I was stunned silent looking at his face. He wore a black suit, grey tie to match his shiny suit. His dark hair and obsidian eyes matches his thick brows and tall nose. And those lips..They're so thin yet supple I would like to have a taste of those. Wait, why did think of tasting his lips?! I felt my cheeks turn red.
"June, what's so interesting to look at the floor? Come on inside the car." The car which Maman Sylvie mentioned for me to board was a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that you often see in movies.
"Why do you have this car? Why is everything so outdated?"
" Oh ma Belle, There's a lot to learn about our world which you'll know along the way. Ale vite, get in now we need to go." I sat in the back passenger seat. It was awkward and my cheeks blush as I realized I sat next to such a handsome man. I've never seen anyone so handsome and poised meeting your so called fiancee for the first time. I looked out the window to distract myself from trying to remain calm. Trying to be composed is quite hard at these times. He's too much of a distraction for my eyes and my heart started to beat faster.
The trees and bushes was so lush that it is hard to believe I am no longer in New York where everything was buzzing and the people were bustling every day to get to work and their activities. It looked so serene and I could feel my heart turn calm from the chaotic beating. Or so I thought.
"June, there are some things about your parents and me that you need to know. But first things first, this gentleman here is as you've know is your fiance. He is the heir of the empire and a very successful businessman in your time. He is His Highness Raden Alexander the second prince in the empire."
Prince?! He's an actual living prince?! There's an actual prince like in fairytales sitting beside me. How is that even possible. Well technically it's not but it's really too much to process. My mind is so weak.
"What do you mean by 'my time'? You make it sound so ambiguous. Maman, Please."
"Sweety, you are from the Twenty First Century. You lived your life so secluded with your parents that you know nothing."
"Aunt, I can't have an idiot fiancee be a Crown Princess. She's going to be a laughing stock in the empire and bring such embarrassment to me."
"Al doesn't know anything. Give her time. She'll get through this."
"You guys are related?! You look nothing like her!"
" I'm his aunt from my husband's. So he is my husband's biological nephew. My husband is a mix of Asian and Netherlands descent so they look Asian and European. But this nephew here is more Asian looking for his facial features as his mother is also an Indonesian woman such as yourself."
"You're half Indonesian? That's surprising!" I was in awe that I felt as though I met a fellow comrade.
"Listen shorty, You want to live stick to the rules. And there is only one important rule for you to remember. Do Not. I repeat, DO NOT EMBARRASS ME."
"Alexander! You're scaring her!"
"Well, She better heed those words to her skull."
" Ah..June, He's not entirely wrong for saying that. The empire has many rules and as A Crown Prince he needs to keep his seat and whatever you do as his fiance reflects on him."
"Got it. This punch bag doesn't wanna get punched in the face."
"You.." Alexander winched at my sarcastic remark as I made a face at him.
" Stop. Both of you. You're no longer babies. Be civilized."
"Now This empire is no where near your time zone June. There's no plane flying here either. We can only fly here with a private jet. The entire empire's covered with magic and everything here stopped evolving into your time zone due to war. That doesn't neccessary mean we are outdated. We have all that you have in the Twenty First Century even more advanced even. We are in a different dimension but we can still go to your time anytime we want."
"That explains his cocky businessman behaviour."
"For your information, I have too much to handle that I'm only accepting this as it's a compulsory to have a Crown Princess."
"Wait, so are you a prince or are you a mafia?"
"Junny, during the war that broke out two hundred years ago. We the empire royalties fought against the Underworld mobsters. As as we win,we took over the continent rights to rule them as we have killed all the head figures of the mobs."
"Sire, My Lady we have arrived at the Winter Castle."
"Winter Castle? but its still Spring!"
"You silly child, This castle was build in Winter therefore hence its name Winter Castle. This is where you'll be staying from now."
"Stay out of my study room and the basement. Everyone is prohibited from entering without my permission."
"Sucks to be your roomie,mate!" As I came down from the car, A beautiful magneficent gigantic castle in blue came into view. I wonder how many acres of land is this place. It looked like it's made out of Crystals. The royals sure know how to live and spend their money.
I was assigned to stay on the second floor next to Maman's room. The room was as big as Clara and Johnny's penthouse with a floor to ceiling windows and a balcony to enjoy the sun. There is a walk-in closet with new clothes,bags,hats and shoes. A small walk-in closet was attached to it filled with Tiaras,Pearl necklaces, Pink Diamond rings, watches and all I could never afford to buy in my entire life was presented to me in this room. It was to be used by Crown Princesses and I will change them when I ascend as Empress of the Empire.
I need to get that iced prince to melt before that. I would not mind marrying a handsome dude loaded with cash and jewels. That's the dream of all girls in the world. The only problem would be his cocky royal pain in the ass attitude. I threw myself on the gigantic bed feeling the jet lag wash over. What the heck is wrong with that guy? All I every did was stare at him. I know its rude to stare,I can't help it when there's a handsome guy in front of you,right?
My thoughts didn't linger for long as I was getting sleepy and eventually fall into deep slumber.
...
Creak...tap..tap..tap..
"Who would have thought that you would be alive lil girl. You better adapt or death is your only way out of Hell."
"It will be hard if she knows the truth, Sire. She needs someone to guide until the Crowning ceremony starts. And a knight to stand guard by her side."
"Send her Shadow Owls. Make sure they're willing to obey it is an order. If they refuses come to me."
"Certainly,Sire."
....
I woke up feeling groggy and sore all over. I've never felt so much jetlagged such as this. At least, I'm in a better place and have people who keeps me company. The morning in the empire is very cloudy not much sunshine shining down on us. It was interesting to witness the gloom yet it was bright as sunrise though no sun was detected. Is it always this gloomy?
Knock, Knock, knock
"My Lady are you awake? I come bringing your breakfast and hot water to bathe."
"Come on in."
Trolleys filled with food was stack in three layers. It was full to the brim. I was dazed.
" Good morning My Lady. What would you like to have for appetizers? We brought many varieties of breakfast. We hope to know your preference for food and delicacies so as to get the chefs to prepare."
"Oh, you can just prepare a simple toast with sunnyside up and some smoked beef with hot chocolate or carrot juice. I don't eat bacon or pork."
"Is it not too little to eat My Lady? His Highness usually eats Smoked Ribs with tatters and toast. And some soup as appetizers and finishes with a bottle of wine."
" Wine for breakfast and a bottle of it? Is he alcoholic? It's enough for me. I can not eat too much for breakfast. My stomach might burst."
"Yes, would you like to take a bath? what essential oils would you prefer, we have rose,sandalwood, jasmine, lavender that's usually used by Her Highness The Empress and many more if you preferred another."
" I'll go with Jasmine. You may leave after the bath water is filled."
The maids left as I commanded. I feels good to have people listen to your needs and opinion. Unlike someone. Huh, why did I even think of that ungrateful spoiled brat so early in the morning. My sunny mood was instantly ruined. I took a quick dip and rinsed the remnants of bath oils and soaps.
It's not bad to live in luxury. I could definitely get used to this. The big bed where I could roll around, servants to serve me my meals and do the cleaning for me. Being rich is really an eye opener. But being dead rich living in magnificent castle such as this, I believe not even President of The United States get to live in such splendors and glory for the rest of their lives. Its totally a whole different level of being rich. Ultra dominant is the best word to describe him. As he has lived with such luxury since birth it explains the cocky attitude,he has yet to experience the harsh life of being poor or just to get by the day.
Although Daddy was paid a lot for his job and has many work benefits, he has always told me and Mommy to live a simple life. Never be extravagant or flaunting one's wealth. Always keep a low profile, be friendly to everyone we meet,only then would one be able to see the struggles of those who are less fortunate than us. In regards to that, We always live on a budget every month. I feel so poor but it was the happiest time when we always have dinner together. Daddy tries his best to return home for dinner. Unless he has business out of town. And I did part time jobs at bookstores so as I could have an extra cash for my own shopping spree.
I came down after breakfast with an outdoor clothing. Not that I'm going horse riding or hiking and such. Apparently there's a difference between clothes you wear to sleep, to wear indoors, and clothes when you're meeting a guest at home and clothes when you're going out. It was frustrating to constantly change clothes. It was very inconvenient.
I was scheduled to tour the Castle grounds in the afternoon and I needed to meet The Emperor and Empress of The Empire after breakfast with Maman Sylvie and Ultra dominant. Yep, Let's just call him that.
I wore a long A Line floral dress with matching diamond necklace and earrings. They were already waiting for me at the living room. Everything here is vintage. From its sophisticated design of clothes, decorative accessories in the castle and cars.
"June, let me tell you the history of this Empire. You would need to know them before meeting your potential in law." Maman Sylvie started telling the history of this land.
The main castle is located far from Winter Castle. We are currently in the outskirts of the empire called The Winterland, while heading to the main castle in the central area called Anom City which means Young City. The vast land was lush with greenery and flowers bloomed everywhere as far as the eye can see. The main castle is called Moon Castle. It was first founded by the great Lord of The Empire Roberto Moon. He was the son of The Grand Duke of the previous ruling monarch King James who was cursed by a beautiful witch to never have a day of peace in his soul. That curse led him to never being able to sleep when he was feeling fatigue which he needed to endure sleepless nights. He went on a rampage due to the curse. It was said that King James heard the screams of those he trampled on during his expedition to broaden the land. King James killed everyone who stood in his way,literally anything he sees would be slaughtered mercilessly. Until one day he killed his wife and children. It drove him to the brink of insanity and he tried to kill himself yet all attempts failed. The Grand Duke's son young Duke Roberto Moon is his nephew he search far and wide for a cure to this curse yet to no avail. Years and years they kept King James imprisoned in his quarters alone so as not to go on a rampage.
Ultra dominant is the second prince, borned of The Empress. He is the only child borned by The Empress. The first child was a princess borned out of wedlock which The Emperor then made the princess' mother the Side Consort so as to not embarrass the princess of her birth rights. Ultra dominant has a really long name. Seriously every royalty I know have an extremely long name and you just have to pronounce it right or its doomsday for you. They really need to chill. His actual name is His Royal Highness Majesty Raden Alexander Moon Starlight and he is a month younger than his step sister Her Grace Princess Sasmita Borbon.Such difference in name though they share the same Emperor father.
By law in The Empire, one should be born out of marriage where one's birth rights could be implemented such as inheritance and in the imperial family, if you're born out of wedlock then your rights to inherit the throne is immediately denied to all of your offspring thereafter. A woman could inherit the throne and be a ruling monarch but you need to be of a pure bloodline. Meaning that in regards to not being borned out of marriage, one's maternal and paternal backgrounds need to be of the imperial family bloodline. So Alexander's mother is a Royal child from one of Indonesia's ruling Royal family. The Emperor met the then young Empress while he was visiting Indonesia under the pretence of a foreign student exchange program. They were both studying International Law as Majors during their Universities study and took a Cultural Beliefs as second major.
He did not expect that the beautiful young lady was of royalty as they spend more time together after being assigned to partner in a political case study. He only found out of her identity when he was about to leave for his home country where she send him to the airport with a bunch of bodyguards. That was when they promised to be each other's sweethearts for life. The Empress' father His Royal Majesty The Sultan received a betrothal letter asking for his only daughter's hand in marriage yet it was from a kingdom which he has only ever heard of in fairytales.