The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Sixteen

Taking a deep breath, my body cools off from the gentle falling snow. Looking down at my wrist—a red bruise lingers where he grabbed me.

The cold air sharply hitting my wrist, the pain becomes more evident than before.
A sigh escaping my lips, I gaze at the falling snow—the stars and moon blocked by the cloudy night sky, yet the moonlight illuminates the clouds with a soft blue glow.

Suddenly, a heavy coat is gently placed over my shoulders.


"It would be troublesome if you caught a cold." A deep familiar voice whispers from behind.
"Hayden! -" I turn around but quickly cut myself off.

My eyes widen with shock to see the man standing behind me—the emperor.

"G-Good evening, your imperial majesty!" I quickly curtsy, realizing his red cape is draped over me.
"Were you expecting another man?" He raises an eyebrow, a calm expression in his gaze.
"N-No your imperial majesty! I apologize, your voice resembled a friend of mine. Please forgive me, I'm Luna from the golden palace."
"Yes, I'm aware of who you are. I'm more curious as to who Hayden is?" The emperor stares with analyzing eyes—my anxiousness growing as I look back at his unreadable eyes.
"H-He's a royal guard... I spend most my time in the golden palace's library, so when I go on walks for a break, I run into him often." I nervously explain.
"I see... What is he to you?"
"Pardon?" My eyes snap up to see the emperor deep in thought.

Realizing I've lost my composure from his abrupt question, I fiddle my fingers trying to gather my thoughts under his watchful gaze.

"H-He's just a friend, your majesty." I quickly explain, wondering if I should be worried by telling him the truth.
"A friend?"
"Well, yes."
"Do you... Consider him as more than a friend?"

His ruby-like eyes entrance me as I try to process his words. The moment almost freezes as we gaze at each other, his expression difficult to understand as he solemnly looks back at me with a subtle curiosity.

"No, your majesty..." I whisper—a thought suddenly coming to my mind, "Your majesty... I hope you know, I'm aware that I'm a part of your harem. Even if tonight is the first time we've spoken—even the last—I'll always be loyal to you."

Furrowing his brows as he listens to my words, I quickly try to explain—flustered if I miscommunicated my thoughts and intentions.

"I-I didn't mean it in an offensive way, I just don't wish for there to be a misunderstanding... I meant that I may never meet you again, because I don't think I could bring myself to do what the other ladies do..." I mumble, my cheeks flushing as I think about what the other ladies spoke about during our meeting.
"What do you mean?" He raises his brow, patient as I take my time to gather my words.
"Well... Lance explained that you weren't keen on visiting the golden palace, and would only go if a lady invited you... Truthfully, I don't think I could do that because it seems terrifying... However, even if I can't bring myself to invite you, I'll always be loyal to you. I sincerely hope you believe me when I say that Sir Hayden is just a friend, and I have no interest in betraying my loyalty to you." Flashing a small smile, I grow relieved as I notice the emperor calmly ruminating on my words.

Curiously watching as the emperor's expression grows softer as he looks back at me—hoping he doesn't take my words as an insult—he nods as he stares at the snow-covered garden behind me. Feeling uneasy from the silence that falls upon us, I look around the balcony, a red fabric catches my attention as I remember the emperor's cape is still over my shoulders.

"Oh, your majesty, please take this back." I slide the cape off, gingerly holding it out to Emperor Cabel.

Silently staring at the cape in my hands and slowly meeting my eyes, he gently takes the cloak back.

"Thank you for giving it to me, but your majesty should keep warm." I flash a small smile, realizing he's not as intimidating as I once believed, "It was a pleasure meeting you, your imperial majesty."

Giving a formal curtsy, I meet his gaze with a small smile—his eyes resembling Hayden's gaze as he silently analyzes my movements.

"Well then, goodnight. May glory of Helios rest upon you." I smile, taking my leave for the doors.

My hand on the door handles, I freeze in my steps as a thought enters my mind.

"Your majesty?" I call out, turning to gaze back at him.

Curiously glancing back at me as I notice he's lost in his thoughts for a moment, he meets my eyes with a solemn gaze.

"Your majesty, I would like to thank -"
"Your thanks is not necessary." Cutting me off, he swings his cloak over his shoulders as he breaks eyes contact with me.
"But I have not said anything -"
"It's not necessary to say anything more." He cuts me off again, adjusting his clothes, "You should head inside."
"Your majesty, I want to thank you." I persistently speak, confused from his refusal to listen, "You took me in, when you should have taken my life... It might have been out of pity or for a different reason, but you gave me a chance to experience a different life, so thank you... That's all I wanted to say."
"Even if I wanted to end your life back then?" He questions, scoffing slightly as he listens to my words of gratitude.
"Yes... Because you didn't do it... You were kind and spared me, so I'm grateful for your mercy."

Keeping quiet, he maintains a solemn-unreadable expression as he thinks to himself. His gaze indiscernible as he seems to be ruminating on my words.

"Thank you for listening... May glory of Helios rest upon you." I curtsy again, making my way inside.


Brushing the snow off my dress upon entering the ballroom, I grab a drink from a butler as I feel strangely calm after meeting his majesty.


"Lady Luna!" Renesha exclaims, energetically grabbing my arm in a playful fashion.

Taken aback by her sudden closeness, I shy away from her child-like friendliness.

"I saw the emperor and you talking outside, what was that about?" She curiously questions.
"Oh, it was just a greeting. He came out and I introduced myself is all." I honestly explain, slipping out of her grasp to walk away.