The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

65 : The Fifth Consort

“The people named me as a son of god. They built a temple for me and the people keep coming to ask for their future. This way, I had become a well-known figure of the Huangyen Empire.”

“But then… I gradually found out my real identity. I am a descendant of an apostle. The god named ‘Huno’ bestowed me with the power of a Herald because of the wish of his apostle’s descendant. Huno chose me. I am not a son of god. I am just a messenger to the apostles, not the people.”

“I wanted to stop and travel around the world to find the apostles but the Empire reprimanded me for leaving the temple. I was heavily guarded. The eyes of the people become greedy, including my family. They made sure that I could not escape from the Empire, fearing that they would lose power. Until then… the Emperor personally asked me about his future and it was dreadful. I perceived that he will meet his death after three days. I do not want to talk about it but I had to and I should not lie when I speak. When I told them about the future of the Emperor, I got sentenced to blasphemy. After three days and the Emperor dies after assassination, I was sentenced to treason and my punishment is death.”

Tears started forming in Zale’s eyes after recalling what happened after that. “My friends… they did all their best to help me run away. They sacrificed all their lives to protect me,” those piles of dead bodies in front of his eyes when he was running. He could never erase that in his mind. “… and I successfully ran away with the help of my closest friend.”

He started wiping his tears, thinking if Lord Hamana is still alive. He raised Zale like his own son. He guided him and never left his side since he resided in the temple. When he departed after taking him to the Largoth Empire, Zale could not bear to touch his hand because he was afraid to see his future. He was afraid to see if he would survive or not.

Darya’s heart shrank with the sight of Zale’s tears and with the sound of his cries. It was a cry of extreme agony and longing. A cry that sheds deep sadness in his heart because of longing for those people he truly treasured. It was just like in her first life. She watched her grandfather close his eyes. She watched the ruin of the Empire she built. She lost the most precious being in her womb. That sadness that is painful than death itself. Only a few people could withstand that sadness without failing their mentality. Zale is so strong to keep going on until now.

She stood up to transfer to Zale’s side. She caressed his back to comfort him.

“They will be happy to know that their lives are not in vain, Zale. Seeing you alive and doing well, they won’t feel remorse. So, I will not let you come back. Are you willing to stay in my Empire?”

Zale was shocked to hear that. He looked into her eyes and the tears that he suppressed a while ago, it is starting to come back again.

Darya beamed, reassuring to him that it is alright for him to stay. “I have thought of a plan but… I will have to ask about your consent and my third consort’s consent.”

Zale got baffled, thinking what could this plan be. He somehow had an unexplainable feeling that he could not express.

Darya stood up, “Please give me a minute. I am going to talk to Desmond first.” She smiled before going out to talk to General Theobalrt.

Zale watched her go and waited patiently in the living room. He forgot his mournful feeling and is now curious to what could it be. He is also nervous about it. Would there be a need to sacrifice a life? He could not sacrifice another life. Would it cause war? Would it cause discomfort to anyone? Would it affect the Empire?

He got nervous when he met General Theobarlt’s eyes. He took a glance from him before looking back at Darya. Seeing that the Emperor nodded and came back inside, he felt chills all over his body.

Darya sat in the opposite seat and looked straight into his eyes, causing him to be even more nervous. He gulped especially when the Emperor opened her mouth to speak.

“To avoid unnecessary war from the east, I would be willing to sacrifice some of the wealth of the Empire to negotiate with the eastern people. Today, you will become my fifth consort. Are you willing?”

Zale felt like his world turned around upon hearing this.

There is no other way to save Zale without causing war other than this idea. The convoy will most likely take back Zale to either make use of him or continue his punishment. Darya thought that if an Emperor marries Zale, they will have to think of other ways to get him which is waging war but… the Largoth Empire and Huangyen Empire’s geographical distance is too wide which will cause several considerations and casualties if the Huangyen Empire attacks. 

Moreover, with the current standing of the Largoth Empire allied with the Corstan Kingdom, not to mention the difference with economy and population, Huangyen is like a piece of cake from a whole cake to the eyes of the west. With this, Huangyen will have no choice but to give up waging war. They could only take advantage of their standing as the homeland of Zale and will have no choice but to ask compensation instead. 

That day, Emperor Darya did not even ask the nobles about her proposal, she personally asked the priest to sign the papers of her marriage to Zale. General Theobarlt served as a witness.  When the convoy heard about the Emperor’s arrival and a meeting was scheduled, he was so full of himself to be able to take back Zale to his country but upon seeing the certificate of the Emperor’s marriage to Zale, it felt like he was struck by lightning.

In the end, the convoy was not able to retrieve Zale and ended up going home with piles of gold and jewellery on his ship. When the convoy arrived at the Huangyen Empire, the new Emperor was very happy about the convoy’s decision because who would reject such wealth that is worth buying two small countries? He could become the wealthiest Emperor in the world. The new Emperor thought that he was so rich, not even considering that the wealth he got was just a piece of resources from Emperor Darya’s closet.

Everything was solved in a snap with Emperor Darya’s presence. The people once again admired her with her courage and omnipotence, welcoming her mysterious consort to the Empire.

As of the time, Zale was not able to look into the eyes of Emperor Darya’s consorts. Being in one table with all her other consorts, he felt so small because all of them looked magnificent and elegant while he is the most ordinary one. However, Zale had no idea that the maids would find him very adorable, wanting him to be pampered. He did not know that he had already won several favours from the palace workers just because of his lovely appearance.

His skin looks so soft and smooth, feathers would slide perfectly to it. His blue hair is as calm as a lake and his eyes look clean and pure. His face is small like a child, it invites their fingers to pinch it because of his little chubby cheeks. 

Seeing the five consorts in one place, it’s like they are seeing different types of beauties. Duke Esteban is the handsome mature aristocrat. The Crown Prince is the prince charming. Captain Theobarlt is that strong and unbeatable hero. Captain Marshall is that knight and shining armour. And Mister Zale is that little angel that descended from the heavens.

Zale’s eyes could only look at either the Emperor or General Theobarlt. They are only the ones he is most familiar with. Although he met Duke Esteban, it was only once and they have never exchanged words.

Seeing the face of the second consort piercing his eyes to him, Zale could not help but zip his mouth. Just why did the Emperor set him up in this seat? It was like he is the main consort among everyone. On the table’s sides, on the left, there was Duke Esteban and Captain Marshall sitting quietly. On the right side, there was Crown Prince Reginald and General Theobarlt. And he is solely placed to the opposite side of the Emperor, making him look like the main guest. He is so embarrassed of himself. 

Darya raised her hand for a toast and everyone followed her. So then they started their long dinner.

***
END OF CHAPTER 65
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