The Letter from the Emperor
A typical day went by as usual.
I am the Empress of this kingdom, but it seems that it was only in name. I was shunned to this secluded palace.
After a few years of our marriage, some things have been awry, and I don't know when and how things went wrong.
"Your Majesty the Empress, it's time for your breakfast with the Emperor. He's been waiting for you in the dining hall." A maid informed me.
"We'll be done in a minute." I told her. After that, my maid servant was done fixing my hair. I stood up and went on my way to the dining hall.
The knight guarding the dining hall announced my arrival.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived." The knight said in a loud respectful tone.
After the announcement, the servant opened the door for me.
I saw the person sitting in the center of the long dining table.
He's my childhood friend, a very dear friend and the person I loved. Even though he doesn't love me the way I do. I just fell in love with a person who doesn't see me.
"I greet the sun of the kingdom, Emperor Marcus Alastair Von Salastian." I said as I bowed my head upon entering the hall.
"N-No need to greet me formally, Elisana." He said while waving his hand.
I sat in the chair next to him. One of the maids helped me to sit down.
"Thank you, Emy." I told the servant. She's the one close to me, my maid servant. She greeted me with a smile.
As I settled down, they served the food to us.
We ate in silence.
We were already done with our food when he spoke.
"E-Elisana, about the o-other day….." he paused his words. I could hear his nervousness in his voice.
"T-the words…." He looked at me with guilt.
I just looked at him without emotions, like the way I used to be. His eyes looked confused by how I acted, like he's not accustomed to my behavior now.
"What about the other day?" I asked him with a cold voice.
"I was wrong. I just said those words without even confirming what really happened. I never intended to hurt you. I just… my mind went blank when I saw Alessandra on the floor." He explained.
"Would you do the same if I was the one sitting on the floor?" I asked him.
"That… will never happen to you. Who would disrespect the Empress of this kingdom?!" He hesitated before answering.
Ahhhhh. So it's fine because I have the title of an Empress.
What if I don't have such a title? He would not do anything?
Now I get it… now I know my worth to you… I am no more than a person you know and was titled as the Empress. I am not even valued in your eyes.
"Your Majesty the Emperor Marcus Alastair Von Salastian." I knelt and bowed my head. "Please grant my wish to be freed from this title." With a firm tone of voice, I pleaded to be freed from this agony.
"W-What are you talking about, Elisana? What do you mean by being freed from your title?" Everyone was in shock and confused.
I did not budge from my position. I became dark because of a shadow and a pair of feet in front of me.
"Elisana, did I hear it wrong? The words you have said. Do you know how heavy that is?" He asked, as if warning me to take back what I said a while back.
"Yes, I am aware and will not go back on my words, Your Majesty the Emperor. Let's get a divorce." I affirmed my words.
"If this is just a whim because of what happened a few days ago, I will look past it and think I never heard any of these ridiculous words." He said while looking at me, clenching his fist.
"Alastair, do you love me? Or did you even love me?" I asked him, even though I knew that he did not. I just hoped for a glimpse of his affection.
Upon hearing his name that I usually call him, he instantly said, "Yes! I love you as my dearest friend." As if proud of his answer to my question.
My tears ran down my cheeks. I looked into his eyes, I smiled, and said…
"You know that is not what I mean when I ask you, Alastair. I know you love someone else, and everyone might know who it is." I still smiled at him while my tears kept falling. "I am not just your friend; I am your wife as well. Your other half."
"You're not my other half. We're just married because of our parents. It's just a political marriage, Elisana!" He retorted back at me.
As I heard his words, it cut deep in my heart like a knife. I was deeply wounded and shocked.
"Just… Let's get a divorce. Please, I beg you, Your Majesty. I'm really exhausted now." I said in a defeated tone.
I did not hear any answer from him. "Then, I will return to my chamber." I walked away from the dining hall.
"Elisana!" I heard him call my name, but I did not look back.
I am here now at the dining area where I and Elisana will be having dinner. Elisana was my childhood friend, and now she has become the Empress of this kingdom through an agreement formed by our parents.
I have been waiting for her to come; I am a bit nervous because of what happened the other day. I have said awful words to her without even knowing what really happened.
I knew she would never do such a thing, but as I saw Alessandra on the floor, my mind went blank. I even pushed Elisana, but I did not care even a little about that. But now I have been consumed by my guilt. I will apologize to her so she will not be upset anymore.
I heard noise outside the hall. It seems that she's here already.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived." The knight said in a loud respectful tone.
Then the door opened, and Elisana walked in. "I greet the sun of the kingdom, Emperor Marcus Alastair Von Salastian." Upon entering, she bowed her head while being courteous.
"N-No need to greet me formally, Elisana." I said while waving my hand for her to stand up and not to be formal.
Her maid helped her to settle, and as soon as she sat down, "Thank you, Emy." She thanked her maid with a smile.
Why is she smiling at her maid while she gave me a cold stare?
We were just having our breakfast, but all of a sudden the atmosphere became awry and distasteful.
Before this situation happened, I just wanted to apologize to her so she would not be upset anymore.
Why?
Why does she request a divorce from me now?
When I see her tears rolling down her face, my heart hurts so much. As she gave me a cold stare, why do I feel so awful? I can't explain this feeling.
As she walked away from me, I tried to call out her name, but she did not turn her head towards me like she used to. It feels like this will be the last time I will see her.
Why? Why is this happening?
"Your Majesty, it's time to meet Lady Alessandra now." One of my vassals informed me.
"Cancel my plans for today. I will go to the Empress's Palace." I said and walked past them.
"But Your Majesty, you promised Lady Alessandra to visit her today." They said.
"Sigh. Let's make a quick visit." I turned around. But little did I know that my decision that day would be the worst decision I have made in my life.