The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Seven

Emperor Cabel leans back in his chair, a fatigued exhale leaving his lips as he stares out the window. Blankly looking out at the night sky, the stars shine out brightly amongst the full moon.

The door knocks as he begins rising to his feet.

"Your majesty? I've brought some tea. May I come in?" Lance calls out.

The door swiftly opens and Emperor Cabel appears before the butler. Exiting his office, the emperor adjusts his jacket as he passes by Lance.

"I'll have refreshments later. I'm going out for a bit." He speaks in a cold-detached tone—his voice plagued with exhaustion.

Taking a step back, Lance bows his head.

"Understood, your majesty. May glory of Helios rest upon you." Lance calmly speaks, watching Emperor Cabel disappear down the hall. 

In the warm autumn night, Luna stands on the balcony of the golden palace's library—her dress gently swaying in the breeze as she gazes at the sky full of stars with a bittersweet look. Her eyes beginning to tear up as she looks down at her wrists, she shakes her head before taking a deep breath as she wraps her arms around herself.

Moments later she leaves the library wearing a hooded black cloak, tightly clutching a stack of books. Gazing up at the full moon, she mindlessly strolls around the garden. Admiring the flowers as they glisten underneath the moonlight, she ponders for a moment—lost in her thoughts.

A man with honey-brown hair appears, his eyes a shade of orange amber. Wearing a beige royal guards' uniform with golden accents, he walks through the garden as his cape blows in the gentle breeze. 

"Who dares enter the emperor's garden?" His deep voice calls out.

His hand gripping his sheathed sword as he looks at the figure ahead of him—the distant figure jumps, turning around.
The hood falling down as the figure quickly turns to look behind, her long blonde hair glistens under the moonlight—resembling strands of spun gold. Her eyes widen as she notices the knight standing a few feet from her.

"You... Who are you?" The man questions again—his eyes subtly widening upon looking at her luscious hair and her innocent gaze.
"Oh, forgive me! I-I'm from the golden palace." She hurries to curtsy.

The guard pauses for a moment, taken aback as a thought appears in his mind. Catching himself lost in thought for too long, he tears his eyes from her as he relaxes his grip on his sword.

"This garden belongs to Emperor Cabel. Visitors are not permitted to enter at this hour, so refrain from entering if you value your life." He sternly speaks, regaining his composure.

The lady pauses before giggling. The man can only stare at her, confused by her reaction.

"Did you not understand me?" He asks.
"I-I apologize, I do understand but I promise it was a mistake. I was on a stroll, and I suppose I left the golden palace's garden without realizing." She speaks, smiling slightly, "Are you a knight? I've never seen a knight with your uniform before."

The lady curiously inspects his uniform.

"I'm a guard for his majesty. I doubt you'll see me again after tonight." He coldly speaks, raking his hand through his hair.
"I do apologize, I didn't mean to upset you. I never had a tour of his imperial majesty's grounds, so I never knew his garden was so close to the golden palace."
"Are you a new one? Is there a reason you never got a tour or are you a trespasser?" The guard grips his sword, beginning to unsheathe it.

The lady jumps, dropping her books as she holds up her hands.

"Wait, please believe me! My name is Luna, but I-I was brought in an unhealthy condition and because I was unable to move for a prolonged amount of time. His majesty's butler, Lance can explain it if you need proof!" She hastily explains, afraid of the man before her.

The royal guard's expression flickers with realization.

"That won't be necessary, I've heard of you before." He roughly sheathes his sword, turning to walk away.
"You have?" Luna asks, a pained tone in her voice.

The guard turns back around, glancing at Luna's expression. Meeting his gaze, she jumps as she quickly averts her eyes.

"I suppose it's hard to run away from rumors." Luna solemnly smiles, hugging herself as she shrinks away from his stare.

Silence falls between them, the guard hesitant to speak until he gathers his words.

"I was there. I witnessed the dungeon you were locked in, and the execution of your parents. Childish rumors are irrelevant to me." The guard briskly walks away, leaving Luna behind.

Her fingers fidget as she thinks of his words for a moment, watching him leave without another word.
She simply sighs, picking up her books until looking up at the starry sky.

"Is this always going to haunt me?" Luna whispers, closing her exhausted eyes.

Just before the guard enters the royal palace, he turns around to glance at Luna. Watching her cloak sway in the breeze as she walks towards the golden palace, a melancholy gaze appears as he thinks to himself. 

Emperor Cabel sits in his office, leaning lethargically in his chair. Staring out the window in a daze, he taps his finger against his desk.

"Lance." Emperor Cabel calls out.
"Yes, your majesty?"
"Is there any news from the golden palace?"
"Regarding the ladies?"
"Who else would I be talking about?"

Lance walks closer to Emperor Cabel's desk with a coy-boyish smile.

"Your majesty, are you perhaps interested in a particular one?" Lance questions with a slight singing tone to his voice.

Emperor Cabel glares briefly.

"If I was, why should it interest you?" The emperor scoffs.
"Well, I'm only curious. Is there someone you'd like to ask about?" Lance smiles, eagerly waiting for his response.

Growing annoyed, the emperor rolls his eyes until turning his chair to face the window again.

"That's enough, leave." Emperor Cabel growls, flicking his wrist as he signals to be left alone.
"As you wish, your majesty. May glory of Helios rest upon you." Lance smiles, subtly amused as he bows before exiting the office.

Emperor Cabel blankly stares out the window, until his eye catches the glimpse of a distant building to the far left of his garden—the golden palace's library. Staring at the tower brightly lit up, he taps his finger against his desk as he ponders.

"Is it really you?" He whispers, closing his eyes as he recalls a distant memory, "It's not like you'd remember."

Dismissing his thought, he averts his eyes; continuing to work through the documents on his desk—he ignores the momentary distraction.