The Pavenia Empire, the biggest and strongest military empire in the world. The only empire ruled by an unwed Empress of age and an Empress that has since been engaged to the crown prince of the smaller but proud kingdom of Ocelon. This unlikely engagement was brought about by the close friendship of two mothers – one dead and one alive. After 19 years the two meet again for the second time in their lives.

“Your Majesty, the envoys from the Ocelon kingdom will be arriving shortly,” my maid Lina tells me, drawing back the curtains and letting the sun in.

“Bring me some clothes, no corset, and make sure the gentleman beside me eats breakfast before he leaves,” I tell her, slowly making my way out of the bed.

After dressing, I go out to be welcomed by Tia’s, my personal knight, disapproving stare.

“What? Out with it,” I tell him, a hint of annoyance in my tone. I was in no mood to be lectured.

“Your Imperial Majesty, that is the tenth man this month alone and it’s only the second week. Now, we’re on our way to your betrothed when you’ve just jumped out of bed with another man. It might be seen as an insult to the Ocelon kingdom,” he says and I laugh.

“Tia, as I’m sure you already know, this engagement is more of an alliance than it is a relationship and would anyone say the same if I were an Emperor instead of an Empress?” I ask him, unperturbed.

We arrive just in time to see the crown prince’s carriage pull up in front of the palace and I release a sigh. I’ve been slow in responding to their messages about the engagement and the wedding.

Politically speaking the Pavenia Empire has little to gain from this so called alliance and realistically I thought if they had heard of my bedroom escapades they would rescind their offer, not send their precious son to solidify the union.

When the crown prince alights, a silent collective hum of approval from almost everyone outside is released. The whispers and stories about how the future Emperor of Pavenia Empire is the most beautiful man in this world has been circulating ever since they’ve sent word of their visit and everyone, excluding myself, has been waiting with baited breath.

I knew he was beautiful, I have seen him 19 years before when I was only six and he was nine but it had already been apparent even at that age that he would grow up to be a man blessed with abundant looks.

His silver hair glinted under the sun and his blue eyes were reminiscent of the deep crystal blue waters of the ocean. However, his main selling point was his warm charm that seems to catch ladies off guard because of his outwardly “cool” appearance.

“Welcome to the Pavenia Empire, I hope you and you’re envoy didn’t find the journey too arduous,” I say, extending my hand for him to kiss the sigil ring on my finger and to my surprise, he does.

“Not at all your imperial majesty, the roads were well-kept and there was almost always light during the night,” he answers.

“That’s reassuring to hear. Then let’s proceed to my personal bedchamber,” I say, turning to the butler.

“Michael please prepare some tea and biscuits in my personal bedchamber,” I instruct him.

“Your personal bedchamber ma’am?” he confirms and I nod.

I start walking with the crown prince trailing beside me. Upon hearing the butler confirm he snickers.

“Why are you laughing?” I ask him smiling.

“Well, he made it sound as if you had more than one bedchamber your imperial majesty,” he says, humor dancing in his eyes.

“Well, I do and you can call me Bell. Calling me your imperial majesty all the time when we are supposedly engaged is too stuffy for my liking and I never really was strict with titles,” I answer him, relishing the shock of knowing that I have two bedchambers on his face.

“Then you can call me Elio,” I nod in response.

“Tia, stand guard outside and don’t let anyone come in unless I tell you,” I whisper to Tia and he nods.

After the maids have served everything and we have both settled down, I give myself the time to observe him. His skin was fair and unblemished, his hands held callouses probably from sword training and his physique was toned but he had no indication of having seen or having been to war and this point left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I do apologize for hosting you in my personal bedchamber. As you saw, the palace is still undergoing repairs after the attack and truthfully, its renovation is not my priority. Giving ample aid and city repairs are,” I explain.

“I understand,” he says, looking around my room.

“If you’re wondering, who aside from the servants and you has seen the inside of this bedchamber and was left alive is, then the answer is Tia, my personal knight,” at this he bristles and I let out a sigh.

“Elio, let’s be honest shall we. I have always been a frank person and I have no intention of changing that. This marriage will gain little for the Pavenia Empire and the only reason why I’m entertaining the idea is because of my late mother’s dying wish. I have enough ghosts to haunt me for the rest of my life without hers joining in the fray,” I say, exasperated.

“I will answer any of questions you have. You do not have to worry, this room is safe from prying ears, I had it built after my ascension and I even watched them while they built it,” I tell him and he looks at me, his eyes trying to read me and my thoughts.

“Are the rumors true? Do you really have numerous lovers?” he asks and I smile.

“It is. It’s my turn to ask a question. What do you think is the relationship between a woman’s virginity and virtue?” I ask.

“None,” he answers.

“Are you in love with any of them?” he asks and I shake my head, hiding a smile.

“No. It is not something people like us can prioritize, can we?” I answer. “Does it bother you?” I ask and he pauses.

“A little,” he answers.

“Oh Elio, please don’t lie to me and don’t be a hypocrite. I am not the only one in this engagement who has been with another,” I smile slyly, at my comment surprise mars his features.

“What do you mean?” he asks, his jaw tightening.

“Lady Olivia Westbrook was it? Isn’t she the girl who’s been holding your attention or dare I say your heart for quite some time now?” I answer.

“You have spies in the palace,” he says, his eyes widening at the realization.

“I do and you or at least your parents have spies in my palace too. I know who they are but don’t tell anyone,” I say smirking. After a few moments of silence, I roll my eyes and sigh.

“This is how our world works. A ruler cannot blindly trust the words of another who looks out for the sake of their own country. We have to have information that is as accurate as possible. You may have been raised in the protection of your parents but if you were to be the future Emperor of my Empire you have to learn how things work, and fast,” I say, trying to hide the disdain from my voice.

“Please don’t hurt her,” he says, fear in his eyes.

“Why would I? I could care less who you take to your bed before our marriage. However, do heed my warning. If we do get married, the only heirs that will be eligible are our children and I will eliminate any possible threat to that if the time ever comes,” I say, emphasizing each word so he knows just how serious I am.

“My grandfather and father have worked too hard to unify this empire and I will never pass it down to someone who does not share my bloodline. Do you understand?” I ask, my gray eyes never leaving his blue ones. He swallows, nodding.

“Great. Then, do you have any more questions?” I ask.

“Why have you been speaking of our marriage as if it was only a possibility?” he asks.

“You’re more quick-witted than you look. Yes, you’re correct. I am looking at this marriage only as a possibility, one of many. Do you know the reason why your parents suddenly sent you to me except to convince me?” I ask and he visibly stiffens.

“To get to know you… and to ask for a favor,” he says, refusing to meet my eyes.

I reach out and raise his chin to meet my eyes.

“A word of advice, a ruler should never bow his head in front of another ruler except as a part of a strategy. Your weakness is your country’s weakness, and if any other ruler saw you, they would have seen it as an opportunity to invade,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment.

“As future king and emperor, your duty first and foremost is to your people. One wrong word or action no matter how small from us, could mean the lives of thousands. Never forget that,” I tell him. “Now, before we move on to work do you have any more personal questions for me?”

“Do you think we could ever fall in love?” he asks and I swallow.

“I do not know but from what I can tell, we can be good friends. Let’s start there shall we?” he nods.

“Do you have no more questions for me?” he asks.

“Not a question but another friendly advice. Our crowns come with heavy burdens and while these burdens afford us with certain privileges it will never afford us with the privileges that we sorely need – privacy, friends, and a place to let our hair down or to just be,” I sigh sadly.  

“As someone in the same plight, if ever everything gets to be too much for you come find me. I can be that place if you want. Now, let’s head on to my office shall we?” I tell him, standing up and extending my hand to his. He nods.

“Tia, we’ll be going to the office next. Tell everyone will you?” I say through the door.

“Does he hear you?” Elio asks and I nod.

“Yes, he does and I do too,” I answer and I watch as his features warp in confusion. “A story for another time, we have more pressing matters to attend to, do we not?” I say.

While walking to my office, I see him looking around the unattended repairs in the castle. I know he has questions and is wondering if it was rude to ask them so I tell him myself.

“The rebels first attacked the palace seventeen years ago then again ten years ago. The second attack left me an orphan. I don’t know if you are aware but my father died when I was ten, in his quest to stabilize my grandfather’s conquered nations,” I tell him, keeping my face impassive.  

“The second attack not only left me an orphan, it also left he palace in tatters and led to my early ascension. I have been trying to repair the palace little by little but as I told you earlier, my priority is the well-being of my people. Here we are,” I say, opening the door to my office and guiding him to a seat.

“On to business then, the Ocelon Kingdom needs at least 20,000 men along with armaments to secure its borders from the Tana Kingdom correct?” I confirm.

“Yes, we do,” he answers.

“and the Ocelon Kingdom expects us to help, in exchange for what?” I ask.

“In good faith, as a symbol honouring the alliance between the Pavenia Empire and the Ocelon Kingdom as well as our engagement,” he answers, hesitant.

“Your royal highness, honouring the alliance is all well and good but you cannot expect me to send 20,000 of my men to their possible deaths on good faith alone. Most of these men have families that the empire will need to support if they die and coin does not grow on trees,” I answer and I see him falter.

I reach out for his hand. He reminds me of myself when I first ascended. I was scared, doubtful, helpless, and I felt so alone. We did not choose to fill these un-fillable shoes; it was given to us because of who our parents are.

“Do not let others see you falter. One of the main duties of a ruler is compromise. Now, compromise with me until we reach an agreeable agreement for both parties and remember who you are doing this for, never for your parents but always for the people,” I encourage him.

“The Ocelon Kingdom is prepared to hand over the northern part of the Teliri forest as well as 10% of the iron revenue for five years,” he says and I smile.

“Well in that case, the Pavenia Empire will send 25,000 thousand men and armaments to secure your borders,” I take out a draft of war treaties and fill out the necessary information, signing it I slide it in front of Elio for him to sign but what he does shocks me to the point that I hold out my hand to stop him from signing.

“What are you doing?” I ask flabbergasted.

“Signing the treaty,” he answers.

“Yes, but you should never sign anything without reading the fine print at least five times. I know I am currently helping you but alliances always shift. You should always remember that my duty is to my people and you to yours. There might be times that these two will not align and I will put my people above yours,” I tell him and he nods.

“Okay, thank you,” he says, proceeding to read the treaty then signing it.

“I would have accepted your offer with only the Teliri forest. Another lesson, when compromising always start with a minimum offer and never show all you cards at once. Also, know what you are bargaining with, the northern part of the Teliri forest is bursting with resources not only underground but on the trees itself as well,” I tell him smiling.

“There will be a ball in your honor tonight. Let me show you how diverse the Pavenia Empire is. Tia will be escorting you to your quarters and I will be seeing you later,” I tell him, already thinking about the next thing that I have to do before sundown.