The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Sixty

"What's the marquess' daughter doing in the palace garden?" I ask.
"Father had to meet his highness, so mother and brother decided to have tea with his grace."
"Duke Oslo?"
"Yes!" She smiles.
"Your family must be very close with his grace then."
"We are! Mother and father always cared for him when he was growing up. I think of him like a big brother, even his highness too!"
"His highness seems like a brother to you?" I ask, smiling as she speaks with a bright expression.
"Of course! Mother would always bring me to the palace when I was younger, and his highness would play with me or read to me." Lady Dulcie smiles brightly, thinking back on her memories, "Lady Luna, may I ask how long you've been a concubine for?" Lady Dulcie looks up at me with large round eyes of curiosity.
"I'd say about a year now." I reply, thinking back to when I first arrived.
"I've heard stories from father that his highness is infatuated with you!"
"I-I suppose." I lie, trying not to let my pain show.
"Is it love?" She asks sweetly.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that." I smile awkwardly, reminded of our interaction.
"I-I'm sorry, was it not polite to ask?"
"No, it's quite alright. This can be our little secret, there's affection for each other, but it wouldn't be right to call it love."
"I see... But mother and father make it seem easy." Lady Dulcie sincerely thinks deeply, confused almost.

I laugh, covering my mouth with my hand as I'm struck by how cute her innocence is.

"I suppose they truly are in love, but love is difficult... It can appear so sweet, but one can easily fall in love with the idea of love, rather than the person." I smile.
"Oh... I don't quite understand."
"For example, if you want the same love the marquess and marchioness share, you can try to force love with another to achieve it, but you won't be as happy as they are. Sometimes those who fall in love with the idea of love, ignore the hardships that happen and it becomes poisonous without proper understanding to each other. One should never try so hard to fall in love, it happens naturally when you meet someone suited for you."
"Do you think that's how you feel with his highness?"

Slowing in my steps, I give a small smile as my thoughts become clear.
"I suppose in a way, yes. I love him... But I fell in love without properly understanding him. I can only think about if it's love or if I feel affection to him for saving my life."
"Is it easy to tell the difference?"
"No... It's very difficult to know which it is."
"I see... I'm sorry..." Lady Dulcie whispers, her head lowered as she wears a small pout.
"Sorry for what?" I question, curious about her solemn expression.
"I made you sad, right?"
Surprised by her honesty, I quickly shake my head upon seeing her empathetic eyes.
"Not at all. If I was sad, please know that you didn't cause it." I whisper, speaking in a gentle tone.
Giving a small nod, she gives a faint smile.
"I hope you can find happiness in the end." She calmly replies.
"Thank you, Lady Dulcie. I wish the same for you, but you must grow comfortable with yourself first." I giggle, winking at her.
She nods before running to smell a flower.
The thoughts of Cabel return as I question if it's only affection I feel towards him.

"Father, mother!" Lady Dulcie calls out.

Ahead of us is a beautiful large gazebo with a table and chairs. The marquess and marchioness sit as they wave to their daughter. Their son sits beside them with Duke Oslo.
Marquess Simone's blonde hair and emerald green eyes glisten in the light, and his stern expression catches my eye.
I gulp, stepping closer.


"Darling! You were gone for so long! Who might this be?" The marchioness stands, hugging her daughter.
I curtsy, bowing my head.

"Good evening, Marquess Simone, Marchioness Adara. I'm Luna of the golden palace, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Lady Luna, his highness' concubine? It's wonderful finally meeting you!" The marchioness grasps my hands in hers.

I jump, startled by her cheerful personality.
She smiles brightly, her light brown hair shining under the sun, and her pale blue eyes glimmering in the light.

"Come, please join us!" She exclaims.
I nod, sitting beside Duke Oslo.

"Good evening, your grace." I smile.
"Hello, funny seeing you today. We were just talking about you." Duke Oslo kindly smiles.

"Christopher, introduce yourself." Marquess Simone speaks to his son.
"Good evening, I'm Christopher Simone." The boy bows his head.
"Hello, it's a pleasure meeting you."

He appears to be around my age, his hair a light brown but more lighter to resemble the marquess' blonde hair. His eyes a light emerald green shade.
Sitting back down with a proper form, his expression seems uninterested in the conversation.

"So, what's the little Lady Dulcie doing with Lady Luna?" Duke Oslo smiles, gesturing for a maid to bring me a teacup.

I watch him pour tea for me, before glancing to the marquess and marchioness.
Giving a look to Lady Dulcie, she lowers her head before nodding slightly.
"Truthfully, there's something I must inform you of." I speak up.
The marquess and marchioness look back at me with a confused expression.

Explaining the story, I tell them the guards names.

"H-How dare they! To our precious daughter?" Marquess Simone shouts with rage, attempting to find the guards.
Lord Christopher and Marchioness Adara grip onto his arms, holding him back.
"Dear! Be civil! Lady Luna just met us!" Marchioness Adara exclaims.
Lord Christopher sighs blankly as if it's a regular occurrence.
I watch and hold in a giggle from the man I briefly thought was intimidating.

"It's quite alright." I calmly speak.
Pausing in his fury, Marquess Simone takes a deep breath before sitting back in his seat. His hands tightly balled into fists, he clenches his teeth.

"Those bast!-"
"Dear, our children are here." Marchioness Adara cuts Marquess Simone off.
A cold look in her eyes and her voice authoritative.
Clearing his throat, he grows calm as he realizes the anger in the marchioness.

"I'm afraid the marquess is quite protective of his family." Duke Oslo laughs, sipping his tea.
"It's alright, it's very endearing actually." I smile.
"Sweetheart, is what Lady Luna said true? Did they attack you?" Marquess Simone kindly asks his daughter.
"Yes... I didn't know what to do and she saved me." Lady Dulcie nods, her eyes tearing up slightly.
"We'll find them and punish them. How dare they!" The marquess slams his fist on the table.
The teacups rattle as he hits the table top.

"Dear, you'll frighten our Dulcie and Lady Luna if you act like that." Marchioness Adara sighs.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry, did daddy frighten you?" Marquess Simone cuddles Lady Dulcie.
I can't help but smile as I feel the love they have for their children.

"It's okay father. I know you're angry with the knights." Lady Dulcie sighs, hugging the marquess back.
Suddenly, Marquess Simone bows his head.
"On the Simone name, I'm eternally grateful for your help." Marquess Simone speaks, tightly hugging his daughter.
"It was the honourable thing to do, please do not feel indebted." I smile.
"Quite the praiseworthy lady, isn't she?" Duke Oslo snickers, amused by my words.
"Nonsense, I merely did what was right." I reply, unable to help but tilt my head at his comment.
"No, Duke Oslo is correct. Most people would feign ignorance to it in fear, so I'm sincerely indebted to you for helping her." Marquess Simone corrects me.

I can only give a small nod and smile, sipping my tea as I feel a sense of pride for going against my fears.