The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Eighty-Seven

My limbs numbed and heavy, I open my eyes only to be greeted by a black void.
A view of distant stars appear as I look around.
Floating through the space where it seems no light enters, yet it remains false when I can see my body and hands. The cuts gone yet the burning sensation of poison still lingering.
The fiery pain I felt resides but slowly seems to lessen as I focus on it.

"You shouldn't be here."

An airy echoing voice calls out.
I turn, searching for the direction of the voice.
Instantly, I feel the gentle touch of hands covering my eyes.

"Child... Who are you?" The voice asks.
Tingles rush down my neck as I feel their breath on my ear. Their voice seeming light and airy, making me question how a voice can sound so soft.

"Well, who are you?" I question back.
"Hm? Someone you should not be meeting." The person chuckles, amused yet kind.
My floating body instantly drops.
Their hands covering my eyes as they hold me close from behind.
"W-What?" I try to hold onto their hands yet my hands touch nothing.
My body drops as their hands let go of me.

I flinch, opening my eyes.
My body feeling heavy, I sit up to look around the room, the sun shining brightly through the window.
Cabel leans on the bed, his hand resting on my stomach as he sits in a cushioned chair.
I look down at my hands, both bandaged up.

Quickly, I bite the bandages with my teeth, unravelling them to reveal my healed unscarred palm.
I take a deep breath—the unnerving dream coming back to mind, but not feeling afraid. Questioning the warm feeling that lingers over my eyes, from the person's touch, I ignore my curiosity as I think about the last memory I have of the ballroom.

"Cabel?" I whisper.
Suddenly his body flinches, his head shooting up to look at me.

"Luna... You're awake..." Cabel whispers, his eyes filling with tears.
Abruptly hugging me, his body trembles slightly.
"You're a fool..." I mutter into his shoulder, gently hugging his strong back.
"I know... I know I am. I'll take all the blame, please forgive me." He pleads, sitting down to meet my eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me you knew? How could you decide to do something so gruesome?"
"How could I ask, when I had no right? I was surrounded by those annoying princesses, and I knew it was difficult for you to watch. How could I ask if you were okay, when I knew you weren't?"
"Because you should have asked if I wanted help. I can't rely on you for everything, I need to earn the right to sit by your side. To hide behind you is not what a queen should do."
His eyes widen slightly, taken aback by my words.
"Why are you resigning to be a queen?"
"Because that's what you asked me to be before." I reply, confused by his expression.
"My words from when I lied?" He shakes his head, giving a slight scoff.
"Cabel... My kingdom is destroyed. I have no right to wear any crown, especially when I was brought as livestock that you owned."
"My love, none of that matters anymore. You have the wealth from your kingdom, the bloodline of a royal family-"
"But my bloodline is a disgrace." I calmly say, giving him a reluctant shrug, "The royal blood that allows me to qualify, is also the one that tried to force me into a taboo way of life."
"No one knows about it, so everyone can see that you have royal blood that qualifies you."
"It's not no one anymore... I don't know how it happened, but Princess Levita knows my past."
His eyes widen slightly as he processes my words.
"She knows?"
"Yes... And if others find out, they'll know I don't deserve a crown. I'm never going to escape any of this, my family will keep haunting me, and people will only look at me as if I'm tainted-" Tears begin to well in my eyes as the stress and worry I've been repressing, begin to surface.
Just as I begin to spiral with my fears, Cabel hugs me tightly. Gently petting my head, he takes a few breaths as he waits for me to calm down.
"Luna... I'll handle it. Tell me that you need my help, and I'll do everything in my power to get rid of anything that worries you."
"It's not as simple as you think it is..."
"I can't rid the feelings you have or your nightmares..." Gently pulling away, he cups my cheeks as he brings his face close to look me in the eyes, "But I'll help and take care of everything external. Do you want my help?"
Taking a deep breath, I hold the back of his hand as I lean into his palm.
I shake my head slightly.
"I... I don't know... I asked Cethin for his help, and I'm not sure what he'll do, but I know he's going to find the sources that can spread the rumours."
"Then, I'll wait for him to return. Until then... You should never resign yourself as queen or believe what I told you before."
"But Cabel... I'm fine being queen since I'll do what I can to support you, but I know that you need someone more qualified."
Gently raising my head to make me meet his eyes, he wears a serious expression—his eyes seeming hurt.
"I need you as my empress. I only want to be by your side, and only you have the right to stand beside me."
"Promise?" I whisper, feeling my heart flutter at his words.
"I promise." He smiles, giving me a gentle kiss.