The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

47 : Do You Know About the Gods?

It was another holiday in the Largoth Empire, the Emperor attended the yearly Knightage from all over the Empire. And this time, when the Five Captains were called to the stage to take their medals, her eyes specifically landed on Lorenzo who stepped out with the other Captains. She stood up from her seat and walked towards them. So then she recited the oath and was followed by them. After that, she handed them their medals as the current Captains. However, when she put on Lorenzo's medal, he explicitly took her hand and kissed the back of her palm.

Emperor Darya came back to her seat and exchanged looks with Duke Esteban who had a frown on his forehead. She shrugged the reaction and just went with the flow of the ceremony. General Theobarlt led the oath of the new knights as she ended the ceremony with closing remarks.

Lorenzo was looking towards the carriage where the Emperor and her two consorts went in, while Silla was looking in his direction because she had been feeling suspicious of him. As the current Captain of the Gates and as Lorenzo's friend back then, she noticed a lot of changes from him. And as of the moment, she cannot recognize whether he is the boy she had known before.

When the Emperor's carriage left the university, Lorenzo turned his head to look at Silla. "Dame Silla," he smiled as he walked closer to her. "I have not congratulated you before so I am going to congratulate you, now." He offered his hand.

Silla's brows furrowed because she did not like the smile on his face but in the end, she accepted his hand for formality.

"Congratulations to us for becoming Captains." Lorenzo beamingly greeted.

That moment, Silla felt him squeeze her hand as she glared at Lorenzo. She pulled back her hand, not showing that she was bothered.

"Let us celebrate our triumph as co-captains at the Count estate, as good old friends." Lorenzo was still persistent in inviting her. He had been convincing her even before the ceremony.

"I respectfully decline, Sir Marshall." Silla firmly replied and walked past him.

So then Lorenzo watched Silla walk away. His smile faded and his eyes went sharp. He is thinking why... why Silla came to the top before him. He is thinking why... she had to become fortunate when she was just from the mud. He is still not used to her becoming his senior. After all the hard work he did just to be knighted and become a Captain, why does she need to be the one to achieve his dreams first? She is just a commoner who lives on the streets and she is nothing compared to him.

"S-Sir Marshall..." A group of women approached him. His face became bright when he faced them. They had flowers and letters on their hands.

"P-Please accept my letter!" A woman in his brown hair handed her letter, shyly. He took it and smelled it on purpose.

"I like the scent of your letter." He beamed, making the woman blush.

"T-Thank you, Sir!"

So then the other woman gave him flowers and others gave gifts. This provoked the other young masters of the Marshall Family. They are upset to see the adopted son to have gotten such position that they are not able to reach.

"That psychopath!" Young Master Marshall clenched his fists, throwing dirty looks on Lorenzo but he was not able to be seen because he was at the back.

"Do not make a scene, brother." The other young master warned her brother, making him click his tongue and just leave.

So then, Emperor Darya was just looking outside the carriage to see the people. Duke Esteban was sitting beside her while General Theobarlt was across them. They were all silent while the two consorts were just watching Darya. Until then, before they arrive at the Imperial Palace walls, she suddenly thinks of something.

"I would like to go the market." She looked at General Theobarlt. "...in disguise." She beamed. "Come with me?" She invited.

"Yes, Your Majesty." General Theobarlt lowered his head and then gazed at Duke Esteban who did not react that she invited him instead of her first consort.

"I believe that Duke Esteban had not experienced the entertainment of the town, Your Majesty." General Theobarlt could not withstand the sadness in Duke Esteban's eyes so he thought that he might need to do something. "I think he will enjoy it most if he would experience it first-hand."

Hearing General Theobarlt say that, Emperor Darya turned to look at Duke Esteban. She knows what General Theobarlt meant.

"Would you like to go with us?"

Duke Esteban's face enlightened and a smile formed in his lips. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

That moment, Darya felt like Duke Esteban was a child who had just won a game. Since when did she last hang out with him? She was fourteen years old at that time. Six years have already passed. Maybe she should hang out and make him rest from pain for a while.

When they are back at the Emperor's chamber, Duke Esteban insists on assisting her with the disguise. He made sure that she wore a defensive suit behind her garments; and comfortable shoes. He also tied her hair up and removed her accessories to make her look like an ordinary person. But he knows that no matter what Darya wears, no one would ever feel like she is an ordinary person.

When they came out of the room, General Theobarlt was waiting for them outside. They walked together to the stables to get a horse. Darya rides with General Theobarlt and they head out of the Imperial Palace walls. They left their horses to the stables of the town before going around to enjoy the festival.

They went to every store and went on shopping to the market. After that, they distributed the foods they shopped to the children. So then, they watched plays and singers perform on the streets or the program that was made by the people. They also joined some games and laughed with the people, ordinarily and comfortably.

Just as they thought about going back to the Imperial Palace, Darya heard her sub-consciousness to turn around. "Mother, I feel something good!"

She turned around to see a young man wearing a long white garment. He had blue hair and white skin. And with the appearance of his face, he seems to be a foreigner.

"Mother, mother! I like him. He knows about gods! He can help me get out!"

Upon hearing that, she immediately walked towards the foreigner who was playing with a child. So then, before she gets to approach him, the young man turns his head to her. He seems to be surprised to see her although she is wearing a dark cloak, along with her consorts.

"E-Excuse me?" The young man insisted on speaking first. "Do you have anything to do with me?" The man could not look at her eyes and he purposely spoke in his foreign language so he could avoid them. He specifically cannot let them know who he is.

"Do you know about the gods?" Darya chose to be straight forward. Just by the look that this young man is showing, it seems like he already knows what is within her.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, lady." He still used his foreign language as he started walking backward. "I think you are mistaking me for another person. Please excuse me."

"I am sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." Darya took off her hood to show her face.

This made the young man stop and look at her. His eyes widened upon seeing her black hair and morganite eyes as he saw many faces behind her. He saw something within her, especially that bright colour in her heart. His heart suddenly felt heavy and he looked away to not see the depths of her soul. He should not look at this person unless he will be caught.

"It is good to meet you." He lowered his head and walked away fast. But then Darya keeps hearing her sub-consciousness about chasing the young man.

"Wait-

She was about to chase him but she stopped to look at her consorts. "I am going to chase him, alone. You stay here." So then she ran towards the young man.

"Please let me talk to you." She walked at the young man's pace. "I know you possess great power."

Hearing that, Zale stood there petrified, feeling like his whole being had been discovered. What should he do?

***
END OF CHAPTER 47
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