Crown Princess of the Northern Empire Ezra, Lila Elara Forbes Montgrave.
Her beauty is beyond words, with ruby-pink eyes and long blonde hair that falls like a golden thread around her waist. Lila Elara Forbes Montgrave of the Southern Empire Azro captivated the playboy Crown Prince, Axel Carlisle of Ezra.
"Captivated? What's with the tabloid, Raul?" Axel asked.
"The Empress ensured that the word spread throughout the empire," Raul remarked gently.
Axel tapped his fingers and muttered, "What? That was unnecessary."
Axel was waiting for Lila for her Coronation Ceremony fitting.
After a while, the gorgeous curtains revealed Lila, dressed in silk white satin with hints of crimson laces and gold accessories. Her bare back drew Axel in, and he couldn't keep his gaze away from it.
"Snap out of it," Axel mumbled to himself.
"In our marriage, neither I nor you made any decisions. This whole thing was according to His Majesty's wish." Lila calmly said.
The servant announced, "Your Royal Highness, the Second Prince, Theo of the Northern Empire, Ezra has arrived."
Axel said nonchalantly, "Let him in."
The younger brother of Axel, the Second Prince, Theo of Northern Empire Ezra, is infamous for being naughty, a rebel, a mama's boy, and far more of a player than his older brother.
With a playful expression, "My favorite brother!" Theo reached out to embrace his sibling.
The rivalry between two brothers. Axel Carlisle of Ezra was the first prince and the son of Vivian, the first Empress. Vivian passed away due to childbirth. Just a few seconds after Axel emerged, Theo was born to the Emperor's mistress, Lamaine, the current Empress.
Theo playfully extended his hand to shake Lila's, saying, "The one who captured the heart of the infamous womanizer in the empire. My sister in law. Nice to meet you."
Lila shook hands politely with Theo. He then grabbed Lila's hand and kissed it gently.
"If you're finished, you can leave," Axel remarked.
"Your Royal Highness, the Coronation Ceremony is about to begin." Raul informed Axel.
"Let's get going," Axel replied, grasping Lila's hand and leading her outside with him.
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In the vivid early winter, Lila Elara Forbes Montgrave of the Southern Empire Azro became the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire, Ezra, received her ceremonial coronation.
Among the crowds in the massive Palace Hall, the Royal Family marched in as the epitome of the ideal image of a powerful figure.
The Second Prince, Theo, was the first one to march. Unlike his older brother, Theo, with his strong build, had a more fun youth-like expression. His black hair and red eyes represented Ezra's royal family features. He walked boldly, aware that his rank was low in terms of authority.
The second one was Axel, with his jet black hair and red eyes. His towering height and powerful build made him indeed the Heartbreak Prince.
Emperor Atticus was the last to march, accompanied by the Empress, Lamaine. His imposing stature never failed to terrify Lila.
Lila's father, Noah and mother, Agatha were already standing alongside Axel.
The Emperor eventually took his seat on the throne.
The Emperor declared, "Let the ceremony begin."
"Lila Elara Forbes Montgrave, of the Southern Empire Azro, has arrived."
"In the name of God of Balance and Peace, Harmonica, may you show our future Empress the balance of forgiveness and retribution, as well as the harmony of all our people. May the Empire grow under the blessings of the God Son of War, Atticus of Ezra, the Emperor of the Northern Empire."
The Archbishop, sent directly by the Saint, presided over the coronation and offered prayers.
Lila's status as the Future Empress continued to be contested, and those looking to take advantage of her for personal benefit were waiting impatiently for their opportunity.
As she looked at her father and mother.
'I refuse to let what happened in my first life happen again. My beloved parents, even a sword cannot harm your precious skin.'
"I, Lila Elara of Montgrave, solemnly swear to serve His Majesty and the Northern Empire, Ezra," she said as she kneeled down at the Emperor.
"With this sword, I bestow upon you the title of the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire, Ezra!" the Emperor calmly said.
"Long Live the Crown Princess of the Northern Empire!"
"Long Live our Princess!"
The Crown Prince extended his hand. Lila was hesitant. However, he instantly took her hand and placed it on his arm.
Following an hour of greeting and chatting with numerous people, the Emperor extended an invitation to Lila's family and her for a private meal, leaving the people of the Northern Empire, Ezra, in joyous revelry.
The huge dinner table and the fancy cookware were all decked out with lavish embellishments.
Lila's father, Noah said in a courteous tone, "Greetings to the God Son of War, Atticus of Ezra's Northern Empire."
As the Emperor motioned for Noah to sit, Emperor Atticus said, "Noah Montgrave of the Southern Empire, Azro. I am pleased to meet you again after so many years."
Lila's mother sat beautifully next to her.
'Mother, you can trust me on this.' Lila uttered under her breath.
"I'll get straight to the point. Why would you give your only daughter to Ezra of the Northern Empire, your beloved homeland's only rival? What is your motive, Grand Duke?" Emperor Atticus stated.
"This is a treaty—an agreement. I am convinced that the Emperor Ezra of the Northern Empire will never violate our agreement, isn't that true, Your Majesty?" Noah replied.
Lila's pulse rate increased along with the tension.
"You appear to be impartial. Grand Duke, you can still consider my offer," Emperor Atticus said with a sly smile.
The atmosphere didn't dissipate quickly, as was to be expected, but the Emperor of Ezra took a major step and gave his beloved son the order to wed Lila, the noblewoman of the opposing empire.
Ultimately, Axel had to shoulder the cost of the protracted conflict between the two empires.
Observing Axel, Lila noticed he repeatedly pressed his cufflink. A hint that he was fatigued and didn't want anything from the conversation.
"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Mateo of the Southern Empire, Azro, has arrived."
'Mateo? What brings him here?' Lila questioned inside her head.
Lila's brain was spinning at the mere mention of his name, and she could feel cold shivers rising up her back. 'That scoundrel, how dare he show up here?'
"Now, this is interesting," Axel said while staring at Lila, grinning like a devil.
"Let him in," Emperor Atticus exclaimed.
The door opened, revealing the ghost of a man who haunted Lila. Those deep blue ocean eyes, that shining blonde hair, and a family crest featuring a lion with a crown. Mateo, the Crown Prince of the Southern Empire, Azro, entered, walked towards her, and stared at every aspect of her.
"I, Mateo of Azro, the Son of the Blinding Sun of the Southern Empire, greet His Majesty, the God Son of War, Emperor Atticus of the Northern Empire."
'Why is he here?' Lila dreadfully pondered.