The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

70 : Desire

Darya could not refuse. Reginald took that chance to do what he wished. If she had refused, it would make Zale feel bad and she does not want to entangle Zale with her relationship with her consorts. Zale is too innocent to be in conflict with people he doesn't even know.

She was silent all the way to Reginald's room. She would just listen to Reginald's rambles until it was finally quiet when they got inside the room and the maids and butlers stayed outside. Reginald was silent for a while before then, he slowly turned around to look at her beautiful face.

There was a smile on his lips and his eyes were misty. "I am so happy, Your Majesty." He mumbled and then walked closer to wrap his arms around her. He held her as if she was someone so precious to him.

"I can finally be alone with you," he started caressing her back and kissing her head. What Darya did not expect is when he lifted her up in his arms, surprising her a bit and making her look at his face.

"What are you doing?" Is he really thinking of sleeping with her? Did he finally lose it?

Reginald's eyes were longing and his cheeks were flushed because of the majestic view he was seeing. Her eyes are flowing and her lips were rosy. The strand of her long hair that rested on his cheek is tingling and is sending kisses to it, as if he was being caressed by her hand. He could not help but become more indulged in his desire to have her.

"Your Majesty," he swallowed his saliva while looking at the Emperor's lips. He could not help but dwell on it. He wants to taste it again so bad. "I really want to..." Without finishing his words, he had already moved closer to Darya's face to reach her lips but was cut when she spoke.

"Put me down."

Reginald halted and his closed eyes opened to look at the Emperor's cold eyes. He felt like his skin was being peeled because of disappointment. This time, he realized that he should no longer keep pretending because from the first place, his plans are not working because he had been openly lying to her.

There was rage that suddenly formed in Reginald's heart. He felt like he was being deceived. The disappointment he is feeling is raging all over his body. What he does not like most is the feeling of dejection. Just why... just why, of all men in the world, why should it be a woman that could take him down?

Darya felt the tightening of Reginald's grip on her and she could see the growing rage in his eyes. In the next seconds, she was pushed to the bed and he caged her by his body on top of her. His strong hands gripped her two hands up to her head and he specifically sat on her thighs, clasping his legs around it so she could not move her lower body. And she was being kissed forcibly.

"Reginald!" She strongly refused his lips but she could not speak because she was covered by his lips. She finally escaped it when she turned her head to the side, making him stop and look at her with more desiring eyes.

"Don't women like it rough?" His eyes were like pitch black, he was dominated with emotion. He looks like a beast who's about to eat his prey. He sounded gentle but Darya can see the possessive desire by just how he looks at her.

That moment, Reginald finally lost it and Darya was relieved to have that outcome so she could reveal her findings as well.

"Do your women like it rough?" She intentionally changed the subject towards his personal life.

This made Reginald flinch and somehow, he regained his rationality.

Darya went further digging, "Do your wives like it rough?"

At this moment, Reginald loosened the grip on Darya's wrists and his whole world shook. Right, his plans were actually ruined before he even realized that it was already ruined.

Darya watched Reginald lose interest and he finally retreated. He silently sat on the edge of the bed without speaking. He is personally recuperating and is rethinking about his life decisions. Since when did his plans get uncovered without his knowledge? He is undoubtedly a master of scheming but how... such a busy person can see through it? It is simply impossible that the Emperor herself can discover it. Did someone betray him? Or did someone discover it and tell it to the Emperor? No. How could it be? There must be a lope hole in his plan. He needs to review it again and again.

Darya can see that Reginald was lost in thought as if no one was there. She took that moment to leave the room and came back to Zale's room.

When Zale opened the door, he was surprised to see the Emperor. Her hair is messy and her lips are swollen. There was a bite on her lower lip. Her dress has curls. He immediately invited her to come inside his room.

"Sorry for my sudden presence. I hope you can let me sleep in your room tonight."

Zale's cheeks reddened. "It is alright, Your Majesty. You can sleep in my..." he realized what he was going to say next but ended up saying, "...room whenever you want..." He tried lowering his voice so it could not be heard but the Emperor chuckled.

She tapped his head, "You are so kind." She beamed and then walked towards the bed. She lied down as Zale helped her cover herself. He wanted to tell him if he could treat the bite on her lower lips but she seemed so sleepy that he could not help but wait for her to sleep before he could finally get to wipe her swollen lips.

Zale was too careful with his movement. He is worried that he might wake up the Emperor. While carefully wiping her lips, he could not help but wonder what happened. Why do her lips look like it was ransacked? As if a rampaging beast bullied her? What happened to Reginald now? Why did the Emperor come back to his room?

Suddenly, he remembered that he has the ability to see the future. His hands stopped moving and his eyes fell on the Emperor's hand. He had this urge to hold it, so he could take a look at her future again. It was not a mere desire to see her future but he wanted to take a look again. When he accidentally perceived her future, it showed that she must be careful of her second and fourth consort. They will take the throne and fight for it. The second consort is good at swordsmanship which is why the third consort will lose. The second consort will become an Emperor and he will become a tyrannical ruler who's like a monster. He will not spare a single life just for sympathy. And he will ruin the Largoth Empire.

He gulped, fighting his urge to hold the Emperor's hand. In the end, Zale stood up and brought the towel to the maids outside. He then closed the door and looked at her peaceful slumber. She is someone that deserves his full respect. She not only saved his life but she treated him as a friend. He should not take advantage of this opportunity just because of his desire to look at her future.

The next morning, Darya felt somewhat refreshed because it's been a while since she slept well. She yawned and then stretched her arms to awaken herself before she could open her eyes to look at the surroundings. It was empty but then she saw Zale, lying by her side and sleeping soundly. She could not help but sigh with a small smile drawn on her lips. She knows what he did that night. She was too sleepy to move and speak so she let him be.

She got up and covered him with the blanket. When she left the room, she told the maids to not open the curtains and wake him up. She went back to her room, only to see General Theobarlt sitting on her couch, waiting for her.

***
END OF CHAPTER 70
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