The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Sixty-One

"Have you been enjoying your time in the empire, Lady Luna?" Marquess Simone asks, sipping his tea.
Luna nods.
"Yes, it's so beautiful here. The libraries are all filled with books too, so it's been fun reading them." Luna smiles.
"I've heard you're an avid reader. I also heard you're intelligent due to being quite studious, maybe you could become a consultant." Marquess Simone smiles kindly.
"A consultant?" Luna repeats.
"Yes. An educational consultant, a royal consultant, and even an advisor for his highness."
"Unfortunately, I'm his highness' concubine. There isn't much I can do." Luna speaks a bit resigned as she hides a dry gulp.
"Well, his highness cares for you greatly, surely he'd allow you to become one." Marquess Simone shrugs.
"I..." Luna sighs dejectedly.

Duke Oslo notices her expression—calm yet her brow slightly furrowing at the mention of Emperor Cabel.

"Yes! You would be able to do so much fun things if you became a consultant. You could stay as his concubine if you're not interested, but if you become a consultant, you'd be able to do something on your own accord." Marchioness Adara elegantly sips her tea.
"I agree. His highness would be supportive, I'm sure he wouldn't want your intelligence wasted." Marquess Simone nods, agreeing with his wife.
Luna smiles and nods.
"I suppose I could speak to him about it, once I've give it more thought." Luna replies politely.

After finishing the tea, Marquess Simone and Marchioness Adara get ready to leave.

"It's been a pleasure meeting you! Please, visit us whenever you want to get out of the palace." Marchioness Adara sweetly offers, grasping Luna's hands again.
"Of course, thank you for the offer, Lady Adara." Luna curtsies as the family walks down the gazebo steps.
"We'll speak again soon, duke." Marquess Simone bows, leaving with Lady Dulcie holding his hand.
"Safe travels home, marquess." Duke Oslo responds, waving.
Luna sighs slightly, smiling.

"I believe it's time for me to return as well." Luna begins to step away from the table.
"Just a minute, I'd like a word with you." Duke Oslo speaks up, stopping her.
Luna nods confused, sitting back down.

Duke Oslo waves for the maids to leave them. He watches as they leave the area, ensuring they're out of earshot before speaking.

"What's going on between you and his highness?" Duke Oslo quietly asks.
Luna averts her eyes, shrugging.
"What do you mean?" She responds awkwardly.
"His highness has been acting strange when I bring your name up, I just wanted to check on you."
"I see... We had a small disagreement is all..."
"A disagreement? With his highness?" Duke Oslo repeats, amused yet slightly stunned by her words.
"Yes... I'm grateful to his highness... I care for him and I'm sure I might truly love him, but after our disagreement I realized I was foolish to fall for him."
"Why would you say that? May I ask what his highness did?"
"H-He made me realize I was full of myself to assume our status wouldn't matter, but apparently it does. I want to be heard and respected by the one I love, yet he made it clear he doesn't owe me that when my life belongs to him."
"I'm sorry... But I'm glad you're acknowledging it instead of avoiding it." Duke Oslo smiles reassuringly.
"I'm trying my best to... It just feels confusing... But thanks to our talk, I know I want someone who will treat me equally and hear what I have to say."
"In this empire it's going to be difficult to find someone like that, especially if you're his highness' concubine."
"I know... But finding a partner is not a necessity to me. I can only hope to have a friendly relationship with his highness, in the hopes he'll allow me to be free. Yet, it seems impossible when he views me as a tool to marry."
"To marry? D-Did his highness propose to you?" Duke Oslo's eyes widen.
"I suppose he did... He said we'd have to marry since he needs me to help the empress."
"He suggested to make you queen..." Duke Oslo whispers as he realizes the situation.
"Yes... I-I should have been happy that I can stay beside him, I should be happy that despite my status, he offered marriage..." Luna trails off, furrowing her brows as she thinks about their talk.
"But you don't want to become the queen knowing he'll need an empress." Duke Oslo speaks up.

Giving a resigned nod, Luna forces a small smile.
"I don't want to see him gently treat her like how he treats me. I don't want to see if he has love for another lady... If I become queen, I'll always wonder if his affection was ever genuine." Biting her lip to suppress her pain, Luna avoids meeting the duke's eyes once hers grow wet with tears.
Watching her try to hold back her sorrow, a troubled expression appears in the duke's eyes for a moment.

"He won't grant me freedom though. He might force me to become queen since I'm only his belonging, but I'd rather die a concubine than live in agony each day as a queen."
"I see..." Duke Oslo thinks to himself, fiddling with the empty teacup in front of him, "I know I'm unable to give much advice but if you ever need help, I'll be here for you."
"How come?" Luna looks at him, confused.
"Who's to say. I like who you are as a person, and wish to help if I can." Duke Oslo smiles amused, shrugging slightly.
Luna nods and smiles kindly.
"Thank you, your grace."
"Of course."

Taking a deep inhale as she manages to settle her heart, Luna gently looks back at him.
"You're very kind." She smiles.
"Did you hear something to think I wasn't?" Duke Oslo teases with a curious tone.
"Not at all. I just didn't expect you'd be this kind and easy to talk to." Luna giggles, her tense shoulders relaxing.

Duke Oslo sits alone at the gazebo.
He stares at the vast sky, sighing as he watches the clouds.

"I could bring you to my territory if you wanted." Duke Oslo whispers.

Realizing the words that slipped out of his mouth, he scoffs in disbelief.
A chuckle escapes his lips as he realizes his thoughts, his eyes gazing at the empty teacups in front of him.

"Your grace, your carriage is ready." A butler approaches, bowing.

"I'll leave in a few moments. I wish to sit here and watch the birds." Duke Oslo waves off the butler.

Sitting alone, the duke watches the birds fly among the bright orange setting sky.
His eyes follow the flock that pass over the palace, until seeing Luna's bedroom window in the distance.
Luna's silhouette passing the window, moving to open the balcony doors.
Watching her hair sway gently in the breeze—a book in hand as she takes a deep breath—the corner of Duke Oslo's lips curl as his gaze lingers on the sight of her.

"I want to take you for myself." He whispers, his eyes unreadable as he thinks to himself for a moment.
Rising to his feet, he watches as Luna returns to her room. Clicking his tongue, he proceeds down the gazebo steps as he chuckles a light hearted laugh—realizing the truth of his words.