The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 342

Poliana frowned. The deep wrinkles on her forehead made her look mature and regal. Last night, she didn’t get to sleep until early in the morning. Since it was her habit to wake up early, Poliana ended up waking up without much sleep at all. Whatever sleep she got was not enough. Poliana felt horrible.

‘I’m so tired.’

She felt both physically and emotionally fatigued. Poliana could feel herself aging. Getting old was not a fun experience. After an aggressive breakfast, Poliana sat blankly. Her brain wasn’t working properly.

The butler asked, “Aren’t you going to the castle today, Mistress?”

“Umm… Why do you ask?”

“Since you received the flowers as a gift, you need to repay him with a present yourself.”

“Oh, the flowers…”

Yes, the beautiful flowers that now decorated the marquess’s mansion… Poliana nodded in understanding. Lucius the First publicly gave her an incredible gift. If it was just a single flower or even a bouquet, Poliana could’ve just thanked him, but she received a wagon full of flowers that were seen by everyone in town; a simple thank you was not going to be enough.

“A gift for the emperor… I don’t know what a proper choice would be as a thank you for the flowers. What should I give him?”

“A handkerchief is the safest and most common choice.”

Poliana groaned and crossed her arms. She did embroider several handkerchiefs during her pregnancy because the midwife and the doctor insisted it was good for the baby. Unfortunately, Poliana left these handkerchiefs in Sitrin. She never thought to bring them with her to Yapa because why would she? Who would’ve thought she would need them?

Should she embroider another one right now? Never!

“I can’t go back to sewing at this point. Besides, I gave his highness a pair of leather gloves in the past, and I have never seen him wear them.”

Poliana didn’t explain further, making the butler believe that it was her poor sewing that displeased the emperor. This, however, was not the truth; Lucius the First refused to wear these gloves because they were made of alligator hide.

Poliana insisted that she shouldn’t go to the castle until she picked out a gift, but the butler said to her firmly, “You must go today. The first thing you need to do is thank his highness; you can come up with a gift later.”

It was clear that the butler was on the emperor’s side rather than Poliana’s, but Poliana had to admit that her butler was right. The emperor gave her an incredible gift that would make any lady swoon with pleasure. It was only right that she visited him in person and thanked him.

“But wouldn’t it be better if I pick out a gift first and thank him with it?”

“For his highness, your visit would be the greatest gift he can hope for, Mistress.”

“…”

Poliana had no idea her butler was such a corny romantic. His comment made her feel embarrassed, so she quickly returned to her room. The butler, who was an elderly man, kept a straight face. He couldn’t understand why Poliana found his comment so distressing.

***

Poliana faced Lucius the First rigidly. Before she thanked him for the gift, Poliana had something more important to say first.

“Your highness… I misspoke yesterday and I would like to apologize.”

In the greenhouse yesterday, she doubted his love once again. She thought that perhaps what he felt for her was lust, not love. Poliana immediately regretted saying such a thing as soon as she asked the question. She knew what she did to the emperor was unforgivable, yet instead of getting angry and punishing her, Lucius the First gave her a wagon full of flowers. He gave her all the flowers in his greenhouse. Poliana knew he sent them to show his love and forgiveness. Poliana was kneeling on the floor and looking down, waiting for the emperor to punish her.

“I was not going to say this, but…” Lucius the First looked at the top of her head and sighed. He continued, “You’re just like Inno when it comes to kneeling. You kneel all the time like him.”

“Never! That is not true, your highness!”

“Yes, you do. You’re so loose with your kneeling; you kneel too easily.”

“I am not easy!”

She was not an easy woman! Poliana protested angrily. The only one she kneels for was the emperor, so how could he call her an easy kneeler? Poliana stood up quickly, making Lucius the First smile. The best way to boost Poliana’s mood was to bring up her nemesis.

“Sir Pol, now that I think about it, I really do think you and Inno resemble each other.”

“How?! Why would you think I resemble that jerk?!”

“Think about it. You both used to fight for my affection in the past, but now you both have abandoned me… It looks like neither of you needs me or wants me anymore… You’re treating me like an old unwanted shoe…”

Now that he said it out loud, Lucius the First really felt sad. He gave Poliana a lonely smile before turning away. He remembered the time when Poliana couldn’t seem to spend enough time with him.

Oh, what happy times.

“In the past, you and Inno used to fight for my attention and affection… But now, Inno is married and he barely notices me. And you, Sir Pol… You think what I feel for you isn’t genuine…”

The more he thought about it, the sadder he became. Lucius the First’s eyes watered a little, and Poliana gasped in shock. She kneeled again and exclaimed, “I’m sorry, your highness! I deserve to be punished!”

“I was just kidding.”

“…that wasn’t funny at all, your highness.”

“It was funny to me. It was fun to joke with you like the old times.”

It seemed that no matter how old the emperor became, his sense of humor never improved. Lucius the First put his hand on Poliana’s shoulder and helped her stand up.

“Rise, Sir Pol. I have done you wrong many times before and this is your first time making a mistake, so there is no need to apologize.”

Only

“Your highness, you are my master, and I am your servant. No matter what happens, even if you are courting me, this fact will never change.”

“You are too rigid, Sir Pol. Well, alright. I would like you to give me a gift in return for my flowers and as an apology.”

Lucius the First has always been the giver of this relationship while Poliana was the one who always received. He was the emperor after all with all the wealth and power in the world. Lucius the First gave her so much so far, and all Poliana gave him in return had been a simple thank you. So today, she expected the emperor to say that all he needed was her thanks. Poliana realized that she was very wrong about this. She felt confused, ‘Should I hire someone to go grab my handkerchiefs from Sitrin?’

Poliana asked the emperor what he wanted, and Lucius the First replied, “Give me your whole day.”

Poliana nodded emphatically, “I am ready to give you my entire life, your highness.”

Lucius the First shook his head, telling her that is not what he meant. “Spend a night with me.”

All Poliana could do was nod…