Chapter 2 Expeditions that are Questionable

Emperor Darya was having her tea time in the Imperial garden while she thought about the first time she met Esteban, the son of Duke Garrett. It was summer and she wanted to play outside but she had a private lesson. She was planning on sneaking out but after she opened the door, she bumped into this tall man, making her lose her balance and fell on the floor.

"I apologise, your highness."

She was caught off guard after hearing such a calm and collected voice. The eight-year old princess looked at the hand being offered to her by the tall man. When she looked up to his face, she got distracted by the gentle look on his face. He had good features and his slightly golden hair was strikingly good on him. She received the tall man's hand and stood up, only to meet his blue eyes. The colour of his eyes was like the sky.

"It was careless of me to have been standing here for a moment, your highness." The tall man further explained. "I was intrigued by the mysterious design of the door. It's simple yet delicate carving caught my eyes so I could not help but look at it a bit more."

The tall has a strange personality of being distracted by different kinds of art. The young Princess invited the tall man inside her private lesson room to have a look at the different works of art being displayed everywhere. Her professor, who recognized who that tall man was, had no choice but to accommodate him and unexpectedly, he had to teach the Princess and at the same time, the son of Duke Garrett.

That moment, Princess Darya realized that those artworks that were displayed were actually not just for display. She thought that they were only for the eyes to see but it could actually touch someone's heart. While watching the son of Duke Garrett recognize those artworks, she had fallen in love because her heart would beat whenever she saw him having a cheerful expression on his face.

Starting that time, she would watch him, with the way he walks, wears, and even the way he talks. Esteban was always calm and is good at mature talks. He was only eighteen years old at that time but he could talk to her grandfather like the high ranking nobles. He was such an admirable heir and will surely have a good future.

Emperor Darya put down the cup of tea she just sipped from. She then looked at the sky that was like the colour of Esteban's eyes. She had a genuine smile on her lips while she thought about getting married to the only man who made her heart waver.

A month later, Emperor Darya watched her husband, took her hand, pulled it to kiss the back of it. She had a good smile while looking at Esteban's usual gentle looking face. 'Finally, I got married to Esteban De Garrett'.

Through the years Emperor Darya has led the whole Empire, it was peaceful and full of great changes. Farmers were given fair revenue and the market price lowered down. She also demolished some of the systems of crimes. She has also built schools for the commoners and has given them a chance to acquire a higher position. These achievements, thus far, the only reason why the anti-imperial faction loathed Emperor Darya. She is becoming more and more powerful as years pass. They thought that they were a second step ahead after making the son of Duke Garrett marry the Emperor. Although the Emperor married their trump card, they are still not able to grasp their main goal.

"Your majesty," Duke Esteban put down the cup of tea he just sipped from. He then looked at his wife's beautiful face.

"Is there something that is making you uncomfortable?" She smiled.

"I will never be uncomfortable around you, your majesty," he smiled back. "I would like to inform you again about my coming expedition this year again."

Upon hearing that, she nodded as she already knew what was in it. "Oh, so you will be gone for a month again?"

"It is sad to say that I will have to leave your side for a while, your majesty."

"I have no problem with it. I am also sorry that I could not spend more time with you."

They talked even more about the expedition and while Emperor Darya was listening, she would just react and compliment him with his achievements as both the Duke and her male consort.

"When you come back home, I will tell you something." She announced as she waved her hand while she watched her husband walk away.

"I am looking forward to it," Duke Esteban smiled and lowered his head before finally leaving. When he was gone, the smile on Emperor Darya's lips faded.

Every year, her husband would go on an 'expedition' in a month. She did not suspect his actions as she trusts him and that she knows that he is different from his father, the former Duke Garrett. However, just recently, she could feel something changing in her husband's actions. Which is why she investigated this 'expedition' and what she found out is that the report her husband tells her is different from it. An expedition does not necessarily have to be in one place but she found out that his husband would go to the same place where he goes on expedition during all these years, even before they got married. It was even reported that he is meeting a woman there.

"Should I tell him about you?" She caressed her abdomen while looking at the direction where her husband went. She cupped her baby bump while thinking if she will investigate more about this 'expedition'.

"Your majesty, it is time for your appointment to the doctor." Her personal aid came to her and told her about her schedule.

She nodded and stood up. She was then accompanied with her personal aid to be checked by the doctor. Luckily, everything was alright and she was told to not be stressed out because she is in the stage where miscarriage is in the highest possibility.

At night, she would hug her husband's pillow because she misses him so bad. It only passed a few hours and she wanted to ask for him. In a month, she patiently waited for him while urging herself to understand what might be the real reason behind his expedition. While being pressed by some nobles, she did not budge and protected her body at all cost to protect the child in her womb. Every morning, she had morning sickness that she wanted to get rid of but it was no use. It is hard. It is hard to protect a child within her.