The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

17 : The Dream

Princess Darya was rewarded by the Emperor because of her recent achievements. He had held a grand ceremony for her as she also celebrated it with the four captains who fought by her side. Captain Warron, one of the five captains, was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for disclosing private information to the pirates. The banquet was loud but fun and only knights and selected people were invited.

With her exquisite achievement, the people recognized her name and immediately became popular in the whole Empire. This has made her enemies angry as they are all triggered by the fact that the First Princess is gaining a name now.

In the Dukedom where Esteban De Garrett's birthday banquet was held, he was alone in the balcony while looking at the bright moon in the sky. He looked at the red wine in the glass he was holding. It was red but because of the light of the moon, it became almost the colour of the Princess' eyes.

"Why..." he proceeded to speak to himself. "Why did you stand me up?" In fact, he is feeling down that Princess Darya did not come to his birthday banquet. He did not expect her to choose the banquet with the Imperial knights instead of him.

"Did I do something that made you hate me?" He always had this feeling that the Princess hates him. There is clearly hatred in her eyes when she looks at him.

"Please tell me why... so I can sleep peacefully again." He had lost all appetite to eat and communicate for the first time on his birthday.

Esteban left the banquet early as he went straight to his room. He chose to sleep to ease his disappointment but neither one knew that when he wakes up, he will have a glimpse of the future. He was gripping his chest that felt like it was torn apart. He was catching his breath as sweat fell on his sheets and tears were coming out his eyes.

"W-What was that?" He asked himself breathless and then remembered everything he had dreamt about.

Just a while ago, he saw an adult version of Princess Darya. She had become more beautiful and more sophisticated and elegant. She became the Emperor and he got married to her. He became her male consort. They were intimate and she looked so happy around him. Was that really a dream? But if it is not a dream, why does it feel so good to be just a dream? Is it... a sign from the gods? Is the gods on his side?

"Young master."

He came back to his senses upon hearing his butler's voice. He came in while he got out of the bed.

"You are being summoned by Lord Garrett."
"Yes. I will be preparing myself."

He was attended by his butler to change clothes and make him presentable. So then, he went his way to the dining area where his father was waiting for him. He walked to his usual position. They started to eat, silently until the Duke spoke.

"I believe that you have failed to capture a fourteen year-old Princess' heart, Esteban. That is a disappointment from a twenty-four year old man."

Esteban did not speak.

"This upcoming hunting competition, you should make a remarkable achievement. You will haunt a wild boar and offer it to the Princess."

"Yes, father."

"If you get this achievement, I will be announcing my termination as the Duke and you will become the Duke. You will then propose marriage to the Princess after you become the Duke."

He nodded, silently.

"Do you know what the ultimate goal is, Esteban?"

Esteban stopped moving his cutlery and said, "I will become an Emperor."

Upon hearing that, the Duke's lips curved. "That's it. You will make the Garrett family become part of the royal lineage, Esteban. Your ancestors will be very proud of you if you will achieve what they have been fighting for."

That is not going to happen, father, because Princess Darya will become the best Emperor.

After his silent meal with Duke Garrett, he immediately went his way to the Imperial Palace. He does not know but he wants to see Princess Darya's face right away after the dream he had last night. He waited in the drawing room for hours until he was informed that the Princess was now in the garden. He immediately went all his way to the garden only to see her looking at the peonies.

Yes. She would always look at the peonies.

His dream was right that Princess Darya likes peonies.

He approached the Princess, happily. "Your highness."

When Princess Darya turned to see him, it was as if he saw the older version of her, from his dreams. How he wishes to see her smile like she did in that dream.

"I am honoured to have seen you again, your highness. Apologies if I have without prior letter. I was so excited to see you." He could not help but smile. He is really happy to see her again.

Meanwhile, Princess Darya got confused by Esteban's sudden interaction. She can see that he is happy but why? He was not like this before. He is always calm around her and would only have a small smile on his lips.

"I am happy to have heard your honest thoughts, Esteban." She walked closer to him for formality. "I apologize for not being able to attend your birthday banquet." She added upon remembering that she had actually forgotten that it was his birthday yesterday. She had so much fun at the banquet that she did not even remember Esteban.

"I was sad that you are not able to attend my birthday banquet but I understand that you are the Princess of the Largoth Empire and you have more responsibilities to take. Moreover, my sadness had finally eased after seeing you, your highness."

Princess Darya was silenced as she was not able to read what is really on Esteban's mind to why he is doing this. Is this on purpose or is he just pretending to be naïve to attract her? Is this a new strategy?

"That is good to hear from you. I am grateful to have you, Esteban." If it's like this, she should play with fire right?

She walked even closer to him as she leaned his head to his chest, surprising Esteban. "I have been lonely without you, Esteban. It is always fun to have tea with you." She purposely made herself sound lonely.

Esteban's lips curved with the Princess being intimate to him for the first time. He had been waiting for this. He started stroking her smooth hair before gently pulling her close to embrace her.

"I will always be by your side, your highness. I can come whenever you want me. I can always stop whatever I do to go to you, your highness."

Princess Darya raised her head to look at the gentle look on his face. For a second, it looked like he really meant what he said. But she won't fall for the same trick again.

She beamed as she reached for his face to touch it. She caressed his ears just like she used to be but she knows that she is not going to be the same anymore. She put her hand to the back of his head as she slowly pulled him down so she could reach his lips. So then she kissed him, dearly but with purpose.

Feeling happy with this progress, Esteban proudly accepted her. Just like in his dreams, Princess Darya would kiss him like this. And in the future, they will be more intimate. Thanks to the dream, he can be sure that the Princess will be his.

***
END OF CHAPTER 17
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