When she first saw the castle from afar, she didn’t think it would’ve been so beautiful from up close. It sat in the middle of the empire, an enormous white palace, along with a flower garden to the side. The sun was hitting the place, an aura of peace and serenity reigning around it. In fact, Emelyn knew all of this was fake. She hated that this wealthy and greedy family that took her kingdom and her people ruthlessly lived in one of the most gorgeous palaces in their empire. They didn’t deserve it. 

When she entered, Emelyn was treated like a queen. The nobles hung her cape on a hook on the wall, as they all treated her with respect. She couldn’t help but boil interiorly; all this was fake. Just because her eyes were hazel, the royals would get a great reputation to keep someone so “rare” this close. She knew about it, naturally, yet she had to admit she didn’t get this well treated since a long time ago. 

Emelyn hadn’t met the prince yet, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to either. That was the whole deal, the whole reason why she was here, and she didn’t know how to feel about it. Servants and maids took great care of her, calling her “Miss Meyers” or “Your Grace.” They assigned her a personal maid called Anastasia, a wise young woman with a soft smile and a promising future in front of her. 

Everyone in the castle showered her with affection, as if she was the only person there. They made her feel like she was the only one in the world, like she was the one and only hero that they needed. Obviously, all of this was seemingly fake, just because His Majesty wanted a new Queen. And in all the pretty little brats in Kordania, he assigned a knight to find him a woman with hazel eyes. 

Only because of her eyes. People surrounded by hazel-eyed people are growing their reputation, as this eye color remained exceedingly rare and wanted. It was a symbol of wealth. 

When she came back to her chambers, she was still a bit overwhelmed, her head was spinning from the greets and the compliments. Emelyn sighed as she stepped in, looking around. She noticed a soft white dress made of silk, along with a violet diadem. Her eyes widened as she furrowed her brows, feeling a bit embarrassed; was she really going to wear that? She couldn’t tell, yet she knew it may be part of her obligations... Emelyn let her eyes wander and noticed a small note next to it, signed by her personal maid Anastasia. She held it in one hand and read it out loud: 

“Your Grace, 

I hope you now are fully refreshed and that you are feeling any better after your short shower. In fact, there is one thing I’d like to share with you. His Majesty, The Prince Edward, Your Highness’ soon-to-be-husband, wanted to meet you. You are asked to attend a meeting with him and a few nobles at the Royal Counsel Room today at seven.  

Ps- The clothes are on the bed if you wish to dress more appropriately. 

At your service, 

Anastasia Rutherfurd” 

Emelyn frowned at the thought as she sighed softly. She didn’t want to, but she knew she had to meet him eventually. The soon-to-be-queen grabbed the dress and headed to the changing room reluctantly, muttering under her breath. All she could do was hope. Hope he wouldn’t recognize her, nor judge her so badly. Even though she was born in a royal family, her eleven years alone made her fear the high-ranked families. Emelyn knew she couldn’t mess with them, or else she’d have to learn the consequences. She just knew it. It is to say that that consequence, Emelyn wouldn’t want to know it. Having to endure it would be way worse considering the complications she decided to go through... 

*** 

The dress fit her like a glove. Emelyn looked at herself in the mirror, hoping she would look quite presentable in the Prince’s eyes. She couldn’t make a first bad impression, because if she did, the judgement at first glance would share a wave of judgement concerning her. And most of all, Emelyn was scared because she didn’t know what to expect. She assumed he would be ruthless and rude, since he led his father’s troops to victory at six years old, tearing her kingdom apart. She would've preferred coming to life as a commoner from Pyril or Wron rather than have any issues with the Kordanian government itself. 

Emelyn leaned against the balcony’s balustrade, her breath forming a bit of fog as she shivered, her hazel eyes inspecting every inch. The view from her window was beautiful, which is something she’s feeling grateful for. Emelyn stared at the stars in awe as some of them shot through the sky, winking at her before disappearing from her sight. Her auburn hair fluttered on her shoulders a bit as she tossed them aside, closing her eyes. A wave of nostalgy tore her brutally, her breath becoming shaky a bit. 

Emelyn felt her bottom lip quiver as she tried keeping her breathing. She heard Jack’s voice from afar, but she didn’t flinch, as he leaned next to her and dropped a hand on her shoulder, whispering in a hoarse voice. 

“Miss Gray, the meeting will be starting in fifteen minutes. Shall we get going now?” Jack proposed, holding out her hand for her to grab. The young woman nodded and took it gently, forcing a smile. In her opinion, Jack was being way too kind with her, which is awfully suspicious;they have just met. 

“Of course, we shall, which way is it? I don’t know my quarters very well, and I’d appreciate it if you’d show me around...” Emelyn responded as she followed him through the halls, trying to act casual and unbothered. She didn’t want to show him how scared she was. Even though Jack looked quite sympathetic, she couldn’t risk it. 

Instead of responding, the young knight smiled and looked straight forward them, gesturing to a nearby hallway. As she followed along a bit sheepishly, Jack paused, as Emelyn heard a few voices talking about someone in a nearby room. Jack didn’t seem to notice how nervous she was because he brought her along, peeking out of the door frame. The young princess froze in shock as she looked around the room, her breath catched in her throat. There she was, in this room, with Prince Edward Meyers himself, Jack and a few nobles. She couldn’t believe how she ended up here, and the way people digest her lies so easily. 

A man came up, narrowing his eyes. He stood up from his chair and pushed it, walking over to the doorframe. When he passed next to the other nobles, they leaned forward and gave him a small bow. Emelyn’s eyes widened as she quickly regained her composure, bowing lightly. This man, that was Edward Meyers. His eyes were ice blue, piercing through her skin as he stood taller in front of her. His hair was a soft pale brown, short and well placed, as he brushed his hand through it elegantly, replacing his golden crown. 

Emelyn felt a wave of hate rush through her, and her throat tightened. This man. He tore her kingdom apart, she lost everything she had, because of him. Her eyes raged with fury as she forced a smile, hiding her anger and her disdain deep down in her heart. Yet she couldn’t help but admit he was making her quite curious, with his emotionless quirks and his elegant curtsy. Edward leaned down and kissed the back of her hand, standing up quickly. Apparently, he didn’t even care about her as the whole situation made him completely indifferent. 

“You must be my so-called new wife, Sarah Gray. It is nice to meet you, I am Edward Meyers, the eldest prince of Kordania, and the soon-to-be-queen.” The prince spoke, as Emelyn watched around the room, anxiety creeping into her as she noticed the nobles’ gazes, ruthless and indifferent. 

“Of course, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I am glad you decided to choose me as Your Queen, it is quite an honor to be represented like that...” Emelyn commented as she sat down elegantly next to Edward around the table. The soon-to-be-queen replaced her curtain bangs, trying to keep a poker face. 

Which is hard when ten nobles are staring like you like you’re an art exposition in a museum. Rather then making her feel at ease, they’d stare at her blankly, nodding their heads as they spoke to each other. Edward glanced at Sarah/Emelyn, as she catched his gaze. Over thinking it, she gulped and looked away, acting like nothing happened. 

Edward lifted his chin, indifferent. He cleared his throat to catch everyone’s attention, joining his hands together as he made eye contact with every single one of them. Emelyn looked at him and figured he was strangely too serious, and her anger punched her at some random times. She knew she had to fake the act all along, yet she kept stealing glances at him, shaking her head, disappointed and hurt. Which Edward didn’t seem to notice, as he sat in his chair with his cold glare, making anyone shiver. He was scaring her. 

“Miss Gray needs to learn the rules within a royal relationship.” He started, and everyone shut their mouths, waiting intently. Emelyn felt like she was the target, and that everyone threw darts at her, aiming at her poor innocent soul. “First of all, no touching. She is not allowed to show me physical affection and needs to treat me regularly, except if some conditions apply.” The concerned one sighed and nodded her head, relieved. It’s not like she was going to touch the man she hates the most, since she doesn’t have affection for him. 

“Second, she must respect me at all costs. Any sign of disrespect will be punished either lightly or badly, depending on the action. Some conditions apply once again. Do you understand, Your Grace ?” Edward asked as his eyebrows arched, his cold glare aiming right at her.  

Emelyn’s breath catched in her throat as she nodded quietly, looking up at him. She mumbled something incoherent before nodding again, locking eyes with his reluctantly. She knew that in Kordania, locking eyes with someone is considered an act of civility, being well mannered. 

“Yes, Your Majesty, I understand what you’re implying, and I will work with this the best I can” The soon-to-be-queen did a small reverence, leaning her head as she kept a poker face. 

Edward narrowed his eyes but didn’t add anything, neither did the nobles. Everybody remained silent, and it was defeating, Emelyn felt awkward, like she didn’t have her place in the room. Happily for her, the prince didn’t seem to be offended, he leaned back and scrutinized his nails with no interest. Feeling the tension building up, Emelyn glances around the room, looking for Jack. She frowned a bit when she noticed her absence; she couldn’t get out of this tricky situation, and he was the only one she trusted. 

Suddenly, something catched her attention...A noble leaned to the Prince’s level, almost kneeling to the floor. He stiffened a bit, scrunching his nose. 

“Prince Edward, have you told Sarah about your wedding? You told your people you were getting married to your lover, so I just wanted to make sure she knew about it...” His Majesty frowned, sticking his tongue out in annoyance when he heard the word “lover.” Edward glanced at Emelyn with an indifferent expression, as she ignored him, her thoughts wandering. Wait what, she was also marrying him, added to this forced relationship? Holy sh#t.