The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

43 : Good Night

Darya mourned for her grandfather's death for many days. She would visit the grave of the late Imperial Family everyday whilst staying quiet. Others who stand beside her, assist her with work while she is grieving the death of her only family left. Duke Esteban insisted on working at the Imperial palace along with Lavenorth.

As for Crown Prince Reginald who came after hearing the sudden coronation, he could not approach Darya because she would not talk to anyone except for Captain Theobarlt, Duke Esteban, and other close acquaintances of her. At that moment, he felt like the boundary that collapsed between them had been built again and this time, it was so high that it would not be easy to break. So he decided to not break the boundary but climb through it.

With that thought, he had no choice but to work with the first consort of Darya, Duke Esteban. They worked together professionally without letting their hate for each other tamper with their pride and dignity. They watched Darya communicate with only Captain Theobarlt during every meal where they were present. Captain Theobarlt was always on her side even if he is not a consort.

Because of this, Reginald could not help but think negatively about what might happen if Darya and Captain Theobarlt's relationship go on. He is thinking that everything he planned will not succeed once Captain Theobarlt becomes the third consort.

Reginald finally had time to face Captain Theobarlt after a month. He even went to the main gate just to look for him and he found him disciplining his subordinates. As he observed him, he can now tell why he is respected and recognized as a good leader. This made him even more annoyed that he could not just tarnish Captain Theobarlt's name with his current name.

"You," Reginald's eyes were sharp when Captain Theobalrt came close to him. "Do you want power?" He stepped closer to him, looking up to his red eyes behind his hair. "Do you want money? What is it that you want from Her Majesty? I can give you what you desire so you can stay away from Her Majesty as soon as possible."

Captain Theobarlt's brows furrowed, he does not like the look on Reginald's eyes and the meaning of his statements.

Reginald goes on, "I believe that you are aware of your position as 'just' a Captain of the knights, Sir Theobarlt. And I am telling you that you do not deserve to be by Her Majesty's side because of your poor background. Are you planning on tainting Her Majesty's image by your presence as her lover? What if the nobles finds out about your relationship with her? Of course, they are going to investigate you and do you know what will happen?" Reginald pointed his forefinger on him. "You will bring shame to the name of the Emperor."

Captain Theobarlt felt a sting in his heart because what Reginald said is right. Because of his current position, he is still undeserved to be by her side. Sometimes, he thought about going to the top but... with his current relationship with Darya, he does not want to change it just because of something that he will do.

"I am aware that I am undeserving of Her Majesty's side." He looked at Reginald's eyes. "However, as long as she keeps me and finds value in my existence, I am undeserved to decline such responsibility that I will hold until the end of my life." He is feeling that Reginald is just doing this to ruin his relationship to the Emperor.

"What?" Reginald could not believe the look on Captain Theobarlt's eyes. He is not even bothered by it, even a peck.

"Your Highness, I do not desire power nor wealth. I desire no disposition such as ill intentions to Her Majesty. It might be because I had pure intentions that Her Majesty would not push me away even if I asked her to." He paused and stepped back to have more space between them, feeling that there is no point being tense to each other.

"I believe that I have no more words to state to Your Highness and that you do not have any reason to make this conversation go on." He lowered his head a bit before walking back to his position to the upper wall where his office is located.