Rion’s P.O.V
I was sitting at my desk going through documents when a knock at the door interrupted me. I honestly was grateful for it due to exhaustion causing the words to begin blending together.
“Come in.” I held the next document up and only glanced up to see that it was Greta, the Head Maid. I rolled my eyes and expected the exact same phrase as always. “She began to bleed didn’t she?”
“She…uh, yes Your Majesty. She began this morning. I already sent her sheets to the laundry. Scolded her for continuously bleeding and ruining your gift and failing to produce your heir.” Greta huffed.
I sighed with disappointment. “Thank you. You are dismissed.” She bowed and left the room. I returned to my work silently for five minutes until it could no longer be held in and I turned to look over to Lucas who was sitting at his desk.
“What is it Your Majesty?” Lucas said as he was sorting the documents and personal letters.
“It is strange how she continuously bleeds every month immediately after we spend our night together. Isn’t it?” I put my pen down.
Without skipping a beat and no longer speaking as an assistant but as my friend Lucas looked at me and sighed. “I don’t blame her if she is taking an herbal mixture to prevent pregnancy honestly.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nobody except House Andromeda treats her like a proper Empress, not in the Palace, not in the Empire, not our political allies, our enemies treat her better than we do! She is completely isolated by everyone except anyone who is trying to gain the attention of House Andromeda.” He leaned forward and folded his hands. “I hope you know a petition requesting you to make divorce legal has been sent. Arch Duke Andromeda wishes to separate his daughter from the throne and find her a loving husband.”
At the mention of the forbidden word in the empire, I saw red. I stood and slammed my hands down on my desk. “There will NOT be a divorce! Remind not just the Arch Duke but her brother, my Ragnarok leader as well that divorce has been illegal in this empire for over two hundred years and I intend to keep it that way.”
“Coming from the man who only sleeps with his wife to impregnate her to get an heir. I’m pretty sure I know more about her than you do.” Lucas rolled his eyes.
“I’m her husband. You are my right hand man. I know everything there is.”
“Yeah…Who is her best friend?” Lucas smirked and crossed his arms.
“That girl…” I completely went blank on her maid’s name.
“Which one? She has multiple women around her.”
“The pink haired one…Her maid had long pink hair.”
“I wish, at least she is calmer. Try the violent woman in armor with long red hair. Her name is Dame Raya Bastille. She’s married to Sir Dominic Bastille. Dame Raya is both her knight as well as a maid and childhood friend. I’ve overheard them laughing and talking about back when they were children together.” Lucas smirked. “Who does Celeste rely on for revenge?”
“Revenge?”
“Does she get her own hands dirty or ask for help?” Lucas shrugged.
“Help.” I said obviously almost with a bored tone. “She clearly runs to her family for help.”
“Yes, but who?”
I drew a blank. No faces or names came to mind.
“I thought so. The lunatic’s name is Allen. He is kind around her but whenever anyone is rude or disrespectful to his mistress, then they will pay the price.” Lucas shuddered before holding up his right index finger. “Do. Not. Ask. I do not want to talk about it.”
“Okay then… How did you gather so much intel on them?” I asked him.
“Rion…You’ve been married for five years. They have been living on this property for five years. I know I’m dense, but I am not clueless. My advice as your right-hand, take the Empress by her hand, Your Majesty and learn more about her. Instead of digging your feet in the ground and living in the past, try to get to know her and show her family that you are capable of caring for her.” Lucas leaned back and crossed his arms.
“Wise advice, but as my friend you have something else to say do you not?” I raised an eyebrow.
He sighed and shook his head. “As your friend, forget your title, position and pride, cast it all aside, and beg her. Beg the Empress for mercy before that crazy little fool comes back. I have gotten on his bad side and he has never let me forget it, most likely until the day I die. I made one off handed comment and trust me, it made an impact. The only reason the Head Maid is so bold right now is because Allen isn’t here. The moment that madman walks back through those gates Greta is going to refuse to leave her room for a week.” Lucas shuddered. “Never. Make. Him. Your. Enemy!”
“What is so bad about him that even you are scared of him? Even Greta?” I looked at my friend concerned. Lucas looked away from me and went back to his documents trying to feign ignorance. “Lucas, is he a traitor?” he shook his head and bit his lip.
A high pitched scream from the garden made both Lucas and I jump and rush to the window. “Is someone in danger?” I asked as I looked down to see who would want to be out in the chilly weather. Even through the thick coats and hood pulled over the head I could tell by the small waist and slender build it must be a woman. The high pitch scream must have been her. I watched from the window as she threw herself in the arms of two men.
The woman was wearing the dark blue coat with white fur trim, however it was not long enough to hide her riding clothes that complimented her legs even from behind. I watched as she was picked up and spun in a circle by the taller of the men. When she threw her head back and laughed it sounded angelic. When the hood fell off her head I felt my breath catch. She had her long snow white hair pulled back into a braid. It was my wife in the arms of another man.
“Oh… we are doomed.” Lucas slid back to his desk and put his head in his hands.
“What?” I asked him, for some reason I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. The smaller man next to her kept holding onto her and playing with her braid. When they finally set her down, she still continued the harmonious laugh which rung out in the garden as both men kneeled down to her. I watched her in awe. She never looked up once but the snow white hair was enough to confirm it was my wife. I’ve never heard her laugh, nor seen her smile in the five years of our marriage.
“You have more documents Your Majesty.” Lucas gestured to my desk.
“Who…”
“Are you okay?” Lucas stood back away from the window nervously.
“She’s laughing.”
“Yeah, because when it comes to you and every single
palace staff member, Celeste is defensive, guarded, suspicious, cold and
indifferent. However, when it comes to her servants and Knights she brought
from House Andromeda she is extremely kind, compassionate, open, loyal,
trusting and happy.”
“Are you okay? You’re avoiding the window and look like someone who’s offended his lover.” I looked at Lucas.
“Do not let Allen see me.” He hid back away from the window at his desk.
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window once more watching her with the men. “Lucas, remind her while we may not have the best relationship, loyalty is still a part of this marriage.”
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