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?" The emperor chuckles as if laughing at his own words.

Leaning against the arm rest of his chair, he closes 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.

Gazing at her petite hand upon his, his thumb draws circles on her wrist as a solemn expression appears on his face.

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

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

"What is it?" Emperor Cabel uninterestedly replies once he snaps out of his daze, clenching his hand into a fist as if hiding the thoughts that occupied his attention.
"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 majesty. If I may ask, does stealing my recruits have anything to do with Lady Luna?" Duke Oslo questions with an amused smile on his lips.

Glancing at him, the emperor scoffs until giving a slight shrug.

"I'd prefer to call it 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 once more.
"Is she healing well, since the incident?" Duke Oslo cautiously asks.

Rising to his feet, Emperor Cabel stares out the window.

"Physically, she's better. However, in her sleep she calls out and cries. All I can do is watch her suffer nightmares." The emperor admits in a pained tone.

Swirling a glass of bourbon, Duke Oslo crosses his legs as he listens to the emperor.

"Your majesty, why all the attention?" The duke questions.

Emperor Cabel turns, glancing at Duke Oslo wearing a friendly smile—yet his eyes cold and calculating.
The emperor's eyes sharpen, analyzing the duke.

"She's a concubine, yet you've executed your other concubines who have harmed her, and now you've even decided to guard her personally." He continues.

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?"

Shrugging in a playful tone, the duke takes a sip of liquor.

"I wouldn't say attentive. Rather, your affection is very clear." He admits.
"My affection?" The emperor curiously remarks.
"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 majesty, 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." The emperor scowls, impatient to the duke's words.
"Your majesty, 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 majesty, 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 your 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?" The emperor questions in a sharp tone.
"Wasn't she meant to marry her brother?"

Upon his words, Emperor Cabel's eyes coldly glare at Duke Oslo.

"Where did you hear about that?" Emperor Cabel questions, his voice rumbling in a low tone.
"Forgive me, your majesty. 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 majesty, 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 majesty. I misspoke."
"We'll speak later, leave my office." Emperor Cabel scoffs, turning his chair around.
"Yes. 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 am I angry that he knows her past?" 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.

Suddenly scoffing, the emperor shakes his head.

"That bastard duke sticking his nose everywhere." He mutters.

Groaning as he rubs his forehead, the emperor's cheeks and ears turning slightly red as he ruminates over the duke's observation.