The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Eighty-Eight

Sitting in his office, the emperor savours a glass of red wine. His legs crossed as he lounges lethargically on the sofa—radiating an intimidating air but also amused.
A lady with light brown hair, styled into a high elegant bun, sits across Emperor Cabel. Her posture relaxed but still noble, she sits unafraid of the emperor.

Taking a sip of tea, the lady stares at the glass in his hand.

"Drinking after lunch?" She scoffs.
"Do you expect me to ask for your permission?" Emperor Cabel rolls his eyes, swirling the glass of wine.
"Not at all, your highness." She sips her tea, scoffing lightly at his boldness, "Put the small talk aside, why have you summoned me, your highness?"

She places her teacup on the coffee table, setting her hands on her lap as she carefully analyzes his movements.
Emperor Cabel scoffs, snapping his fingers. Lance soon approaches the two, handing a folder to the emperor.
Reading through the papers, he takes out three pages before handing it to the lady.

"Just a glimpse." He grins, "Of course, you need to accomplish everything."

The lady skims the pages for a brief moment, until meeting the emperor's neutral gaze. As he throws the folder on the table towards her, a chess board on the table rattles along with her tea.
"Do I have a choice?"
"You can, however I have no problem calling for an imperial order." He shrugs amused as he sips the wine, "Follow everything I tell you to do. I have no doubt you'll succeed."
The lady hesitantly picks up the folder, opening it to read. Her eyebrows raise instantly as her eyes flit to stare back up at him.

"Is this a joke?" She spits out.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Emperor Cabel coldly speaks.
Shying away from his cold stare, the atmosphere becomes tense and chilling.
Clenching her fists tightly, her brows furrow.

"Just what game are you playing?" She asks, taking a glimpse at Lance who remains silent.
"A fun one. I suggest you play along, there's a favourable prize for you, Canella." Emperor Cabel downs his drink, grinning from ear to ear, "This is going to be amusing."

Emperor Cabel snickers, leaning against his hand as he watches the lady's reaction.
Canella reads the folders and scoffs, until her eye catches a page and a slight grin grows on her lips. Resigning herself to a sigh, she wears a relaxed smile before throwing the papers on the table.

"Fine, I'll play along." Canella shrugs, "I'll be your pawn, only if you tell me what the prize is."
"A great one."
"You can't tell me?"
"All you need to do is trust me. If that's difficult for you, then you know what'll happen." Emperor Cabel's hand emits a smoke, until it picks up a pawn from the chess board, levitating it into the air.
The pawn shakes in the smoke, until smashed into tiny pieces that crumble onto the table.

Canella sighs.
"Must you ruin my tea?" Canella picks up the teacup, the insides filled with bits of the piece.
Lance walks up to her, bowing. He takes the cup from her.
"You're replaceable, so I suggest not stepping out of line. However, I'd rather have my main piece stay in this game." Emperor Cabel brushes his lap from remnants of the piece.
"Fine. I trust that you'll make this a worthwhile game, your highness." Canella shrugs as she leans back.
Maids clean up the dust and remnants as Lance hands Canella a new teacup of tea.

Luna sits in her room, the rain drizzling outside.
She sighs, staring at the pages of her book mindlessly—unable to focus on reading, her eyes wander to the window.

"Why you moping around?"

Luna jumps, turning around, seeing Cethin enter from the door.

"Oh my goodness, you scared me. Since when do you use doors?" Luna stands, scoffing.
"It's raining out and I'm too tired to climb up. Here." Cethin throws a bag on the table.