The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

14 : The Pirates (1)

"I am extremely happy to have heard of such endeavour from my dear granddaughter." Those were the reply of Emperor Oswald to Princess Darya.

It is a good thing that the Emperor favours her, however, not only her uncle is a threat to the throne but also Esteban's father, Duke Garrett, or Esteban himself. In her first life, her uncle, Prince Harrique, did all means to harm her as the First Princess. As a young child, it was a torture to have drunken poison almost every day without her knowledge. She had suffered so much in the hands of her uncle. In the end, Prince Harrique died after committing suicide because of losing his ability to get to the throne.

As of now, she must focus on her ultimate enemies, which is the anti-imperial faction. And in order for her to beat them without wasting her time with spying, she needs more achievements to make the people on her side again. She just needs to do what she did in her first life and add more foundation to secure the throne.

"It was nice to have a conversation with you, Esteban." She showed a small smile to Esteban as she stood up to leave.

Esteban stood up as well to greet her again. "Please reconsider my proposal, your highness." He lowered his head, wishing that the First Princess would consider his proposal.

"I will think about it," Princess Darya answered vaguely, making Esteban lose the gentle smile on his lips while watching her walk away without looking back at him.

It has always been like that. Years had already passed but there was no progress between him and the first princess. He would always make a way to her. He would always aim for her soft spot so that she can open her heart to him but...

He put his hand on his chest as he felt the sickening feeling he had whenever he looked at her. Why does it feel like she is looking right through him? Like she knows everything from the start which is why she is avoiding him. Moreover, why does it feel like something is pressing his heart whenever she turns her back to him? Why does he feel like he would not stop what he is doing?

He is undoubtedly in love with someone else. He has carved in his heart that he will love one woman for the rest of his life, and it is, Kathika. He will be having a happy married life. He will treat Kathika right. However, lately, he had not been looking for her. Is it because his father would always send him to the Imperial Palace that he got used to looking for the First Princess? No. This should not happen. He must prove his words to Kathika.

"It's finally over." Princess Darya let out a long sigh after arriving in her room. She immediately took off her dress as she went to bathe and was attended to by the maids.

While closing her eyes, she thought about Esteban's offer. He was inviting her to be his partner in an upcoming banquet in the Dukedom. His birthday is coming and he personally came when he could have just sent a letter. However, as her thoughts got filled with those times she celebrated his birthday in her first life, a little chuckle came out her mouth instead.

Right. How could I forget about that?

How could she forget about that time she waited for him all night just to greet him but he did not come? Now that she thinks of it, his birthday month has always been the month of his 'expedition'.

She relaxed herself in the bath until then a butler excused himself to come inside her room to report.

"The battle in the Hiague port has started, your highness."

Upon hearing that, she opened her eyes to look at the ceiling. "Is the Key Team on standby?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Alright. You can go now."

She went out of the bath to prepare herself. She wore a knight's pants and boots while having a commoner's blouse. She ordered Ejila to tie her hair up and insisted on not wearing makeup which Ejila extremely disagreed with. In the end, Ejila could not convince her to put on even a little dust of makeup.