The Abandoned Empress

How much time passed?

Tears that flowed down my cheek and my uncontrollable sobbing gradually disappeared.

My head that was in the clouds became gradually clear. Only then did I realize that I was holding him tightly. My body suddenly got heated up due to his warmth I felt through his thin fabric.

When I disengaged from his body hurriedly, I saw his white robe a bit wet with my tears as well as his subdued navy blue eyes looking at me .

After silently wiping my wet face with a handkerchief, he asked, “Do you want a baby?”

I looked blankly up his eyes. When I just blinked as I couldn’t understand what he meant, he said, wiping the teardrops around my eyes, “I don’t like children very much, but I want to have a baby with you too. I think the baby would be beautiful and intelligent like you. But Aristia… ”

“…”

“But it doesn’t matter even if you can’t have a baby. I can do without a baby if I can be with you. So…”

“… Sorry, Your Majesty. Let me leave now.”

As I couldn’t hear any more, I hurriedly went out of the office. Then, as soon as he turned around the corner, I sat down, hiding in the shade of a large pillar.

Hot tears, which I had dried, began to trickle down again.

The moment I heard him saying he would like to have a child with me, I was choked with the illusion that could come true. I kept thinking I would like to lean on him once and forever. Which woman would not feel moved when her lover said he wanted her so much?

Can’t I hold him? Can’t I catch his hand that he reached out to me, pretending I didn’t know his past? Can’t I just accept him in the cozy imagination, hiding my ears and eyes?

I stretched my arms toward the shimmering illusion in front of me.

At that moment, the beautiful scene was shattered.

“Ha… ”

Suddenly, I felt the chills on my body. I felt like a cold wind was blowing in my heart.

Frozen in the cold, I sat down in the shade for a long time.

I stepped back, gasping for breath.

After correcting my bad posture, I wiped off my hands wet with sweat.

After grabbing the sword anew, I charged back toward the relaxed, silver-haired knight.

Clang!

The sound of the swords hitting against each other rang pleasantly. I got a numbing sensation in my arm. I tried to attack again, but focused on defending when he hit me first with great force.

When I effectively blocked his attack, his blue eyes glowed satisfactorily.

“Your skills have increased a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It seems that your steady practice has paid off. Good job, Tia. ”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

A smile came to my lips when I heard his praise that I could hardly hear. I felt like my complicated thoughts were cleared.

When I was reviewing the reports I picked up at the office today and the letters that arrived in the afternoon after my evening practice, I heard a knock on the door. The butler hurriedly came in, embarrassed.

I asked, putting down the blue letter that I was just about to open, “What’s going on, butler?”

“Oh, you have a guest.”

“Guest? At this time? I didn’t get any outsider’s request for a visit. Who is it? ”

“His Majesty, the emperor is here.”

“Really?”

My eyes popped out. Why did he come here even without any notice? Is it because I left hurriedly yesterday? Or does he have something to say?

At that moment, I looked down at the letter.

The blue letter shining with golden pearls.

I thought I might find the answer in the letter, but I headed to the drawing room because I couldn’t keep him waiting. A young man in formal attire was standing as usual.

“I’m honored to see the Sun of the Empire.”

“You went home safely yesterday?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. But why did you come here at this time? I don’t think the situation is good enough for you to go outside. ”

“I’m fine. As I came out under tight security, you don’t have to worry about that. ”

“But…”

“Can I ask you a favor? I want you to go with me somewhere.”

“Pardon? Where?”

“Let me talk about it slowly. So, get ready first. I have little time.”

Where does he want to go with me at this time? I was very puzzled, but since he said he had no time and pressed me hard, I couldn’t ask any more and walked to my room.

When I changed into clothes and went back to the drawing room, still embarrassed, he rose after sitting in a relaxed position.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting a long time, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, it’s okay.”

He approached me and looked at me silently without listening to my apologies.

What’s wrong? Do I look strange?

When I looked up with puzzled eyes, he approached one step closer and gestured with hands lightly.

A waiting maid held a box on the table and opened the lid. Inside was an elaborately crafted diamond necklace shimmering with a brilliant glow.

“Your Majesty!”

“Stay there like that for a moment.”

He leaned towards me and put the necklace around my neck. It wasn’t as easy as he thought, so his fingers touched my neck while fidgeting with the hook of the necklace.

I felt eerie at his warm breathing into my ears while putting on it. My neck felt like tickling and somewhere creepy, so my body trembled at this strange feeling.

While I was slowly breathing out, he finally succeeded in locking the hook and raised my body a bit. When I felt I was close enough to feel his breathing, I suddenly blushed.

“Now you’re perfect. Beautiful. ”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Although I tried to act casually, I found myself expressing thanks to him.

When I put my hand on my pounding heart and stepped back, a faint smile came to his lips as he was looking at me.

“You…”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Nothing. let’s go.”

Looking at me quietly, he reached out. After breathing out furtively, I headed out with him.

“Then we’re departing now, Your Majesty.”

When the wagon departed, escorted by the royal knights, he, who was sitting across me, asked,

“Are you surprised?”

“…No, Your Majesty. ”

“I’m sorry for taking you out like this. But if I didn’t do it to you like this, you would definitely wouldn’t like it. ”

“… ”

“Um, how are you feeling?”

“Pardon?”

“Yesterday…Oh, it’s nothing. Just forget it. ”

When I looked at him being evasive, I suddenly recalled what Lina told me, who said he seemed to have visited me yesterday to cheer me up. I ignored her, saying that’s nonsense, but come to think of it, I think she was right.

“By the way, have you thought about it?”

“Pardon, Your Majesty?”

“I’m talking about the letter I sent you in the morning.”

I was put on the spot. I wish I had read it a bit later.

Watching me sighing silently, he said, looking at me, “I’m sorry. As I was impatient, I think I pushed you too much.”

“No, Your Majesty. Actually, I’m still …”

“That’s fine. You don’t have to answer so quickly. When you make up your mind, tell me then. ”

“What I mean is…”

“That’s enough. Just tell me later. ”

I was going to tell him I hadn’t read it yet, but he cut me off hastily, as if he got me wrong.

As I felt he would not listen to me anyway, I just looked out the window, refraining from saying anything further.

The place where the wagon arrived after a long ride was somewhat unfamiliar to me.

Only

I’ve never been to this place before.

I got out of the carriage and looked around, with my eyes wide open. I uttered exclamations at the surrounding scene.

There was a lake shining blue under the bright moon.

All kinds of flowers shining brightly under the moonlight, quiet surroundings and lovers walking a hand in hand.

The scenery, which was very beautiful, but very different from what I used to see, was so serene.

Was it because I felt so comfortable at the peaceful scene? Or was it because I was thrilled by the strange place? As I felt like I was walking on air, I turned around and asked, looking up at him, “Where are we, Your Majesty?”

“Shush! They will overhear us.”

“Ah… ”