Chapter 17: (Double update)
Allen knocked on the door before rolling in a cart and pouring tea for us. I picked up my cup, swirling it as the sweet aroma hit my nose. Taking a sip, I felt my pained muscles slightly loosen by the heat that spread through my body. I looked past the rim of the teacup to lock eyes with Zachary who had been adding a little more sugar to his tea.
'A sweet tooth, huh…' I thought to myself. Who would have ever thought the crown prince of the empire had a sweet tooth, it did not suit his image.
Drinking in silence, I put the teacup down, clearing my throat, "There must be a reason his highness had sought me out," I brought up catching his attention.
"Can I not request having a cup of tea with you over a comforting atmosphere?"
Comforting? Was the man that hard-skinned that he did not feel the discomfort and awkward silence that had fallen over us?
"If it were any other man, I would believe so, but it was his highness,"
"You wound me,"
"I dare not to,"
Zachary chuckled. "Well, it seems you've figured me out, the reason I called you was to inform you that the wedding will be happening in a week's time," he said as my eyes widened.
A week? That was too sudden and too short a notice, in all the years of the empire, there had never been an emperor that married in such a haste as he was.
"Do you not think a week is too sudden, your highness?" I questioned.
"Not really, the faster we marry the better,"
"What about the preparations? The bridal lessons? All the formalities?" I asked in haste.
"Did I not say all you needed to worry about is be my wife? Everything will be taken care of; you will lack nothing like the Crown princesses before you. Worry not,"
But it made no sense. I was lacking, I knew that... even he knew that, but bringing me in, in this lacking state, was blasphemous. What was his highness thinking?
"also," he began, "I perceive you've received my warning?" he asked.
"Yes, your highness, but pardon me for asking, is there something I am going to see that you made such a request? Is it in that prohibited wing?"
His face showed nothing as his eyes simply turned cold. I could read into hi nor his thoughts, it was as though he was drawing a line. Was there some big imperial secret or royal decree that he was stashing away? I couldn't understand.
I simply let it pass as he did not answer me. A marriage of convenience based on hidden truths and ulterior motives, this was what this was, and though I benefitted, I couldn't help but feel dejected that this was what I was resorting to.
It seems I was still the young and naïve Winter I always was.
"Well then, is there anything that I need to be prepared for?" I asked steering away from what I had asked.
Zachary stood up and stood above me before grabbing my chin and pressing his lips onto mine, what started off as a soft kiss turned hot and passionate. In such a short time and everything that followed felt as though it was happening at such a fast speed that I didn't even have time to react. Once he had pulled back and returned to his place opposite me, it felt as though my entire body had been lit up by a match. I felt hot.
"For that," he said.
"Huh…?" I questioned; my mind blank.
"If there is anything you need to prepare for is my affection,"
'Affection…?' but we weren't in love, this whole thing was contractual, and we had agreed.
"There are eyes and ears everywhere, my dear Winter," he spoke, "what would people think if my wife was repulsed by my touch or uncomfortable with my kisses, though it seemed you had enjoyed it, looks as though we won't have a problem," he said making my face heat up as I felt myself fluster at his words.
"Your Majesty…!"
"Yes?" he replied unbothered,
I couldn't believe what had just happened as I picked my cup drinking the remaining tea in the cup. My heart thumped uncontrollably in my chest. This was my first… kiss! Once I had finished my tea I breathed in and out quietly, trying to calm myself down. This man was nothing but sly.
"Well, it seems I had taken up your resting time, the palace is nota s big as the emperors but it still quite big, and I am sure you are tired, you may retire," Zachary said, "Allen" he called out.
"Yes, your highness," he replied before turning to me, "I had already called your handmaidens, they should be waiting outside the door right this moment," Allen said as I nodded.
"Then I will excuse myself." I walked out closing the door behind me. Stepping out, I came into contact with 2 young girls, one seemed to be a little older than my current age and the other the same or younger.
"Your highness," they said as I nodded allowing them to guide me.
All this sudden adrenaline and passion was not good for my heart, and though I tried to keep myself composed it almost felt as though I was faltering and unable to keep my façade up. I couldn't believe he had taken my first kiss and he had done it in such a …such a lewd way. Thinking about it had my heart plummeting in my chest.
'Calm down heart…!'
How was I supposed to keep myself strong without wavering if he does something like that? This was not looking good and I needed to do something about it.
*
Once the door had shut, Zachary had put his cup down, his smile fading.
"She is quite the strange one, isn't she?" he asked.
Allen couldn't help but let a shiver run down his spine. He could not get used to his master's switch in character. In front of her highness, he was quite calm and smiled. Something Allen had witnessed for the first time he served them at the Banquet. But when she was out of sight, who he actually was, was a completely different person than the person he portrayed to her.
The dark aura like his midnight black hair that surrounded him, was enough to simply put one into fear. He sat in a cold-blooded glory, uncaring and uninterested. The man the entire empire knew him to be, that Zachary Alexis Sora Cassian, The heartless Prince of War.