The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Ninety-One

Cabel and I watch Ming and Canella from the office window—the two holding each other's hands tightly as they follow the path through the garden.

"You're a scoundrel." I mutter, glancing up at him.
"Why's that?"
"You let me worry that you were going to bring another woman into the palace..."
"Is that what you've been anxious about?"
"Cabel... There'll be a day where you'll welcome a queen or more concubines, and as much as I want to follow the duties of an empress, I can't help but-"

I'm cut off as Cabel kisses me, his hand on my chin as his lip gently meet mine.
Pulling away to watch me catch my breath, he rests his forehead resting against mine.

"When I say this, I mean it with my whole existence. You will be the only lover I have, the only wife I have, and the only one who'll know me more than anyone else." Cabel honestly speaks.
"Really?" I whisper, my heart racing as I look back at his loving eyes.
"Really... That duke laying his hands on you made me furious, but I know there was an aspect of jealousy to it, and I never want to feel that again. How would it be fair if I made you feel that way too?"
"Cabel... It's different. You're the emperor. You need wives to support you-"
"I would rather let the empire burn than to have someone other than you."

My cheeks grow warm as his eyes pierce back at me, his sincere and calm tone making my mind blank.
"You're the only one I need. I don't want anyone else when you're the only one I want to be with."
"Cabel... Then, can I be more selfish?" I hesitantly speak, flustered from his sweet reassurance.
"About?"
"I-I want to be able to see you more... I want to be with you whenever I miss you."
Cabel smiles gently, staring at me as he listens.
"I'm sorry, I know you're quite busy, but I can't help these greedy feelings-"
He cuts me off, kissing me sweetly.

Taken aback by how soft the kiss was, he slowly pulls back as he kisses my forehead gently.
"There's no need to hold back. You'll have all of me and I'll have all of you to myself."
"It wouldn't be selfish if I asked you to never have another concubine? Even if it was for a plan?"
"No. If you don't want someone to have that title, I'll never give it nor do I want anyone else to have it. So, I suggest you decide if you really want to marry me or else I'll never let you go." Cabel arrogantly speaks, yet his words hold a kind tone.
I nod slightly.
"I do..." I smile, a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Cabel kisses me again, holding me tightly to his body. Lifting me in his arms, he carries me to the sofa.
"Can you let me be greedy too?" Cabel's deep voice questions, his face mildly blushing.
"What is it?" I ask, taken aback by his flushed expression.
"Let me hear your sweet moans echo in my office." Cabel grins devilishly.
"Ah, wait!-"
Trapping me on the sofa, his lips meet mine as I feel him gently caress my body.

Sitting in the garden while drinking tea, I listen to the sounds of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves from a gentle breeze.
Waiting for Magnolia to bring fresh tea, I admire the beautiful blooming garden—watching as flower petals soar through the air making it seem as if it were snowing.

"Lady Luna!"

I turn to see Ming jogging up to my table. Her hanfu swiftly swaying with each step.

"Princess Ming, hello." I stand, holding out my hand to greet kindly her.
"Oh! Rather, should I address you as empress?" She giggles.
"That's alright. I'm not formally engaged yet, so I'd prefer if we can speak casually. Would that be okay with you?"
"Of course! I hope we can become closer! Please, call me Ming!"
"Then call me Luna. Won't you sit and join me? My maid will be back shortly with some more tea." I pull out a chair for her.
She bows her head, sitting down.
"Where's Lady Canella?" I ask.
"She returned to her father's estate. His highness wrote a letter of the current situation so she's speaking with him."
"I see... It must have been difficult to be lovers so far."
"It was, no one knew our relationship though, since we pretended to be friends."
"I suppose people can be ignorant when it comes to this."
"They can be, but just as his highness was understanding about us, we can only hope others will be too. Thinking on how we began to court each other, it gives me hope that others will understand."
"I was curious about that, how did Xiao's princess, meet the daughter of Earl Pietro?" I ask, pondering the chance of the two meeting.
"Well, my father was a kind man who believed in fated love, but wanted me to try to look for candidates. Earl Pietro came with his sons and Canella, and I was to meet with one of her brothers but was surprisingly attracted to Canella. After they left, she stayed on my mind and I began learning multiple languages to communicate with her. She suddenly came to visit, and claimed it was to be my friend... I surprised her by speaking her language and she had surprised me too!" Ming giggles, recalling the memory.
"Surprised you how?"
"She had learned the languages of Xiao! All the ancient dialects, the regional dialects, and different variations in order to speak to me! We knew then, we had feelings for each other. We wrote to each other using different languages to keep our love a secret, and now being with here seems like a dream." Ming smiles calmly, filled with bliss.
"I'm happy you won't need to hide it from now on."
"Yes, it's all thanks to your husband!" Ming exclaims, holding my hand.
My cheeks grow warm as she refers to Cabel as my 'husband'.