Chapter 16
I felt my heart thump as we neared the palace. There was no time to be ready, there was only time to prepare myself mentally and physically for what was to come.
An illegitimate child becoming the bride for the crown prince was something unheard of and was certainly looked down upon. The most the nobles would expect was for me to live as a mistress or a concubine, but when I had heard that Zachary was going to take me as his empress, his only queen, it sounded preposterous even to me. Was this what he meant by loving and caring for me for the rest of our lives? Even I knew there was a small possibility to divorce an emperor once you had become his spouse, but was I truly prepared for it? Was I fit for the role?
I sighed as I could already feel the troubles that awaited me at my destination. Surviving from Anita was just one part to this twisted fate. I had attained this position by taking it away from someone else, and if I remembered clearly, the person that was supposed to marry his highness the crown prince was a high-ranking noble's daughter. who it was exactly, I couldn't remember.
A dream so real that it felt as though I was simply living another life. Something so real that every event that followed after waking up was almost one and the same. Was playing with fate and destiny something I could continue to do without facing a consequence?
A knock echoed through the carriage bringing me out of my thoughts. I had been so engrossed in trying to remember and answer the questions that I had not realized the carriage had stopped and we had reached our destination.
"Your highness, we have arrived," someone called from outside.
I took a deep breath trying to regain my composure. This was it and there was no turning back. I pushed the door open as I took the hand of one of the knights that had accompanied me. I stepped out only to be greeted by the servants as Allen stood ahead waiting for me.
Walking towards him, he simply bowed with a small smile, but for some reason, there was a hint of hostility in his actions.
"Welcome your highness to his highness, the crown prince's palace, which is now your new home," he spoke.
I simply nodded at his words as he directed me into the palace, "I'll be showing you around the places his highness has said you are allowed to access frequently," he explained.
It turns out even though we were getting married we were still strangers in each other's eyes. He seemed to have a little doubt towards me even though he had selected me as his betrothed. What he thought behind the cold and cunning smiles he displayed, I could not fathom and all I could really do was hope that I had made the right decision in choosing him as my partner.
What Zachary is going to gain from marrying me, he never made clear once. What I knew was I simply had to support him, especially once he was crowned.
I followed closely behind Allen as he directed me from place to place. how was I going to remember it all? I didn't know. We walked form wing to wing of the palace.
"Your majesty, I must warn you as per his highnesses words," Allen spoke catching my attention which had been drowned throughout the entire tour.
"What is it?"
"What you come across in this palace should remain here and no word should come out, also, this wing is strictly prohibited. You are not allowed here at any cost," he said emphasizing how important his words were.
I simply nodded as we continued the tour. what started when it was still light out was slowly reaching sunset. My feet felt as though they were going to fall off from the amount of walking, I had done thus far if anything, the moment I was shown to my chambers I was going to pass out like a pig until dawn the next day. A servant came to Allen, as they exchanged words between each other. Allen nodded as he cleared his throat, and the servant made his way out of sight.
"His highness wishes to see you," Allen said.
"Right now?" I questioned.
"Yes,"
At this moment I wanted to sigh but knowing eyes were on me, I couldn't lose composure. I nodded as we headed to his office. Allen knocked on the door waiting for an answer before pushing the door open.
"I have brought her as per your request, your highness," Allen said.
I stepped in as Allen made way, there Zachary stood facing the poster window, his back towards me. I had never seen such a beautiful silhouette; how could a man look so beautiful whether he faced you or his back was toward you.
"Your highness, I bowed slightly,"
"Winter," he called out my name so tenderly as I felt a shiver down my spine. "Have a seat, I have something to discuss with you," he smiled insincerely as always.
I nodded as I took a seat in the wide office, my hands feeling sweaty from hos nervous I was to face him.
"Allen, bring in some tea," he said as Allen nodded making his way out.
The silence which washed over us felt like a thousand piercing knives. The atmosphere here was different from all the other meetings, it was as though what he was going to say was something I wouldn't or more could never ignore.
Zachary was a man I couldn't figure out and since I have no knowledge about him or anything about him, I couldn't help but feel somewhat cautious. The crown prince of the empire known as notorious and deadly but also the one who to be crowned emperor a year from now once the emperor falls sick. The prince you never get a glimpse of unless he wishes for you to see him. A man that only says what he wants you to hear and will never reveal more than you should now, is a man to be wary of.
The biggest mistake I could ever carry out was falling in love with this man because once I walk down that path, there is no escape.