Calester looked down at the floor avoiding Alexis' accusing eyes. It was no surprise that Alexis will come running towards him after learning that he is now the future Empress' new marriage partner since initially they were arranged to be married.
"I did not agree to this, your Majesty! Your father has approved of our engagement."
Calester became alerted and started to look around, scanning the area to observe who was listening and watching.
'It's not safe to talk here,' he told himself. He grabbed her hands carefully and pulled to hide her behind his back.
"Your Majesty, I think it's wiser to talk inside your chamber."
Calester looked at Roy as he nodded in agreement. This might become a huge misunderstanding if Emerald had found out about the mere fact that Alexis was here. Immediately, his reaction was to look for Leo.
"Where is he?"
He could feel eyes watching them from afar. Calester sighed, wishing for Leo to return quickly.
For a moment, both parties did not say anything. Calester knew that Alexis is smart enough to understand their current situation.
A few minutes later, Leo arrived at his posts and Calester immediately called for him.
"Leo, come here."
Leo, who did not know what was going on, instinctively went to Calester. He instantly noticed the young maiden behind Calester but did not say anything. He thought it was unnecessary to butt in since Roy seems to be aware of it and it was none of his business whatever Calester was trying to hide.
"Don't let anyone come in until I say so."
Calester commanded. Sure enough, no question asked, Leo bowed, acknowledging Calester's order.
As soon as the command was given, Calester opened the door to his chamber and asked Alexis to come in. Without any exchanges between the two, both of them proceeded inside the room and locked the door behind them.
Although he did not say anything, Leo could not help but bite his lips, refraining himself to say anything insensitive. Leo watched from a distance as the maids that Alexis brought with her waited as well.
***
As soon as the door closed behind her, Alexis burst into anger. She could not hide her disappointment and her resentment towards the whole situation. There was no other person to blame, but the Emperor.
'No, That woman wanted this to happen!' She thought, directing the blame towards Emerald, the person who she had never met.
"What a selfish, Bitch!" She grinded her teeth as she spoke harsh words to Emerald. She tried calming herself without looking at Calester. But, the frustration was too difficult to contain. She felt hopeless at that moment and that the only thing she could do was be mad at the person who has taken Calester away.
"Alexis, This is not her fault."
Calester sighed. Things were complicated already as it is and he didn't want his affairs to be added into the mix.
"She's a selfish Bitch to agree to marry you. She's already betrothed to the First Prince. Can she just wait for him?! Did you want an unfaithful Empress?? "
Alexis finally turned around to look at Calester. She had a glimpse of his hardened expression. It was a sign that he has gotten more serious. There was a moment of silence and the only sound in the room was their breathing. Finally, Calester broke the silence.
"....I asked her to marry me, Alexis."
"!"
Alexis' eyes widened from his unexpected response. Her knees become weak by hearing his admission. What the hell is he talking about? There was no way that the Calester she knew would do something like that.
"It is because you wanted to be Emperor?"
"No, Lady Felon. My brother, to me, is the Emperor."
"Then, why are you marrying her??"
"Because the Emperor is dying... there is no reassurance of tomorrow. The Imperial household always has to be prepared"
Alexis' brows wrinkled in anxiousness. She felt speechless from the news of the reality. Is this really how she would lose her position as Calester's marriage partner? All she could ever be, at best, was become his government. But, there was no honor that title could bring to her family. Being a concubine was like being a substitute wife. Alexis shook her head.
"Then, what happened to our engagement?"
"I had compensated your Father and apologized for it."
"Does my father know about what happened to the Emperor? I assume you told him already as this should only be the valid excuse to cancel our engagement."
Calester nodded, gesturing that it has been resolved and handled properly by the Imperial household.
Alexis could not believe what she was hearing, it felt like mockery to her pride and joy as she stood there unable to receive any word of comfort.
"Tell me you're lying.. Please."
Alexis begged. Her grip tightened as she held back her tears. 'You must be kidding me', she thought. There was no way that it was the truth as her heart could not accept it.
"I didn't lie."
Calester responded in solemn voice. There was no point in lying when for him it also felt like a dream. Just like her, he could not grip into the reality of what was unfolding.
Flashbacks started running through Alexis' mind.
She recalled the first time she met him and the nerve-wracking feeling that she felt when he asked her to dance with him. She remembered how hard her chest was pounding as she was so frantic on what to do at that moment.
[Who are you?]
He asked. His voice was low and quite attractive. The man in front of her seems to be from a high ranking noble family. But, she could not pin-point who he is exactly.
[Alexis, House of Marquis Felon]
It was love at first sight. Before learning Calester was the second Prince, Alexis had already built attraction towards the young man. It was her first social gathering, held in the Palace as the Emperor invited young nobles from each household to participate in the coming of age ceremony that is held every year.
As soon as she introduced herself, Calester took Alexis' hands and started dancing with her. It was so sudden that she lost her composure for a second. She did not understand what was going on, but she was enjoying every second of it.
The few moments that she had spent with him felt very special that she could not forget. Those few minutes of them dancing in the center of the room kept replaying in her mind, which led to her learning that he was the second Prince.
[His Majesty wanted to meet you, make sure to dress pretty today. I'll make sure the Prince will like you, my daughter!]
Emperor Callen had ordered the Marquis Felon to bring her daughter to officially meet the Second Prince as his potential marriage partner. As soon as Alexis learned of this, she did not hesitate to meet the second Prince.
Alexis felt she was under a spell that she could not get out of. Her infatuation was too strong for her to fight against. She thought she would naturally grow out of it. But. the more she realized how strong she fell for Calester, the more it was visible to her who was in his heart.
[Let's be friends.]
After meeting again, that was the only thing Calester said and paid no attention to her.
***
"You're a cruel man"
Calester looked away, taking all harsh words that Alexis threw at him without saying anything.
"You're Majesty... You may have to marry the Empress, But I cannot accept it as I am your betrothed. I'm going to claim the Empress' seat as your government."