ℂhapter 3

The dining hall, where dinner was to be consumed was the same old conversations, though this time, Rias had kept complaining about Silas. It was amusing for him but perhaps he should tone it down a bit, considering that she is the one whom he'll spend the rest of his life with. I know he won't change his ways, it's only something that can be dreamt of but living in this never-ending cycle for him is not good. He once told me that he has no intention of loving Rias & I gathered together in my head in which that means any other female that walks his path.

...

"My dress was far too pretty to be drenched in dirty water, peasant!" Rias sobs.

"Rias!"

The look the Emperor gives her is unpleasant & when she looks back at him, she realizes to bite her tongue & remain quiet.

"Terribly sorry about that." he chimes. "She's well collected...but sometimes emotions get the better of her."

The smile on his face is terrifying.

"Rias, why don't you go get some rest?" he

asks her in a way where she has no choice.

No other words exit her lips. She knows it's for the best before she says something insensitive, something more brutal. A loud screech is heard from the backing of the well managed chair, followed by footsteps, exiting out of the dining hall.

The feelings between Rias & Silas are mutual, not one sided which means Silas won't be hurting her in the process. That puts me at ease.

After dinner, I go out into the gardens to get some fresh air before I go back into my chambers.

The entirety of this Empire is so magnificant which means I can view things such as this during my stay here. Although, as much as I love it, I wouldn't change the life Silas & I have lived growing up, for the world. We traveled, we fought alongside eachother, we stayed in various locations before making our way here after all those years. Life like that, is worth living.

I begin to hear the crunching of leaves from a distance, which had bought me out of my thoughts. It's Rumia.

What is she doing walking at this hour? I shouldn't think much of it but it's very suspicious.

She appears that she snuck out, that no one is suppose to see her & that this is meant to be kept a secret but that doesn't stop me.

I call out to her anyway without a second thought

"Miss Rumia!"

She stops in her tracks, looking up at me. At first she seems scared...but then she relaxes her body when she realizes it's just me.

"Where are you going at this late hour?" I interrogate.

I know I have no say in what she does with her life but I can't help but still ask her. It just seems very out of the blue.

She steps closer to me, a cold gaze in her eyes. "Don't you know?...it's polite to stay out of one's business."

The sharp tone she used should have scared me & told me to stop...but somehow, I am not frightened at all.

"I know." I tell her bluntly. "I just decided to make it my business."

I know that she could do whatever she wants but if I saw her out here & did nothing about it...i'd blame myself if something did happen.

Rumia appears taken aback by my words. She takes another step forward.

"This has nothing to do with you...so please...just don't interfere."

My mind begins to swirl around. Her expression just now...she seemed saddened. Something was on her mind. I have never seen her like this before so obviously, I was even more curious on what she was up to.

But she genuinely didn't want me to be apart of her schemes.

"Are you in danger?" I asked.

I don't know why I cared so much...I guess this is what people meant when they said I had a heart of gold.

She shook her head. "No...it is none of your concern."

I narrow my eyes down at her. "It's dark, you're in the garden at this hour, wandering around."

I lean into her. "If you're in danger, tell me so I don't look like the asshole who let you walk into that jeopardy."

Rumia bites her tongue. I seem to be holding her back while she appears to be in a rush.

"Just leave me be!" She shouts. "This has nothing to do with you!"

She tries to leave but I hold onto her shoulders. "What has got you so worked up?"

Looking into her eyes, I whisper "I know we barely know eachother...but you should still be able to open up if something is bothering you."

She takes a deep breath, as if she's about to listen...but then, in the brink of the moment, she changes her mind.

She pulls my arms away from her aggressively. "Nothing is wrong!"

She fixes her attire, glancing around. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I have things to attend to."

When she begins to walk away, she turns her head to the side with her back turned. "Don't follow me."

I let her go on her way. I couldn't argue with her. I couldn't stand in her way either, considering she was in a hurry.

I hope she's safe at least. She should have at least took a bodyguard with her, given the fact that she is the daughter of the all & mighty Emperor Jack Cyngus.

...

The following day, Silas & I discuss details on a region we're suppose to shut down. That is the journey we have to take in a months time.

"How are you boys holding up?" The Emperor comes over to us.

When I first met him, I was overwhelmed. So intimidated by him. He was the Emperor of an entire nation & I thought that one wrong move could result in my death...but he's quite the opposite of what I had imagined him to be.

He speaks to Silas & I like normal. It surely feels weird but I know that he is someone we can trust, after Emperor Dominic. He was the last father figure I had even though he wasn't my actual father.

Silas shows him the large map that we were looking at.

"We marked all the spots that need to be shut down."

The Emperor smiles. "Wonderful...though you know, life is not all about work!"

He sits inbetween us. "You guys are young. Enjoy your youth once in a while!"

That is the kind of person the Emperor is.

"Youth will be enjoyed after our mission." Silas states.

He says that everytime...but he never does live once in a while.

"Always quite the serious one!" The Emperor laughs. "i'm glad you're taking your work seriously...but please don't work too hard."

He cares deeply for both Silas & I, next to both of his daughters. He was close friends with Emperor Dominic & understood our situation. It only took him so long to actually track us down.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." I assure him. "Work is fun for us."

I mean, in a way, it actually kind of is. I enjoy doing what I do, especially with my best friend.

"I see..." He sighs. "Well I guess if it's what you two enjoy..." Trailing off, he corners his eye at us. "Just know that I won't be getting any sleep if you two overexert yourselves."

He arises from his position.

"Now, I have a meeting to attend to."

"I will make sure Silas doesn't over work himself." I promise him before he leaves.

He smiles. "I trust you, Felix Severan."

The Emperor gets on his way while Silas & I still continue the work that had been layed right in front of us.

It wasn't until a couple hours later, he finally decided to get some rest.

I enjoy being being by his side for all these different obstacles in our lives but the Emperor was right...he should learn to live a little, he barely even makes jokes. I had hoped he would have fell in love with Rias & get his charm back but it wouldn't work if she didn't like him back.

...

On my way back to my chambers, I spot Rumia crying silent tears on the balcony from the hall.

I think to myself that it's best to leave her alone...but something tells me I shouldn't.

"Rumia." I speak in a hushed tone. "Is everything okay?"

She may be a cold person who likes to keep to herself most of the time but I lived with Silas long enough to know that I can get through that barrier they put themselves behind of, if I just act carefully.

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