The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Seventy-Two

"Your highness... Do you care for Lady Luna?"

Duke Oslo's voice replays in Emperor Cabel's mind.
The conversation they had earlier, haunting him.

"Why does that concern you?"
"Your highness... Lady Luna has been weak. She's neglecting her health... And I believe it's from the pain you've caused... Please, let her go."
"Let her go?"
"If you have any love for her, you should let her go... This isn't love when she's suffering this much. Haven't you thought about the pain she's in?"

Emperor Cabel downs the whiskey in his hand.
He pours another glass, downing that one as well.

"I was blinded... How did I not know? How did I not see how badly I was hurting you? I'm... I'm sorry... I don't deserve you... I should have told you, I should have been honest, I should have freed you before any of this happened." He clenches his jaw, running his fingers through his hair.
He looks at the empty sofa.
The memories of sneaking glances at Luna as she read happily, running through his mind.

"I hope we'll meet on better terms... I hope I can explain it all to you. I hope you'll forgive me and you can look at me without pain." Emperor Cabel's eyes tear up, glossing over as he stares at the glass of whiskey, "I hope someone can give you happiness I couldn't-"
He cuts himself off from finishing his words.

Clenching his hand closed, the crystal glass shatters under his grip.

"Damn it!" He exclaims, his hand cut and bleeding as he rises to his feet.
His hand exuding a red fog, the cuts slowly healing as he wears a look of agony.
Grabbing the crystal decanter, he chugs the liquor as his eyes remain focused on his imagination of Luna sitting on his couch with a book in hand.
Unable to stand his thoughts, he collapses on the couch as he steadily finishes the bottle in his hand.

Luna sleeps soundly in the carriage as she sits across Duke Oslo.
He stares at her expression, calm yet pained.

"Don't cry over him anymore." Duke Oslo whispers under his breath, furrowing his brows as he watches a tear fall from Luna's eye.
"How would you react, if I asked you to cry only for me... Just cry for me, look at only me, rely on no one else but me... Will you one day do that for me?"

Duke Oslo stands, gently wiping the tear away from her eye.
He thinks to himself, hesitating.
Clenching his hand into a fist, his hand soon relaxes to cup her cheek.
Gently, he kisses her forehead, until sitting back down in his seat.
His ears and cheeks burning red as he looks out the window.

"Lady Luna." Duke Oslo calls out.

Stirring in her sleep, Luna opens her eyes slowly.
"Are we here?" She asks sleepily as she wears a solemn expression.
"Yes. Just about, we're going up the hill to it."
Luna looks out the window.

Through the heavy rain stands a shining estate, the tall black mansion with gold detailing.
The black gates open, the coachman driving up to the entry.
Butlers and maids stand outside with umbrellas.

"I-I feel like I'm intruding..." Luna mutters.
"Nonsense. You're my guest." Duke Oslo winks, holding his hand out to her.

Luna places her hand on his, standing up.
The carriage door opens and a butler holds out an umbrella for the duke and Luna.

"Welcome to the duke's estate. I'm the head butler of the estate, Fredrick." An older looking gentleman bows.
His suit clean pressed with his hair tidied.
"Good evening, I'm Luna... Luna Avri." Luna curtsies, uncomfortable as she speaks her surname.
"Please, come inside. Unpack her belongings from the carriage." Fredrick orders the butlers.
He stands behind Luna and the duke, holding an umbrella over them as they walk inside.

"Would you like dinner now, your grace?" Fredrick asks.
"Yes, prepare a setting for Luna as well." Duke Oslo replies.
"Yes, your grace."
Standing in the entryway of his mansion, Luna dries off with a towel given from a maid.

"So... This is your home?" Luna asks.
"Yes. I know it's nothing grand compared to the palace-"
"N-No! It's beautiful! I didn't mean to sound insulting..."
Duke Oslo looks at her, chuckling lightly.
"I know, I was only teasing. Come, I'll show you your room."

Duke Oslo guides Luna through the hallways, filled with paintings and portraits. The floor lined with a dark blue velvet carpet with pillars lining the halls.
Duke Oslo opens the doors to a room, showing Luna her bedroom. A gorgeous room with cream walls, blue bedding, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The warmth of the light drowning out the gloomy weather noticeable from the large rectangular windows.

"Is it to your liking?" Duke Oslo asks.
Luna steps in, looking around.
"It's beautiful... Thank you." Luna smiles, looking back at Duke Oslo.
He smiles, watching her smile slightly as she admires the room. Meeting his eyes once more, Luna averts her eyes instantly as she grows shy.

"M-May I ask something, your grace?"
"Of course."
"Why are you helping me?" Luna curiously looks back at him.
"I wonder that as well." Duke Oslo snickers, "Merely because... Your intelligence drew me in first, and then I got to know the lovely heart behind it."
"I-I see..." Luna's face grows red as Duke Oslo watches her.
"Let me ask you something now."
"Yes?"
"Do you truly love his highness?"

Luna pauses, thinking for a moment about his abrupt question.
"I wish I could say I don't love him, but I do..."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I think it's too late to ask that..."
"I suppose it is, but I apologize for acting without speaking to you."
"It's for the best. I don't think I was strong enough to ask him to leave... But it was painful to stay... I guess I was blinded by love?"
"You might have been, but that's okay... No one knows the answer, but you, so listen to what you think is best."
"I suppose this is just meant to become something I grow from, isn't it?"
"Yes... If you'd like it to be. I'll leave you to rest for now, I'll come grab you once dinner's prepared."
"Yes. Thank you, your grace." Luna curtsies as Duke Oslo leaves her bedroom.

Luna walks over to the crisp, clean, tidy bed.
She sits on the edge, uncomfortable as she looks around.
"How unfamiliar..." Luna whispers to herself.
She stares out the window by the bed, the rain pouring down.

Duke Oslo stops, leaning against her closed bedroom door.
He takes a breath, holding his chest.
"I have to be patient..." He looks down at his hand, clenching his jaw.
He covers his eyes with his hand, taking another deep breath.
"She'll slip through my fingers if I push too much... Damn it... Just be patient and wait for her feelings to die... Just be patient." He mutters to himself.
He clears his throat, leaving down the hall.