The Poison that Killed the Love

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.

After a month, she cheerfully approached her husband who came from the expedition. She attended him and served him well so he could relax after his long trip. Maybe because of it, he even fell asleep right after bath.

She came back to her personal room during the night and after bath, she found herself reading a book because she could not sleep. While reading, she could not understand everything as her mind was somewhere else. She is still thinking if she is going to tell her husband about her pregnancy. She really wanted to surprise him about it however, she is afraid of seeing a reaction she would not expect. She is nervous about how he would react about it. Was their five years of marriage sufficient enough to tell that they are harmonious with love?

Love. With that thought of that, Emperor Darya stopped reading after hearing knocks on the door of her room. 

“It is me, your majesty.” 

Hearing her husband’s voice, she immediately replied, “Come in.”

The door was opened and there she saw the smiling face of her husband. He was almost unrecognizable because he looked strikingly handsome with that genuine smile. She closed the book even though she had not flipped another page. 

“I hope I have not disturbed your majesty’s leisure time.”

“It is alright since it is my husband.”

Her husband chuckled and again, her heart wavered. This man surely would not make her heart stop beating around him. Duke Esteban walks towards her to kiss her forehead.

“I feel bad for sleeping before you, your majesty.”

“No worries. I knew you were tired. Have you had a good sleep?”

“It is thanks to your majesty.” He beamed as he went to the opposite chair in front of her. So then, a maid served a cup of tea and a teapot on the table between them.

“During my expedition, I discovered a very good drink perfect for your majesty.” Duke Esteban talked after taking the teapot and putting this brownish drink on the cup.

“Recently, I observed that you would sleep late at night, your majesty. I was worried that you will be diagnosed with an illness related to it. This is a herb from Summeria and it cures insomnia, your majesty.”

She nodded while looking at the tea he served. She smiled with the thought of him being worried about her but she had this instinct to not drink it. However, if her husband is planning something, she needs to play with his hands in order to know what his purpose really is. She would not die just because of a drink right? She had never heard of a drink that could cause death so this will be alright.

“I am so thankful to have finally found a cure to this appalling illness, Esteban. Thank you. I will drink it well.” She took the cup of tea and drank it, slowly down to her throat.

When she was done, she breathed out and looked at her husband, beaming. “It tastes good.”

“I’m glad it is to your liking, your majesty.” He smiled genuinely.

That very moment, he looked at his smile and asked herself if that was just a façade? Yes, it might have been a façade because she knows very well that all these years… she had loved him dearly but … never did she feel the same love from him.

“I am feeling sleepy, Esteban.” She told him. He stood up and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and covered her with a blanket.

“Good night, your majesty.” He kissed her forehead. When he was about to leave, he stopped after hearing her words.

 “Have you ever loved me?”

There was silence there. While feeling painfully drowsy, Emperor Darya finally regretted trusting Duke Esteban. She had finally regretted drinking the tea as she could feel the excruciating pain she could feel throughout her body. It was so painful yet she managed to  not shed tears in order to keep her sanity  and tell him the things she had always wanted to ask him.

“Have you ever liked this marriage since the beginning?”

“Were your smiles and laughter genuine?”

Once again, she paused as she tried her best to move her hand to touch her abdomen. There her tears fell down from her eyes.

“I love you, Esteban, but why… why  would you…” Those were her last words before she finally stopped breathing.

After hearing the complete silence from Emperor Darya, Duke Esteban clenched his fist before turning to see her pale body. He walked closer to her dead body to wipe the remaining tears on her face. So then, his cold eyes turned gentle.

'This is the best way, Your Majesty.'

“My lady!”

Amara woke up with the continuous shaking her personal maid did. She breathed out heavily, shocked at what just happened. She feels like her soul was being pulled out somewhere.

“I’m glad you woke up, my lady!” The maid suddenly hugged her. “I am so worried!”

She was still confused about who this maid is. Is it a new palace maid? The last time she knew was… she drank a poison… Her eyes widened as she looked at her surroundings and saw an unfamiliar room. 

“My lady?”

She immediately stood up to look for a mirror and there, her world crumbled down upon seeing an unfamiliar appearance. It was a young lady who had long brown hair and green eyes. She looked pale and her body was so light and thin.

“Who is the current Emperor?” She asked after having some realization.

The maid was so confused about her lady’s behaviour but she answered her question. “It is his majesty, Emperor Esteban, my lady.”

She stood there, petrified.