The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

54 : No Ordinary One

The night came for their dinner, Captain Silla was looking at the wine being poured in the glass by the waiter. She would take a look at Lorenzo’s face and then to their surroundings that are organized and quiet. It was a famous luxurious restaurant in the town of the Marquis Estate. This is where international transactions are always being held as it is designed with exquisite style that wealthy people like. She knows about this place because she assisted the Emperor before as a maid.

All she has in her mind is to figure out what Lorenzo is thinking. And for the reason of being careful, she does not plan on doing anything. She will not eat or drink anything and be cautious of her surroundings.

When everything was served, Lorenzo was the first one to take the glass of wine and raised it to toast. For damn courtesy, she took the glass of wine and clanged it on his’. She did not drink and just watched him drink his wine. And he did not budge.

“Looking back when we were young, you used to enjoy picking up coins on the street while I asked my sister to give you food.”

Just with the first sentence, her whole body got triggered with the past events she did in her life. That time she was left by her mother in an unfamiliar place because she gave birth to an unwanted child. That time she starved in the street and begged for food because she was hungry and homeless. Her life was really dark when she was young, not until she made friends with the other beggars. And she met the enthusiastic Lorenzo who extended his arms to her.

They were really good friends before. She might have been older than him but she sees him as a big brother because he is so kind and considerate. His big sister owns a big restaurant and when they had left overs, he would pack them all to distribute it to them.

Lorenzo’s expression became soft as he continued speaking, “My sister used to scold me when I took food in the restaurant. She would lash me out when I go home later than usual.”

He looked sad as if telling her that he became pitiful because of the past. Indeed, Lorenzo has traces of lashes in his calves. She had once seen it when they took a bath in a river.

Is he planning on manipulating her by bringing back the past?

“But I still chose to do something she commanded me not to, because I like to play with you. You are my first friend.”

Silla just looked at him, speechless. Does he expect her to return the favour? Too bad, she had met brilliant people that she had adopted their kind of thinking. This type of manipulation will not work on her.

“Right,” she sighed and leaned her back on her seat, showing a touched look. “You were so good to me. I was grateful to you.”

Lorenzo was about to speak to supplement her statement but Silla cut him. “However, we are living our lives to the fullest now. It was in the past. Najin and Tanya are also doing well under Captain Key.”

Lorenzo felt the boiling of his head due to the fact that his plan is starting to lose hope. His eyes went sharp but he immediately shrugged it.

“I am so grateful that I was taken by a knight and took me to the Capital City.” That was a lie. She was taken by the Emperor but she does not want to tell him the truth. 

Silla still could not forget that time she watched the carriage going away after Lorenzo was taken by a noble man. That was the last time she would consider him as her friend. She might have been grateful of him before but seeing him planning on manipulating her, she won’t be that grateful girl before.  

“By the way, I have to make a report to Her Majesty tomorrow.”

Upon hearing that, Lorenzo lost his composure and stood up, sending glares towards her. “I hope that this won’t reach the Emperor’s ears, Dame Silla.”