"Remember, no matter what, you must not do anything to upset your husband," Sienna's mother had consistently reminded her in the days leading up to her wedding.
"I'm aware that numerous rumors are circulating about the man, but he is to be your husband. On your wedding night, you must be compliant with his wishes. You must not reveal any flaws and certainly don't act like a frightened kitten, trembling like that!"
Sienna had received instructions about the marital obligations expected on her wedding night. She understood the role of a wife – to follow her husband's lead and fulfill his desires.
Now, as she reclined in a bath, attended to by maids after the wedding ceremony in preparation for her first night with her husband, an unsettling sensation crept into the pit of her stomach.
She felt dread. She felt sick.
She wanted to run.
In a brief moment of respite, she closed her eyes, seeking refuge from the maelstrom of emotions. Yet, even in the sanctuary of her thoughts, her mother's voice reverberated, a constant reminder of her duty and the stakes at hand.
"You must not forget this, Lucienna. Should Lemiel find any displeasing trait of yours, it will not do us any good. This partnership must work and you must fulfill your job unless you want your clansmen to suffer."
Sienna swallowed hard. There was no escaping from this.
In recent years, their clan had enjoyed immense success in the field of business, and nobody dared to attack their lands, assuming that they possessed a witch endowed with the blessings of a goddess.
However, now that the world was aware of Sienna's loss of powers, other witch clans might perceive this as Azure's weakness.
The alliance with Amstel Fortress was meant to strengthen their defense and make their potential enemies think twice before considering any hostile actions.
So she couldn't jeopardize this marriage.
After her bath, she was dressed by her maidservants in a sleeveless dress, the fabric skimming her skin without the constraint of undergarments. The thought of entering her matrimonial room with such a kind of dress was enough to make her cheeks heat in embarrassment.
Her attire consisted of a silky dress that gracefully trailed down to the floor, featuring a delicate ribbon tied at the small of her waist, devoid of a tight bodice.
Small straps rested on her shoulders, while the neckline elegantly revealed her upper chest. The skirt flowed like a cascading stream of silk, gently brushing the floor as she moved. Her hair cascaded down her back, carrying with it a fragrant, floral scent that wafted through the air.
Their wedding had taken place within the grand confines of Roselei's castle, and the couple was to spend their wedding night there. Sienna was aware, however, that they would depart the next day, as a celebratory event was planned at Amstel Fortress within the Duke's castle.
Sienna's parents had gone to great lengths to ensure that every detail of the wedding preparations was flawless, leaving no room for the Von Amstels to find fault.
As she stepped into the matrimonial bedroom, a frigid sensation unfurled from the depths of her stomach, wrapping her in an unsettling chill.
The room was awash in the warm glow of candles, and the crimson rose petals were artfully strewn across the plush carpet. Adjacent to the bed, a small round table held several bottles of wine.
A maid had previously informed Sienna that Lemiel had yet to arrive in the room but would be joining her shortly. While this news provided a brief moment of relief, she knew that her relief would not last for long.
Standing by the window as she awaited her husband's arrival, Sienna's gaze was drawn to the vast expanse of the Azure clan's territory that lay before her. The realization that she had never explored these lands, never walked among their people, once again washed over her, evoking a sense of self-pity.
As her thoughts ran deep, her reverie was abruptly interrupted when the heavy wooden door swung open, its hinges groaning in protest.
Her heart leaped within her chest and she turned swiftly.
A shaft of warm, golden light spilled into the dimly lit room, outlining the figure of a man who had just entered. The play of shadows danced across the chamber as he moved forward.
It was Lemiel.
As she remained standing in that dark corner, she watched him with feline eyes, silent and observant, as he walked toward the table with wines.
He filled half a glass and took a deliberate sip. His gaze locked onto hers, leaving Sienna to wonder about the thoughts hidden behind his unreadable expression.
Lemiel remained standing near the table as he said,
"Starting tomorrow, you will be residing with me at the Amstel Fortress. Since you are no longer eligible to lead your clan, your parents expect us to produce offspring as soon as possible, as they hope to select an heir from our children. Your parents can be rather demanding, wouldn't you agree?"
His last words were laced with an eerie undertone, as if it somehow displeased him.
Sienna's blood ran cold. She had been expressly instructed not to displease Lemiel in any manner, but how could she appease him when her family's demands alone had already sown seeds of discontent?
She knew her parents considered the idea of picking an heir to the Azure clan from her children, but she was also aware of their concerns.
They were thinking that her children might inherit her deficiency, so they were also considering giving birth to another child. After all, her parents were not too advanced in years, and the physiology of witches differed from that of humans.
"I understand, though," Lemiel continued. "You were once the sole heir to the Azure clan, and now that you've been married into another land, you can no longer be your father's successor. It's a pity."
Sienna didn't say anything. She knew that Lemiel must be aware of the main reason why she was married off to another land. Her parents had informed the Duke beforehand of her flaw—that she had lost her powers to cast spells.
"But if I may ask, Princess Lucienna," he inquired as he glided toward her, his voice a deep, husky baritone that seemed to wrap around her.
When he stopped in front of her, she felt as though the air had been momentarily stolen from her lungs.
"Have you truly lost your powers, or..."
He paused, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.
"Did you never possess them from the beginning?"
Sienna's lips parted just a fraction, and in that brief moment, his lips twitched subtly, an expression that sent shivers down her back.
Mischievous. Dark. Discerning.
Sienna found it challenging to take in the intimidating man before her. Isolated throughout her life, even her interactions with the castle's maids had been fraught with aloofness, as if she were an untouchable deity. Perhaps that isolation explained her current difficulty in forming coherent sentences.
But when her mother's reminders came back to her, she realized she should not be standing there like a mute fool.
She had no choice but to stand by her family's lies.
"Milord, are you insinuating that I have deceived my clan and your family?"
Sienna managed to say the words straight without stammering, and she wanted to applaud herself for that.