Doom of Elianna, the Emperor's Flower

ZACHARIAH'S POV

Bathed in the soft glow of moonlight seeping through the sheer curtains, the woman sleeping beside me appears serene, almost shining. The pain that once marred her features has faded, replaced by a tranquil expression, as if all the burdens of the world have momentarily slipped away. Her small hand remains wrapped tightly around mine, unwilling to let go, even in sleep. A wave of warmth swells in my chest, and I exhale shakily, overcome by the quiet, fragile beauty of this moment.

I still can't believe it-the woman I've longed for all these years is now here, right beside me, completely unaware of the overpowering hold she has on me. With every passing second, I'm consumed by thoughts of her-of how deeply I crave to make her mine, to claim every part of her heart and soul.

Just like fate. This bloody fate! It hasn't even been a full day since we met, and yet my mind is filled with her. This growing obsession consuming my mind is something I couldn't understand. I have read about it in ancient texts and pored over my ancestors' journals, studying their encounters. I never had the chance to seek my father's counsel-he never met his mate, never knew what this truly felt like-and nothing I've learned could have prepared me for this.

"Elianna"

I loved the way her name flowed from my lips-the sound of it was something I found profoundly pleasing. Elianna lay nestled in white sheets, her features softened by sleep, lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, lips parted ever so slightly. My gaze lingered, aching with unspoken yearning-an emotion too foreign yet strangely familiar. Elianna makes me feel emotions I didn't know I had in me. In that moment, I allowed my armor to slip, longing for a life I feared I could never have-a life with her, Lumira. A life with Elianna.

I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't hear the soft knock outside, and I was surprised to see Howard quietly standing behind me.

"Your Majesty, the royal physician has arrived. She will start Her Highness' physical examination."

I gave him a look. I didn't say anything to him yet, but he had already concluded the situation. I don't know how to feel about having a too competent butler at my beck and call.

"Speak to no one of this. This is not the right time."

"As you wish, Your Majesty. However, should you give the command, I will be making preparations to welcome the lady to the Empress' Palace."

At this moment, too many tangled threads of complications bound him, each knot more complex than the last, preventing him from even considering the idea of inviting her to live in the palace. It was a thought he didn't wish to delay, but as emperor, duty came first.

"Let's just focus on her recovery. Bring the physician in."

Howard offered a deep bow before moving to the door, ushering the royal physician inside. Though every part of me wished to keep holding Elianna's hand, she needed to be examined without interference. With reluctance, I rose from her side and stepped back, allowing Sir Aldric Velloran to take his place beside her.

The royal physician approached with quiet grace, his gloved hands already reaching for the satchel of instruments at his side. The gentle rustle of fabric and the faint clink of metal filled the silence as he began his careful assessment, while I watched with clenched fists, praying to the gods that she was fine.

After several minutes that dragged like an eternity, the physician finally turned to him, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Her condition is stable, Your Majesty," he said with quiet assurance. "The shock has merely wearied her-after a few days' rest, her health will restore in due time. As for her arm, the healing potion has done its job, and it's healing nicely."

"But she was in pain earlier! " I protested, a frown knitting my brow. "Surely that cannot be explained by mere shock."

Sir Aldric did not flinch. Instead, he folded his hands before him, the calm of experience settling over his features.

"If I may be so bold as to ask. Your Majesty," he began with careful respect, "have you observed that the lady has experienced immense pain whenever you are in close proximity, yet she feels calm and at ease whenever your skin touches? "

"Yes," the emperor replied, his voice low with a hint of concern. "I have noticed it." He paused, his gaze lingering on Elianna, who remained still, her face serene in her unconscious state.

"The lady is in the midst of an imprinting process," the physician explained calmly. "All will be fine once the sacred dawn ceremony at the holy temple is completed. Also, as long as Your Majesty remains by her side, she will recover without issue."

An awkward silence settled between us, one that neither I nor Howard seemed able to break. His usual demeanor was replaced by an unusual quietness, deepening the weight of the situation. Things had grown far more complicated than I anticipated. Another woman was currently in the harem, under the care of the palace servants, preparing for the sacred dawn ceremony at the holy temple, where she would be formally recognized as the Lumira. Never had I imagined that a simple inspection of the territory would lead me to Elianna. I had long since lost hope, driven to reckless decisions in my efforts to aid my people, even going so far as to ally with the magic tower to combat the growing threat of the rotters.

A swirl of conflicted emotions churned within me-my resolve crumbling. Even at this point, I can't think straight. It was the royal physician who first broke the silence.

He looks at me with worry. "Ahem, I take it this lady is Your Majesty's companion, am I correct? "

I glared at the innocent man in front of me. "I appreciate your assistance, doctor. You are dismissed. Howard, please escort him out."

Before the doctor could even utter a word of protest, Howard swiftly ushered him out of the room, leaving the doctor visibly bewildered by the sudden shift in demeanor. But Howard knew exactly what was expected of him-how to ensure the doctor remained silent about what he had witnessed today.

As for me, my mind was already elsewhere. There were far too many threads I needed to untangle-not only the matters concerning the Holy Temple but also the delicate situation with Seraphine. It was she who suggested this entire charade, and I, in my recklessness, agreed to it despite the reservations clawing at my conscience. Yet even more pressing was the matter with Sebastian. My subordinate. The man whom I officially agreed to be Elianna's betrothed, a union sealed by the very document I had signed without fully grasping its implications. A document that now feels like a cruel joke, made by my ignorance.

I have an uneasy feeling-a deepening suspicion that he knows far more than he has dared to reveal. I need to talk to him privately.

A soft knock preceded the quiet creak of the door as it opened. The captain of the Imperial Guard stepped inside, bowed deeply, then lifted his gaze with grave intensity.

"Your Majesty," he said, voice steady but serious, "High Mage Lord Sebastian Ashenwraith has arrived at the mansion."

My gaze sharpened, though my posture remained composed. "Escort him to the drawing room," I commanded, my voice calm but edged with resolve. "And make sure no one else disturbs us."

The captain bowed once more. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

It looks like the news reached him before I could even summon him for an audience. Tonight, I will get to the bottom of this.

I gaze at the peaceful figure of the lady who, in an instant, has become the very center of my world.

"How did you manage to catch his eye? Once something intrigues him, he never lets it slip away. This complicates things-I can't risk losing you."