The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Sixty-Six

"Hm?" Duke Oslo stands outside in the rain, his eyes following Luna as she rides off.

He closes his eyes, remembering her hair falling out of the headgear. Her face, slightly flushed and dewy from the rain.
Duke Oslo's ears slightly turn red.

"This is troublesome." Duke Oslo covers his mouth with his hand.
His lips form into an embarrassed restrained smile, picturing Luna's smile.

"Your grace, would you like us to call for a carriage?" A nurse walks outside.
"No, that won't be necessary."
Duke Oslo jumps on his horse, riding off in the opposite direction.

"I'm sorry..." Emperor Cabel groans, leaning against the desk.
Alone in his office, he mutters to himself.
"Just be patient until I can tell you..."

Emperor Cabel stares off into the room, his mind running wild with thoughts until an image appears in his head.
Lost in his imagination, he looks ahead of him, picturing Luna standing in front of him.
Her flowing hair glistening brightly, but the look of despair on her expression as tears roll down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry I made you cry... But I can't tell you the truth right now..."
Holding his head, the emperor can only shut his eyes
"I need to protect you... Please bear with me."

"Hurry up!" Luna calls out to Cethin.
"My stupid horse is just tired!" Cethin scoffs.

They ride up the hill, entering back in from where they came. They enter the riding fields, galloping into the stables.
The horses neigh, shaking their heads from the rain water.

"Good job Adonia!" Luna jumps off, petting the horse.
She grabs a cloth, drying the horse as does Cethin.

"Welcome, you're back so soon?" The stableboy comes from the back, bowing.
"Yes, feed them well, they did great. What's your name?" Luna calls out.
"I-I am Liam, Lady Luna."
"Well Liam, thank you. I assume you've kept our secret well?"
"Of course! Please, come back whenever you need, I'll keep your secret then too." Liam bows, smiling politely.
"Thank you." Luna reaches into her pocket, she places multiple gold coins in Liam's hand, turning around to leave, "Take care of them, we'll be off."
Luna waves, leaving with Cethin.

"Man, that was a blast! I haven't ridden a horse in years!" Cethin takes his headgear off.
"It was! It was nice finally seeing the district."
"Have you never been there?"
"Of course I haven't. I'm supposed to stay on the palace grounds." Luna gives a resigned smile as she shrugs, "Anyways, thank you for accompanying me. Do you think you can help me one more time?"
"With what?"
"I wanted to visit Jax."
"Oh..."
"What is it?"
"I'll come with you."
"It's okay, can you tell me where his room is? I just want to check on his health."
"Are you sure?" Cethin questions with a worried look.
"Yes... What's the matter?" Luna asks with a concerned tone.
"I just thought you'd be afraid to go alone..."
"I was.. But I want to check on him. Will you help me?"
"Yeah, yeah, like I could even say no. Come on."

Cethin brings her to Jax's bedroom, the halls still empty with the bustling sounds of guards playing downstairs.
"Grab your clothes from my room after." Cethin disappears through a hallway window.

Luna nods, taking a deep breath before entering Jax's room.
Lying in bed, he wears a white loose shirt. His expression calm and poised.

"Jax?" Luna calls out hesitantly.
Cautiously approaching the bed, she stares at his resting face.
"I hope you wake up soon, we're worried about you... I-I can't stop questioning why you did it? Surely you didn't do it because you hate me..." Luna sighs.
Taking a moment to think, she places her hand on his.
"Please wake up and talk to me. We all miss you." She whispers.

Suddenly, his eyes abruptly open.

"Ah!" Luna screams, instantly covering her mouth.
"Ugh, what the happened?" Jax groans, holding his head as he sits up.
"W-Wait, don't move! You've been asleep for days!"
"What?"
"I didn't expect you to wake up like this... We need to talk." Luna stares at Jax who seems confused.

"That's what happened?" Jax mutters.
Luna nods after explaining everything.
"I want to know why you did it... I'm saving your neck, but it didn't seem like a simple accident, so I want the answer. W-Why did you do it?"
"L-Luna... I don't remember anything."
"What?"
"I remember watching you and Cethin train. My head started hurting, a sharp pain ran down my neck, and I woke up here. I-I don't remember anything, I swear!" Jax's complexion turns pale as he tries to think back.
Luna sits back in the chair, confused.
"You really don't remember anything?" Luna stares at his expression.
"No! I-I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you, but I don't remember anything! I'm being honest!" Jax winces as he holds his head.
"Can you remember anything at all?"
"I-I remember you jumped up on the railing and ended your duel with Cethin, but then everything went to black like I fell asleep. It was like my body was floating in space."
"Hm..." Luna thinks to herself.

She sighs, standing as she looks back at Jax's pale complexion.
"I understand." Luna nods, stepping to leave.
"W-Wait! I could get killed for this-"
"You won't. I made sure you wouldn't be punished since I want to believe it was an accident. I truly wish to believe that you're not lying." Luna's eyes analyze him.
"I promise it's not. I would never do anything to harm you, you know I wouldn't!"
Taking in his words, she nods.
"I believe you. You should get some rest, I'll call the doctor."
Jax nods slightly, watching Luna turn around to leave his room.