The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Eighty

I open my eyes—the sunlight that seeps through the curtains causing me to stir in my sleep.
Birds chirp outside as I listen to the distant chatter of gardeners outside.
Feeling a warmth behind me, I turn to see Cabel sleeping soundly. His arm wrapped around my waist, with his chest leaning against my back.

'I need to be content becoming queen... I'll fulfill my duties since you need to fulfill yours... You'll need to bring an empress worthy for the empire after all...'

Feeling a small lingering sadness, I shake my head to rid the negative thoughts as I gaze at his calm sleeping expression.

'I love you... I need to earn the place to proudly stand beside you.'

Almost as if he could hear my thoughts, his arms tighten around me as he pulls me close in his sleep.
Unable to stop myself from smiling at his gesture, I cuddle into his chest—hugging him tightly.

"What do I do when you cling onto me like this?" I look up to see Cabel, holding back his laughter as he gazes down at me.
"You're awake?" I sheepishly ask.
"Mhm, shall we continue last night?" Cabel's face grows closer.
My face flushes as I back away.
"N-No! We didn't stop until the sun began to rise, how are you not tired?" I exclaim, stunned by his suggestive gaze.
"How can I be?" Cabel kisses my forehead, wearing a sly grin, "I would keep going forever if I could. Being with you feels so good, I don't want to ever stop touching you."
His mischievous hands begin to stroke my waist as he pulls me close—nibbling my ear before leaving a trial of kisses down my neck.

"S-Stop it, it's embarrassing if you speak like that." I mumbles, averting my eyes.
"What was last night about, hm?" Cabel softly chuckles.
Laying his head back lethargically, he holds me close as I lean my head on his chest.
"What do you mean?" I question, gazing up at his eyes.
"What were your words again? 'It's too big'?" Cabel mockingly mimics, his shoulders shaking from laughter.
"Ah..." I keep my lips closed tightly.
"What is it? Were you comparing me with someone else?" Cabel raises his eyebrow.
I shake my head quickly.
"Of course not! I just remembered something I heard about you..."
"About what?"
"Well the previous ladies of the golden palace gossiped about... 'it'..."
"It?"
"One of the ladies said it was 'small'... Now that I think about it, she might have been trying to start rumours to keep you for herself."

Cabel pauses, before a soft-amused chuckle escapes his lips as he lightly brushes my hair back.
"And do you believe the rumours still?" Cabel questions, gently kissing the strand of my hair.
"No... If it was like the rumours, I wouldn't be this sore." I frown, pouting as a thought suddenly enters my mind.
"Why is my beautiful princess pouting?" He chuckles, his fingers gently pinching my puffed cheek.
I glare at him and scoff.
"Another lady saw it... Has anyone else?"

Cabel's eyes widen until he breaks out into a loud airy laugh I've never heard before.
He wipes away the tears forming in the edge of his eyes.

"No, she's the only one who's seen me like that. Does it upset you?"
"It shouldn't because it happened before we were even close... But it does."
"Please forgive me... Although I suppose we both get jealous."
"I would say your version of jealousy is a lot more destructive than mine." I giggle, hugging him tightly.
"Jealousy is still jealousy, my dear princess." Cabel snickers, kissing my forehead as he hugs me tightly.

Resting in Cabel's office after getting dressed, I silently read as I wait for him to return.
The door opens and Cabel walks in.

"How annoying." He grumbles, walking up to me.

Kissing my forehead lightly, he holds my cheeks—his thumbs gently caressing them.

"Did I keep you waiting for a while?" He asks, smiling lightly.
"Not at all. What's the matter?"
"Those annoying advisors are complaining how I disappeared last night. They're making sure I stay tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yes, the spring ball lasts for three days."
"Three days?" I exclaim, "I didn't think it'd go on so long."
"It's annoying but it's tradition."
"Tradition to... Party?" I giggle.
"It seems that way, but it's one of the largest celebrations throughout the empire. It's based off a legend. It's said that millenniums ago, there was a golden dragon that purified this land, saving it from wicked witches."
"Witches? Did they really exist?"
"Possibly. They're described in history books, and some wizards believe that they could still exist—but I don't believe that tale. A witch wouldn't describe them well either."
"How come?"
"They had magic and cast spells like witches in myths, but from evidence—they're more similar to cannibalistic demons."
"C-Cannibalistic?" My eyes widen, feeling excitedly curious by his words.