The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

3: "The Unknown Disease"

A month had passed since she woke up in a different body. She is thinking deeply to figure out what might have happened to her. She had also thought that the tea she drank might be the reason why she had transmigrated to a new body but considering that the Imperial family is not looking for her, she had simply died as an Emperor and a miracle happened. She found out that five years has already passed since Emperor Darya unfortunately died due to an "unknown disease". Based on the public, the Emperor died in her sleep without last words which is why her husband, Duke Esteban, was nominated as the next Emperor.

Knowing that her husband took another wife just a month after her death, she would not go out the Count's manor to avoid seeing the sky as it reminds her of Duke Esteban. She just could not bear to look at it because she could only think of what could be the reason why her husband killed her. She could not bear the pain in her heart that she was not able to see her child that will surely look like her beloved husband. She loves him but in the end... she was betrayed by the only man she trusted besides her grandfather. She could only look at the sky during the evening as the sky is dark and gloomy.

After a month, she has finally decided to come out of her room after hearing too much encouragement from her maid and her 'father'. Amara Sebastian, it is the name of the noble lady she got transmigrated to. She is Count Sebastian's only daughter and is eighteen years old. Darya, now Amara, is currently panicking due to the fact that she will be meeting the said 'Crown Prince'. As a former Emperor, she knows that there is no Crown Prince as she did not give birth to a child. And if ever Duke Esteban, now Emperor Esteban, had a child with the current Empress, it would be impossible if an 18 year-old lady would be engaged to a boy.

Amara watched the succeeding luxurious carriages coming from the gate. When it stopped, they approached the carriage of the Crown Prince to greet him. As for her, she only followed Count Esteban and did as she was told.

"Greeting, your highness," all of them lowered their heads as soon as the carriage's door opened.

A man stepped his foot outside the carriage and went out. As soon as Amara raised her head to see who it was, her eyes widened upon meeting the blue eyes she would always look at, before. He had curly black hair and had a good physique. She almost thought that this man might really be Esteban's son but their eyes were the only one that is similar. Could it be a foster child?

The Crown Prince could not take his eyes from Amara as he was guided to the Count'a manor. The only reason why he came to visit was because he was informed that the Count's daughter, his fiancée, was still sick and that she does not want to leave her room for a month. Seeing her again after a month, he almost could not recognize her as she lost so much weight. Even with the makeup that covers her real skin, he can see the swelling of her cheeks and her bad complexion. It was as if she was forced to see him.

During the whole visit, he was only talking to the Count when he wanted to speak to Amara alone. He was bothered. Bothered that the usually talkative noble lady is now silent and is speaking fluently formal. Finally, the Count has finally left and the two of them were left in the room. There was a bit of silence before he leaned his back to his seat and crossed his legs. He had a scrutinizing look on his eyes which he usually does to intimidate people but somehow, Amara was not affected and is looking calm and collected.

"Do you have a problem with me?" He finally asked, sounding cold as always. "What did I lack as your fiancé? Do you hate our engagement that much to the point that you are going to jail yourself in your room?"

It had been stressing him out, these responsibilities as a fiance. He was stressed out that he had to add work on his load just to visit this woman whom he is going to marry for political purposes. He never intended to get married from the start and he only had to do this in order to be the next Emperor.

Amara wanted to speak because she had no idea what to talk about since she had no memories of the owner of the body she had transmigrated to. And she is worried that she will be suspicious if she speaks since she still had her past self as a woman with Imperial speaking skills. Judging by how the Crown Prince speaks, he seems to have not yet mastered the Imperial Palace's etiquettes. And the way he speaks, he seemed to have not got trained enough.

"Why are you not speaking? Did you forget how to speak?" The Crown Prince scowled, feeling irritated that he was not replied to by a lowly woman.

"I apologise, your highness." Amara finally spoke after noticing that he got irritated. "This subject was not on herself and is currently having psychological complications about the recent activities in the manor."

The Crown Prince's eyes expanded upon hearing how she spoke as if she was almost a different person. When did she become so good at speaking formally?

"I hope for your heartfelt consideration as to this subject's personal complications."

Somehow, he got even more irritated by the fact that this woman could actually be better than him. He gritted his teeth as he glared at Amara. He clenched his fist as his pride was hurt because she looked calm even though he was raging. Of all the people, he hates the one that is not afraid of him and his position.

"Are you telling me that I am not considering your well-being? That your brain had complications and I had to adjust to your personal issues? This is impeccable!" He exclaimed, standing up after banging the table between them.

"Remember your position, my lady." He gritted his teeth. "You are just a tool I am going to use to become the next Emperor." After that announcement, he made his way out of the drawing room, leaving Amara alone.

She just watched the door close as she sighed in relief. As far as she observed the Crown Prince, she could only say that it was not a good decision to make him the Crown Prince of the Empire. If that man succeeds the throne, the Largoth Empire will be at loss!

Arghhh! Amara was lost in words after the silence had come. After a few minutes, she left the drawing room to rest because she was feeling tired. She was not like this before but maybe because the body she was in is weak and frail. She went straight to her room and there she recharged her mentality. She is thinking of what she is going to do and how she would act according to the character of this lady she was in.

So what happened to the original owner of this body now that she is inside her? Amara slouched on her seat and looked outside the window. That moment, her mind went blank for a few seconds before she could think of what could have happened after her death. Until now, she could not imagine what happened and she could not believe that she lived another life but... in a different body. What should she do?

First, she will find out what happened. She needs history books. Secondly, she needs to go to the Imperial palace. She wants to know what changed and what happened there after her death. Thirdly... she wants to see Esteban.

While thinking of the past moments she was with Esteban, she found herself cupping her abdomen and was silenced again. The colour of her face faded as it turned black and white. What could have happened if she told Esteban about it that time? Would he change his mind about ending her life?

"Such a shame..." she mumbled to herself, feeling a sudden painful feeling on her chest.

So then tears came out her eyes, "Such a shame that you were involved... my baby."

***
END OF CHAPTER THREE
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Chapter character

Crown Prince Lorenzo