It was already a week after the kidnapping fiasco, and Erika was immediately taught etiquette and given royal duties against her will. Despite the fast-paced events in her life, she managed to pull a brave façade and was able to do her duties successfully. But there was something that she had forgotten aside from her old province life. HER PARENTS.
The royal gardens were a vision of elegance, with neatly manicured lawns bordered by flowerbeds bursting with color. Wisteria vines draped lazily over the white pillars of a grand gazebo at the garden’s center. A cool breeze carried the mingling fragrances of lavender and jasmine, creating an atmosphere both serene and charged with anticipation.
Erika smoothed the fabric of her modest gown for the third time, her unease growing as she neared the gathering. Today’s tea party was not merely a social event—it was a test. Her family was to meet Emperor Aurelian of the Edrozar Empire, a man known for his calculated decisions and unwavering gaze. The stakes had never been higher.
“You look like you’re about to faint,” Alaric’s voice cut through her thoughts, light and teasing.
She turned, glaring at him as he sauntered up, his relaxed posture a stark contrast to her tension. “I feel like I might. Do you have any idea how terrifying this is?”
“Terrifying? Erika, you’ve already faced me. The Emperor should be easy after that.” His grin was as infuriating as ever.
Before she could retort, a steward approached, bowing slightly. “Your Highness, Lady Erika, His Imperial Majesty awaits you.”
The gazebo was a masterpiece of refinement. A long table was set with delicate porcelain teacups, polished silverware, and trays of intricately crafted pastries. Seated at the head of the table was Emperor Aurelian.
Tall and imposing even while seated, the Emperor carried himself with effortless authority. His golden blonde hair was streaked with silver, his angular face framed by a neatly trimmed beard. But it was his piercing green eyes that commanded attention. They held an intensity that seemed to strip away pretense, leaving only truth in their wake.
“Ah, Lady Erika,” Emperor Aurelian said as she and Alaric approached. His voice was deep, steady, and carried an undercurrent of intrigue. “And this must be the renowned Baron Hawke Sterling.”
Her father, already on his feet, bowed deeply. “Your Imperial Majesty, it is an honor beyond words to meet you.”
“Come, sit,” Aurelian gestured with a hand adorned in understated rings. “Let us talk as equals today. I am curious to learn more about the family of my son’s future bride.”
Erika hesitated, but Alaric guided her to a seat with a reassuring hand on her back. She sat stiffly beside him, while her parents exchanged polite words with the Emperor.
“I hear you are quite the huntsman, Baron,” Emperor Aurelian said, his gaze shifting to Erika’s father. “A skill not easily mastered.”
Baron Hawke straightened, his nervousness giving way to pride. “Your Majesty, it is true that hunting has been both my passion and my discipline for many years. It teaches patience, strategy, and respect for nature.”
The Emperor nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed. Hunting is a noble pursuit. Tell me, what is your most memorable conquest?”
The baron’s face lit up, his words growing more confident. “It was during a particularly harsh winter, Your Majesty. The mountains were treacherous, and game was scarce. I tracked a stag of unmatched beauty and cunning for three days, navigating ice-covered ridges and dense forests. When I finally caught him, it was not out of triumph, but respect. He had evaded every trap, outwitted every strategy until there was no escape.”
Emperor Aurelian’s expression softened with genuine appreciation. “A tale worthy of a ballad, Baron. Perhaps we shall hunt together one day. It has been too long since I last tested my skills in the field.”
The baron inclined his head, his voice filled with humble gratitude. “It would be the greatest honor of my life, Your Majesty.”
The conversation flowed more easily after that, with Baron Hawke and the Emperor finding common ground in their shared love of the hunt. Erika’s mother, Lady Celeste Sterling, however, was anything but nervous. With her dark, ebony hair and tan complexion, she looked strikingly out of place among the pale, refined nobles—a fact she seemed to relish. There was a fire in her rich brown eyes, an unspoken challenge as she met the Emperor’s gaze head-on.
"This is quite a pleasant occasion. I can't wait for our families will be united by this union of our children." The Emperor said happily.
“Pleasant occasion, you say?” Lady Celeste’s voice was laced with sarcasm. “An odd choice of words, considering our daughter was practically dragged here against her will.”
“Mother!” Erika hissed, mortified. She knew her mother’s protective streak well, but this was the Emperor she was speaking to.
The Emperor’s brow arched slightly, clearly taken aback by her boldness. He glanced at Alaric, who looked more amused than concerned. “Your wife is quite... forthright, Baron Sterling.”
The Baron gave a strained smile, clearly struggling to maintain composure. “Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Celeste is... passionate.”
“Passionate?” Celeste snorted, crossing her arms. “I’m simply not accustomed to my daughter being whisked away by royal decree without so much as a proper explanation. We’re foreigners here, but we still deserve some respect.”
Alaric stepped in smoothly, his tone calm and reassuring. “Lady Celeste, I understand your concerns. This was all very sudden, and I apologize for the way it happened. But please believe me when I say I have no intention of forcing Erika into anything. We’ve agreed to try this—three months to see if we suit one another. If we don’t, then we’ll end this arrangement peacefully.”
Celeste’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him with the intensity of a hawk. “Three months, you say? And what happens when my daughter decides she’s had enough of palace life? Will you let her go, just like that?”
Alaric held her gaze, unflinching. “Yes, I will. I give you my word.”
The Emperor watched this exchange with growing interest. “You seem confident, Prince Alaric,” he remarked. “But what if Erika does not fall in love with you? What if she chooses her freedom over the crown?”
“Then I will respect her choice,” Alaric said simply. He turned to Erika, his expression sincere. “All I ask is that we give each other a fair chance.”
Erika’s heart skipped a beat at the earnestness in his voice. For a moment, she saw not a prince, but a man genuinely trying to reach out to her. It was disarming, and she hated how much it affected her.
The Emperor leaned back, his gaze shifting to Erika. “You are a foreigner here, Lady Erika. Yet you’ve shown remarkable composure, even defiance, in the face of our traditions. It’s... unexpected.”
“I’m not one to blindly follow traditions, Your Majesty,” Erika replied boldly. “Especially when they involve my future. I intend to make my own choices.”
A slow smile spread across the Emperor’s face. “I see why Alaric chose you,” he said, almost to himself. “You have spirit. It’s a quality I’ve long found lacking in the nobles of this court.”
Celeste’s stern expression softened slightly. “Does that mean you approve, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor chuckled. “Approval might be too strong a word just yet, Lady Celeste. But I am... intrigued. You and your family are unlike anyone we’ve had in the palace before. It might do us some good to have a bit of fresh air.”
Lady Celeste’s eyes softened, though her voice remained firm. “We’ll visit, then. But make no mistake—if I find my daughter unhappy, we’ll leave, and no royal decree will stop us.”
The Emperor nodded, clearly impressed. “Agreed. I would like you to visit regularly. It would be a pleasure to have such lively company in the palace.”
Erika couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you sure, Your Majesty? You might regret inviting us.”
“I’ve lived long enough to welcome a little regret,” the Emperor replied with a grin. He raised his teacup in a toast. “To new beginnings, and to finding out if this peculiar arrangement might lead to something worthwhile.”
Alaric raised his cup, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Erika. “To new beginnings.”
Lady Celeste hesitated for only a moment before lifting her cup, her lips curving into a reluctant smile. “To new beginnings,” she agreed. “But remember—this is only the beginning.”
Erika clinked her cup with her mother’s, feeling the weight of her situation lift just a little. Alaric leaned closer to Erika, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “See? Not so terrifying after all. My father likes your family.”
She glanced at him, a spark of defiance still in her eyes. “Don’t think this means I’ve forgiven you for all of this.”
Alaric’s grin widened, but he said nothing, returning his attention to the conversation at the table.
By the time the tea party ended, Erika felt a glimmer of hope. Her family had not only survived the encounter but seemed to have earned the Emperor’s respect. As the servants began to clear the table, Emperor Aurelian turned to Erika one last time.
“My dear, Lady Erika,” he said, his tone measured, “you and your family have impressed me today. I look forward to seeing what you will bring to Edrozar Empire’s future.”
Her heart pounded in her chest as she bowed her head. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best not to disappoint.”
As they walked back toward the palace, Alaric leaned in with a smirk. “Told you it wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Don’t get smug,” she muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, Erika felt like it was one she could walk with her head held high.
The courtyard was quiet save for the rustling of the breeze through the trees. Alaric leaned against a marble pillar, his thoughts heavy with the intricacies of palace life and the delicate path he was treading with Erika. The sound of boots on cobblestones broke his reverie, and he turned just in time to see Dominic enter.
As always, Dominic carried himself with a natural confidence. His dark, slightly unruly hair framed his sharp features, but it was his eyes that drew attention—the striking contrast of one deep ocean blue and the other warm golden brown made him unforgettable. Even now, after years of friendship, Alaric found those eyes impossible to ignore, their duality a reflection of Dominic's composed yet adventurous nature.
“Dominic,” Alaric greeted, his expression lightening. “Should I feel honored or worried to see you here before your departure?”
Dominic smirked as he closed the distance between them. “A bit of both, I’d say. I don’t leave for another day, but I thought I’d spend some of my last free time saving you from whatever royal catastrophe you’re scheming now.”
Alaric chuckled, clasping Dominic’s forearm in greeting. “Not scheming. Reflecting.”
“Ah,” Dominic said, his tone teasing but his gaze sharp. “That’s a dangerous pastime for you. What’s weighing on you this time?”
Alaric hesitated, then sighed. “Erika. She’s… complicated. More than I expected, in the best and worst ways.”
“Good,” Dominic said, leaning against the pillar beside him. “It means she’s worth the effort.” He studied Alaric for a moment before his tone softened. “How are things going with her? Be honest.”
Alaric rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s been holding her own, which I admire. But I don’t think she trusts me yet. And there are parts of me—parts of this—that I haven’t told her about. I’m afraid of what she’ll think if she knew everything.”
Dominic’s smile faded, and his mismatched eyes glimmered with concern. “Alaric, you’ve always been one to keep your cards close to your chest, but this isn’t a game. Erika deserves to know the truth, whatever it is. You’re taking a gamble with her trust every day you wait.”
“I know,” Alaric admitted, his voice low. “But what if the truth pushes her away? I can’t lose her, Dominic. Not now.”
Dominic placed a hand on Alaric’s shoulder, his grip firm. “You can’t build something real on half-truths, Alaric. She’s strong, isn’t she? Then trust her strength. You’ll risk far more by keeping silent than you will by being honest.”
Alaric met his friend’s gaze, the sincerity in those mismatched eyes grounding him. “I’ll think about it.”
“You’d better do more than think,” Dominic said, his tone lightening. “Because I won’t be here to pick up the pieces if it all goes south.”
Alaric’s brow arched. “And where exactly will you be? I don’t think I ever got the full details of this mission.”
Dominic grinned, stepping back and clasping his hands behind his head. “The Duke has me heading to Yvenne. There’s talk of a trade partnership brewing between them and Astrel. The Emperor seemed eager to see it happen, and my father volunteered me as part of the delegation. Lucky me.”
“Yvenne?” Alaric’s expression shifted to mild amusement. “That’s a long journey. You’ll be halfway across the continent.”
“Far enough to avoid whatever mess you get into,” Dominic teased. “Though I’ll admit, I’m not thrilled about being away for so long. Yvenne’s court is… stiff. Not like ours.”
“Few places are,” Alaric replied with a smirk.
Dominic gave a mock bow. “Your Highness, ever the paragon of humility.” Straightening, his voice grew serious again. “All jokes aside, take care of yourself, Alaric. And take care of Erika. She might not admit it yet, but I think she’ll need someone she can count on—and that’s you.”
Alaric nodded, his chest tightening at the weight of Dominic’s words. “You take care too, Dominic. The court might be stiff, but I doubt Yvenne’s diplomats will know what hit them.”
“Of course,” Dominic said with a wink. “I’ll be the talk of the kingdom within a week.”
The two clasped forearms one last time, the bond between them unspoken but clear. As Dominic turned to leave, Alaric watched him go, the sight of his friend’s broad shoulders disappearing down the cobblestone path stirring both pride and unease. Dominic’s absence would leave a void, but his words remained, echoing in Alaric’s mind. The truth with Erika couldn’t wait forever.
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