Chapter 04 - The Emperor's Demand

A week passed after Sage Theron was appointed as the new 7th magic tower master. Nothing special happened during this time; Sage Theron officially took the position of 7th magic tower master and settled down there along with his family. With the help of Sage Braham, who answered all his questions and queries, Sage Theron was able to adjust to the position of Tower master very quickly.

However, something bizarre happened today, which made Sage feel conflicted.

"Give me your daughter."

It was early in the morning that day when the Emperor of the Everhart, Edmund Ashborn, himself visited the 7th magic tower along with his royal guards. There was nothing wrong with the Emperor visiting the magic tower, so Sage Theron greeted him and treated him with the utmost respect.

The Emperor himself took the initiative to continue the conversation, and at one point, the topic changed.

"I saw your daughter the other day; she was truly beautiful, a moon maiden indeed."

Sage Theron didn't know how to answer that and just smiled at the Emperor. But the Emperor was not one to just leave it be.

"As you are already aware, Sage, I have been wed to Elisa, even if not because of my will, out of necessity."

Sage Theron nodded hesitatingly, feeling uncomfortable as he felt it wasn't right to discuss matters like that with others, especially since Sage Theron and the Emperors were basically strangers.

"I have never loved anyone, but that day...! From the moment I saw Luna, my heart has been stolen."

Sage Theron's eyes widened as what he feared was becoming a reality.

"Even though she wouldn't be the queen of the Empire, I will look after her as my queen. Sage Theron, will you give me your daughter?"

There it is! Sage Theron was aware that the Emperor was about to say something familiar, but he didn't expect him to be this blunt about it. Sage Theron was at a loss for words to answer the Emperor.

'It is a mistake that I even brought my daughter to the royal palace.'

Sage Theron regretted his choice of bringing his family to the royal palace very much at this moment. It may seem weird that he was hesitating to marry his daughter to Edmund Ashborn when he was the Emperor of the great Empire, but those who knew the truth would pity Sage Theron.

Sage Braham had already warned Sage Theron to keep his daughter out of the Emperor's eyes, but it seemed like it was too late for that.

'Even though I knew this would happen...'

And now, there was no way for him to stop him, since the one in front of Sage Theron was none other than the Emperor who ruled over the great Everhart Empire.

"I am honored by your grace, your majesty; however, it wouldn't be appropriate for common women like my daughter to be your highness’s bride."

Sage Theron still tried to refuse the emperor politely.

"Do I seem like a man who would worry over such things?"

But the Emperor was persistent.

"Common? Noble? What does it matter when the blood running through our veins is of the same color."

Edmund seemed to be fully prepared to persuade Sage Theron no matter what.

"Other Nobles wouldn't be happy with that decision, your highness."

Of course, the Nobles would create a scene if the emperor were to take in a concubine of common origin, but if it is Luna, then things will be different.

"Who would dare say anything about the 7th magic tower's Daughter?"

It may have become a hassle if Sage wasn't the 7th magic tower master, but now? No Noble family was foolish enough to offend one of the 7 Sages.

'It seems I have no choice,’ Sage contemplated.

"Your highness, it is not a matter for me to decide, so I would like to discuss it with my daughter if you give permission."

It was a very arrogant and disrespectful thing to say to the emperor when he was going out of his way to ask for his daughter's hand, but Sage Theron didn't have any options either. He was trying everything in his power to refuse the Emperor.

Sage Theron’s one-week stay in the Royal court was enough for him to realize what kind of a man the Emperor was.

'It's like sending a sheep to a tiger den knowing that there is a beast inside.'

He felt incredibly frustrated at the situation.

"Of course, Sage Theron, please discuss the matter with Luna; I will be waiting for your answer."

Although he said those words with a smiling face, there wasn't even an option for Sage Theron.

'Forgive me, Luna.'

That's all he could do in front of the emperor.

***

Once upon a time in a vast jungle, there lived a herd of deer. They were happily grazing on the green grass of the mountains and jumping around the lush green forest, idling around the river beds. Life was never better; it was ideal for them. But one day, the king of the forest came before them and demanded, "I need one deer per week to satisfy my hunger; I am too tired of hunting."

What do you think happened next? Did the deer herd band together and attack the king? No. Instead, they sent one among their family as a sacrifice to the King per week. Why do you think they did that? Because they thought they should obey the king? No, it was because they were too afraid of the King. They were afraid that if they denied the king, their entire herd might get slaughtered.

The exact same thing was happening here. Even though Sage knew that giving his daughter to the emperor was no different from putting shackles around himself, he had no choice but to do it. Luna, being the filial daughter she is, agreed to be the concubine of the Emperor without Sage needing to say something more.

"I am really sorry, Luna," Sage couldn't bring himself to say anything more than that.

"Don’t be like that, father. If it is the will of gods for me to be his emperor’s woman, how can we measly humans change that? And I am sure I will be happy in the royal palace," Luna said, her tone gentle and optimistic.

Sage Theron was at loss of words hearing his daughter and hugged her in his fatherly embrace.

“The protector god will always watch over us,” Luna reassured, burying her head in her father’s embrace.

A month passed after that, and the Emperor took Luna as the Royal Concubine. Since she wasn't the official queen, there was no special ceremony or anything. 

Time passed like the drifting wind….

Luna got pregnant a year after and to care for her pregnancy, she was sent to the 7th magic tower, where Sage Theron resided with his wife. 

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