✶⋆.˚✶ You stood before the Dowager Empress, heart pounding, but the Dowager's face remained cold. "You’re just here for the money, like all the others," she told. Your eyes widened in hurt, exiting the room and going to Dmitry, who stood nearby. "This was your idea," you accused. “You just wanted the money, didn't you?" In a flash of anger, you slapped him, the sound echoing. His face reddened with the sting, but he didn't retaliate, instead he looked at you with regret and determination.✶⋆.˚✶