Pacing around the murky cobbled pathways, Tesarius waited impatiently for the arrival of the woman he hadn't seen for over a week. His heartbeat was erratic, thumping violently against his chest as he tried to keep a calm composure but the longer she was taking, the harder it was getting to remain calm.
Why isn't she here yet? Tesarius glanced at the mass of people coming and going around the slums, the stench of urine wafting into the air all of a sudden. Tesarius grimaced at the sudden pungent smell, waving his hand in front of his face as if that could somehow get rid of it. So out of his thoughts, it takes him a while to register his guards' words.
"Your Majesty, she's here."
Sure enough, there she was, Aurora, making her way towards him with a thick cloak covering every inch of her body with the hood pulled over her head. But despite the hood covering most of her face, Tesarius could still make out her perfectly defined face that might just be the most beautiful face he had ever laid eyes on. Her silver blonde locks had come loose from their bun, escaping into the open which was enough for Tesarius to know, his Aria had arrived. Finally.
And that scent.
The sweet fragnance of almond blossoms and morning dew, soft and sweet, like the memory of spring. But beneath it lingered something deeper—an earthy warmth, like ambered sunlight and the faint tang of steel, as though her very presence whispered of both beauty and resilience."
She was like sunshine on a fine morning for Tesarius, his only solace and comfort in this terrible political life as an Emperor. Her innocence and thoughtfulness make him feel like he is more than just a ruler, a human capable of being more than just what his court expects him to be. She was his salvation, and his only light.
Yet there is this certain glint of rebelliousness in her eyes, that savage way she often holds herself, that resilience in her being, that tells Tesarius she could be just the kind of woman he needs beside him to rule. His Empress. Sadly, she is of lowly birth, from the slums, and his court would never agree to it. And besides, he already has an Empress that dutifully fulfills her role.
And as he watched her making her way towards him with a broad grin plastered on his face, his own smile began to falter as he remembered why he actually came here in the first place. True, he had come to see her after being away from her for a week, but there was also something else.
"Julias!" Aurora shrieked, grabbing the man by the neck as she jumped on him for a hug, startling Tesarius as he had not seen that coming. Yet the moment she was in his arms and the sweet scent of almond blossoms and ambered sunlight wafted into his nose, Tesarius felt like he was home, caging her in his embrace and nuzzling in the crook of her neck.
Aroura giggled, inhaling in his cinnamon and musk scent as well, relishing in how good he always smelled. One thing was for sure, even if the duo were miles away from each other, they'd always recognize each other based on their scents.
"I missed you." Aurora whispered to him, making Tesarius tighten his hold on her even more, as if he'd never let her go. "I missed you more."
Here they were, the Emperor of the Empire of Lanterbur, with the Princess of the Kingdom of Rovamer, basking in each other's presence and relishing each other's embrace. Neither of them knowing the others identity, because of Aurora was to know who her Julias really is, how will she react? Probably just shocked but happy because soon, she'll be his concubine either way. They will be tied together in matrimony! Much better for her!
But Tesarius? What of him, when he realizes his Aria is not just a random girl from the slums, but the last princess of Rovamer and the one chosen by his grandmother to spy on him? Will he still love her and cherish her like he does now?
Speaking of his grandmother, Tesarius broke the hug and glanced around him, suddenly remembering Chancellor Barns words about him being watched.
If she knows that I meet Aria, Heavens knows what she'll do.
Turning back to the girl in front of him, Tesarius cupped her cheeks, staring down at her porcelain face as she smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling like stars. He smiled down at her, albeit a sad one, rubbing her cheeks with his thumb before he said. "Let's go somewhere quiet."
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With Anna and Tesarius's guard Franklin out of the way, the two spend their day in each other's company, trying an assortment of sweets in the village market, playing silly games with little children and what not. Tesarius felt like he was in a bliss. Here, with Aria by his side, he had to worry about nothing. She was a breath of fresh air in his stale life.
And Aurora? This was her life. Hiding behind bushes as they played hide and seek, scurrying from one cart of sweets to another, this was the life Aurorra's father let her live, in a world of ignorant bliss where she was kept away from any political mess. And with her Julias by her side, things just became all the merrier.
After a busy day of adventures, the two finally decided to rest atop a hill full of greenery that overlooked the massive Capital of Rovamer. Because the distance between Rovamer and Lanterbur was of riding distance, it was easier for Tesarius to travel all the way here in a days' time, hence his frequent visit.
The two laid in the lush green grass side by side, munching on a few berries as the silence rained down on them. It was only when Aurora offered a berry to Tesarius did they finally notice the close proximity they were in, their breaths hitching at how their noses almost touched.
"I-I-" Aurora stammered, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment as her eyes look down, before rising up and staring at Tesarius's lips. The strong urge to touch his lips with hers took over her, making her daringly inch closer towards him.
Tesarius had noticed her actions, and while every fiber in his being willed him to follow her movements, his discussion with Barns was suddenly all he could think of, withdrawing from the girl. The moment he backed away, the warmth he felt in her closeness turned cold and chill, and the little smile on Aurora's face disappeared, making her feel like she had done something wrong.
"Julias, I-"
"There's something I need to tell you, Aria." The seriousness in his voice easily scared the frail girl, as she feared what it was that he had to say. "Y-yes?"
Tesarius turned to look at her, drinking her image like it was the last time he'd see her, perhaps yes. Swallowing the bile forming in his throat, Tesarius speaks up. "I'm getting married."
Aurora stilled at his words. Tesarius heart clenched as he said it, feeling the pang in his chest as he noticed the crestfallen look on her face. Given her nature, he knew she wouldn't fight back or say anything, but he still had to come clean. He can never tell her about his true identity, or that he's already married and these are going to be his consorts. He could not be entirely honest, but the least he could do was explain in a way she understood.
"I know it is sudden, but-"
"D-did I do something wrong?"
The words left her lips before she even knew it, and the two were equally shocked if not more. Tesarius stared at the girl with wide eyes, more so when he noticed they way her lips quivered because of the incoming tears. Forgetting about any sort of decorum, Tesarius grabbed the girl before cupping her cheeks once again, forgetting how close they were again.
"No! No no no, you did nothing wrong, Aria. None of this is your fault. It's… it's mine."
"What do you mean?" Aurora asked with trembling lips, making Tesarius sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm truly very sorry. But it's what my family has decided. And I cannot go against them."
And I cannot do this to you any longer. Tesarius thought with a heavy heart, remembering that the Empress Dowager most likely knows about their rendezvous. Because of me, you'll be in danger. And if anything happens to you, I'll never be able to forgive myself.
Tesarius by every means could marry Aurora and take her in as a low ranking concubine as well, or a mistress. But he knew she deserved better than that. He knew what Palace life was, and he couldn't let naïve Aria go through all that just for his own selfish desires.
You deserve better than what I can offer you. Because of which, I'll have to let you go.
She deserved someone better than him. She deserved-
"B-but then, what about me?" Aurora asked, a single tear sliding down her cheek, which only made Tesarius guiltier for his actions. Her pretty face never looked good when she cried, and he hated seeing her cry. Wiping the tear away, Tesarius whispere, resting his forehead against her. "I'm sorry. I forever will be sorry to you."
"Julias-"
"You gave me some of the best memories of my life, and for that I'm grateful." Tesarius continued, wishing more than anything to kiss her right there and then but he knew it wouldn't be fair to her. "I will forever be grateful to you, but it's time we part ways."
"Julias, no!"
"Shh." He whispered, wiping her tears while holding back his own. "Don't worry, I'll take care of you. I'll become rich, and I'll take care of you and your family. I'll always be with you."
"N-no…" Aurora croaked, her shoulders trembling as she sobbed violently, more so when Tesarius got to his feet, preparing to leave. "Julias, my Julias… please don't go."
Aurora felt helpless than ever. She wished she could tell Julias about her feelings and intentions to marry him. But she knew she could not. Because in order for them to marry, she'd have to tell him who she is, and her father would never let her marry a commoner. Not to forget, how mad Julias will be if he ever found out she lied to him.
So painstakingly, Aurora had to let the man she loved go, her head bowed down as she wondered how they came to this. Only this morning she was so excited to meet him, and look at them now, parting to never see each other again.
Glancing down at her kneeling figure one last time, Tesarius sucked in a deep breath before he said one last time. "Goodbye, my Aria."
And just like that, he was gone, leaving Aurora to be questioned by Anna as to what on earth happened.
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Three days later:
No. no no no. No!
This can't be. How can this be!?
With his heart hammering in his chest, Tesarius stared at the girl at the end of the line, watching as she stared at him with equal shock and surprise.
"Announcing Princess Amalia Henning, daughter of King Driliss of Andrasia!"
Chancellor Barns announced the concubines one after another. When he had mentioned the first four, Tesarius had listened with disinterest, until his eyes fell on the figure standing beside Princess Amalia.
"Greeting to you, Your Imperial Majesty." Amalia curtsied, but her greeting went unanswered as the said Emperor had his eyes trained on one person alone.
Aurora.
H-How… Why are you here?
The two thought in unison, but although Aurora was shocked to see Julias as Emperor of Lanterbur, she slowly pieced the puzzle together, realizing that this was beneficial to her after all. That marrying the Emperor wasn;t so bad after all. Especially when Emperor Tesarius is Julias himself.
Julias! Aurora beamed, smiling proudly with her heart swelling with love.
But the same could not be told about Tesarius, as he stared at her in… betrayal. Yes, he felt betrayed.
So you are… the Empress Dowagers pawn?
"Your Majesty?" Sera whispered from beside her husband, trying to pull his attention but the man was long gone. "Your Majesty? Tesarius?"
You… you were the spy. The dowager didn't have anyone watching us. It was you, watching me.
You were the one I was supposed to be wary of.
You… betrayed me.
Edward and Sera exchanged a look as they noticed Tesarius eyes turn glassy, wondering what had cost this reaction. But no one knew, and no one might ever know, the hidden interaction that took place that day.
While one rejoiced at the idea of being reunited with her lover, the other only filled with rage and disgust, feeling used and humiliated.
"Presenting you, Princess Aurora Evanov, Daughter of King Hnericus Evanov of Rovamer!"
Beside Tesarius, the Dowager beamed at the sight of the girl as she stepped forward and offered a curtsey. With her silver blonde hairs tied in a bun, Tesarius could smell her addictive almond blossom scent all the way up to his throne, suddenly feeling repulsed by it. Finally, Aurora looked up, smiling ever so gently at the man who once adored her like the most precious jewel in the world. But now, all he could offer was a look of disgust, which of course went unnoticed by the naïve princess.
"Greetings to you, Your Imperial Majesty."
Yup. This is going to be one hell of a ride.
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