Celeste P.O.V

  5 years later

            I sat up with my back against the large oak tree, feeling the cool breeze on my skin and looking around the Annex Garden. Even 5 years later, Rion has yet to sign the official documentation making me a De Cassetica so I am to this day unrecognized as his wife, and everyone knows it. He calls me to the main palace once or twice a month to perform as his wife and the next day I am sent back to the annex by the Head Maid. It would be much less humiliating if only a small amount of people knew, but the entire empire knows and God knows how many outsiders.

            The maids of the Main Palace where Rion and his younger sister Lyra reside all sneer at me and make comments if they do not outright ignore me while I pass through the halls each month. Things would have been different if I was acknowledged by my husband and permitted to live in the main palace. Law states only De Cassetica’s are permitted to live in the Main Palace. Even though we are married he refuses to give me De Cassetica so I have been exiled to the annex. A cold, drafty place with little budget. I have three servants who remain with me after being forced by Lyra, Rion’s little sister. I know they are spies for that brat as she somehow knows everything I do or say when these servants are present. Lyra has taken it upon herself to do every internal duty that I should be doing as Empress, but due to the position, I have been forced into Lyra had easily stolen them from me with no protest from her brother.

Everyone was much kinder when the former Emperor Alexander was still alive to shield me and give me hope. Shortly after the wedding, Alexander was murdered on his way home from a peace treaty with Lycia. After conflict for over 300 years, Alexander wanted peace and to end the bloodshed and fear on the borders, but apparently had other plans. Ever since that time both the Empires of Cassetica and Lycia have been at war. During the day Cassetica takes the lead but the Lycanthropes of Lycia take the charge and ambush our men during the night. I have sent the youngest and most cunning of my men, Allen, out with his information guild to find Intel on whether or not we are to prepare soon. Riven was also dispatched to keep an eye on Allen to make sure his human half stayed in control. If Allen’s dark-fae half took over, it was more likely Riven would be able to get him back to normal.

“I still hate him.” Dominic muttered next to me. “The fact divorce is illegal just infuriates me.”

“I know. He isn’t my favorite person either.” I sighed. “I can still remember his bored and disinterested face on our wedding day.”

            I rolled my eyes remembering when I walked down the aisle with my father. Rion stood appearing bored at the alter waiting for me. He showed no emotion on his face as I walked to him, he looked past me as if he wished I was someone else. When saying our vows, his voice was robotic as if he had been practicing them beforehand. He still touched me as little as he possibly could, even during intimacy.

            On our wedding night he did not touch me once, he simply came into the room and went to sleep. Cassandra worked so hard to prepare me and make me look beautiful. Raya, Dominic’s wife and one of my Knights had prepared me by talking to me about what to expect when my virginity was taken and how to feel afterward. I felt rejected and angry more than anything. Rejected as a woman, as a wife. Angry that my friends put so much effort into my appearance and he said not one word to me. That night I went out on the balcony and cried feeling rejected.

            One week after our wedding Emperor Alexander was murdered.  Rion spoke to me less, saw me less, and called on me less, rumors circulated that I was a nuisance to Rion who has now been crowned Emperor so the Head Maid moved me and my people to the Annex. This has been my home since. I am only permitted to leave or see Rion when he calls for me.

“I would kill Dominic if he ever treated me like Rion treats you, then I would be free to find a new husband.” Raya commented offhandedly.

“Yes, but my husband is the emperor.” I reminded her.

“Yeah, you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

“Thank you Raya for reminding me that I am in a loveless marriage and only used to satisfy his primal urges.”

“The ding-dong right-hand doesn’t even let you touch any of the Empress’ duties, instead lets that brother-complex little brat do them.”

“He doesn’t but his father secretly hands the ones he can sneak away from Lyra.” I smiled. The only person in the Main palace on my side is Alexander’s former right hand, Gaius. He is embarrassed and continuously apologizes for his son’s behavior toward me. He is also the only one who respectfully calls me “Her Majesty” anyone else calls me by my maiden name “Lady Andromeda” or sarcastically calls me “Your Majesty”.

“Your Majesty, if I may,” Cassandra spoke up.

“Go ahead.”

“It is almost time for dinner.”

“Oh.” I looked at her confused. “Is today the last day of the month?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Time to go face the prick.”

“Ma’am if they heard you.” Cassandra gave me a warning tone.

“So what…they already hate me.” I shrugged it off, stood up, and brushed off my pants. Looks like it’s time to get changed into that annoying dress. I hate the formal clothes of an Empress, it is so hard to move around in compared to my usual attire.