The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Thirty-One

"How stupid. You bring me to my knees with only a smile." Emperor Cabel whispers, glancing at Luna sleeping peacefully.
"Who knew I'd become this selfish... I don't want anyone else seeing your smile, and all I can think about is how I want to monopolize that innocent smile of yours... Would you laugh at what a fool I am?" Emperor Cabel leans against the arm rest of his chair, closing his eyes as thoughts run through his mind.
"Would you think I'm a fool, if I asked about what happened to that bracelet?" He whispers under his breath, gently holding Luna's hand with his right.
He gazes at her slim, petite hand upon his. His thumb drawing circles on her wrist.

Sitting in his office, Emperor Cabel dozes off, entranced by the sunlight seeping into the room.
His mind occupied, he looks at his right hand, remembering Luna's warmth.

"Your highness- Your highness?"
Duke Oslo repeats, attempting to get the emperor's attention.

"What is it?" Emperor Cabel uninterestedly replies, clenching his hand into a fist.
"We were speaking about the new recruits who've graduated?"
"Right. After the knighting ceremony, send the top ten best knights to be stationed in the main palace grounds. The others you may enlist with your squadron."
"Yes, your highness. If I may, does stealing my recruits have anything to do with Lady Luna?" Duke Oslo questions, an amused smile on his lips.
Emperor Cabel glances at him, until giving a slight shrug.
"I'd prefer to call it mere borrowing." Leaning back in his chair, the emperor lounges, "It's only until we find more suitable knights to protect her."
"If it involves Lady Luna, I highly doubt you'll return the knights back to me."
"Who's to say." Emperor Cabel cheekily shrugs.
"Is she healing well, since the incident?" Duke Oslo asks.
Emperor Cabel stands, staring out the window.
"Physically, she looks better. However, in her sleep she calls out and cries. All I can do is watch her suffer nightmares."
Duke Oslo swirls a glass of bourbon, his legs crossed as he listens to the emperor.

"Your highness, why all the attention?"
Emperor Cabel turns, glancing at Duke Oslo wearing a friendly smile—with eyes cold and calculating.
Emperor Cabel's eyes sharpen, analyzing the duke.
"She's a concubine, yet you've executed your other concubines, and now you've even decided to guard her personally."
Emperor Cabel pauses, thinking to himself. His lips forming into a solemn grin. An expression of amusement and curiosity in his eyes.
"I wonder that as well." Emperor Cabel stares at Duke Oslo's watchful eyes, "You're quite attentive with my personal affairs, why is that?"
Duke Oslo chuckles, taking a sip of liquor.
"I wouldn't say 'attentive'. Rather, your affection is very clear."
"My affection?"
"Of course. I'm sure even if a commoner were to see the way you act with Lady Luna, they'd notice your feelings for her. Surprisingly—quite possibly—they'd even notice it before you do."
"What feelings? Don't taint my office with 'romantic' talk." Emperor Cabel scoffs.
"Your highness, surely you must know... Oh, don't tell me." Duke Oslo dramatically covers his mouth.

The emperor rolls his eyes until pinching the bridge of his nose, listening to Duke Oslo teasing him.
"Spit it out. Your roundabout way of speaking, is giving me a headache."
"Your highness, speaking from anyone's perspective, it's clear you fancy Lady Luna."
"Me? The emperor, liking a concubine from a ruined kingdom?"
"Phrase it how you wish, your highness, but we both know—titles, statuses and family blood, have no value to you. It's obvious you have feelings for her, so why are you rejecting your feelings for her?"
"Who said I'm doing such a thing?"
"Because you're only excuse to push her away, is that she's a 'concubine'. Surely if that bothers you, her past would bother you more."
"How could I be bothered by a past of someone who's been abused?"
"The same way how her being a concubine, would actually bother you."
Moving to sit in his seat, Emperor Cabel leans his elbow on his arm rest.

"Regardless of how I feel, why mention her past?"
"Wasn't she meant to marry her brother?"

Upon his words, Emperor Cabel's eyes shoot up to glare at Duke Oslo.
"Where did you hear about that?" Emperor Cabel growls.
"Forgive me, your highness. During our time in Avris, I went through the books we found in her bedroom. It stated things about the union between her and her brother." Duke Oslo bows.
"Who else has seen them?" The emperor questions.
"No one else. Everything has been burned."
"It seems you've forgotten about the golden palace incident. It's clear a rat was involved."
"I assure you, your highness, I have not shared this with a single soul."
"Remember this, no matter how much power you hold as a duke, I will rip that title away from you and personally cut your tongue out. Regardless of our so called 'friendship'."
"I understand, your highness. I misspoke."
"We'll speak later, leave my office." Emperor Cabel scoffs, turning his chair around.
"Yes, your highness. May glory of Helios rest upon you." Duke Oslo bows his head, quietly leaving his office.

Emperor Cabel sits in silence for a moment, until chuckling.
"How absurd. Why couldn't I keep my cool? Why was I upset when he spoke ill of her?" Staring at his palm, a sigh escapes his lips, "Is this what she meant with being comfortable? Why is it so easy to be with her?"
Emperor Cabel sighs, looking out at the sky.
His eyes widen, a look of realization flickering across his face.
The emperor scoffs, shaking his head.
"That bastard duke sticking his nose everywhere." He mutters.

Emperor Cabel groans as he rubs his forehead, his cheeks and ears turning slightly red from embarrassment.