The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

(Trigger warning: Read at your own discretion.)

——————————

Sitting in the royal palace's library, I enjoy my time as I leisurely read while sipping a fruity-aromatic tea.
Reading the pages of an ancient magic book, I freeze once I reach a section where various abilities are explained.

"A master of hidden darkness... The wielder that shadows answer to, taking form at a thought or a whispered command." I quietly read.

Recalling the memory Cabel shared—shadows erupting from his feet to take on the form of spikes as they impaled the knights.

I look back at the page's drawing, a man pulling out a sword from the shadows of his feet.


"What are you reading?"

I jump, looking up to see Cabel walking towards me.
Quickly closing the book, I stand to my feet.

"Just a book on magic." I smile innocently, looking up at him.
"Is there a reason why you chose that book?" He asks, his eyes glancing at the book cover.
"Not at all. I'm simply determined to read every book in the library!"
"I see." He smiles kindly, staring at my collection of books on the table.
"Are you taking a break?" I ask, leaning into his hand as he cups my cheek.
"Something like that. There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh? What is it?"
"The spring ball is in a few months. It's rather annoying to host these annually, but it's the largest event of the empire. It'll surely be fun for you to experience it... Would you like to go?"
"Yes, of course I'd love to!" I smile, slightly excited, "But since I'm a concubine, wouldn't I have had to go regardless?"

Cabel looks down at me with kind eyes, taking a moment to gather his words I watch as his lips part.

"I was hoping that you'd go with -" He calls out, but is interrupted.

"Your majesty!"

Peering behind Cabel, I see Lance running up behind him.

"What is it?" Cabel sighs, annoyed.
"You ran off while finishing paperwork! You have a meeting with Duke Oslo soon, and you haven't completed the trades documents needed for today's meeting!" Lance sighs, exasperated.

Cabel looks back at me, slightly pouting.

"I suppose I'll have to go." He gently speaks.

Softly caressing my jaw with his fingers, he cups my cheek again.

"I'll see you tonight." He whispers.

My cheek feeling warm as I nuzzle into his hand, I give him a small nod.

"I'll be waiting. Will you finish telling me what you were saying?" I curiously ask.
"It can wait till tonight."
"Alright, have a good day." I gently speak, unable to help but smile brightly as I stare at his warming gaze.

Waving as I watch Cabel walk away subtly sulking, I lightly giggle as I see him glance back at me once more.



The day goes by as I roam around the palace. Walking down an area of the palace where no maids or government officials are, I curiously continue looking around.
Down a small quiet hallway, marble statues and gold framed oil paintings decorate the quiet hall.

Admiring the details of the art and sculptures, my eye catches a small plain door with no other doors around.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I peek inside. Greeted by a small windowless dark room, it's filled with statues and frames covered with white sheets.

Letting some light in, I leave the door cracked open as I enter.

Glancing at the statues as I slowly walk through the room, a large painting catches my eye. Cautiously sliding the dusty sheet off of it, I stare at the portrait.

The previous king, the queen, and three little boys. I look at the oil painting, astonished by the details, until growing confused.

"Cabel's brothers... I thought his little brother passed away at a young age?" I whisper, remembering what Lance told me, "Cabel looks almost as old as he did in the memory transfer though..."

Looking closer at the details, the face of his younger brother seems vaguely familiar.


"Ha! Don't be silly!"

I jump, hearing laughter and steps coming closer towards the door.

Flinging the sheet back on top of the painting, I rush to hide behind a pile of boxes.

"Hm? Is someone in here?" A girl questions, peeking into the room confused.

She opens the door more as she looks around.

"Maybe it just wasn't closed properly. Come on, we need to fold the sheets." The girl with her shrugs.

The door closes gently as they leave, and I sigh a breath of relief.

Suddenly, the small dark room begins making me grow anxious as I look back at the creepy silhouettes of the statues. The silence eating at my fears, I quietly begin to walk towards the door.

Turning the handle, I freeze as I realize the doorknob refuses to turn.

Vigorously trying to turn the handle in different directions, I push and pull at the door—hoping it'll open.

"It's locked..." I whisper, scolding myself for hiding in the first place.

Anxiousness hits me as I attempt to force open the door.

"Hello? Is someone out there?" I yell out.

Pounding on the door as I call out, I continue to ram my body into the door, hoping to open it.

"Hello? Can someone let me out? -"

I cut myself off as an abrupt cold chill rushes down my spine.

Slowly, I turn around.
Looking back at the statues, the darkness causing their features to appear more creepy. My heart pounds loudly as my blood feels like it's going cold. The sensation of being watches falls upon me as I stare at the dark room.

Flashbacks of lying on the stone dungeon floor with my limbs restrained crosses my mind. The memories of my blood dripping from my wrists, unable to move, with the only source of light entering from the cracks of the door. My eyes well with tears as my breathing quickens—reminded of that horrific experience.

I shake my head, attempting to calm myself from panicking further. Continuing to bang on the door, a voice calls out.


"Hello?" A girl speaks on the other side.
"H-Hello?" I call out, "P-Please help me, I'm a concubine of his majesty!"
"Lady Luna?"
"Y-Yes! Please help, I can't open the door."
"Oh, of course!"

Listening as the door knob rattles, my heartbeat quickens as the door still refuses to budge as the girl tries.

"It seems locked. How did you get in there?" She asks.

Suddenly, the air grows heavy. My eyes widening, I slowly turn as I sense something amiss.

Boxes in the back of the room, shift slightly. I jump, noticing the subtle movements in the back—behind the statue I notice the dark shadow grow.

"H-Hello?" I call out to the room, feeling my heart beat a mile a minute.
"L-Lady Luna?" The girl calls out in a worried tone.

I stare in the direction of that large statue before me—my breath caught in my throat as my body trembles.
A deep raspy groan echoes through the small room. Beginning to hyperventilate, I watch a figure step out from behind the statue.

"P-Please, open the door." I whisper, my body cold as I stare at the figure moving.

My breathing stopped as I look back at the figure, my chest feeling like it's about to explode from the quick beating of my heart.


"Celeste... I suggest you stay still. It'll only hurt more if you fight it." The familiar monotone voice I've heard many times before, calls out.

The sound of his voice, making it feel like my heart's been stopped.
Watching the figure take a step closer, his face illuminated by the light coming from under the door.

My brother, Micheal, smiles coldly.

I scream, pounding on the door.

"Help! Help! Let me out!" I scream as tears drip down my face.
"L-Lady Luna?" The girl calls out, concerned.
"Please get help!" I shout.

"I told you to stay still." Micheal speaks deeply from behind me.

A hand covers my mouth as he grabs me from behind, his other hand roughly gripping my waist as he tries to pry me away from the door.

'This isn't real, this is just a dream!' I repeat to myself, my body shaking from adrenaline.

Holding onto the doorknob as hard as I can, I continue to scream and shout into his hand.

Suddenly grabbing me by my hair, he pulls me away from the door until throwing me back. A yelp escapes my throat as my back hits a statue.

The statue shattering from the impact, the shards of marble fall on top of me. Shocked by the pain, I'm unable to make a sound. Tears run down my cheeks as I clench my fists from the immense pain that throbs in my back.

"My precious sister..." Micheal eerily speaks, looking down at me with cold eyes as he steps closer, "You should have had my child. We could have ruled a kingdom together... Why did you betray mother and father? Why did you betray me?"

Micheal shouts, grabbing my ankle as he swiftly drags me out from under the statue's pieces. Jumping on top of me, he pins me down by the throat—choking me against the ground with one hand.

"You're mine Celeste. How could you do this to me?" His voice coldly speaks.

'No... This isn't real, this isn't real!' I think to myself, hoping it's just a nightmare.

Scratching at his arm, attempting to push him away—his other hand suddenly pushes up the skirt of my dress.

Kicking my legs, my tears dripping down my cheeks as I attempt to break free from him—his eyes send a chill down my spine.

"You have no idea Celeste... You were the only light in that darkness I had, so how could you refuse me? How could you neglect your duties?" Micheal coldly speaks.

I look back at him, his eyes a different shade than what they were before—a twisted grin on his lips resembling a crazed smile.

"This is our duty Celeste." He coldly utters, his grip on my throat tightening.

Beginning to lose all of my strength, my head feeling light and numbed from the pressure as I struggle to take a single breath. Surrendering to the silent darkness calling out to me, my limbs grow weak until they fall to my sides.