Cabel and I stare out the window to watch Ming and Canella, holding hands as they walk through the gardens.
"You're a scoundrel." I mutter, looking up at him.
"Why's that?"
"You let me worry and think that you were seeing other ladies... There's something I'm still concerned about."
"What is it?"
"What position will I be if I marry you?"
"An empress of course." Cabel scoffs, shrugging.
"If you're still certain with that position being mine... I know you'll have to bring in a queen and concubines... I know I'll be bothered by that, so I hope you can promise that you'll be discreet if you-"
I'm cut off as Cabel kisses me deeply.
I pant, overwhelmed by his sudden rough kiss.
He pulls away watching me catch my breath. His forehead resting against mine.
"When I say this, I mean it with my whole existence. You will be the only lover I have, the only wife I have, and the only one who'll feel and know me more than anyone else." Cabel honestly speaks.
"Really?" I whisper, my heart racing as I look back at his loving eyes.
"Really... That duke laying his hands on you, made me feel a level of jealousy that I never want to feel again. How would it be fair if I made you feel that way too?"
"Cabel... It's different. You're the emperor. You need wives to support you-"
"I would rather let the empire burn than to have someone other than you."
My cheeks grow warm as his eyes pierce back at me, his sincere and calm tone making my mind blank.
"You are the only one I need. I don't need anyone else when you're already in my life."
"Cabel... Then, can I be more selfish?"
"About?"
"I... I want to be able to see you more... I want to be with you whenever I miss you."
Cabel smiles gently, staring at me as he listens.
"I'm sorry, I know you're busy a lot of the times, but I just can't help being greedy-"
He cuts me off, kissing me sweetly.
He pulls away kissing my forehead.
"You never need to hold back. You'll have all of me to yourself and I'll have all of you to myself."
"It wouldn't be selfish if I said to never have another concubine? Even if it was for a plan?"
"No. If you don't want someone to have that title, I'll never give it nor do I want anyone else. So, I suggest you decide if you really want to marry me or else I'll never let you go." Cabel arrogantly speaks, yet his words hold a kind tone.
I nod slightly.
"I do..." I smile, a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Cabel kisses me again, holding me tightly to his body. He lifts me in his arms, carrying me to the sofa.
"Damn it..." Cabel's deep voice mutters, his face mildly blushing.
"Cabel?" I call out.
"I can't hold back. Let me hear your sweet moans echo in my office." Cabel grins devilishly.
"Ah, wait!-"
He traps me on the sofa, kissing me deeply.
I sit in the garden, drinking tea.
The birds chirping as the spring breeze cools me down.
"My lady, would you like me to bring another book?" Magnolia asks.
"Hm, no, I'll enjoy the weather after I finish this one. Could you freshen the tea up?" I smile.
"Of course!" Magnolia bows, taking the teapot inside.
I admire the beautiful blooming garden, flower petals flying through the sky.
"Lady Luna!"
I turn to see Ming jogging up to my table. Her hanfu swiftly swaying behind her.
"Princess Ming, hello." I stand, curtsying slightly.
"I suppose I should address you as empress?" She giggles.
"No, please speak comfortably. I'm not formally engaged yet, so I'd prefer if we can speak casually, if you don't mind?"
"Of course not! I hope we can become closer! Please, call me Ming!"
"Then call me Luna. Won't you sit and join me? My maid will be back shortly with some more tea." I pull out a chair for her.
She bows her head, sitting down.
"Where's Lady Canella?" I ask.
"She's returned to her father's estate. His highness wrote a letter of the current situation so she's speaking with him."
"I see... It must have been difficult to be lovers so far."
"A bit, yes. No one knew our relationship as we pretended to just be friends."
"I see, I suppose people can be ignorant when it comes to this."
"Yes, but it was very romantic how we started to court each other."
"How?" I smile.
"Well, Earl Pietro visited my father years ago. I was very young at the time but needed a fiancé. My father was very relaxed about me marrying... He was a kind man who always believed in 'fated' love, but decided it wouldn't hurt for me to meet candidates. Earl Pietro came with his sons and Canella. I was to meet with one of her brothers but I was very attracted to Canella. I didn't know if it was normal to feel this way, but after they left, she always stayed on my mind until I couldn't ignore my temptations. I began to learn multiple languages to communicate with her, if we ever met again. When her father came to visit again, she came too. She claimed it was to be my friend... I surprised her by speaking in her language and she had surprised me too!" Ming giggles, remembering the memory.
"Surprised you how?"
"She had learned the languages of Xiao! All the ancient dialects, the regional dialects, and different variations in order to speak to me! We knew then that we had liked each other. We wrote to each other using different languages each time to keep it a secret. I still get butterflies being with her..." Ming smiles calmly, filled with bliss.
"I'm happy you're able to be with her from now on."
"Yes, it's thanks to your husband." Ming giggles.
My face heats up as she calls Cabel my 'husband'.
"My lady, I've brought some iced tea instead!"
Magnolia calls out.
I turn to see her approach with a tray, on top is a glass teapot of iced hibiscus tea.
"Oh, I didn't know you had a guest!" Magnolia exclaims.
"She just got here, please serve her some tea as well." I smile.
"Of course, my lady."
Magnolia pours the iced tea into glass teacups.
I stir honey into my glass as Ming smells the tea.
"Is it not to your liking?" I ask.
"Oh, I've never seen a red tea before, it's a bit like blood." Ming replies.
"Don't knock it, till you try it."
Cethin calls out, jumping off a tree above us.
He lands on the table, avoiding the cups and plates.
"Oh my goodness!" Ming exclaims, surprised.
I sigh, holding my teacup as the liquid sloshes around.
"Don't stand on tables, that's dirty!" I swat at Cethin's leg.
He jumps off the table, sitting down in a chair.
"I had to land somewhere." Cethin grins.
"Next time land on the ground." I scoff, taking a leaf out of his hair.
"That's so boring." Cethin laughs, pouring the hibiscus tea into a spare cup.
He stirs in sugar, sipping it.
I roll my eyes at his somewhat crude behaviour, but find it amusing.
"Ming, this is my friend Cethin. You met briefly but he's a captain for his highness." I laugh.
"It's nice to be acquainted with you." Ming smiles.
"Yeah, same." Cethin nods, sipping his tea.
I glimpse at his expression occasionally as he sits uninterested in our conversation.
--------------------
Emperor Cabel sits in his office.
He lights a cigar, inhaling it. He blows the smoke out, sipping his whiskey.
"Your highness, are you in a good mood?" Lance asks.
"Of course. It's a celebration. Do you hear that?" Emperor Cabel closes his eyes.
"No, your highness. I hear nothing?"
Emperor Cabel grins.
"Exactly. For the first time in months those annoying dying old men have left me alone. Seems like they understand I'll do what I want if it's helpful to the empire."
"In their defence, you have been causing trouble without explanations. Now that you've let the pieces fall into place, they're probably just relieved you had a bigger picture in mind." Lance places an ash tray in front of Emperor Cabel.
Emperor Cabel taps the cigar over the crystal tray.
"How's the situation with Pietro going?" Emperor Cabel asks, taking another puff of the cigar.
"He's furious. He's disappointed that Lady Canella's intelligence will be used for you, but he can't be that upset when it's for the emperor. As expected the news of her lover is enraging him more than knowing she'll be Xiao's ruler."
"Well, it's out of his concern. She has people who'll support her regardless, it's not like we need his permission." Emperor Cabel scoffs, downing his whiskey, "The preparations for them are going well?"
Lance nods.
"We just need to set a date and inform them."
"Excellent." Emperor Cabel leans back, staring out the window exhaling smoke.
Lady Canella walks into Emperor Cabel's office.
"You called for me, your highness?" Canella curtsies.
Her expression exhausted.
"Sit." Emperor Cabel points to the sofa in front of him.
The sky darkened with only the sounds of crickets.
Lance pours two glasses of wine, setting them on the coffee table.
"How is your dear old father?" He asks.
"Angered, of course."
"I suppose he would be. Took you a while. Did he lock you up?"
"I guess you could call it that. He made sure I was locked in my room." Canella scoffs.
"Escaping went fine?" Emperor Cabel sips his wine.
"Of course. Y0u planned everything diligently. I'm not sure if I should be delighted or shocked that you know our so much details about our estate's blueprints." Canella sips her wine, savouring the bouquet.
"Why not both? It would be troublesome if the emperor didn't know a mere thing as that. Anyways, about your crowning."
"Yes?"
"You both will be sent back within a few weeks, Xiao will begin to fall apart without rulers helping them. Being that she's the only heir, she'll crown you but you must be married before then."
"With all due respect, we had agreed we won't be married before Lady Luna and yourself."
"That doesn't matter. We aren't even engaged yet. We've planned your wedding instead, but it'll be held here. After, you can go on your honeymoon and then return to Xiao to be crowned."
"Will you not be attending the coronation?" Canella raises her eyebrows.
"I can't leave my dear fiancée alone. Since we won't be married by then, she won't be able to attend. It's enough that we'll be there for your wedding, but I have no desire to leave my empire for something senseless."
"Hm... Love really has changed you."
"I wouldn't say that."
"What would you call it then? It seems you're much more doting than you realize. You seem awfully afraid to leave her alone too."
"Because I'd burn this wretched world if I left her alone and she died. As long as I'm alive, I'll protect her."
"I'd say that's being changed due to love. Could you say the same before you met her?"
"... No."
"It's because you had nothing to care about before and now you do."
"How unpleasant."
"Loving someone?"
"The fear of losing her. One day she'll leave this world and I might leave it first, but knowing that there'll be a time where I'll have to live without her, or she'll live without me is unpleasant."
"Then you must cherish her as if it's your last and look forward to a future together. You might have children of your own and when one of you passes, the other will be left with an adorable bundle of joy made from your love for each other."
"Don't speak like that, it's repulsive." Emperor Cabel cringes, scowling.
"Is that not what you wish for?" Lady Canella tilts her head, smiling victoriously.
Emperor Cabel scoffs, sipping his wine, ignoring Canella's cheeky grin.
"It is..." Emperor Cabel mutters, his ears and cheeks turning red as he avoids Lady Canella's stare.
"Cabel!" Luna calls out, running up to Emperor Cabel amongst the flowers.
He hugs her, caressing her cheek.
"How beautiful, you always appear like an angel. What is it?" He kisses her forehead.
"Ming told me they're getting married in a few days, is this true?" Luna excitedly asks.
"Yes, we'll be attending. Are you this excited for someone else's wedding?"
"It's a wedding! It's always an exciting event!"
"Does this mean you'll be this excited for our wedding?" Emperor Cabel holds her up in his arms.
He tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Who knows, you'll have to propose first."
"Propose?"
"Of course, you don't expect me to propose to the emperor, right?"
"How witty."
He kisses her lightly, grinning.
"It'll come in due time."
Emperor Cabel and Luna talk as he carries her through the gardens.