The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Forty-Five

Sitting at his desk, a weary sigh escapes his lips—his gaze glued to the empty sofa where a pile of books sit on the corner of the coffee table. Thoughts of Luna linger in his mind as his eyes constantly glance at the place where she always sat.

Lifting his hand to grab his drink, the emperor suddenly winces in pain before gripping his chest as he sucks in a sharp breath.

"Your majesty, allow me to help you." Lance rushes to him to lift the cup.

Emperor Cabel sighs as he shakes his head, stopping Lance just before he touches it. Leaning back in his chair with a discontent expression, he blankly stares at the ceiling—ruminating on his thoughts.

"Your majesty, could it be a misunderstanding?" Lance asks with concern.
"You didn't see the look on her face... It was clear she was burdened with my feelings."
"Are you sure you were clear? Maybe she didn't understand you clearly."
"What are you suggesting I do then? I can't break her to love me—I can't snap my fingers and have her submit to accept my feelings." Emperor Cabel smiles in a self-deprecating manner, softly chuckling at his thoughts, "I can't push any further when I saw her distress. I assumed love would be nervousness, overly exhausting, and annoying but with her, it's never once felt over-bearing. I can't bother her with it again, not when I saw how betrayed she looked." Emperor Cabel sighs, raking his hand through his hair.
"Your majesty, how does it feel when you're with her?" Lance hesitantly asks, his expression curious yet hopeful.

Taking a moment to think over his question, the emperor shrugs as he closes his eyes—recalling the moments he's been with Luna.

"My heart feels like it stops, but it doesn't hurt. It's a quiet and gentle experience that I don't want to let go of." The emperor admits with a calm tone.
"Your majesty, there's a saying that when you find the one you're most suited with, there won't be a heart rush, nervousness, or anxiousness—but rather, serenity. If you feel at peace with her, if you love her to this extent, is there a need to hold back?"
"I can't force her to love me -"
"No, that's not what I meant." Giving a look of resolution and reassurance, Lance gives a gentle-understanding smile, "Your majesty, you seem to be holding back expressing your love. It's okay to be afraid of rejection, but to me it seems like you've only said a portion of your feelings. If you love her this much, wouldn't it be worth it to try to talk to her again in a calmer environment? What did she say when she loved Hayden?"

Emperor Cabel grows quiet, averting his eyes from Lance. The silence is deafening, with each second passing—Lance's expression grows stiff as he feigns a smile.

"She did say it, didn't she, your majesty?" Lance's smile exaggerates more with his passive aggressive tone, questioning the emperor's avoidance, "Did she say she loved him? Your majesty, why won't you speak?"
"No... She didn't say it."

Blankly staring at the emperor, the room falls cold. Freezing in place for a moment to process his response, a sigh soon escapes Lance's lips as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"What is it?" Emperor Cabel scowls, a guilty shadow falling over him.
"You sent her to the golden palace for saying she loved Hayden, when she never said it? I have no words for you, your majesty, I can't describe it."
"Describe what?" Emperor Cabel scoffs.
"I've forgotten... It's nothing."
"Spit it out -" The emperor snaps.
"For crying out loud, you're a fool! Your majesty, you sit here sulking for something that never even happened! How are you so blind to let your feelings decide your actions? She hasn't said the words that she loves Hayden, so why would you assume she does?" Lance shouts, unloading his frustrations, "Even if she does love Hayden, she would still love you then! Everything changes when you transform, but your overbearing personality remains the same, so regardless she cares about you! It's childish to believe you don't deserve her, but apparently Hayden does? You're the same person, and to her she's never once treated you differently upon learning your past!"

Avoiding Lance's glare, the emperor waves his hand in a disgruntled manner.

"Alright, I get it. I don't know how to fix it though, the damage is done and she might resent me for lying about it -"


"I can help." Cethin speaks up in a singing tone.

Sitting on an open window sill, Cethin waves an envelope in his hand.

"What now?" Emperor Cabel scoffs at his sudden appearance.
"Didn't know the little guy had it in him to scold ya." Cethin snickers as he stares at Lance.
"What- Little guy?" Lance stutters, taken aback and insulted by his statement.

"Allow me to help, your majesty." Dramatically bowing his head, he holds out the envelope.

Flashing a dubious glare at Cethin, the emperor takes the envelope from his hand. Opening the envelope, the emperor's eyes scan the letter—quickly growing ecstatic.

'Your majesty,
You were honest with me, but I couldn't be honest with you. I promise I wasn't disappointed, it was only surprising. I told 'Hayden' personal things and it felt as though I was betrayed to find out you were the one I told. I wasn't upset though, rather I was embarrassed.

I spoke about my past to 'Hayden', and truthfully I'm ashamed that it was you who I told... Regardless, you were the one I felt comfortable speaking to, and if you're genuine about your feelings—I'd like to meet so we can talk and understand each other.

If you can spare your time, I hope we can meet soon.
Sincerely, Luna.'

The emperor stands quickly, his eyes darting to the letter and back at Cethin.

"She really wrote this?" Emperor Cabel questions with a lighthearted expression.
"Of course. Jeez, don't you recognize her handwriting?" Cethin scoffs, rolling his eyes.
"I do, but I want to make sure she wrote this genuinely from her feelings." His lips curling into a gentle smile, the emperor looks at the letter with a tender gaze.
"Ugh, gross! Get your mushy love disease out of hear, just go see her. You've made her wait too long." Cethin gags, cringing.

Rolling his eyes, Cethin gestures his hands to rush the emperor away.

"I have made her wait... What if she's calling me out of anger?" Anxiousness returns as the emperor paces the room thinking to himself for a moment.

Giving each other a stare, Lance and Cethin pause at the emperor's question before rolling their eyes—both sighing out of exasperation.


Attempting to read a book, Luna's foot bounces uncontrollably with an anxious expression. Checking the clock every few seconds that pass, she jumps to her feet unable to sit still. Pacing the room, she nervously fiddles her fingers.

"What do I even say? How could I send a letter without knowing what to say when I see him? How am I supposed to bring up how I feel—especially to the emperor!" Anxious over waiting for a response, Luna talks to herself in a panic, "What if he's angry with me, what if he thinks I'm lying? What do I do?"

Groaning as she runs her fingers through the roots of her hair, Luna abruptly sits herself on the window sill as she thinks to herself. Her leg bouncing as questions rush through her mind, she continues to stare at the time—wondering if Cethin delivered her letter.


"What do I even say to her?" Emperor Cabel questions, deep in thought.

Walking through the gardens, he cuts through the property to reach the golden palace—stopping every now and then as his nerves grow rattled the closer he gets. Following behind the emperor, Lance and Cethin continue to gesture for him to continue walking.

"Be honest and sincere, your majesty. Explain that you misunderstood and apologize to her. Afterwards, explain your feelings again and wait for her answer." Lance calmly speaks, consoling the emperor's nervousness.

Stretching his arms, Cethin snickers as he watches the emperor think about the words to say.

"Never knew an emperor could get so hung up about a concubine." Cethin grins, amused.
"Silence. I don't need to hear that especially from you -" Cutting himself off, the emperor's eyes widen.

A heavy sensation pulses the area as a sudden appearance of an aura sends vibrations through the ground. The emperor's pupils dilate, his eyes darting up to Luna's open window.

"Get the others, now." Emperor Cabel commands.

Quickly realizing the situation, Cethin nods before jumping up to the roof. Gesturing his hand upwards, a pillar erupts from the shadows beneath the emperor's feet—lifting him upwards to her window.

"Where is she?" Emperor Cabel questions, his voice trembling from despair and rage.

Her room covered in blood, the bedroom furniture flipped and thrown around the room. Bodies of guards lie on the floor—with Luna nowhere in sight.

"This was my fault." Clenching his jaw in disappointment, the emperor kicks a flipped coffee table out of his way before storming out of her room.


"Y-Your majesty..." A guard calls out.

Lying in a hallway, a guard tries to sit up as he notices the emperor's presence.

"What happened?" Emperor Cabel questions, examining the injuries on the guard.
"T-That man... He came through the window... She screamed so we ran in, but he threw the room and furniture around... She was unconscious when we entered." The guard explains, struggling to speak, "He began to attack, we couldn't stop him."
"Where were the assassins I assigned to her? Were they in the room?"
"No, we did not see anyone else."
"You've done well. Hang onto your life until help arrives." Emperor Cabel reassures the guard.

His brows furrowing with anger, the emperor storms through the golden palace until making his way to the entrance. Stepping outside to see more bodies of guards, Lance quickly runs up to him out of breath.

"Where are the assassins?" Emperor Cabel sternly questions.
"Y-Your majesty... They were ambushed before he got her. Please come with me!" Lance panics, running to the forest.

Kneeling on the grass, Cethin gingerly holds Petunia in his arms with a trembling anger and pain.

"That bastard! That annoying little shit!" Cethin yells, his eyes filling with tears as he looks at Petunia's injuries.

A few feet away, Jax and Riddle lie unconscious with their bodies covered in injuries.

"What happened?" Emperor Cabel questions gritting his teeth as he looks at their state.
"H-He came out of nowhere... We tried to fight back but his attacks were too quick... Suddenly he hit their necks and they passed out. I'm sorry, your majesty... We couldn't protect her." Petunia cries, disappointed in herself as she tries to move to kneel before the emperor.
"Shh, hey, it's okay. Don't push yourself." Quickly stopping Petunia from moving, Cethin comforts her as she holds back quiet sobs.

Thinking for a second, the emperor's eyes begin to glow—a determined look in his expression.

"Tell that entire damned temple to send every healer they have. I'm going to find her." Emperor Cabel growls, storming away.
"Your majesty, just where will you go? You're not fully healed yet!" Lance shouts, worried as he watches the emperor rush off.
"Is there anyone else in this empire who's stronger than me?" Emperor Cabel questions with a confident and furious gaze.
"No, your majesty, but your mana hasn't been fully restored! With the state you're in, you could die to him this time!"

Freezing in his steps, the emperor scoffs as a thought enters his mind. Turning back to Lance, he flashes a solemn smile.

"And? You said that the one will bring serenity."
"Well, y-yes." Lance replies, taken aback by his words.
"She's my serenity. I want to give her everything I can, to protect her from feeling any more pain..." Holding his hand over his injuries, the emperor woefully smiles, "If it means I can protect her, if I can shoulder the pain for her instead—I'll put myself in harms way a hundred times if I need to."

Leaving Lance behind with widened eyes, the emperor continues to walk on with a look of resolution.

"Send the assassins that aren't injured, make sure they get to Avris in less than a day." He calls out beginning to walk towards the forest, "Prepare the procedures if I fail to return."

Unable to reply to his eerie words, Lance watches as the emperor summons platforms to fling him through the trees with ease. Swiftly moving, the emperor clenches his fists as he heads towards the Avris Kingdom.