The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Nineteen

Emperor Cabel groans, rubbing the temples of his forehead. His eyes fixated on the empty sofa before him, a sigh escapes his lips.

Suddenly, the door knocks—bringing him out of his daze.


"Enter." Emperor Cabel exhaustedly calls out.

Lance enters the room and bows.

"Your majesty, Lady Luna has returned to the golden palace, and dinner preparations are complete."

Emperor Cabel sighs keeping his gaze on the seat where Luna was sitting earlier.

"Your majesty, are you feeling alright?" Lance asks, worried by the emperor's silence.
"Why is it that I feel compelled to talk to that woman? I've done it as Hayden. It seems irrelevant now, yet I want to continue to talk with her." Emperor Cabel coldly speaks.
"Your majesty, no one is making you talk to her. You can ignore her if you'd like, and you can continue meeting her as Hayden. Although, you risk changing back to yourself in front of her."

Emperor Cabel scoffs as he stands up, beginning to slowly roam around the room.

"Your majesty, if you're drawn to her, why is it an awful concept for you to just talk with her? It seems you enjoy socializing with her, and even if you've done it as Hayden, it shouldn't stop you. Disguising yourself to see her, would only be hurtful."
"Hurtful to who? She's part of my harem, she shouldn't be attached to Hayden either way." The emperor scoffs, throwing his documents onto his desk.
"I wasn't referring to her, I was referring to you. You transform to see her, and you grow close to her, yet she's only close to Hayden—not the emperor. It seems to me that you abhor the thought that she's close to Hayden, yet can't bring yourself to connect with her as yourself... Why do you seem so reluctant?" Lance curiously asks, trying to understand the emperor's emotions.

Taking a moment to ruminate over Lance's words, the emperor sighs.

"I already know her interests and fears, pretending to learn it all would be a hassle." The emperor speaks in a nonchalant tone.
"No, your majesty, Hayden is the only one that knows her. I'm curious why you believe learning about her again is a hassle, when it's evident you want to spend time with her. Learning about her again, will help her feel as close to you the same way she does to Hayden, so why are you against doing something that can better your relationship?"
"I..." The emperor pauses, gritting his teeth as conflicting emotions appear in his expression, "I question if my curiosity to her is because I pitied her."
"And? Is that a bad thing?"
"To me it is... I can't recall if I spared her because of pity. I don't know if I began to speak with her from pity or if it was from my own intrigue... But I could tell she was uncomfortable with me."
"Your majesty, she was only uncomfortable because you didn't speak to her when she arrived."
"And I spoke to her after you pointed it out, didn't I?"
"Your majesty... Anyone would be nervous if the emperor himself, invited someone for tea but paid no attention to them throughout." Lance sighs, exasperated as he tries to explain, "If you try growing your relationship with her, the same way that Hayden did, I know she'll be accepting to you."
"And just what do you think I should do?" Emperor Cabel scoffs, frustrated as he leans against his desk with his arms crossed.
"Well... How did Hayden and Lady Luna grow close?"

Taking a moment to think back, the emperor shrugs as he tries to recall their beginning.

"She followed me around and would say irrelevant words." The emperor raises his brow, unsure of what to say.
"Not irrelevant, your majesty. I assume it was small talk." Lance shakes his head, in disbelief by the emperor's obliviousness.
"Small talk? I suppose it could have been."
"Yes, and since she reached out first to Hayden... It'd be poetic if you reached out to her first. If she's scared, it may be difficult for her to reach out first, but I know Lady Luna's never turned down a conversation someone else initiated with her—despite being afraid or nervous." Flashing a comforting smile, Lance softly chuckles.

Digesting Lance's advice, the emperor scowls—a subtle sullen shadow appearing in his eyes. Tapping his fingers against his crossed arm, he clicks his tongue.

"Afraid..." The emperor whispers to himself.

Lance tilts his head, curious about Emperor Cabel's silence. Suddenly, he stands straight before grabbing his hung coat.

"Enough, I'm getting some air." The emperor scoffs, throwing the coat over his shoulders.
"Yes, your majesty. May glory of Helios rest upon you." Lance bows, slightly taken aback by the emperor's avoidance to the conversation.

Leaving the office without another word, the doors roughly close as the emperor leaves Lance behind.

Lance sighs and softly chuckles as he stares at the empty sofas in the office.

"I never thought I'd see this side of him." He quietly murmurs to himself, amused by the emperor's reaction.


Emperor Cabel walks in the palace garden. Mindlessly staring at the snow-covered trees surrounding the property, he wears a solemn-conflicted expression.

"Why do I care about talking to you? Just why did I spare you?" The emperor mutters under his breath, sighing as he holds his head as he thinks about Luna.


"Greetings, your majesty." A gentle voice calls out, accompanied by the sound of snow crunching under their footsteps.

Emperor Cabel turns around to see Renesha who cautiously approaches. He rolls his eyes, scoffing before turning back to look at the snowy scenery.

"Your majesty, if you can spare some time, could you help me to my bedroom?" She anxiously asks.
"Call a servant -"
"I-I tried..." Renesha cuts him off, looking back at him with teary eyes, "I can't find anyone to escort me back, but my feet are too cold to walk any further..."

Rolling his eyes, the emperor looks back at her shivering body as the snow gently falls. Her pouting lips tremble as her breath is visible in the frosty air. Her nose red from the cold, her cheeks flushed, and only a thin cardigan draped over her shoulders.

"What reason do you have to be outside in this state?" The emperor scoffs, irritated from the sight of her improperly dressed for the winter.
"I... I was told an accessory of mine was delivered to the imperial palace... I thought it would be quick to retrieve it, but I can barely take another step..." Renesha tears up, holding her chilly fingers.

Exasperated, the emperor clicks his tongue. Pausing for a moment, his eyes move back to Renesha.

"Come." He speaks, hastily picking her up in his arms.
"Y-Your majesty!" Renesha exclaims, taken aback by his sudden hold, "I-I would have been fine holding onto you."
"You said you could barely walk. I'd rather not have to drag you through the snow." The emperor impassively speaks.

Walking towards the golden palace, Renesha wraps her arms around the emperor's neck—a devious smile grows on her lips.


Entering Renesha's bedroom lit from the warming light of the fireplace; Emperor Cabel lowers the lady.

"Call a servant to assist you." He speaks, helping her steady herself.
"Your majesty, thank you for helping –woah!" Renesha exclaims, her legs giving out from underneath her.

Falling back, Renesha holds onto the emperor's arm—causing both to tumble onto the ground.
Catching himself from lowering his weight onto her, the emperor looks at the lady beneath him; a cold look in his eyes as he analyzes her.

"What do you think you're doing?" His deep voice questions, looking at the sight of her underneath him.
"Your majesty, forgive me. It was a mistake, but is there anything I can do to show my gratitude and apology to you?" Renesha seductively whispers.

Pushing down the cardigan, she lowers the strap of her nightgown. Suddenly, the emperor grabs her hand to stop her.

"This doesn't suit you." The emperor scoffs at the sight of her innocent gaze.

Pausing for a moment, the lady bites her lip from frustration.

"What do you mean? I-I only wanted to give my thanks..." She whispers.
"You're not the type to do so." The emperor glares, irritated from the interaction, "Naive innocence doesn't suit you in the least, so what do you want from pretending?"

Rising to his feet, he runs his fingers through his hair as he wears an exasperated expression. Following him, Renesha stands wearing a solemn-seductive expression.


"Oh? I was certain it'd work." Renesha softly giggles, her eyes sharp as she seductively looks back at the emperor.
"I'll give you thirty seconds to speak." The emperor scowls, clenching his jaw.
"Tonight, I want you, is that so wrong?"
"I told you to never approach me."
"But I needed help... Would you truly have let me freeze outside?" Renesha giggles, her stare growing eerie.

Keeping quiet, the emperor flashes a chilling-apathetic grin—answering her question.

"I see... Well, since you didn't, I should take this chance—shouldn't I?" Renesha flashes an innocent smile.

Suddenly, she hastily grips his coat collar—spinning to push him onto her bed.
Emperor Cabel wears a blank expression, masking the burning rage beneath his composure. Sitting on his lap, Renesha hums to herself.

"Your majesty... Let me please you with this body of mine." She whispers.
"I didn't think we had such a relationship where you could attack the emperor." The emperor scoffs, his voice deep as he questions her actions.

Glancing down, the lady softly chuckles as she notices a dagger-like spike glow vibrantly—the emperor summoning his powers as she continues to sit on his lap. His aura radiates from the spike as it inches close to her neck—puncturing it slightly as she remains still.

Holding her hands up, she flashes a smile.

"Attack such a great emperor? I would never. Please spare me... I have no weapons—I have no intention of harming you... You can check if you'd like?" Renesha smiles, slowly moving her hands to the straps of her gown.

Just as she drops the straps of her satin nightgown to expose her bare chest, the spike retracts as the emperor quickly moves to pull up the dress to cover her body—a scowl on his face as he realizes her goal.
Taking the chance as the spike disappears, Renesha roughly locks her lips with the emperor's.

"Enough!" The emperor shouts, pushing her back from the forceful kiss.

His eyes sharp as he seethes with rage, he pins her to the bed—roughly gripping her neck with a hand.
Gasping for air, Renesha's body trembles from the sight of the furious emperor.

"This is a command—never appear before me again." He coldly glares back at her frightened eyes.

Renesha's complexion turns pale. Confused and terrified by his words. Releasing his hold on her throat, the emperor stands with a scowl and an empty-chilling glare as he wipes his lips.

Coughing as she catches her breath, the emperor turns to the door.

"Y-Your majesty, but why? I want to be bed by you, so why do you always reject me?" She shouts, shocked from his aggressive reaction, "Can't you spend the night with me, just once? Can't you accept that I have desires that need to be fed? I only want you! Just give me one night, please!"

Upon her words, the emperor breaks into a deep chuckle, his expression scowling as he looks back at her.

"I didn't know an emperor was meant to act like a dog." Emperor Cabel scoffs, his tone chilling as he glares back at the trembling lady, "Tell me, are you ordering me to please you? Am I someone you can command tricks from?"

Realizing her words, Renesha stammers—her complexion pale as she looks at his chilling glare. Gathering the strength to shake her head, she bites her lip as the fear weighs down on her. Emperor Cabel bends down, resting his hands on the bed. His face close to hers as his vibrant-crimson eyes glow with a blood-chilling glare.

"If you value a shred of your pathetic life, you'll get it in your head that I want nothing to do with you." He grins, his eyes eery as he holds back his rage.

Seeing the lady grow afraid, tears fall down her cheeks as she holds her breath—not daring to look back at the emperor's eyes.
Emperor Cabel stands tall as he fixes his coat. Glaring at her one last time as she remains still where she sits, he leaves her room—slamming the doors behind him.

Renesha trembles from fear until growing red with anger.

"T-That bastard! How dare he do this to me! I deserve to wear that crown, so how could he do to me?" Renesha screams, throwing her pillows.

Taking a moment to breathe, she gathers her composure as she fixes her dress. Staring at the state of her room, a manic stare appears in her eyes.

"No... His majesty would never cast me aside... His majesty adores me... Yes... I just need to give him space—he'll come back, and he'll finally accept me in his arms." Muttering to herself, Renesha breaks out into a sharp laugh as she settles her emotions.


Emperor Cabel walks through the golden palace, a scowl of disgust in his expression as he clenches his fist tight. Suddenly, he finds himself standing frozen in front of a door. Pausing for a moment, he sighs—a look of shame appearing.

Gently knocking on the door, he pauses as he waits for a response.

Unable to bear the silence of the halls, he hesitantly opens the door—cautiously peering into the silent room. Quietly entering, he approaches the bed before leaning on the nightstand as he takes deep breaths to calm his fury.

Luna lays asleep, the dim light of the moonlight that seeps through the curtains, illuminates her long eyelashes and golden hair. He gazes at her beauty for a moment, a pained expression appearing on his face.

"My chest hurts... It feels tight and unsettled when you enter my thoughts. You distract me, you make this feeling refuse to go away—even when I meet another, it doesn't go away. I feel worse and more confused." He whispers, taking a deep breath as he roughly wipes his lips with the back of his hand, "Why did I come here?"

Sighing as he holds his head, his deep-red eyes glance at her smooth skin, her soft lips in a pout, and the gentle breaths she takes—making her chest rise and fall slowly.

Shaking his head, he chuckles at his foolishness for entering her room just to see her. Cautiously taking the open book that lies haphazardly beside her—he sets a bookmark into the open page, before quietly placing it onto the nightstand.

"I'm sorry for entering without permission... I was foolish to do so." He whispers, fixing his jacket as he slowly takes a step away from the nightstand.

Luna's face scrunches, her hands clenching the blanket tightly as her body trembles.

"S-Stop... Please don't hurt me... I'm sorry, please..." She whimpers, speaking in her sleep.

Taken aback from her soft mumbles, the emperor turns back to see tears fall down her cheeks. Her expression twisting with fear and pain.

Emperor Cabel furrows his brows, his hands in a tight fist as he looks back at her fearful expression. Hesitantly, he takes a step close—his fingers reaching out. With a light touch, he gently wipes her tears away with the back of his fingers.

Her expression relaxing from his gentle touch, he softly chuckles.

"Crying while you sleep? What a fragile fool you are." He whispers, wearing a pained expression as he watches the tears roll down her face.

Quietly stepping away, he takes the cream cloak that Hayden gifted her—gingerly laying it over her.
Watching as her expression relaxes, a gentle smile appears on the emperor's lips as Luna's tears stop.