The Happy Ending Love Story
The Empress Crown #13
"Where are we going? Can you put me down first? Jordan!" Sofia's protest was ignored by Jordan.
His feet continued to step away from the party hall. The sound of dance music is not heard.
Sofia tightened her grip as her body was shaken. Jordan's pace got wider and faster, almost like running.
"Here, where is this?"
Jordan dropped Sofia off cautiously in one of the seats.
"I didn't know there was such a place."
In front of him lay a vast rose garden and at the end was a greenhouse. As far as the eye can see there are only colorful flowers. The roof made of glass adds to its beauty. The moonlight bounced and illuminated the entire area.
Sofia's eyes lit up brightly.
"This is the guest palace, located on the left side of the main palace. This place was given a lot of attention because of its purpose to pamper the guests."
"It's so beautiful."
Sofia. The main palace garden was nothing compared to this.
"It would be more beautiful if it were daytime." Sofia's shoulder sagged. I'm sure there won't be a chance for that.
"You like flowers, don't you?"
"Yes. Sure." Sure."
"Then I brought you here Sofia."
Jordan took a seat next to Sofia.
"Where do you know?" Sofia.
Jordan did not answer.
"You planted a man next to me?"
"Alphons Only. There are some things he reported."
"Geez!" Sofia shudders. So all this time there were people watching his movements.
"Don't misunderstand me. I just want to find out why you rejected me."
The mood became quiet. Both Jordan and Sofia dissolved into their respective minds. They both enjoyed the beauty of the garden.
"Sophy."
"Yes?"
"Do you not want to leave the palace?"
Sofia gasps. His gaze trembled.
"I can help you."
Jordan's next words surprised Sofia even more. His heart was beating faster than ever.
"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor has promised to release me after Lady Janetta becomes empress."
Jordan's face hardened. He didn't think until there. It's possible that Alex and Sofia could have made a deal.
"The emperor promised me that?"
Sofia nodded.
"Lady Janetta has been announced as His Majesty's concubine. Lady Janetta will soon be Queen. That's when I'm free."
Sofia's smile expands.
Unlike Sofia who could smile, Jordan's forehead wrinkled.
Sofia was like that because she didn't know what was really going on. Janetta wouldn't have been an easy empress if she hadn't given birth to an heir. If that doesn't happen, then Sofia will replace him. So before a prince was born from Janetta, Sofia would not be free.
Jordan's lips are upset. He wanted to tell Sofia about all this. But Jordan broke it. He could not see Sofia's reaction.
"Let me help you."
Sofia's head is tilted.
"I can get out of the palace myself thanks. Your Majesty has promised."
'That's Sofia's lying. He only made you to stay as he strengthened Janetta's position and the ministers accepted Janetta completely. Don't trust him!' Shouted Jordan in my heart.
Throat's choked. His breath roared loudly.
"How about this..."
Sofia's forehead was frowned upon hearing Jordan's next words.
"Let's be friends and I'll help you get out of the palace."
"Yes? How come?"
"You don't need to know what I'm going to do. So let's meet as friends comfortably Sofia."
"But Your Majesty..."
"Jordan. We're friends now. So call me as usual."
"Cannot be. You are the Duke whose position is under the emperor."
"But I'm your friend too."
"I don't approve."
"I assume you've agreed."
"Yes?"
"Today is our first day."
"What day?"
"We're friends."
"I don't agree."
Jordan's voice sounded like a whimper, and it sounded strange in Sofia's ear. Being friends with him is important. He had nothing he could be proud of to befriend Duke Hexalios, the war hero.
"Jordan." Sofia's voice was low.
"Yes? You agree?"
"Why do you want to be friends with me? I have nothing I can offer. Then I was just a village noble. The woman whom the emperor had married was also nothing to be proud of." Sofia's head is down. He was not confident standing next to the famous Duke Hexalios.
Duke Hexalios was a family of emperors. This line cannot be ignored at all.
"If I want to meet you, is that a mistake?"
"Yes?" Sofia looked up.
"Nobody can manage my life Sofia. I live it and I don't care what anyone else says."
"But you're a high nobleman."
"I don't care about Sofia. Befriend me. I beg you."
Jordan approaches and pulls Sofia in. He stuck Sofia's hand to his forehead while muttering.
"I beg you."
Sofia's body stiffened. Jordan's always sudden touch took him by surprise. Is like this the etiquette of high nobility, putting on a physical touch rather than talking.
Since Sofia was not the legitimate child of Baron Barell and they were only the village nobility, Sofia had never received an etiquette education of upper class nobles. Luckily, he could read and write from his mother.
"May you not regret it." Sofia could no longer refuse. All the risks he considered.
"So we're friends now?"
Sofia was embarrassed. Befriending a high-ranking Duke she had never imagined. Not even in his dreams.
"Thank you Sofia." Jordan's smile expands. The road to getting Sofia may be difficult, but Jordan doesn't care.
He can sacrifice for the people he loves.
The party was a success. Finished it well. Alex returns to his study room full of documents. The papers piled high on his desk.
Alex snorted at the sight that left him suffocating. He wants it all done soon. So that he can meet with Janetta, chat or just drink tea.
"Your Majesty, Duke Hexalios requests an audience."
"Yes tell Duke to come in."
Alex stopped his work. He loosened his tie and then got up.
"Hi Jody, what brings you here." Alex cried as soon as he saw Jordan come in.
"During time not seeing Lux. You must be busy."
Jordan sat on the couch without any invitation. Alex followed after.
"We met at the party one week ago Jody." Alex relaxed his shoulders.
"Ah yes, like it was a long time ago. Congratulations on officially becoming your concubine." Jordan's voice echoed with his bitter smile. A feeling only he knows.
Alex smiled triumphantly.
"Have you found the Sofia you're looking for?"
Jordan nodded.
"really? When's? Can you tell me?" Alex's eyes flashed with curiosity. He straightened his back. Ready to hear Jordan's love story.
"Lux." Jordan's voice is low.
"Yes? I'm ready to hear it, Jody."
"When are you going to cheer Sofia up and let her go free?" Short, solid and clear. Jordan doesn't want to make small talk.
Alex pias's face. The smile on his lips disappeared. His forehead is crimped and his eyes are rounded. Surprised by Jordan's question.
"Sophyia?"
"Yes Sofia."
"Which one is she?"
"You don't even know his name? Holy jeez!" Jordan's laughter exploded. He could have calmed down outside, but inside the heat was taking hold of his body.
Even Alex doesn't care about the woman he married. More interesting, not knowing his name. Jordan wanted to scream. He wants to force Alex to release Sofia right now. But he doesn't want to rush. It takes the right move because the opponent is not an ordinary person. He is the owner of this country as well as his only family.
"Sofia de Elderbar." Jordan immediately controlled himself. He changed his relaxed sitting position to serious.
"Sofia de Elderbar?"
"Wouldn't he be called like that? After all she was the woman the emperor married."
Alex wails. Brow wrinkled. The memory of 'Sofia' swirled in his head.
"Call me Her Majesty Sofia."
"Sophy." Alex mumbled slowly.
He remembered. Sofia is the daughter of Baron Barell, whom she marries to be a tool to allow Janetta to enter the palace because of her social status. He didn't even care what the woman's name was. The focus is not there.
But suddenly his name became familiar in his ears.
"Do you finally know who Lux is?"
Alex's eyes sharpened. Locking the prey right in front of him. Jordan Hexalios's.
"Where do you know him?"
"I told you first. Don't you remember?"
Alex did not answer. Of course he remembers.
"So when are you going to let go?"
Jordan repeated the question. His voice was unperturbed even though his opponent was the emperor. Like on the battlefield, on tactics, he's an expert.
The Empress Crown #14...
