The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

44 : A National Holiday

"Thus, I have decided to change the hierarchical system of the knighthood. The Empire shall have a General that leads the entirety of the knights."

Darya's proposal to the nobles caused many questions to be answered. Most of the nobles who are against her reign have backfired her with nonsense questions that almost made her lose composure but with patience and authority, she had survived the meeting and got more approval on their part. So now, she is letting all five captains know about the result of her proposal.

"The General of Knights shall have a Knight Region composed of three Field Knights and the rest of the knights. These Field Knights include the Five Captains who will also have their own battalions which are composed of 200 to 400 knights." She explained.

"At this point in time, I would ask the Captains to vote for the Empire's General of the Knights." There were no other hesitations, all Captains were looking towards Captain Theobarlt's direction.

"I believe that Captain Theobarlt is the best candidate to become the General of the Knighthood, Your Majesty." Captain Billion acknowledged. "In my entire life of being one of the Captains of the knights, I have never seen such exceptional talent other than what Sir Theobarlt possessed. I greatly believe in his ability and leadership skills."

"I think it is very clear to have Sir Theobarlt as the Empire's General, Your Majesty." Captain Quira approved, nodding his head.

"There is no more contradiction on my part." Captain Urgos agreed.

"I second emotion to Sir Urgo's statement, Your Majesty." Captain Key marvelled.

Darya's gaze turned to Captain Theobarlt who's currently looking at her as well. He stood up, walked close to her as he dropped his right knee and lowered his head. "I, Desmonde Theobarlt, will do my utmost best to serve Emperor Darya and the Largoth Empire, with the entirety of my life."

A smile formed in Darya's lips. "A ceremony, a banquet, and a festival must be held next week for such an important event upcoming for the Largoth Empire."

The announcement of the new hierarchical system of the knighthood had caused the people to be thrilled about the upcoming ceremony and festival. Knowing that their favourite captain among the knights will be knighted as the Empire's General, the people could only hail to the Emperor to such change, now that they are sure about their safety and security in living in the Empire.

"What?!" Upon hearing the announcement of his aid, Reginald got up from doing push-ups and directly walked towards his aid to grab his collar. "What did you say?" He thundered, unable to process what he just heard. He is also breathing heavily for the intense workout he had been doing.

"The Emperor announced a ceremony, a banquet, and a festival to be held as a celebration to the new hierarchical system of the knighthood to which Sir Desmonde Theobarlt will be knighted as the Empire's General of the entirety of Knighthood, Your Highness."

Unable to suppress his irritation, he pushed his aid away and started biting his finger to think. What could be the Emperor's reason for creating such hierarchy? Is it to lift up Captain Theobarlt's position? And just why does it have to be Captain Theobarlt of all the captains?! It could have been Captain Billion which is the oldest of them all.

He walked back and forth to his room. Now that Captain Theobarlt has a higher position, he can possibly become... His eyes widened upon realization.

"Call for the maids. I am going to see the Emperor."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Duke Esteban could only watch Emperor Darya who just picked peonies from the flowers of the Imperial garden. She smelled them before coming back to their table. She put the flowers in the glass vase she had on the table and started arranging it. He could not help but admire the view he was seeing, especially that Darya's eyes were glowing while she looked at the flowers. She clearly enjoys what she is doing. It's good that he came to see her today.

So then, Silla was looking for Darya and when she finally saw her in the Imperial garden, she could not help but call out for her. "Sire!" She ran towards her as Darya stopped to look at her.

Silla immediately bent her knees to embrace Darya and started crying. "I heard everything from Captain Billion, Sire." She cried louder. "I don't know what to say, Sire. I am so thankful I could die."

Silla's loud cry penetrated their ears, making Duke Esteban almost warn her insolence but as soon as he saw Darya tapping her head and combing it lovingly, he forfeited. His heart started aching as he saw that motherly love in her eyes. Her hands are moving gently, as if Silla is a child she wants to protect.

"You deserve to be in that position, Silla. Captain Billion trusts you."

"Yes, I will be doing my best!" Silla wiped her tears and stood up straight. "Please forgive my insolence and indecency. Enjoy your time, Your Majesty and Lord Esteban." She lowered her head to Darya and then to Duke Esteban.

"Such a lovely child," Darya chuckled while watching Silla run away, like a little rabbit.

Duke Esteban was not able to speak as he pressed himself from speaking something he will regret later. Their child... he is the reason why...

When he felt tears forming in his eyes, he immediately stood up from his seat and walked closer to Darya. She was confusedly looking at him but then he took her hand and pulled her up so he could embrace her in his arms. There he cried silently as he tightened his hug. He caressed her back, kissed her head, and then her neck.

"Esteban?"

Upon hearing her call his first name, he knows that his heart will be feeling more pain in the future and he deserves it. He deserves all this pain, all this agony. He deserves even more pain for causing her such despair.

Meanwhile, Reginald remained watching Darya tap Duke Esteban's back while he embraced her in his arms. He found himself biting his lips. Just why... is it always Duke Esteban or Captain Theobarlt? Just why can't she open her heart to him? Just why does she keep pushing him away? Is it because he is a Corstan Crown Prince? Or is it perhaps because... she knows his intentions?

He turned around and bit his finger. He started walking away. Is the Emperor perhaps aware of his plan? Does she perhaps... calculated it? But he made sure that he was not caught... No- he will never get caught but why does it feel like he is being read openly?

Days later, while the people in the Capital City were enjoying the festival outside the walls, Emperor Darya proceeded to the ceremony. She knighted Captain Theobarlt as the Empire's General as well as the Five Captains. Captain Billion retired from his position and he was succeeded by the fourteen year-old Silla as she became the first woman to become a Captain of the knights. All knights, new and old, had taken the oath of knighthood as that day became a national holiday to commemorate the new system of knighthood.

During the banquet, Emperor Darya's consorts could only watch her dance with General Theobarlt in the middle of all the guests dancing with the music as well.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo watched his father with cold eyes. He was clenching his fist as rage was overflowing him. He hates it. He hates the sight of his father smiling while watching the Emperor. He hates it that his biological father was even the one who punished his biological mother. He hates it that his father's attention was completely drawn to another person as he forgot about his child and his supposed wife.

He did all his best to be recognized. Although he was abused at the Marshall House, he survived knighthood and graduated but he did not become a captain and instead it was a woman! His father also promised to attend his graduation but he did not come!

He found himself clenching his fist, raging. 'Father, do not hate me for what I am going to do.'

***
END OF CHAPTER 44
phobiii_zz