The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

27 : The Years

When Duke Esteban woke up, the god told him that he would be back after a month to recover. He was devastated to have seen the fourth phase as he felt that he chose the wrong phase. What annoyed him is the fact that Princess Darya never appeared in his dream. So why... and what happened after his marriage to Princess Darya? Why did he become the Emperor and Kathika is the Empress? What happened to Princess Darya? She looked so happy in their marriage so why... did he marry Kathika after her?

He could not concentrate on his first day as the Head of the Garrett Family. He would unknowingly stop writing and would think about the fourth phase of his memories that the 'god' showed him. So then he found himself writing a letter to the First Princess before he had eased his turmoil.

Meanwhile, Princess Darya held the right hand of her grandfather, the Emperor. She is currently staying on his side because she is afraid of the future of her grandfather. She has so many what-ifs in her mind that she wants to stop thinking to avoid negative thoughts. However, she could not just ignore that her father's health is getting poorer each day and she is afraid of the changes in the future because of what she has done.

"I had a dream, my Lysandra," The Emperor spoke in his low voice that almost could not be heard.

Princess Darya leaned closer to hear what the Emperor was going to say. "My son, Darionne, said... that I should not leave you alone."

She nodded and watched the smile on her grandfather's lips. As she heard from the maids that lasted long in the Imperial Palace, her father, Prince Darionne, was the Emperor's favourite child. The Emperor had an Empress and two concubines. His father, Princes Darionne, was his son to the Empress who passed away after giving birth to him. Prince Darionne was a man who was meant to rise to the throne but unluckily, he died during a war without even having a glimpse of his new born child.

At that time of war, the Emperor lost his favourite son and his daughter in law at the same time. His daughter in law, a Duchess of a fallen noble family, also died after giving birth to his first grandchild. After losing all his loved ones, only his grandchild remained as memories of them.

The child whom he named with his name and his son, Lysandra Darya Sage, resembled all of his loved ones. She got the eyes from his late Empress, Sage. She got the hair of his beloved son, Darionne. And she resembled the sophisticated yet sweet character of his daughter-in law, Talegha. Princess Darya was the combination of everything he lost which is why... no matter what his grandchild does, he will not stop her from doing what she desires.

"My grandchild, I... do not know what you desire... I have no idea what you have gone through..." he tightened his grip to Princess Darya's hand. "I hope that you will live a life that you like."

After stating that, the Emperor closed his eyes that scared her the most, however she felt the beating of his heart so she checked his breathing. It turns out that the Emperor just fell asleep. She stayed a bit longer before she decided to leave after commanding the guards to strictly monitor the Emperor.

She put on more knights and scheduled different doctors to check on the Emperor. She cannot let anyone take advantage of the Emperor's situation. At this point, she is at a disadvantage because of the Emperor's poor health. The anti-imperial faction will surely make a move after news about this comes to their reach. This is why she put Alluka as the commander for the Emperor's surveillance.

As of now, she took two temporary knights from her knights. Captain Key insisted on being her personal knight for a while but she doesn't want her knights to lose their training schedules if he goes around her.

Because of the Emperor's current situation, she temporarily became the Head of the Largoth Empire. She assisted the personal aid of the Emperor with the workload while still managing her projects to the capital city. As a previous Emperor, she had no problems with the workload which has confused the Emperor's aides including the chamberlain and any palace worker that are able to meet work with the Emperor.

Princess Darya showed exceptional talent in managing the Empire as just an acting Emperor. She works fast and organized. She does not have a single mistake done and is very good at managing all the nobles.

For over two years that the Emperor is recovering from his health, Princess Darya grew up into a mature young lady who is very popular among the people and even the nearby kingdoms. The Emperor somehow recovered from his illness and she was back to her position as the First Princess.

People found her to be the deserving next Emperor of the Empire and news about it spread all around the world. Her projects made a remarkable impression on the people as it served and helped the public, especially to the ones who are said to be the lowest of the low.

"My daughter graduated secondary school today! She can finally come to the academy!"

People are celebrating the graduation day in the secondary school of the town. While patrolling the area, Captain Theobarlt's lips curved upon hearing another happy citizen. All his life, he thought that the Empire would never achieve such a place like this but now, he is proudly standing as one of the subjects of the Empire. He is so proud of Princess Darya's achievements. He is too proud to be one of her people.

After patrolling the area by himself, he arrived at the main gate where one of his subordinates was waiting for him.

"Captain!" Leon, one of his subordinates, runs towards him. "I have received a message from Sir Alluka that you are being summoned by the First Princess."

Upon hearing Leon's announcement, everyone looked at his direction with their usually teasing look. He reddened as he bumped into Leon purposely to give him a warning to not say it aloud when he is being summoned by the Princess.

"It's been a while since you were summoned by the First Princess, Captain." One of his subordinates teased.

"I bet Captain would embrace Her Highness so tight and he would whisper, 'I have longed for your touch, Your Highness'." Another one started being dramatic.

"'Your Highness, it has been a while since I last laid my eyes on you'." Leon started acting and one of his subordinates went along with him.

"'Ah, Captain Theobarlt, I missed your presence. I could not sleep well every night because I was unable to see you all this time'."

"'Your Highness, you have lived in my head since the day I laid my eyes on you-'"

They immediately stopped acting when Captain Theobarlt stopped walking inside the main gate. When he drew out his sword and walked towards them, all of them ran for their lives while laughing out loud because they knew that they would only get punished.

Since all of them ran away, Captain Theobarlt stopped and put back his sword. He then started walking inside the Imperial Palace to go to the First Princess.

"Captain Theobarlt is such a scary monster." One of his subordinates commented while watching Captain Theobarlt walk away while they are coming back to their positions.

"Jeez. He is so lucky to become the First Princess' favourite." Leon

"But I heard that the First Princess' fianceé was Duke Esteban?"

"Well, the First Princess might get married to the Duke, politically." Leon

"You're right. Political marriage is still practiced by most of the nobles."

"What will happen to Captain if the First Princess gets married to the Duke?" Another subordinate suddenly spoke, making Leon think.

"Hmm. The Captain will most likely marry the First Princess so... it is up to him if he agrees to become a concubine."

***
END OF CHAPTER 27
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