The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

13 : The Next Emperor

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The painful slap echoed all over the Duke's office as his aid could only look down, sympathising with the young master Esteban. Duke Garrett was so mad about the news he just got and called her son from the academy to go home as soon as possible.

"This is how I raised you, Esteban?!" The Duke exclaimed to his son while gritting his teeth in anger. "You are meant to become the next Emperor! You are going to marry the First Princess yet you-you did such an unacceptable thing that will disgrace the Dukedom and your name?!"

The Duke was so mad about knowing the news that his son, Esteban, had touched a woman and what is more unacceptable is that, that woman had a child in her womb.

"And of all the women, why was it the daughter of Viscount Morata?!" It would be alright if it was a commoner or a low-ranking woman from a noble family so they could easily get rid of it. However, it was even the daughter of Viscount Morata who had the same ambition as him. Viscount Morata must be celebrating now that he had gotten Duke Garrett's weakness.

"Go to your room and reflect on yourself for over a week-

"But I have a school, father-

"You will not go to school not until next week. Now go to your room and reflect!"

Esteban's mouth was shut as he got silenced with his father's exclamation. He looked at the raging eyes of her father once again before he turned back and left the Duke's office. He then walked towards his room to do what his father told him.

He sat on his bed while thinking about what Kathika might be doing. He might have angered the Duke for his 'outrageousness' but he does not regret what had happened between him and his lover, Kathika. Their love is genuine and they will live a good and different life unlike the nobility. The two of them wanted to live a life that is not according to their family's affairs. They just want to break free from the pressure of being a noble's only child. However, he cannot believe that his father had actually planned about his future. And what's more unbelievable is that he is planning on making him marry the first princess which is basically a child in his eyes. He is ten years older than the Princess! She is probably seven years old as of now!

The problem that has arisen in the Dukedom was confidential and was hidden to the public. Duke Garrett was forced to join hands with Viscount Morata as they had also planned on achieving their goals together. Viscount Morata announced the death of his daughter, Kathika, publicly but it was fake. Lady Kathika was sent to a faraway town in the Largoth Empire known as Summeria.

While Duke Garrett continued making opportunities where he could make his son and the first princess to meet, Kathika gave birth to a healthy boy named Lorenzo. For many years, the Garrett and Morata family raised the child secretly without anyone noticing.

Meanwhile, Princess Darya put a piece of chess on an island in the map that was on the table, "The Urgos team will be hiding in this island for a while as the Quira team will be attacking in this area." She put another chess piece on the land across the island.

"In this mountain, the Billion team will recharge their archers and standby in the area."

The three captains of the team could only nod their heads while they listened to the war strategy the First Princess just discussed. They could not even speak as they had no further question to her flawless plan. At first, they were doubtful of the First Princess' ability as they only heard it from rumours. Seeing it in their own eyes and witnessing it personally, they wanted to lower their heads and serve her forever. She was only thirteen years old and she is already exceptionally good at everything.

"This information is greatly confidential. If this is leaked, we will have zero percent of winning. So please, do not disappoint me as I will also trust your abilities."

"At your service, your highness!" They raised their hands up to their forehead and stood up straight. So then, they fixed their things before they walked out of the meeting room.

Princess Darya remained at the room thinking about the recent activities Duke Garrett and Viscount Morata were doing. She had now found out how she was fooled by them. Viscount Morata suddenly announced the death of his daughter, Kathika, due to an unfortunate disease. And Duke Garrett was distracting her with Esteban. Now she thinks that those times she met Esteban before might be caused by Duke Garrett for them to be acquainted with each other.

How foolish was she before? She played in their playground before but now she will change that playground into a more exciting one.

"Your highness," A maid comes inside with a tea to serve.

"Just put it there," she pointed to the table on the other side. So then the maid followed her order and lowered her head before coming out.

"Alluka," she called Alluka who's just standing behind the curtain.

Upon hearing his name, Alluka comes out to go to the drink the maid just served. He dips his forefinger and tastes the tea. He then groaned with the bad taste it had.

With this reaction, Princess Darya spoke, "Who was it this time?"

"This is from Prince Harrique, your highness." Alluka declared.

"I see," she nodded and sighed. She leaned his back on her seat. "He must have been bored in his chambers to have sent such nauseating tea to the first princess."

"I will discipline him your highness-

"You have no need to involve yourself in such a pathetic person, Alluka."

"As you wish, your highness." Alluka obliged and lowered his head.

So then Princess Darya stood up from her seat and left the meeting room with him. She walked her way to the training grounds to visit the Princess' knights. When she arrived, all of them stood in lines with the captain on the front.

"Welcome back, First Princess!" They greeted her together.

"Go back on training." She commanded as she looked at the Captain. "We will have a talk, Captain Key."

"Yes, your highness."

The two of them went out to the training grounds to go to the garden. When they were alone, she started to speak about her purpose.

"Next week, you will have your first mission with the group."

The Captain's eyes went wide.

"The knights' training is enough and they can execute this plan very well if they do as they are told."

"I will do what her highness commands."

Princess Darya talked to him about a backup plan for the upcoming battle with the pirates. After discussing the task to be done by her team, she visited the Emperor who's still sick on his bed while she does his work.

It was just like her first life, her grandfather started getting sick when she was thirteen. But the Emperor will still live a longer life than it seemed. She became a Crown Princess when she was sixteen and became the Emperor when she was eighteen. After two years of reigning, her grandfather has passed away due to his old age.

"I am so thankful to have you, my Lysandra." The Emperor was holding her hand while he was lying on the bed. He had a big smile on his lips. "I am so happy to have someone who can take care of the Empire while I am on break."

"Grandpa," she kissed the back of his hand. "I would like to ask a question."

"What is it, my Lysandra?"

Her face became serious as she did not speak for a few seconds. "I want to become the next Emperor, grandpa."

***
END OF CHAPTER 13
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Chapter characters

Captain Urgos
Captain Quira
Captain Key
Captain Billion