The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

69 : Excuses

Esteban had been sleepless during these days. He could not get out of his mind about the Emperor’s decree. If the Emperor selects a main husband and it is not him, what would happen to him? It is most likely that his subjects will beg him to have a divorce and not stay as a concubine. He knows that being a concubine will not bring any benefit to him and his dukedom. A concubine is neglected and his authority as a Duke will be reduced. He could not deny that he wants to be her main husband however…

That spot had always belonged to General Theobarlt. He had already accepted that what is best for her is General Theobarlt. However, he could not stand not being related to her. If he had a divorce to her, their current relationship will fall apart. It was more than enough that he could touch her and kiss her. If he loses all those, he is better off dead. 

He moved to the side and watched the sleeping Emperor by his side. Whenever she sleeps, she looks like a delicate woman that must be carefully taken care of. She looks like her old self, in their first lives. Sweet yet so elegant. 

He reached his hand to touch her smooth cheek and then caressed it. How he wished that nothing had changed from the first life. If only nothing had changed, he would have given everything to her. All his love and body, his authority and his property. He would submit everything to her. He could have been happily married to her if she does not remember anything but… the gods do not even want him for her. They made her remember everything so he could not be with her. It was because he broke her and she needed to know what he had done so he... could get what he deserved.

Tears fell from his eyes as he moved closer to her side. He touched her cheek and kissed her lips, tenderly. It was like an apology kiss. The gods knew how he wanted to make it up to her. Even if takes his life, he wants her to forgive him. That way, he could live in peace while watching her being happy with someone else.

Darya woke up with swollen lips. Who would think that Esteban kissed her all night until he finally fell asleep while still kissing her? She thought that she is going to finally have a proper sleep since Esteban makes sure that she is sound asleep. But she was wrong this time. She could not have a proper sleep for being kissed all night and she still could feel the numbing of her mouth. Next time, she is just going to sleep in Zale’s room since General Theobarlt had been busy with his schedule and he could not make it into the palace for a few days.

Before coming to her office, she went to tell Zale about that matter. Zale was left in the room, panicking. He still wanted to apologize for what happened on their first night but he could not get the right time to say it. It passed five days passed and now that the Emperor told him that she is going to sleep in his room, he was worried all day. He even practiced what he was going to say.

It was nearly dinner when he heard the knock on the door. He panicked, thinking why would the Emperor come earlier than expected. He is not prepared! He really wanted to cry now.

He hesitantly walked to the door, wishing himself to have courage. He slowly opened it as he felt a little relief that it was not the Emperor. 

He took a step back and lowered his head, “I greet the Crown Prince of the Corstan Kingdom.” Upon greeting Reginald, he remained his head down, avoiding the sight of the calculating eyes of the man.

Reginald was staring at him intensely as if Zale had done something bad so he could only wait for the other side to interact. Zale was never good at communicating to royals except for Darya whom he could speak with no problem.

“You,”

His heart almost jumped when Reginald spoke, his dominant voice ringing in his ears. It was chilling and giving him goosebumps.