The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Ninety-Two

"Your highness! You can't be neglecting this!" Lance shouts, chasing after Emperor Cabel.

The sun barely risen, Lance furiously attempts to catch Emperor Cabel.
Emperor Cabel swiftly runs from Lance—expressionless as he tries to avoid looking suspicious.
Turning a corner he stops in his tracks just before he bumps into Luna and Ming.

"C-Cabel?" Luna exclaims, surprised.
"My love, I'd stay and chat but there's somewhere I must check on." Emperor Cabel caresses her cheek, smiling.
"Oh? Where do you have to go?" She asks, nuzzling her cheek into his palm.

"Yes, your highness. Where do you have to go?" Lance questions, standing behind Emperor Cabel with a slight expression of irritation as he catches his breath.

Emperor Cabel sighs, rubbing his forehead.
"So you've caught me."
"Yes, it seems that way, your highness." Lance enunciates.
"W-What's going on?" Luna asks, curiously looking back at Emperor Cabel and Lance.
"His highness refuses to write back to the princesses who came to become candidates. Princess Safia confessed her love before she left, begging him to allow her to be his concubine, and now she's threatening to start a war." Lance speaks.
"If I write back, she'll become attached. She should understand her place and not linger to the emperor." Emperor Cabel scoffs.
"C-Cabel! Write back to her and explain that you're not looking to have a concubine. War right now is not what we need!" Luna scolds him.
Emperor Cabel sighs, rolling his eyes.

"I suppose you'll be upset if I ignore your wish?" He asks.
"I'll be very upset." Luna pouts.
"Then I need something else to pursue me." Emperor Cabel grins.
The emperor leans, turning his cheek to Luna.
Luna looks back at Ming and Lance who both look away, feigning ignorance.
She sighs, her cheeks blushing as she quickly kisses his cheek.

"T-There, go fulfill your duties, we don't have time for this today." Luna pushes him towards Lance, waving goodbye.
Emperor Cabel sighs, walking back with Lance.

"I'm sorry if that stressed you out." Luna turns to Ming.
"Not at all! It's sweet to see his highness acting like this."
"It's your wedding day though, I'm sorry you had to see him in such a state." Luna sighs, exasperated.
"Yes, but he only refused to write back because he loves you dearly." Ming giggles, watching Luna's face turn red.
"W-We have to hurry! You need to get ready!" She exclaims, trying to distract the princess.

In Luna's bedroom, Ming sits being pampered by beauticians.
Her hair pinned into an elegant bun, with her bangs tucked back with a traditional gold hair piece—decorated with strings of pearls.
Her makeup done simple with a muted coral lipstick applied, she stands behind a gold and white room separator as the maids dress her in a traditional red and gold, long-tailed wedding hanfu.
The beauticians fix out the wrinkles in her sleeves and bottom of the dress.

Luna sits in a chair having her makeup applied. Light pink and brown eyeshadow is blended onto her eyelids, her eyelashes curled up softly, with a pale red gloss applied. Sitting in a formal white and red gown, maids tighten the dress around her waist, before pinning a small gold tiara behind her curled bangs. Her hair is pinned into a french twist bun with a gold ruby necklace placed on her neck.

"Luna?" Ming calls out from behind the separator.
"Yes?" Luna stands, "Is everything okay?"
Slowly stepping out from behind the separator, Luna's mouth drops astonished by the beautiful hanfu the princess wears.
"D-Do I look okay?" Ming asks.
"Yes! My goodness, you look stunning! Lady Canella will be thrilled!"
"Are you sure?..."
Taking a moment, Luna notices Ming's expression of anxiousness.
"Is something bothering you?" She asks.
"I-I'm afraid." Ming whispers.
"To marry Lady Canella?"
"N-No! I'm so happy to marry her... I'm worried I'll be judged for not wearing a white wedding dress... I loved my father dearly and it was his wish to see me marry someone from Xiao... I want to keep a part of him with me, but this dress will be judged by the guests."
"Ming... Your wedding dress is more beautiful because you wish to bring a piece of your culture into the wedding. Everyone's pleased by the union of the empire and Kingdom Xiao, so no one would dare to be rude towards your culture."
"I suppose... I'm more worried that Canella won't like it."
"Lady Canella is going to rule over Xiao, the kingdom where this dress has come from. She's not someone who would judge one's culture, especially her bride's."
"You're right... My heart flutters thinking about ruling Xiao with her. It seems almost like yesterday we were teaching each other our languages..."
"Then remember that moment when you walk down the aisle. She took the effort to learn your language, so she'll embrace your culture openly." Luna smiles kindly as she holds Ming's hands.
"Yes... You're right. I'll do my best to remind myself that." Ming smiles, tearing up.
She laughs at herself lightly, nodding her head to regain her confidence.