"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." Mateo stated with grace.
Emperor Atticus gestured, "Please, have a seat."
Axel's gaze wandered playfully, as if he was observing a hunter and his prey.
Mateo took a seat across from Lila. Although his demeanor was pretentious, there was something deeply inviting about the way he was sitting.
Lila clenched her hands, piercing her nails into her delicate skin. She then took a deep breath. She soon occupied her attention with other things and had to forget about her previous life. Otherwise, she would be trapped in negativity.
In this lifetime, Mateo didn't have the chance to see his former Crown Princess, Lila. When Mateo received the letter, he was delighted knowing that he wouldn't have to be tied to a single woman. As the playboy he is, he doesn't want marriage.
The stuck up boring princess, one of the many names that Lila received. Though she excels at many things, she's deemed as the good innocent girl. It's no fun.
But now that Mateo has seen Lila, it seems as though he wants to break this glorified, naïve beautiful woman, devour her, and claim her as his own. His sole possession.
"Aren't you tired, Crown Prince?" Emperor Atticus asked.
"Well, I did travel for a long time. However, seeing the Northern Empire, this place is really remarkable." Mateo said as he sipped from his wine.
"What brings you here?" Axel asked.
Mateo hesitated for a while, turning his head to stare at Lila.
"It seems that I forgot to take what was mine." Mateo smiled then turned his gaze away from Lila to stare at Axel.
"Could I ask a question? What did you forget, exactly?" Axel inquired.
"Montgrave." Mateo spoke with certainty.
"Lila–" Mateo sang her name in a melodic tone.
Lila was unable to respond for a little moment.
"Lila's father, of course. The Northern Empire appears to be capturing my well-known knight." Mateo jokingly stated, but his gaze remained on Lila.
Lila clenched her teeth, hard. It was a desperate attempt to not cry. In the end, she couldn't face the man from her dreadful nightmares.
Without realizing Lila's hatred, Mateo's gaze went slowly across Lila's clean eyebrows, long lashes, and her beautiful nose.
Thunder!
Heavy rain poured all over the palace, making it impossible for Mateo to travel back.
"Why won't you stay here for a while, Crown Prince?" Empress Lamaine stated.
"I am extremely grateful for your kind greeting, Empress. I'm here to congratulate my people, as I spoke earlier. Lila, my former partner." Mateo said while wrapping his finger over the wine glass.
"I am incredibly grateful to Lilia; isn't she remarkable? Leaving her nation to carry out her duty, to have this treaty and this peace. Aren't you exceptional, Lila?" Mateo muttered.
"Am I remarkable? I just went with my feelings, though. I believe that if I married a man that I do not love, I would die." Lila spoke boldly.
"Aren't you doing that right now?" Mateo asked.
Lila laughed.
"As you can see, Your Royal Highness, I am still alive and well, and I accepted this engagement because I like the Northern Empire's Crown Prince."
Tension rose, and the silence became too loud. Lila confirmed that she would rather marry Axel than Mateo. No one dared to reject Mateo. No one.
"Won't you stay here until the Festival? It's only two weeks from now." Emperor Atticus spoke lightly.
Mateo stayed just for a single purpose. Axel, the man his father, Emperor Leon, has been raving about. Mateo and Axel are constantly being compared.
Prince Axel Carlisle of Ezra, the Northern Empire's Crown Prince, adored by every citizen of the empire, was not only a prince, but also a guardian, a war strategist, a prodigy, and had a talent that Mateo will never have.
Mateo, despite his large stature, was born unwell and has always been the weakest. Mateo's skills were not obtained only through talent, it was all hard work. As a result of his frustration, he believed that someone with merely talent might defeat him. His pride could not bear it.
"I would be grateful, Your Majesty." Mateo said.
It is still raining heavily.
"Are you alright?" Lila's mother, Agatha, asked.
"Yes, Mother." Lila spoke.
"You haven't consumed a single thing. I have already sliced this into smaller pieces for you. You need to eat." Agatha murmured.
"Ah—I forgot, I also have another company. Your Majesty, if you don't mind, she's actually running late. I am worried." Though he claimed to be concerned, Mateo stated in a casual manner. His calm demeanor contradicts any other impression. That lovely, angelic face is devoid of any trace of concern.
"Your Majesty, Heather Angelina of Vondale, the Southern Empire Azro's Crown Princess have arrived." The door's attendant made an announcement.
"Heather?" Axel questioned in his head.
"Let her in!" Emperor Atticus said.
As the door opened, she appeared like a stunning flower that should never be harmed. Her hair was elegantly swept up, her eyebrows are pristine, and her skin is shining so bright.
[I took one look at the new Crown Princess. Standing proud, her beautiful long brown hair, her golden eyes that shine brightly like the sun. Her perfect face, how can I hate such a beautiful creature?]
Lila recalled that Heather was the new Crown Princess in her first life and also in this life.
Axel and Theo sprang out of their seats and gave each other a skeptical look.
"I, Heather Angelina of Vondale, the Southern Empire Azro Crown Princess, give greetings to Your Majesty, Emperor Atticus, the God Son of War." Heather stated with grace.
The Emperor gestured for Heather to take a seat.
"It's good to see you again, Crown Prince Axel. It's been a while-–" Heather stated while staring at Axel.
"and Theo, the second prince."
"Do you know them?" Mateo asked.
"Oh no, not really." Heather replied with a smile.
Theo chuckled, banged the table, and abruptly exited the room.
Axel sprang up from his seat, grabbed Lila's small wrist, and said, "We'd be leaving for a while, she's been feeling unwell since morning."
Axel cupped Lila's cheeks, "You haven't eaten a single food here."
"My apologies to the esteemed guests, but we will be leaving first. I have to take care of my fiancée—" Axel said as they walked away.
"And, I also lost my appetite." Axel said while staring intently at Heather.
"Why is she here?" Axel pondered in the back of his mind.