Lost Empress: Coronation of Betrayal

Empress Camila Stafford has been unwell for some time, and she sends Andrew Preston out to find the daughter she gave up years ago. The girl grew up in a village, raised and watched over by Raymond Harrington, a former palace eunuch who never told her what she was. She goes by Victoria and she is married to Elias Randall, a poor scholar. For years she nursed his parents, kept the household running, and paid for his studies so he could sit the imperial examinations. He passes at the top of the list. Almost immediately he attaches himself to Analia, the prefect's daughter, and the two of them put together an accusation of infidelity against Victoria, enough to force her to sign a deed of separation. The charge sticks and she is condemned. Raymond steps in front of the men sent for her and is killed doing it. Andrew Preston, who runs the imperial house of justice, reaches the town while the case is still open, lays out what actually happened, and has the guilty parties taken. At Raymond's funeral Victoria announces her succession. She cuts off a length of her hair in front of Elias to end the marriage, and takes the throne.