The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

50 : To Keep the Sanity

Everyone was panicking with the disappearance of the Emperor. Inside the Court Room, there was Count Marshall who was patiently waiting for the Emperor to come. There were also the two young masters of the Marshal Family who were laughing with Lorenzo's embarrassing situation. There was Duke Esteban who could not take his eyes off Lorenzo. There was General Theobarlt who remained calm. And Lorenzo who was making a good face, trying to not lose his temper because he felt like he was being stood up by the Emperor because of her disappearance just before their ceremony.

After thirty minutes of standing there, the Emperor finally arrived at the Court Room. She is wearing his knight uniform but with an Imperial cloak. She walked past her consorts before coming to the altar to face Lorenzo, her soon to be fourth consort.

"Please start the ceremony," she commanded, making Lorenzo and Count Marshall sigh in relief that the ceremony was not cancelled.

The Priest started the ceremony, made them sign the documents of their relationship, and announced their partnership. It was then signed by the witnesses. After finally settling the documents, Emperor Darya turned to look at Lorenzo's eyes.

"I am looking forward to our partnership, Captain Marshall."

"So do I, Your Majesty," he took her hand and kissed the back of her palm.

She showed a small smile before taking back her hand. Just in time, Lavenorth arrived from the Court Room while catching his breath, looking like there was an emergency announcement.

"Your Majesty! Crown Prince Reginald arrived at the Capital City just a moment ago."

The room was silenced and Darya turned to look at General Theobarlt and then to Duke Esteban. She then found herself sighing and when she was about to walk, Lorenzo grabbed her hand.

"Are you going to the Corstan Crown Prince?"

Darya looked at his hand and then to him. "Yes. It has been three years since my second consort came to the Empire."

"Please take me with you." Lorenzo beamed, "So he will know that I have become your fourth consort."

Darya stares at him for a while. She clearly knows what Lorenzo wants. She nodded and smoothly took back her hand, as she walked towards her other consorts. She takes General Theobarlt hand.

"Let us see Crown Prince Reginald." She smiled at him before looking at Duke Esteban. "Would you like to come with us, as well?"

Duke Esteban was not able to speak for a few seconds but he did not decline in the end. So, the four of them walked to the Imperial Palace's façade to welcome her second consort. With General Theobarlt beside her and Duke Esteban on her left, Lorenzo could not step in and was just silently standing to the side of General Theobarlt.

A total of ten carriages were heading towards the Imperial Palace. The first carriage was specifically golden and was very eye-catching. It was clearly made just for him. The golden carriage stopped before them and his aid came out first to guide him outside. So then, Darya watched Reginald come out of the carriage.

The first thing that she noticed is how he wore a Corstan garment that is open in the chest, emphasizing the central part of his chest and some portions of his abdominal muscles.

A laugh came out of Darya's mouth. She could not help but chuckle at how Reginald took her criticism seriously. Reginald really worked out for the last three years. He really had grown muscles and he looked more mature now.

As soon as Darya appeared in Reginald's eyes, excitement immediately filled his body, making him run towards her.

"My Sage!" He immediately snatched her away from General Theobarlt as he embraced her in his arms and snuggled his face to hers.

"I have longed for you all these years, my Sage. You have been casually living in my head. Now, I feel so relieved to be by your side again." He started planting kisses on her head and then to her face, including her lips.

So then, feeling confident with himself, he stood up properly after pushing Darya to his side, showing her consorts that he must be with her today. But then, his eyes specifically landed on the new face he is seeing. He had a black curly hair and blue eyes. He looks young and healthy but... when he saw that he is not as muscular as General Theobarlt, a smile formed in his lips.

"And who is this fellow?"

Lorenzo finally had a chance to talk. "I am Lorenzo Marshall from the Count Estate. I am one of the new Captains and I have just become Her Majesty's Fourth Consort." He lowered his head a bit to show respect but it was not lower enough to show that he is not below him.

"What?" Reginald could not believe that just before he came back, the Emperor took another consort. He also never thought that she was taking another consort after General Theobarlt. All he thought was that he was only going to deal with two people!

He looked at Darya, still shocked. But Darya did not react as she avoided his touch. "Let us have a meal after an hour, to the Imperial garden." She announced to her consorts. "I am going to see you all there, again." She started walking away to go to her office but... with General Theobarlt.

She took his hand a while ago before walking away. When she arrived at her office, she closed the door and turned to face General Theobarlt. Her sophisticated self immediately turned frail.

"Are you mad?"

She finally had time to ask him. When she got the proposal from Count Marshall, he did not have time to come as he was away from the Imperial Palace for two weeks. He was only informed about the news of her taking Captain Marshall as a consort when he arrived at the Imperial Palace.

General Theobarlt was not able to speak for a few seconds. Although he had his usual calm demeanor, she can see the sadness in his eyes. He looked hurt. But instead of replying, he pulled her gently to his arms, clasping their bodies to feel warmth.

"Wouldn't it be abnormal if I have not gotten mad?" He sighed and felt relieved after embracing her, finally calming after having full control with his emotions a while ago. It was not a good welcome to have heard news about the Emperor taking another consort just after he arrived at the Imperial Palace after two weeks of not seeing her.

"I was mad not because you had taken another consort. I was mad because I have limited time to accept it. It would have been better if I had known it earlier so I could think about how I am going to keep my sanity." He held her tight.

"I am sorry."

"No, it is alright. It is not your fault. I am sorry to make you feel that way." He looked at her in the eyes and put her hair to the back of her ear to see her full face. He then kissed her forehead.

"I want to be with you tonight. I miss you." She pouted, tears forming in her eyes.

He touched her cheeks and caressed it with his thumb. "I want to be with you as well, Lysandra but tonight would be Crown Prince Reginald's time, right?"

When Darya's tears fell, he wiped it. "But we have an hour for us today." He supplemented as he lifted her up in his arms.

He walked to the couch, sat there and put her in his laps. So she put her arms around his neck as she pulled him to capture his lips. It started with a slow kiss and touching. They took the time feeling each other's grasp, closing the distance, and breaking the barrier.

Just when she started unbuckling his pants, he left her lips to look at her desiring eyes. "You know we cannot do it, Lysandra." He whispered, making her stop.

"Why?"

"We will end up not going to the meal, so we have to control ourselves for today."

She pouted and he chuckled because of her disappointed reaction.

***
END OF CHAPTER 50
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