I was taken back by that question. It felt personal, I don't know why he asked me such things but I could see that he wasn't asking for an answer as if he didn't care if I answered or not.
The answer was obvious you can't trust someone like that. So I said no.
"Then do you not trust the Duke?" He asked again. I didn't say anything but both of us knew the answer. The rain never stopped and kept on pouring down. He sat down and leaned on the tree. If I wasn't married to my husband I would've already fallen hard for his majesty. He is handsome indeed but one look and you could tell this person was lonely. I never thought someone like the Emperor could look so lonely even though he has everything.
"Did you know Duchess? The Duke used to love my wife." He said.
By this time I don't know whether he's trying to hurt me with his words or not. But from the looks of it it seems as though he has been wanting to say something for a long time.
"Everyone knows." I said.
"You're right...", he looked at me with a smile but that smile wasn't that of happiness, "... Will hear my story? I want someone to listen to me " he said.
The sound of rain rings my ears but the voice of this man was louder. I wanted to leave, I didn't wanna hear it but I couldn't help but sit down and listen.
"When I was a kid, I met Ceaser at my father's dinner party. He's always been cold and distant so I didn't like him one bit. I don't know how but we've become best friends after having a fight a few times. One day all of the nobles' children were brought to the church to have the Gods' blessings. You must've been there too.....", I wasn't no, " there we saw Jesseline. Unlike the kids at the Church she was outside covered in scratches because she was trying to get a cat down from a tree. She was alone at that time and me and Ceaser were the only one who saw her. Perhaps I may have fallen for her then and there...", what's this? First love? So boring, " From them one we begged out parents to visit the Church atleast once a week and so the three of us became close friends..."
The man looked at the rain as if he's reliving those times in every droplet, just continue I wanna leave. " By the time all of us were in the Academy I fell for her but I knew that Ceaser did the same. And so I never reacted Ceaser has always been the best of us, apart from studying he was the better fighter, a better strategist than me and even more popular...", of course he's my husband, " so I didn't say anything when they got together...", now that shocked me, I knew my husband liked her but I never knew they even got together, " I watched them from afar, even when there were rumours that you were bullying her, I didn't react much because I wasn't the one protecting her. Although later I found out that was all just a rumours of course, for that I apologize Duchess. I never did anything when you were falsely accused..."
"No it's okay that was way way back Your Majesty." I quickly said. The man chuckled and continued, " You are very kind then. Anyway when she got kidnapped and was poisoned I did nothing but stood by her side and watched. Ceaser got the cure but he was at his home after going through the trouble so when she woke up she thought I was the one who saved her.... Call me selfish and cruel but at that time I couldn't think straight. I found an opportunity, an opportunity that would finally be in front of her so I took it. I told her that I went through all the troubles for her and that Ceaser also helped me. After that I finally got what I wanted but we've never been the same since. Our once closeness that we had I lost it..."
The dark clouds made a thunder as if they're angry at this man for what he did but all I see is a man wishing to go back to his childhood days like any other adult. "Do you think what I did was bad Duchess? Do you think I'm a bad man?" He asked.
I thought for a while and said, "No.... I would've done the same." It's true, if I got an opportunity to make the person I love come to me of course I'll take it. My answer wouldn't change.
"I see.... Thank you Duchess. I couldn't help but think you and I are very alike."
Indeed he and I are very much the same. "But I see that Ceaser has started to cherish you." He said. He finally looked happy now. " I can't believe he read that book when I told him that you recommended it to me." He laughed a bit. This Emperor right now is even more handsome then the one a few minutes ago. This laugh suits him more.
He is the best one we've had so far. His father was great but even though it's only been a year he's improved the Empire so much. The slums have been cleaned and even created more jobs and free education for the orphanage. He even listens to his people and implement necessary law. Right now women stands on equal par with men having equal rights. He even took my idea and now the homeless people live in a large building with many rooms and pay monthly rent after they find a job of course. And yes I own that building so you could say I'm rich now on my own. He looked relaxed now as if a huge stone had been lifted from his back.
"Thank you for listening Duchess." He said.
"My pleasure Your Majesty."
The rain finally calmed down and I see my husband coming out of the forest finally. He was dripping wet and so I ran to him with the hat that I carried with me. "Does this suit me, Vivian?" He said as I put it on his head. Actually it looks funny, it does not suit him at all. His majesty also came and the three of us went inside.
The Emperor thanked me once again and left us. Watching his back I feel as though he's someone who would go down in history for being a good ruler.