The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

80: Lost Again

The victory of the Largoth Empire in the war caused the whole world to shake. The people in the Empire had already made preparations after having a feeling that they would win the war after the disappearance of the fog. The people hoped and prayed for the victory of the Empire and their prayers were answered. 

As Emperor Darya and the imperial knights marched towards the Imperial palace, the people were all present to give them gifts and welcome them with a simple celebration although the capital city had lost properties. Nearby towns have also contributed and attended the celebration. 

All remaining nobles were waiting for their arrival. As soon as Duke Esteban saw the unscratched figure of Emperor Darya, tears were falling from his eyes as everything she had done came back to him like flashes of memories. Despite the fact that she can remember their past and his betrayal, she did not hesitate to trust him every time. She trusted him with the whole Largoth Empire while she was away. She trusted the Empire to him during the rebellion. And this trust that she had given is like a life to him, a life that he does not want to lose.

As soon as Emperor Darya got off the horse, his feet led him to her, wrapping his arms around her and feeling relieved that she was safe and sound. The doctor told him to rest but how can he rest when his wife is fighting for her life for the Empire he was entrusted to handle?

“My lord,” Sir Lavenorth was panicking because Duke Esteban did not want to let go of the Emperor.

Duke Esteban got so emotional that he is now crying in front of all the nobles and the knights which is a shock to them. Duke Esteban has always been calm and collected at all times. He is ruthless when it comes to training the knights. He is serious in dealing with problems. But now… is an exemption.

“Esteban,” Darya called his name and tapped his back but he was not moving.

“Esteban?” She asked once more but intuitively caught him when he was about to fall.

“My lord—” The nobles panicked.

Darya caught Esteban in her arms. He was unconscious and he looked unwell. Upon seeing this, Darya immediately looked at Sir Lavenorth.

“Call for the Imperial doctors!”

Darya had to put Esteban to the ground as she could not weigh him. She touched his cold face as she saw his grey lips.

“Esteban?” She called for his name again, to check if he is still conscious about his surroundings. She then checked his pulse when he did not respond.

Panic travelled throughout her body after checking that his pulse barely moves. “Esteban, can you hear me?!” She shook him as fear subconsciously succumbed to her well-being.

She looked at the nobles to inquire, “what happened when I was away?!”

The nobles were silent because they were also clueless and also rattled because of this sudden situation.

So then, a knight answered her question. “Your Majesty,” he lowered his head, “During the rebellion, an enemy disguised as a maid attacked the Duke, causing the lord to have a deep wound on his left waist.”

Darya immediately looked for the wound. She unbuttoned Esteban’s garment as her eyes widened after seeing blood covering the bondage wrapped around his waist. Her body froze as she could hear the loudness of her heart beat.

Her hands started shaking while she reached for the wound. She still could remember Alluka telling her that General Theobarlt was attacked through the chest. This looks painful— was the cause of her third consort’s death this deep and terrible wound? Does this mean—

“…your majesty…”

Upon hearing Esteban’s voice, she looked at him as she lowered her head to listen to what he was going to say. She is feeling uncomfortable, uneasy and confused as to why she is suddenly thinking negatively. No, how many people is she going to lose?

Seeing her crystal tears falling from her eyes, a small smile formed in Esteban’s lips although he is feeling an excruciating pain throughout his body. What made him happy is this sign that she truly cares for him and that he still has a place in her heart.

“Hang on, Esteban. The doctors will be here.” Her voice is shaking.

With her warm hand touching his face and him resting on her arm, this would be the best deathbed he could have. With her sight and touch… he would be happy to finally rest.

‘It’s useless to call the doctors, my wife.’ He had long accepted it, that he would not last longer to be with her. He had already accepted that he will not be able to make up for all that he did in the past. ‘Ah, this is such a familiar situation but in reverse. What nostalgia.’ Before, the one that was lying down was his wife as he made her drink the poison that killed her love. She asked him…

“… have you ever loved me… truly?”

Hearing Esteban’s words, Darya looked into his blue eyes that were as peaceful as the sky. Those eyes that once were her world. This face was once her son. This presence that once she loved. Is this really going to be another end?

She grabbed Esteban’s stiff hand, leaned down to him, touched her forehead to his head as tears fell on his cooling face.

“I loved you, Esteban, truly.”

Esteban closed his eyes with a smile on his lips. He could not feel his body anymore and he could not open his mouth anymore. He wanted to say what he feels right now. He wanted to say that he loves her… too much that he is happy to be in his death bed with her presence.

I am “… sorry,” Your Majesty. He is sorry for everything he has done.

‘If there is another life where I can have you again, I will repay you again.’

Darya’s tears stopped after feeling the pulse no more as his hand became so soft that it almost fell from her grasp but she caught it. She wrapped her arms around her first consort’s cold and warm body as she kissed his lips one last time.

She just lost someone once more.