The Emperor's Concubine

B.2 Chapter One

At the break of dawn, the elegant royal palace sits quiet as the first workers begin waking up.
Chefs are soon bustling in the kitchen as they prepare the first meals of the day. Maids and butlers begin to clean and organize the palace, getting their tasks done before the emperor awakens.
Inside a regal bedroom with muted cream walls, and accents of gold decor—the bed sheets rustle as someone stirs in their slumber.

"Mm..."
The figure begins to move, awakening from their sleep. Radiant blonde hair appears from the blanket and Luna Avri begins to sit up—her arms pushing her up as she takes a moment to look around the room.

Gently rubbing her eyes, her vivid golden eyes stare out the window in a sleepy daze. The curtains allowing the sunrise to slightly seep inside—the sunlight illuminating off her eyes as the golden colour shines brighter.

She quietly yawns, stretching slightly as she begins to slide closer to the edge of the bed.
Suddenly a strong-muscular arm quickly wraps around her waist, pulling her back into bed with a gentle and rough hold.

"Ah! Cabel?" She exclaims, surprised by the sudden movement.
"Screaming in the face of the emperor? What do I do with such a shameless fiancée? Shall I give you a punishment?" Emperor Cabel's deep husky voice whispers.
"N-No, I need to get ready for work!" Luna exclaims, scoffing.

She wiggles around in his arms, trying to get out of bed—yet his grip doesn't budge.

"Just a few more minutes." Emperor Cabel lethargically smiles, lightly planting kisses on her cheek.
"Cabel, I can't be late..." Luna mutters, her cheeks blushing as his lips delicately press against her skin.
"I can punish them if anyone gets angry with you for being late." Emperor Cabel flashes a handsome devilish grin.

Luna pouts, glaring at him.

"My love, your face will be stuck like that if you keep making that expression." Emperor Cabel chuckles, caressing Luna's cheek with his thumb.
"Cabel, I'm serious. You can't distract me or keep me hostage in the morning, especially when I have to get to work." Luna sighs, attempting to escape his hold.
"But I want more time with you. I'd stay in bed with you forever if I could."
"What?" Luna exclaims, shocked, "It's too early for you to be thinking like that!"
"I told you, being with you feels so good, I don't even want you to leave my bed." Emperor Cabel grins, his eyes glimmering with a dangerous look in them.
"H-Hey! Where do you think you're touching?" Luna scolds, her cheeks burning vibrant red.

His hands begin to move, caressing her body.

"We spent all night together too, how are you this excited still?" Luna questions.
Emperor Cabel kisses her neck, continuing to caress her body.
"I'd make love to you forever if I could. One night isn't nearly enough to satisfy me." His hand moves to untie her night gown, his other hand holding her wrists as he pins them above her head.

His lips press against hers, his body moving to hover over her.
Pulling away from the kiss, an amused grin on his lips as he analyzes her expression. Luna blushes as she averts her eyes.

"What a naughty expression. Shall I free you then?" He grins, his eyes glowing seductively as he watches her every move.

Meeting his eyes, she gives an small pout before shaking her head slightly.
Emperor Cabel smiles, bringing his lips back down to meet hers.

"I can't believe I got swept away again." Luna mutters to herself, walking through the hallways of the consultant building.

She stretches her back, remembering their morning starting with a passionate session.
Her cheeks flush as she grows embarrassed.

"Luna!"
A voice excitedly calls out.

Turning to see Meridith running down the hall towards her, she carries a pile of large books. Fixing her glasses to sit higher on her nose, she catches her breath.

"Meridith, good morning!" Luna smiles, stopped in her tracks.
"Luna! You've been doing so well as a palace consultant! I keep hearing admirable comments about you!" She exclaims.
"I've been doing the same work as the other advisors." Luna giggles as the both of them walk together.
"Yes, but you've been working for a few months, and already outshine every other advisor!"
"It's only because Sir Quintan has been instructing me well."
"Still! You're doing so well already! If I could join the health research facility, I hope I can make a difference like you!" Meridith exclaims.
"You'll make a far larger difference, are you kidding? I can't help much with creating new medicine, I think you're brilliant!"

Meridith blushes, scratching her head embarrassed.

"You think so?"
"Of course! Your research papers have been accepted, and they're already being used to help paralyzed patients. If you assisted them this much, surely you'll be accepted."
"I told you, it's male dominated."
"Yes, but I became an advisor."
"Yeah but..." Meridith pauses in shock, before finishing her words.
"... But it's only because of his highness?" Luna finishes her sentence.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine, I understand that if I wasn't his highness's fiancée, I might never have had a chance." Luna smiles acceptingly.
"Luna I didn't mean to say it... I guess I'm a tad bit jealous."
"I understand, but you should trust in your work, I know you can do it. I'll even help in any way I can." Luna smiles kindly.
"I couldn't possibly accept your help! I hope you know, even if you're the future empress, you still defied the odds and made it into the advisory division cause your hard work. I can't rely on others, especially when I want to be accepted against all odds too."
"I'll be wishing for your hard efforts to prevail then." Luna smiles, taking some books from Meridith, helping her carry them.

Meridith nods as they continue to walk through the hallway together.

"Your highness, you can't tire Lady Luna out every morning." Lance speaks, sighing as he walks up to Emperor Cabel's desk with a tray of tea.
"How do you know I am? Are you spying on us again?" Emperor Cabel sips his tea that Lance poured, reviewing a document.
"Y-Your highness! That was one accident!" Lance grows vibrant red, embarrassed as he shouts.
"This is why you knock." Emperor Cabel scoffs, lifting the teacup to take another sip.
"Y-Your highness—it was the garden! I was bringing her breakfast! How was I to know you had gone there, and decided t-to do that in the garden!" Lance scoffs, astonished.
"She agreed to it so I'm not the only guilty party involved... If only she could stay in the palace and never leave, then I wouldn't be as desperate for her affection." Emperor Cabel gives a small grin, almost mocking himself as he thinks.
"You can't be serious, your highness..."

Emperor Cabel pauses and shrugs, placing the gold rimmed teacup down.

"No, she smiles so brightly talking about how much fun she has making friends at that annoying building. It is however my greedy desire I'll never act upon..." Emperor Cabel pauses, lowering his document, "It means I won't ever lock her inside the palace, so stop burning your glare into my head."

Lance glares at Emperor Cabel, shooting daggers through his eyes before sighing.

"Your highness, please just be mindful of Lady Luna. This morning she complained about back aches and leg cramps. Her powers will heal her quickly, but if you cause her to be sore everyday, it could become exhausting for her to always be healing herself."
Emperor Cabel scoffs, grinning amused.
"I'll try to contain myself, but we're engaged after all."
"... Your highness, you'll probably use that excuse for when you're in your honeymoon phase, and for when you're married."
"Exactly. I'll be mindful of not making her sore, but she's like my salvation. I'd beg at her feet to stay beside her, yet she permits me to lie with her each night that I can't refuse." Emperor Cabel gives an arrogant proud grin.
Lance rolls his eyes and scoffs.
"This conversation has become one I wish to end." Lance sighs.
"Then stop questioning it." Emperor Cabel chuckles, picking up his teacup to take a sip.