The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

45 : The Third Consort

Reginald locked himself up in his room as he kept on walking back and forth while biting his finger. He could not stay still as he is currently experiencing his biggest anxiety which is... that the Emperor will take General Theobarlt as her third consort. Yes, just this morning, the day after the knighthood ceremony, Emperor Darya announced her taking another consort.

This morning, he watched Emperor Darya and General Theobarlt sign documents of their relationship. He watched them kiss-no he is specifically irritated by the fact that Emperor Darya was looking happy all the time. He is so annoyed that the man he looked down on before now has the same position as him.

And this night will be the first night of the two. He tried to interfere by getting clingy to the Emperor in front of her new consort but it was no use. He could not provoke General Theobarlt. He even convince Duke Esteban earlier,

"Are you not worried that the Emperor will bear a child of that man?"

Duke Esteban showed him a questionable look instead of concern.

He continued to convince him to his side. "Think about this Lord Garrett, General Theobarlt is Her Majesty's lover. They had such intimacy and affection that could possibly create something, which is a child. If Her Majesty bears a child of that man, your position as the first consort will-

"What is your point, Your Highness?" He was cut by him.

"A-Are you not jealous of that man becoming the Emperor's favourite concubine?"

Duke Esteban got silent for a while but he looked at him with no such envy. "Whatever the Emperor likes, never will I question such."

In the end, he failed to convince Duke Esteban to his side and could not do anything but stay in his room and wished for the night to pass right away. Meanwhile, Darya and Desmonde just stayed lying down in the bed and sleeping soundly while holding each other because they are tired with work these days.

The next day, General Theobarlt could only see a wild kitten eating messily in front of him. The breakfast was supposed to be for the Emperor and her third consort but Reginald insisted on joining. Reginald is currently having an eye contact battle with General Theobarlt. He is so annoyed to see the full face of the Emperor's third consort especially that he looks specifically charming like a Prince. All the noble ladies rambling about his exquisite looks during the banquet still lives in his mind that it gave him a nightmare last night.

"Will you be alright?" General Theobarlt chose to ignore Reginald and turned to look at Darya.

Reginald flinched there. What does he mean? Why does General Theobarlt have to ask her if she is alright? Did he perhaps... His eyes widened while he looked towards General Theobarlt.

"Yes." She nodded.

Reginald's gaze went back to Darya.

"Call for me anytime."

Then back to General Theobarlt.

Darya chuckled at General Theobarlt's response. She looked at him and pinched his cheek. "Of course. You can come anytime, as well."

'What?' What is happening? Reginald could not believe what he just heard. General Theobarlt can come anytime while he, her second consort, is restricted to her room if he does not get permission?

The breakfast was finished and he watched the Emperor walk with the General. He was left at the back while just standing there, his soul was snatched away earlier. Now he regrets joining the meal because he developed an extreme insecurity towards General Theobarlt.

Now he understands why Emperor Darya likes to cling to the General. It is because of his body build. The General had such muscles that the Emperor specifically liked. Was the reason why the Emperor told him to have abdominal muscles because she liked General Theobarlt's body? Does this mean that... the Emperor had seen the General's naked body before he got married to her?!

His soul left his body and before he collapsed, his aid caught him.

Emperor Darya was doing well as usual but since General Theobarlt became her consort, she is extra active in doing national management. It seems that she had finally recovered and decided to do her next moves for the betterment of the Empire. She broke the structural and societal barriers between nobles and commoners by building more educational facilities open for all people and allowing commoners to take part of the Empire. She ended the discrimination of social status and gender by allowing women to be leaders and take any occupation they like. She had also opened international relations and accepted businesses from other countries.

This course continued during the years and the Empire had gone into a huge change, making the Largoth Empire as the first Empire to have more than a million of knights. The Largoth Empire had become the biggest and best Empire of all the time. This has caused Emperor Darya to become well known in other countries as she received many proposals from foreigners such as business partnership or marriage. However, Darya did not take another consort after General Theobarlt. Three years had already passed and Emperor Darya still had three consorts.

"Where are we?" A man in his white cloak was looking up to the walls of the Imperial Palace of the Largoth Empire. The carriage he is in is currently crossing the bridge to the Capital City.

"We are heading to the Capital City of the Largoth Empire, Your Grace."

"Largoth Empire?" He looked at his aid, curious as to why they had to come in this place.

"Yes, it is the most popular Empire of the West, Your Grace. This is the best Empire for camouflage as we will no longer worry about our safety. Their security has been flawless and their justice system is greatly valued. It is also said that commoners are allowed to be educated and women are allowed to divorce their husbands for certain conditions. It is also said that foreigners are welcomed and respected."

His eyes widened in surprise to hear that. His deep blue eyes sparkled. He does not know but he had a good feeling in this place, like he finally had a good place where he could live normally.

Their carriage passed the coniferous forest across the bridge. They had to turn to the right to the seaside in order to finally see the first glance of the Capital city, the port of Hiague town. He watched the fishermen inshore and offshore, and the people in the port purchasing fish.

"Today is Monday. The fishermen will most likely sell off all their fish." His aid proceeded to discuss. "Fishing is the most common occupation in this port, Your Grace. This place also served as the source of all sea foods of the Capital City and most of the neighbouring towns. Every Monday is market day in which all products are sold at half of the Imperial price."

Again, his eyes sparkled with the sight of many people gathering, especially the excitement drawn to the people's faces. The sight of the children playing happily made his heart move, especially that they all look healthy and living well. Just by seeing the people live their lives to the best, he could not help but admire the one who built such an Empire.

The carriage moved closer to the main market and more people were gathering everywhere as if there had been a festival. He could only watch from the inside until he had finally seen the Imperial Palace walls closer while they passed it.

"Seeing the walls up close, I did not expect it to be higher than it looked from afar. How high and big could the Imperial palace be?" His aid specifically got enthralled with the sight of the great Imperial palace of the Largoth Empire. He had expected this but seeing it personally is still different.

So then, their carriage stopped at the terminal of the carriages. His aid paid the coachman and guided him out of the carriage. Then an old man approached them.

"Good day! I am Albert Scout, are you Mister Hamana?" The old man asked for his aid with the use of the Empire's language.

"Oh, Mister Scout!" Mister Hamana offered his hand for a shake. "I am Kiha Hamana." He shook Mister Scout's hand. "This is my brother, the one who will live in your former house." His aid introduced him.

He took off the hood of his cloak as his blue hair shone with the brightness of the sun. He had a small face and puff pink lips. The strands of his hair that covered his forehead emphasized the same colour of his deep blue eyes. He looks beautiful and innocent. He smiled upon receiving the hand of Mister Scout.

"I am Zale, from the East."

***
END OF CHAPTER 45
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