and
ruin our kingdom for women? What is this that you're doing? Why does it feel like you're willing to ruin all of our plans just for
some woman?"
Miguel opened his mouth to argue back, but he couldn't find the words to say. At this point, it was clear that the emperor loved
Harper so much and that he would never let her leave him. But initially, their plans included her just because they figured out that
she was a key part if they wanted to succeed. What they failed to consider was human emotions: Rolando fell in love with Harper
as he became closer to her. Still, it didn't affect their plans. "I understand my duty," Miguel finally said, conceding to Rolando.
Rolando put down the report of the officials that was in his hand and said, "I know you do, but it's good to know that you
understand. Don't forget: tomorrow will change everything! I feel like I should go to Harmony Palace to help guard it. Although
most of our forces are already there, Matthew is not someone who will give up easily. I wouldn't feel at ease until I guard Harper
myself."
"I understand. With that, Your Majesty, I'm off to fulfill your orders." Miguel took three steps back, turned around and walked out.
Just as he reached the door, he saw Sean running in quickly and anxiously.
"Your Majesty! Bad news! Harmony Palace is on fire!"
"What?" Rolando and Miguel exclaimed at the same time, shocked. Without a moment to lose, Rolando bolted out towards the
Harmony Palace as fast as he could, Miguel close behind him. The two of them were having the same doubts: was the fire an
accident, or did someone deliberately start it? If it was deliberately done, who did it? Was it Matthew? The guards were at a loss
outside the Harmony Palace. When Rolando arrived, they were still staring at the burning building, slack-jawed. Rolando snarled,
"Put out the goddamn fire! Why are still standing here?" "Your Majesty! An array has been set up inside the palace. We can't go
in!" Fernando's face looked grim. He tried several times to break in, but to no avail. The magic array in the yard was so powerful
that the guards couldn't even get anywhere near it. The fire in the palace was getting bigger and bigger, but they could do
nothing.

Rolando pushed Fernando out of the way to enter the palace, but he was stopped by Miguel. "Your Majesty, you can't just go in.
The fire has already gotten too big!"
"Get out of my way," Rolando hissed. He forcefully pushed Miguel out of the way and went ahead to enter the palace. The array
set by Harper could successfully block the secret guards and guards outside, but for people like Rolando, it wasn't a big deal.
Rolando then stepped into the array like it was nothing. Miguel followed him, as he was afraid that something bad might happen
to him.
Only after the two broke the array did they realize how strong the fire was. Despite it seeming like there was no way for them to
stop it, Rolando insisted on going in. As Miguel knew that once Rolando set his mind on something, he wouldn't be able to stop
him. Thus, he just bit the bullet and followed his emperor inside.
"Harper, Harper, where are you?" Rolando shouted out as he rushed into the sea of flame. As he rushed towards Harper's room,
Miguel carefully examined everything in his way before the fire devoured everything. Between the array outside the hall and the
fire currently raging in the Harmony Palace, it seemed like someone wanted to kill Harper.
"Where are the maids and eunuchs here?" Miguel asked in confusion. The palace was on fire, but where did the maids and
eunuchs go? He hadn't come across a body after his entrance, which he found extremely strange considering the level of the
fire.
Rolando continued to look for Harper despite the roaring fire but found nothing. Just then, a beam on fire collapsed. It took
Rolando by surprise, and if it were not for Miguel pushing him away quickly, he would have been badly injured. "Your Majesty,
let's get out of here! No one is here, even the maids and eunuchs! This didn't happen by accident—Harper Chu must have
escaped!"