Chapter 275

Chapter 275

Lucius the First silently watched his cousin leave. Duke Luzo left with his back turned on the emperor, which was unusual. Normally, the duke took a few steps back before turning around, which was the proper royal etiquette.

‘I guess he is really angry…’

It was understandable since the situation involved Duke Luzo’s son. In the previous generation, Lucius the First’s father, the former emperor, ended up having an unfriendly relationship with his younger brother, Duke Luzo’s father. The former emperor ordered Duke Luzo to be raised in the royal castle so Lucius the First would have a good friend growing up. Duke Luzo’s father felt like his son was stolen from him.

Until the day they died, the brothers never made up their differences. Lucius the First did not want the repeat of this family tragedy.

‘But I need Park as my heir.’

To gain his love, the emperor decided to be a little selfish. Even if the duke did not agree to this plan, if Lucius the First passed away without an heir, Duke Luzo was going to have to inherit the throne, and his son afterward. It didn’t really matter if Lucius the First officially announced and groomed Park Luzo as his heir. Of course, the problem was that the emperor would have to work until his dying day to make sure the kingdom became as stable as possible for the next generation.

‘I guess I will never be able to retire…’

In his head, Lucius the First went over the things he would have to accomplish before he died. He sighed, knowing that there were too many to do and not enough time. He was the ruler of this kingdom and therefore, he was destined to lead a lonely life. Was wanting a woman of his dream by his side too much to ask? Was he being too greedy? Why was it that Poliana’s happiness and his own happiness could not exist together?

If the emperor told Poliana Duke Luzo’s initial thoughts, which was to marry her for a sound political gain, Lucius the First suspected that Poliana would agree to the plan. She would accept his proposal easily and she will work hard as the new empress of this kingdom. She would remain his loyal subject.

But… This is not what he wanted. The emperor wanted Poliana’s heart. He wanted her to want him as a man, not as her emperor. He wanted them to be a true wife and husband.

Just as Poliana dreamt of finding a husband that respected her, Lucius the First dreamt of having her as a loving wife. Was this too much to ask? Was he being greedier than when he swore to unite the entire kingdom at the age of 18?

‘Pol, I miss you.’

Whenever he felt lonely or tired, the emperor wanted to see Poliana. But unfortunately, it has been impossible to see her because Poliana decided to go through special training after the traumatic experience.

Due to the recent imprisonment of the guilty elders, the royal guards haven’t had much to do. The Second Division especially acted lazily since they no longer had the extended royal families to protect. Poliana announced that she will begin special training for herself as well as her men, which meant that Poliana visited the royal castle often. However, she never purposely looked for the emperor. There was no doubt that she was avoiding him.

***

Long after Tory’s incredible act of courage at the banquet, Yapa slowly began to gain peace again. To most people in the kingdom, nothing much has changed other than having an emperor who was single again. Nothing changed in Lucius the First’s life either. He woke up early in the morning for exercise and after a brief rest, he went to work. He worked tirelessly in hopes that he might still someday retire.

Even though he was busier than ever, the emperor still felt lonely and empty, most likely because it was impossible to see Poliana anymore. In the past, he had the same issue; it was very difficult to meet Poliana before too. But the difference was whether this was happening on purpose. As long as Poliana continued to avoid the emperor, Lucius the First couldn’t help feeling insecure.

The emperor still heard about what Poliana was up to. How the head of the Second Division visited Princess Luminae… How the head of the Second Division requested to visit Lady Tory but was denied… How the head of the Second Division had an argument with the head of the First Division…

Even though the emperor heard plenty of stories about Poliana’s activities inside the castle, she never came to visit Lucius the First. Although he understood why she was acting this way, he still felt disappointed, even a little upset, at Poliana.

Lucius the First became sicklier by the day from being lovesick and overworked. His big secret of what happened with Poliana didn’t help his condition either.

Sir Ainno, who was the only one who might have been able to prod the emperor about what happened during the trip, was too busy with his own love life and wedding preparation. Sir Ainno was determined to marry as soon as the royal death period was over and to accomplish this, he has abandoned his best friend.

But even if Sir Ainno insisted on knowing what happened, Lucius the First would’ve never told him about the night he spent with Poliana. This was why the emperor wasn’t upset with his friend. Sir Ainno might have been his best friend, but Lucius the First still would never talk about that night. This meant that the emperor had no one to talk to; he had to suffer alone.

It became the emperor’s habit to play with his mother’s wedding ring, which he still hasn’t returned to the Emperor’s Room in Nanaba. All he could do was wait in pain. While the emperor became weaker, Poliana’s survival instinct was kicking in. Poliana was still very grateful for the emperor forgiving her. Although that night was a result of both of them getting drunk, Poliana felt that what she did ashamed the emperor. Her crime was unforgivable, yet her kind emperor offered to forget about the night. Poliana was determined to pay back for his kindness by being the best knight she could be.

‘I better be extra careful from now on. Something like that can never happen again.’ Poliana was determined.

Her nickname was the “War Witch.” People believed that she was as cold as the freezing winter day. She was known for her mercilessness and ruthlessness during wartimes. There used to be plenty of enemy generals who swore to hunt her down and kill her.

During the war, people died every day. Even when there was no battle, those who were injured died constantly. Poliana was used to losing people around her.

So what happened? She used to be iron-willed. She used to be so strong and in control, but now… She was too relaxed. Peace had ruined her body and soul. The incredible power she held made her weak and lazy.

It all began after her friend Lady Rebecca died. It was okay to feel sad about a friend’s death, but the mistakes she made afterward… They were not acceptable. Sure, a lonely woman could be fooled by a gold digger. It was okay because there wasn’t any permanent damage to her reputation, but to assault her own emperor in such a manner… How could she?! How dare she?!

‘Dammit!’