Volume 2

I had just finished my bath when Sarah earlier insisted on helping me, but I declined. I know it's part of her duties, but what could she do? She's under my command, and I have the authority to change the rules and regulations as I see fit.

I paused while adjusting my robe when I caught sight of three more maidservants approaching. "What are they here for?" I asked, irritation evident in my voice. God knows how much I detest being surrounded by so many people.

"They will assist you in dressing, Your Highness," Sarah informed me, her voice steady.

I raised an eyebrow at her response, casting a glance towards the bed where the wedding dress lay sprawled out. I couldn't help but grimace at the sight of it—it looked unbearably heavy, as if wearing it would be a burden in itself.

My eyes flicked to the maidservants standing nearby, and I immediately noticed the way they whispered to one another. My gaze narrowed when I caught one of them raising an eyebrow at me, as if I were a spectacle to be discussed.

"You three," I called out sharply, "You weren't brought here to gossip. Where are your manners? Show some respect, and remember—if you don't do your duties properly, I have the power to evict you," my tone was firm, carrying a clear threat.

Their eyes widened in shock, and they immediately dropped to their knees, palms pressed together as if in prayer. "Forgive us, Your Highness! Please, forgive us!" they cried, their voices trembling with fear.

"Stand up," I ordered, my patience wearing thin, "I don't have time for your theatrics. There are far more important matters to attend to. Now, dress me."

They scrambled to their feet and hurried to obey, the tension in the room palpable as they moved with a newfound urgency.

They dressed me in all sorts of garments before finally putting on my wedding dress. It was pure white. I grimaced at how tightly the corset cinched around me. I tried to move, but as expected, the dress was heavy and cumbersome. The top of the dress had a high collar with bishop sleeves, adorned with diamonds around the neck. The skirt was layered and semi-wide, and my waist was squeezed tight by the corset, making it appear unnaturally slim and raised.

Damn it. I felt like a tightly wrapped suman, my skin practically suffocating from how constricted I was. To top it off, my hair was braided so tightly it almost hurt, and the crown perched on my head didn't help. Are they trying to be funny? But fuck, this is my fault anyway. I wrote this scene, after all.

I sighed and stared at myself in the mirror. I do love my eyes—they're a striking emerald green. My curly hair, dark brown almost to the point of being black, matched my equally dark eyebrows. Celestia's beauty was perfect, flawless in every way.

"Your Highness, the knight is waiting outside," Sarah informed me.

I sighed, realizing there was no escaping the inevitable, and stepped out of the room.

The atmosphere outside felt alien to me. I had just arrived in this world, and I hadn't even been given a chance to explore it. As much as I had crafted every detail of this place in my own mind, seeing it with my own eyes was an entirely different experience. Everything felt overwhelming. My surroundings, though familiar from the stories I had written, seemed so much more imposing in person. The grandeur of the palace, the towering walls, the intricate carvings—it all made me feel like a stranger in a place I had created.

A part of me wanted to scream out of sheer frustration. I was trapped in this unfamiliar version of my own imagination, and now I was living through the very events I had only ever written about.

As I walked down the hall, I couldn't help but think of the rumors surrounding Celestia. I wasn't far from the whispers that had spread about her—about me now. They said she was nothing more than a pawn, a woman desperate enough to ensnare the Emperor with her charms. I could feel the weight of those accusations bearing down on me, and it only added to the complexity of what I had to navigate.

I clenched my fists, determined to rise above it all. This world may have been a creation of my own making, but now that I was living in it, I had to survive and fight for control.

They escorted me into the carriage, with Sarah accompanying me. I'm certain we're on our way to the Temple, the sacred place where weddings of Royal members, nobles, and other high-ranking individuals are traditionally held. Commoners, however, are not afforded the privilege to wed in the Temple, they have their own designated churches for that.

As the carriage began to move, I couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between the grand ceremonies of the elite and the simple, unadorned unions of the common folk.

While riding in the carriage, I began to feel the pangs of hunger gnawing at my stomach. I couldn't quite remember if I had eaten anything, "Sarah, did you bring any food?" I asked, turning to her. She glanced at me for a brief moment before lowering her gaze again. "Apologies, Your Highness, I didn't bring any," she replied, her voice filled with regret. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. It looked like I would have to endure the hunger for now.

"We've arrived, Your Royal Highness," Sarah informed me as the carriage came to a halt. Without a second thought, I hiked up my dress and quickly stepped out of the carriage. "Your Highness!" I heard Sarah exclaim in a panic behind me.

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I was met with the startled expressions of the knights stationed nearby. One of them cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking, "It's improper for a lady to step out of a carriage unassisted, especially someone of your stature, Your Highness," his tone was respectful, but the slight hint of disapproval didn't escape me.

I raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "So? I can manage... By the way, what is your name?" I asked, ignoring his criticism. His brow furrowed slightly. "I am Edward, Your Highness. Your personal knight." He bowed formally as he introduced himself.

So this is Edward, the former knight of the Emperor. He is handsome, with dark brown hair and sharp brown eyes. His eyebrows are thick, his nose pointed. His lips, though somewhat pale, are full.

I smirked. "All right, now please lead the way, Sir Edward," I said, gripping my skirt to lift it slightly. Edward took the lead, and Sarah and I followed closely behind him. Ten knights walked behind us. What is this? A wedding or a war?

That Emperor—I wish I could kick his ass for making this wedding so cheap. This is my wedding, it's supposed to be memorable, right? And again, this is all my fault... but no! I must change this, everything. I have to tame him or gain his trust in order to survive... right, I must stick to my goals.

We finally arrived at the Temple, where two knights took their positions on either side of the door. I took a deep breath. This is it. I never imagined being in a scenario like this, so it's no surprise that I'm nervous.

As the door opened, my breath became heavy. Shit, look at these people. Their attire screams authority, and their mocking eyes are filled with bitterness. The ladies are sneering at me, whispering to one another. Are they just here to judge me?

I composed myself and began to walk. My gaze briefly fell on the altar, and I immediately regretted it. Why does the Emperor have to be so handsome? Look at his stunning long black hair—not too straight, with a slight wave. Damn, it suits him perfectly. And his eyebrows, thick and expressive. His pointed nose. As I slowly approached him, I could see his lips, a deep red, slightly thin.

I couldn't help but stare into his eyes. I bit my lip nervously. His gray eyes, deep and alluring. My knees shook, for God's sake! He has this intimidating aura.

I discreetly looked around, needing to divert my attention for a moment. I took another deep breath. I don't recognize my family here. Perhaps I will later. They're the ones who put Celestia in this situation, all to increase their power, and the Emperor agreed because he was just bored.

"Focus, my soon-to-be wife."

I jolted in surprise as the Emperor leaned in, whispering softly while gently guiding me to stand beside him. Shit, I completely lost my focus, "Pardon me, Isaac—I mean, Your Imperial Majesty. I'm just famished," I mumbled quietly, just enough for him to hear. He didn't respond, and the silence between us stretched out, making me equally thankful and uneasy.

That wasn't part of the original story. Then again, this might be my chance to change everything for the better.

I straightened my posture as the High Priest began his speech, his voice echoing solemnly in the grand hall. Soon enough, the Emperor and I were exchanging vows, words that seemed to bind us as if we truly cared for each other. As a former author, crafting speeches and dialogues was second nature to me, so I played the part effortlessly, pretending that this moment meant more than it did.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride," the priest finally announced, and I felt my heart skip a beat. I swallowed hard, my knees feeling weak as I turned to face the Emperor. His gaze was piercing, serious, as if he could see right through me. Slowly, he leaned in, his face drawing closer to mine. I instinctively closed my eyes.

"I have no desire to kiss you either, but it's uncommon not to follow tradition," he whispered, his words leaving a sting of disappointment, though I had no reason to be upset.

Before I could react, his soft lips pressed briefly against mine. It was quick and formal, more for show than passion. I opened my eyes in shock, catching the last glimpse of him pulling away as if nothing had happened. I stood there, mouth slightly agape, but I was brought back to reality when he took my hand and linked it through his arm.

"Brace yourself; we are not done yet," he said, his tone cold as we began walking down the aisle together.

"Greetings to the sun of the Empire, Your Imperial Majesty the Emperor, and to you, my dear Celestia!"

I turned my head to see a couple approaching us with bright smiles, clearly overjoyed. So, these are supposed to be my parents? They seemed delighted as they enveloped me in a warm hug, and I returned the embrace, albeit awkwardly.

"We have more places to be, King Averson. We shall take our leave now," the Emperor said with his usual stern tone.

"Of course, of course! Let us not delay any further," my supposed father—Papa? Father?—agreed enthusiastically. Damn, what should I even call him? "Papa" feels too informal. "Father" feels foreign to me. I'm not used to this yet.

We were soon inside the royal carriage, just the two of us. I could feel the awkward tension between us, especially since he had been staring at me the entire time. We sat across from each other, and his gaze never left me. It was starting to get unnerving, "Do you have any food with you?" I blurted out, unable to contain my hunger any longer.

His brows furrowed at my question. "What do you think I am? Constantly hungry?" he responded, his voice laced with annoyance.

I gaped at him in disbelief. "Are you stupid or what? I'm the one who's hungry, not you," I snapped back, clearly irritated. His face darkened at my retort, his mood souring even more.

"It seems the rumors were true—you lack proper etiquette. And you even speak in such strange languages. What a waste," he muttered, running his fingers through his hair in frustration, as if I was some major problem in his life. Okay, I admit, I probably sounded like an idiot.

Instead of arguing back, I decided to look out the window, mesmerized by the beautiful landscape. I couldn't help but steal a glance at him while his eyes were closed, admiring how flawless his face was. He really was… perfect. I sighed. What the hell is wrong with me?

When we finally arrived at the Imperial Palace, I was crowned as the new Empress. The weight of my new title settled on my shoulders as I faced the overwhelming responsibilities that came with it. I wasn't sure if I could handle it, but I knew I had to try—no, I had to succeed. There was no other option.

Later that night, I found myself sitting in front of the mirror as Sarah brushed my hair. I was wearing a red silk nightgown that highlighted my pale complexion. Anxiety gnawed at me. This was my first night with the Emperor as his wife, and I couldn't help but feel nervous. It was infuriating how, as women, we were expected to wait for our husbands to come to us, as if we held no power over our own lives.

Minutes passed, and yet nothing happened. I began feeling drowsy from the long day, "Sarah!" I called out, and the door opened swiftly as she entered, head bowed low.

"Speak," I commanded, trying to mask my irritation.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has not left his office since earlier," she informed me.

I clenched my fists in frustration. Here I was, waiting like a fool, and he didn't even bother to show up. He could've just told me! I took a deep breath, my anger simmering beneath the surface. Isaac, your day will come. I swear to your arrogant self, I'll make you notice me.

I will show him what I'm capable of.