21

After the discussion, everyone separated ways. The Athelstan family got home still dizzy about the information they got, especially the parents. As for Theo he was a little stressed due to the fact that his time is only limited and he needed to go home and solve the problem in his kingdom.

Should I just kidnap Lucious? Rold would be willing to go and being with his precious brother he might excell more because there is no destruction. The problem is the Emperor, that Osiris might declare a war against me.

As for the Emperor and his little Lucious. That night, under the moonlight. Osiris invited Lucious for tea in his garden. The garden where Lucious slept while being hunted by everyone. Since that day, he gave the garden to Lucious after knowing that he took a liking to it, he also doubled the shadow guard around him.

"About the talk in the afternoon. Though I want to have agranded wedding with you, I suggest we hold a double wedding. First is for intimate so that your family could witness it and second is for our country"

"Your majesty, could I speak my mind for real this time?" Lucious asked while putting down the tea cup.

"Okay, I permit."

"This marriage is really against my will. I don't want to get married and be bound especially to you, an Emperor where I would never be a priority. Even more now that you even want me to be your Empress."

Osiris' throat became dry to the point that even his heart became heavy. He wants to repute it but he can't because all of these are facts.

"Then, ... do you want me to cancel this marriage?" Osiris asked with a heavy heart.

"Would you let me?" Lucious asked bravely but he already knew the answer.

"No"

A man's pride is really too heavy to be set aside. Lucious thought.

"Greetings to the Emperor and future Empress" a sudden greeting was heard. When Lucious and the Emperor turned around it was a woman with an alluring appearance. Lucious looked at the guest with an interest and Osiris hands tightened around the cup.

"Good evening my lady," Lucious greeted with a smile.

"Pardon my intrusion Emperor, I just so happen to have received some ingredients from my Family and made a soup out of it. And I also thought about you, your majesty but I did not know that the future Empress was with you, so this servant was sorry that there was no portion for the future Empress to be offered" Lucy, a side concubine given by the Prime ministry of rights after Osiris succession of the throne, and being one of the old concubine of the Emperor, Lucy was a little ambitious and greedy wanting to curry favor to the Emperor in every chance he gets.

After knowing that a future Empress was announced she was really angry even though he knows that he would never be seated in the throne but at least she wants to have the Emperor's first child but Osiris won't even look at her even now after meeting Lucious.

"It's alright, come serve the food to the Emperor. Just accompany me, that would be enough. Why don't you sit next to me and tell me about your day."

Lucy was taken aback by Lucious' attitude towards her, she clearly knows that she tried to ignore the future Empress but Lucious was not a bit annoyed or angry at her.

Respectfully, Lucy rose and gestured to the servants to serve the soup and sat beside Lucious. But even before she could come closer. Osiris suddenly threw the cup at her feet, fortunately it didn't hit but she was shaken. Everyone froze in their tracks.

"m-majesty?"

"Who told you to rise?" The emperor's cold tone made everyone's hair rise. They all comply and kneel.

"I'm sorry your majesty I just ..."

"specifically offering me food clearly knowing that I'm with the future Empress. Are you slandering him right in front of my presence?!"

"No your majesty, It was not my intention" Lucy's heart tightened. It's been months since the Emperor visited her chamber. Since meeting Lucious the Emperor stopped the visitation schedule. The concubine palace was in distress especially her, even before she was not given a favor, though everyone does but she still wants to be special even just for night duty but even that was suppressed by a man.

Maybe due to too much stress and repressed feeling, Lucy can't no longer contain it and blurted out some inappropriate words.

"It's just that ... your majesty it's been a month since you visited us. I'm just concerned that people might slander you that you're not visiting us with your concubines and even now that you still don't have an heir I .. I was just concerned about you, your majesty. "

*Slap*

A crisp sound of slap echoed. Lucy was suddenly struck by a Eunuch specifically under the order of the Emperor.

"What rights do you have to say those disgusting words towards the Emperor?!"

Lucy didn't answer.

Lucious, frowned. This is why he doesn't want to be married in a noble family where wives are numerous. Even if the husband gives equal attention to all of the concubines, may it be side or legal there would always be one or two people who would want more.

If you would think it normally, who would want to see the person they love to give attention to others? Even if you see it in a professional way or for the sake of the family having more heir it would be still too painful to experience.

Even though his father does not say much about this matter, Lucious and his brothers had a silent understanding that they would only marry one person and that is the person they love. Just like their parents, Lucho promised their Mother, Elizabeth, that he would never accept any concubines. EVen though hesitant at first, Elizabeth chose to believe him and just like what her husband promised before they wed, he did not accept anyone even insisted by the previous Emperor and higher officials he stays true to his words.

It may not appear that Lucious was greatly influenced by his Father when it comes to loving someone. He might be flirty and loves beauty so much that people think he has had many experiences, but this is not the case. He knows that someday he would only marry one person. But just like that, his dreams crumble.

Seeing the crying face of the Lady, Lucious can't help but to offer her a handkerchief. Lucy only looked at him with too much emotion and hurt.

Lucious suddenly remembers his Mother. What if, if his father had other concubines his mother would also cry in despair just like this Lady? How about him? Would there be a time where he would love the Emperor and would also get desperate?

"Lucious!" The Emperor's voice echoed that made everyone tremble in fear. Except for Lucious. Just like this lady he was also consumed by emotions.

He respectfully kneels in front of the Emperor.

"Please excuse my rudeness, your highness. I would like to offer my sincere apology in exchange for this Lady. Forgive her your highness, as for what she said though not all some are in fact true. Going to the concubine palace is one of the Emperor's duties and neglecting it may affect my reputation. As a future Empress would you want me to suffer the consequences? "

Everyone was taken aback. Lucy can't help but to look at Lucious, in disbelief. The Emperor was angered greatly with greeted teeth.

"Lucious, I have limits. Even if it's you!"

"I accept any punishment you'll bestow upon me"

The Emperor snapped and left without a word. Lucious was locked in his chamber after and cannot be freed without the command from the Emperor. As for the concubine, she was dismissed from the concubine palace. While a rumor spread around the palace that Lucy a concubine was removed and who knows if she is still alive due to disrespecting the Future Empress in front of the Emperor.

At the same time, in the Concubine palace the security was doubled not to protect the concubines of the Emperor but to monitor the ladies. They can no longer have afternoon tea or go wherever they want after the incident. Even though there is no announcement there was a tacit understanding that if Lucious was seen they should not casually approach him especially if you are a lady due to the Emperor's possessiveness towards him.

Lucious became well known, not just in the kingdom but also in the neighboring country. That the Emperor was smitten and Lucious is too beautiful that the Emperor indulged in everything Lucious wants but he is too brave that even though they are soon to be wed, Lucious can't give his heart to the Emperor which explains his unnatural behavior.

In three days Lucious is not permitted to see anyone, even the Emperor didn't see him. For three days everyone thought that finally Lucious behaved and already gave in but unknown to everyone Lucious is really indeed inside his chamber but not alone.

"Lucious you fucker, can't you atleast let me win!" Niel said in greeted teeth while being flick in his forehead by Lucious.

For three days Lucious was accompanied by Niel, sneaking in the afternoon and going out at night. Lucious has never been bored, though he can't go out he still could have fun. They would play games bought by Neil, cards, boards and sometimes exotic insects just to appease Lucious boredom. While Lucious offered him delicious foods, though he was locked the Emperor still gives him delicious food, most of it are desserts which he shares with Neil.

"haha serves you right" Lucious said laughing while flicking Neil's forehead for the second time and a loud sound was heard. Neil can't no longer contain the pain and turned while holding his swollen forehead.

"I give up, I don't want to play anymore. If I continue everything you taught me would be gone and I would no longer remember your name"

Lucious let out a sigh, and plop in the floor covered by soft cushions. He is now bored, his feet itching to explore. This is the longest time he was confined. Though he was always being punished he would always find ways to escape but this time the security is too tight that just by peeking at the windows multiple pairs of eyes are watching him.

As for Neil? He was slick as an eel. Disguised as a helper he sneaked in to accompany Lucious everyday pretending to help Lucious and feeding Edel but in truth he was enjoying the food that was given to Lucious.

"So what would you do now? soon to be Empress?" Neil said with a little mocking while giving Edel fresh waxworms that are still squirming.

"of course I would escape"

"Escape again? How many times did we plan your escape and fail?

"This time I have a plan. Inquire when my big brother and Prince Theo would depart, I have a feeling that my family and the Emperor would lie to my Brother that he would delay our wedding."

Neil nods seriously and listens to Luscious further instruction.