How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 5 - More than a Promise

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I told her that I would make her mine, and I very well plan on keeping that promise. But simply saying things without action will never make it come true, I needed to act.

But how can I act if I find myself being constantly stuck in these senate meetings? This chamber was stifling me, filled with heavy incense and the droning voices of old men, I was close to losing my mind. With the large maps sprawled across the table, they bickered over borders, coins, supply lines, and so on and so forth. All while my mind was focused on one woman.

I had told her to come to the palace in the letter that I sent her, but I was not sure if she agreed or not as I failed to receive a response. Did the actions I take to win her heart backfire on me? Instead of making her fall in love with me, have I all but scared her away? It seems that until I hear back from her, my mind would be my own worst enemy.

When the doors creaked open, I sat up from my slouching position, watching Julius enter the room as quietly as a shadow. He crossed the expanse of the chamber, making his way towards me as he stood close, leaning in to whisper quietly so no one else could hear.

"Valeria is here, your imperial majesty. She is waiting in the garden." My breath stopped, pulse beginning to race. 

She had come. She had truly come. 

So easily, with a few words, the mere mention of her name was able to both calm my overactive mind and excite my previous boredom as though it never existed. How can I let a woman who is able to make me feel like this get away?

"That is enough for today, I am taking my leave." I did not hesitate to stand up, getting ready to make my way out of the room until everyone began to protest much to my displeasure. Of all days, why today?

"But dominus! This is an important matter that needs your attention!" The Senate member who had been talking started as the people around him agreed, begging me to just give them a bit more time to come up with an idea to fix the problem.

"Please reconsider!" My brows twitched, jaw ticking as I tried to keep patient. I had been waiting all these days for her. Now she was the one waiting for me, and I hated every man in this room for stealing the minutes from her.

"Must we do this today? It does not seem like you can come to an agreement, so we can just continue tomorrow on a fresh new day, no?" And perhaps tomorrow, I will also be able to pay more attention.

"Imperator, might I be so bold as to remind you that with every hour- no, every minute that passes, without coming to a decision, is a minute wasted. Your enemies could be looming closer, your people growing more agitated... And you, as Emperor, are the only one that can ease them." Tiberius, my general, stepped forward, reminding me of my position.

And I, for the first time in my life, wished that this crown was not sat atop my head, just so that I could be with her. But that was not a decision that I could make.

Letting him win this debate, I gave in with a deep, agitated sigh as I slouched back on my chair, waving my hand for them to continue talking. After thanking me, they did not waste a moment to continue as they were, bickering like a group of noisy school children.

"I will have someone go and inform Valeria that you will be a bit late." I grumbled my displeased reply to Julius's words as he went to do as he said he would.

The minutes ticked by into hours as everyone gave their opinions on the matter only to have it shut down and in the end, when I was given the final say, I had to take some time to think it all over and weigh the options out to see which would be best for the Empire. Afterall, as lovestruck as I may be, I took an oath to be the best ruler this nation has ever seen.