The West Continent has two major empires. Elolerin and Kroniel. For the past hundred years, the two Empires grows significantly. Elolerin, is a prestigious Empire from the Northern Region of West Continent with advance knowledge about medicine and technology. Elolerin is also known for its contribution in finest jewelries and luxurious fabrics. Also, the Empire produces high quality of herbs that is used for treating various diseases.
Indeed, Elolerin is considered to be a prestigious Empire in this continent. The Royal Family of Elolerin is a perfect example of how prestige the lives here.
First, Emperor Francis Roselvelt Elolerin, became Emperor at an early age after his father, the former Emperor, was assassinated. Emperor Francis is a great ruler who won various diplomatic issues without having a war. He is loved by the commoners and was respected by the nobles. The Emperor has a daughter. The First Princess of Elolerin. Princess Rosalia Francesca Elolerin. His beloved daughter and the Empire's most beautiful lady.
When the princess was born, the Emperor declared a national holiday to celebrate the Royal Birth. He contributes two sacks of rice grains to the commoners and grants title to the loyal knights who serve the Royal Family. The princess has a splendid beauty. Round eyes that resembles deep ocean, scorching red hair and snowy white skin. The citizen proclaimed the infant princess as the Empire's most beautiful girl.
The whole Elolerin Empire is happy to have Princess Rosalia as their First Princess. Everyone treated the Princess with care and respect. The Emperor and the Empress loves the Princess dearly. They give to the First Princess the Crystal Palace, who is designed by a famous architect and the Empire's most beautiful Palace ever existed.
Recently, Princess Rosalia Francesca Elolerin, celebrated her fourteenth birthday at the Main Palace. During the Royal Banquet, Emperor Francis announced the First Princess' engagement to the Crown Prince of Kroniel Empire—
"Your highness, I just brought that newspaper!" Sasha complained as I crumpled the thin paper with my fisted hand.
"So?"
"W-Why did you ruin it?"
"I found the content annoying," I answered simply while glaring at the crumpled paper.
"But isn't it a great news about your engagement with the Crown Prince of Kroniel? One day, you'll be the Empress of a powerful Empire—"
I suppressed a heavy sigh. What's great being an Empress of a neighboring empire?
"Don't speak like that to the Princess, Sasha. Can't you see she isn't happy?" Layla scolded the high spirited Sasha.
I lean my back and stared blankly outside the window. The carriage is still moving for the passed two days and I'm having a mild headache because of the constant changing of transportation.
The girls, Layla and Sasha, are my lady in waitings at Elolerin. I ventured together with them after my father, the Emperor, announces my political marriage with Kroniel's Crown Prince. I can't still believe father allowed this ridiculous alliance. Our Elolerin Empire is a Prestigious Empire of this continent yet he is threatened by that cruel Emperor of Kroniel!?
Resting my chin at my palm, I silently watched the busy street of Kroniel's Capital City. There were childrens running along the street. I unintentionally made an eye contact with a commoner children. The girl's brown eyes sparkles when our eyes meet. I just smiled at her before breaking our eye contact.
According to rumors, Kroniel Empire dominated the entire Southern Region. Having more than twelve countries ruled by one Emperor. The supreme ruler of this land is infamous for being tyrant and bloodlust. Emperor Aurelian Frederick Del Phebus Kroniel. He is Kroniel's Empire great Emperor who conquer the Rebellion from southwestern and is the same person who ordered the execution of his brother to succeed the throne.
Thinking about the merciless Emperor gives me goosebumps. I wonder what kind of person is the Crown Prince. If he is the son of Emperor Aurelian, does he have the same violent personality?
"Princess, what do you think about Prince Atticus? Didn't you meet him during the Royal Banquet?" asked Sasha.
Atticus Felipe Del Phebus Kroniel, the Crown Prince of Kroniel Empire and Emperor Aurelian's first son. I only meet him once and my first impression about him is not good. How can I forget his cold ruby eyes? My, if I knew that he will going to be my fiancée, I shouldn't have dance with him during the Royal Banquet!
"Your highness?"
I shrugged, not giving much interest. "I don't like him but I also don't hate him. He's just odd to me. That's all."
"What do you mean he is odd? Many noble ladies talked how handsome is the Crown Prince. They even envied you for having such future husband!" Sasha is eager for me to understand her point.
Although the Crown Prince is a cold young man, Sasha has a point. He's handsome and he clearly potrayed a Kroniel's Crown Prince.
A hair that has the same color of gold, upturned ruby eyes with curled eyelashes and thick eyebrows, thin reddish lips and a body of Imperial Knight.
If the book I read is true, Prince Atticus Felipe Del Phebus Kroniel is seventeen years old and the youngest swordsman who won the Grand Tournament and also the youngest knight who is in frontline during the civil war.
Now I'm more terrified to marry him! What if he is like his father? If he is bloodthirsty, then will I die if I become a nuisance to him?
"P-PRINCESS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING—!"
No, don't stop me! I want to jump from this carriage and go back to Elolerin!
In the end, we arrived at the Main Palace. My head is sweating with bullets. I feel like a cold water was poured at my stomach and I'm about to throw up. This is not what I wanted. I badly wanna go home. To my palace, where my safety is guaranteed. But then will I'll be safe if I stay at my comfort zone?
"Her Highness the First Princess of Elolerin, Princess Rosalia Francesca Elolerin," the baritone voice is followed by trumpets.
If father sent me here, he must have a heavy reasons. In the past, he is powerful emperor who ruled Elolerin with peace. But when my mother dies, the former Empress, the power my father holds decreased drastically. Many people is after the throne. My father remarried to a Duke's Daughter. And the current Empress of Elolerin gave birth to a son. My younger brother and the crown prince of Elolerin. Kaleb Leandro Elolerin.
Because of Kaleb, I was dethroned from being the Crown Princess and I became the second line in succession for Elolerin Empire. Father, just what is in your mind? Do I have to be the Empress of Kroniel Empire? But why?
As I stepped outside, I was welcome with many, whom I believe, high ranking nobles. Their stares makes me anxious. I hid my trembling hand at the back of my dress. I maintain my blank face, ignoring my loud beating heart. Just one wrong move and everything will be in chaos. I don't want to bring shame to my family and to Elolerin. I, the First Princess, should do my duty. If I failed to do it... stepmother will be mad.
I roamed my eyes around and flashes a smile. They all lowered their head. Signifying a respect to a royalty like me.
A woman who is wearing a huge crown approach me with a friendly smile and said, "It is our very honor to welcome the First Princess of Elolerin. How are you, Princess Rosalia?"
I recalled her name. If I'm not mistaken, she's the Empress of Kroniel and the Crown Prince's mother. Empress Leila Aislen Del Phebus Kroniel.
I lowered my head to show respect. "I'm fine, Your Majesty. Though I feel slight headache going here in Kroniel. But I'm happy to be finally be here!"
"If that's the case, welcome to Kroniel Empire!"
Another person approached me. This time, an icy sensation run through my veins facing the infamous bloodlust Emperor of Kroniel. The Emperor is probably a decade older to my father. He has long blond hair and piercing ruby eyes. His right cheeks had a scar which makes him more intimidating.
"G-Greetings to the brightest Sun of Kroniel, Y-Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor Aurelian!" I greeted politely. Lowering my head and slightly bending my knees while holding my dress.
Fuck. I hope the Emperor didn't notice my discomfort.
"Raise your head, Princess Rosalia." He commanded and I immediately fixed my poise. "I assume you had a slight frazzled during your destination going here in Kroniel. As much as I want to talk with you, I suggest that you'd be rest to your chambers."
"T-Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor give me small smile. He then turned his back and leave. I admit I got relief when the Emperor did not hold me any longer. It was very terrifying to be around with him. Maybe because I feel inferior to him. But I think the rumors are somehow exaggerated. The Emperor has a good side. Or maybe I thought.
"W-Wait, My Queen! The Emperor said that the Princess must rest—"
I cranned my neck when I notice a commotion. Another member of the Royal Family is surrounded by two middle age woman. This time, I heard murmurs coming from the nobles who is also here.
"Why is the Queen is here? Didn't she knew that it was the Empress duty to welcome the future Crown Princess?"
The woman they were gossiping about is the Emperor's Second wife and the Queen consort. Casandra Janet Del Phebus Kroniel. It was rumored that she is the Emperor's first love but she couldn't marry him first because of her status. Queen Casandra is from a fallen noble family. She's the Second Prince and First Princess mother. But she has no authority over Kroniel Empire.
Queen Casandra stopped infront of me and smiled brightly. "You must be the First Princess of Elolerin. Princess Rosalia Francesca Elolerin. It is my honor to finally meet you. My name is Casandra Janet Del Phebus Kroniel. You can call me, Cassy, if you want."
Unlike the Emperor and the Empress of Kroniel, the Queen Consort has a warm personality. Her presence is somehow ease the pressure I felt since the first time I arrived her. The Queen is a good person.
"Thank you, Your Highness. But can I call you My Queen instead? In exchange I permits you to call me by my nickname."
She smiled more widely. "What is your nickname?" she asked excitedly.
Looking at her, I remembered my deceased mother. They share the same high-spirited personality. I understand why she is the Emperor's first love. Her warmth is a good match for a cold blooded Emperor.
"Only my mother and father called me Lia. Everyone else seems forbidden to utter my nickname," I said with a hint of melancholy. "But when my mother dies, no one called me Lia again."
"...Lia then." The Queen said.
I smiled faintly.
"My Queen, we should leave now." The lady in waiting suggested.
Queen Casandra suddenly held my hand. My eyes widen in shock. But she smiled warmly. "Let's have tea party in the future, Princess."
When the Queen left, her two lady in waiting bowed their head to me before following her. I noticed some nobles showed their displeased to the Queen openly. Even if Queen Casandra is a good person, her reputation to the High Society is tarnished. Being the Emperor's second wife while the Empress from a poweful family is still alive, is a big disgrace. But then, the Queen is the Emperor's first love. Isn't she the victim here?
"You shouldn't get closet to her, Your Highness." The Empress approached me after the Queen left.
I flinched inwardly. "Y-Your Imperial Majesty—"
Her grim face instantly vanished afterwards. "Shall I walk you to your chambers?"