The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

30 : The Crown

"Alluka really took it seriously," Princess Darya was laughing when she saw how many animals Alluka took out of the forest.

"He must have been really determined to take the trophy for his wife." Captain Billion chuckled loud, and was then followed by Captain Urgos.

"Young people nowadays are scary," Captain Quira snickered.

"Hey, Dad! It's like you took everything in the forest!" Silla was devastated after seeing how many animals Alluka had.

Alluka looked away, singing in whistle, and avoiding the teasing look of his comrades. "I just happened to have the gods on my side."

Everyone had fun teasing Alluka as they waited for the other competitors to come. It is clear who the winner is but there is one man who almost beat Alluka's weight of hunted animals. It was the foreigner who was rescued by Princess Darya.

The festival comes after three hours. As everyone was preparing for the feast all over the capital city, Captain Theobarlt commanded his subordinates to maintain order and security among the people. The market was crowded but night lights were everywhere, making it safe for everyone to go around the city. The stage where the winners will be awarded has also been built, making the last day prepared to end.

Three hours later, Emperor Oswald comes to attend as well as Princess Darya, Prince Harrique and Duke Esteban. The Emperor was a bit unwell so Princess Darya and the Chamberlain represented the Emperor. The Chamberlain announced the winners of every category while Princess Darya handed the awards to the winners.

Enjoyment and happiness was drawn to the people's faces because the winners are not the only one that was given awards but also everyone that is present at that time. They cheered for the First Princess and Emperor Oswald, showing their gratitude to how good they are to be their leaders.

So then, the Emperor started his speech. "I ask consideration for not being active in any social gathering with my people. It is due to my poor health as an old man that keeps aging. I am grateful to have been able to present myself to my people and I am also grateful to my granddaughter for bringing the best of the Largoth Empire."

"As the current ruler of the Largoth Empire, I am mortal and I am getting older as the days go by. I think this is the best time to tell my people that before I left the Empire, I would like to train a capable person to whom I can say that 'My Empire is in good hands.' At this significant moment, I would like to formally introduce a Crown Princess, my grandchild, Darya Y Taleigha Oswald!"

The people bawled their voices of triumph upon hearing the public announcement the Emperor had made. Princess Darya expected to be crowned at this time because it happened in her past life but in a different event. She walks towards the Emperor as she bent her right knee to the ground. She then lowered her head when the Emperor took his sword to give his blessing.

"I, Lysander Oswald, the Emperor of the Largoth Empire, offer my blessings to the one who will succeed on my throne, Crown Princess Lysandra Darya Sage Y Taleigha Oswald. The Crown Princess shall be regarded as my other half as the ruler of the Largoth Empire. Thou shall submit thyself to the people of the Empire, now and in the future."

Crown Princess Darya smiled. "I, Crown Princess Lysandra Darya Sage Y Taleigha Oswald, have received the blessings of the Emperor. I submit my life to the people of the Largoth Empire, now and in the future."

As she stood up, people started giving their blessings as well. Flower petals started falling from above as musicians started playing their instruments.

"Hail the Emperor and the Crown Princess!"

"Hail the Emperor and the Crown Princess!"

The first one Crown Princess Darya looked for is Prince Harrique. His raging eyes are sending her death threats but she only replied to him with a charming smile as she knows that he could not do anything because of his situation. She knows very well that her uncle, Prince Harrique, wanted the throne so bad to the point that he betrayed his brother, Prince Darionne, so he would die in his stead. She knows really well that Prince Harrique was the reason why her father died on the battlefield.

"Congratulations, Crown Princess." Duke Esteban comes to greet her. He was then followed by the other nobles who were present.

The festival continued and the royals were taken back to the Imperial Palace. Duke Esteban sent Crown Princess Darya to her room.

"Rest well." He kissed her head before leaving to go back to the Dukedom.

As soon as Duke Esteban left, she immediately closed the door of her room as she took off her dress, crown, sash and sandals. With the help of Silla who happened to be following her as well, it did not take long for her to change her outfit.

"See you again, Silla." She told Silla before sneaking out of her room through the balcony. She put on her hood as she ran to her usual secret passage that Captain Theobarlt purposely made a blind spot to the patrolling knights. As soon as she arrives at the main gate, Captain Theobarlt is there waiting for her. She ran towards him as she jumped into his arms.

"Felicitations, Your Highness." Captain Theobarlt lifted her up and embraced her in his arms.

"I wish I heard that earlier, Desmond." She chuckled, "I would have been the happiest Crown Princess alive."

Captain Theobarlt started moving around like he was dancing with her. "Apologies," He snickered. "I will take you everywhere tonight as a compensation."

"Really?" She grinned. "Yes."

"Then let us go!"

She was still in Captain Theobarlt's arm when he walked outside the gate, still carrying her. His subordinates could only look away when he gave them a look of warning. They know that it was the Princess he is holding. So then, when the two were gone in the crowd, everyone looked at each other and started talking about them again.

"I could not believe that, that was Captain Theobarlt. I think that my eyes are deceiving me."

"Sigh. How could the Captain hold Her Highness like that?"

Leon sighs, "I envy the captain. I want to have a lover too."

"Dude, you literally rejected a girl just a while ago."

"That was a prostitute!"

Everyone laughed at Leon's loss.

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Darya and Captain Theobartl enjoyed their time in the city, pretending like ordinary people. They also danced with them in the street and even played with some kids. Until then, Silla came to them running.

"I have been looking for you, Your Highness!" Silla was catching her breath when she stopped before them.

"Is there any problem, Silla?"

"My... my mother is in labour!"

Her eyes went wide as she looked at Captain Theobarlt. So then they found themselves running to the stables in the town to get a horse, in hurry to go to Ejila.

***
END OF CHAPTER 30
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