Chapter 1: Provoke

Azalea's POV

"Is there any news?" I asked my lady-in-waiting, focusing on my work. Although I wasn't looking at her, I knew she was sad and angry at the same time. The same expression she's been wearing for a long time.

"Nothing, Your Majesty. There's no news from the king yet," she replied shortly. I've been hearing the same words all the time. I nodded and sighed.

It's been almost a year since he left. All his responsibilities have fallen on me. I'm awake from morning until night, working on the responsibilities he left behind.

His last message was six months ago. He never even bothered to tell me what was going on. I have many questions I want to ask him, but I choose to remain silent. It's not that I don't care, it is because throwing tantrums won't change anything. And besides, I need to do my duties as the queen of Celestria.

I should feel angry, but I don't. Maybe I'm used to this situation. That my husband doesn't care about me. I've been living in this hell for seven long years.

We grew up together, and I became his fiancée at the age of five. I wasn't expecting anything from him because our relationship was just an arranged marriage to strengthen the power of the royal family and also mine.

Seven years of loveless marriage. He never touched me, not even once. Maybe I was grateful that he didn't dare to lay his finger on me. I don't want to give in myself to someone who doesn't even love me.

But the officials of this kingdom are always telling us to have an heir. But the two of us always ignore their suggestion. I guess we don't like each other that much to neglect the marital duties on the first night of marriage.

"Are you okay, Your Majesty?" I was being pulled back into reality when I heard Sheila, my most trusted maid, asked me. She's been my aide since we were still young. She's the daughter of the head maid of our mansion. She's quite loyal and responsible.

I nodded and organized the documents on my desk. I leaned back against my swivel chair and let out a sigh.

"I'm fine. Could you get me some tea?" I calmly asked her. She quickly nodded and excused herself to get it. Once she was out of my sight, I closed my eyes.

Josiah Bracken, what the hell are you doing this time? Why haven't you come back yet? Does he hate me so much that he doesn't want to return?

I composed myself and looked straight at the door when suddenly someone entered. I saw Sheila hurrying towards me.

"Your Majesty! His Majesty has returned!" she said loudly. Oh, really? I could see the shock on her face. It is indeed shocking to know that Josiah had come back. Very well, then. It looks like his vacation is over.

"But..." she said, making me raise my eyebrows. But what? She tightly pressed her lips together and looked down. She's biting her lips now. I know something is wrong whenever she does that.

"Tell me, Sheila. What did you see?" I asked seriously. She looked at me again but shook her head. "I think it would be better if you see it for yourself, Your Majesty," she said, seemingly afraid to say something.

I have a bad feeling about this. I stood up from my chair and started to walk. "Lead the way then," I said coldly. You better not do something stupid, Josiah.

As we got closer to where he was, I could feel that something was definitely wrong. Everyone who saw us walking in the hallway looked away as if they were hiding something and were afraid for me to find out.

"I heard from some of the maids that His Majesty actually returned yesterday," Sheila said to me quietly. What? And no one ever reported that to me? Are they taking me for a fool?

"What else?" I asked. "I'm afraid I can't disclose it, Your Majesty. You've been exhausting yourself since His Majesty left—" I stopped walking and looked at her.

"You knew he arrived yesterday but did not tell me," I said seriously. Her eyes widened as she immediately knelt before me. "I thought it was just a rumor. But when I saw His Majesty with my own eyes, I realized it was true. So pardon me, my queen," she quickly apologized.

I see. You won't believe something your eyes did not see. "Stand up," I said casually, watching her stand while still apologizing. She's been working for me for a long time; I can't lose someone like her by my side.

"Thank you, My Queen. I'll lead you to His Majesty's office," she said. We continued walking until we arrived in front of his office.

In front of his office, there were two guards on duty. They immediately bowed when they saw me approaching. "Your Majesty!" they greeted politely.

I stared at them. What are they waiting for? Why haven't they opened the door yet? The two guards glanced at each other. "P-pardon Your Majesty, but the king ordered us that no one is allowed to enter—"

"Are you blind or just plain stupid? She's the queen! Let her in!" Sheila angrily yelled. I raised my hand to stop her.

"Calm down," I hushed her. I looked seriously at the two guards. "So he really has returned. I'll only say this once, so listen carefully. I will behead anyone who stands in my way," I icily warned.

Their faces turned pale. They immediately kneeled on the ground. "Forgive us, Your Majesty. But we are merely following His Majesty's order." I know. I'm not stupid. Josiah probably don't want me to know his little secret.

"Just open the door. I'll deal with him," I said calmly. They stood up to open the door. I pressed my lips tightly when the door opened. "Wait for me here. I'll just have words with him," I said to Sheila. She nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

I nodded curtly and entered the room. But I hadn't gone far when I met Josiah's hostile gaze. Not just that, I was stunned to see him with someone else. Oh...

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he yelled angrily. What is he angry about? Am I not allowed here? I collected myself and sighed. Alright, I did not expect him to do this.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that, Josiah?" I asked him calmly. He was slightly taken aback. When he saw the expression on my face, he laughed. What's funny? I see nothing funny here.

Has he gone crazy? He chuckled, "I see. You're still the same woman I know," he said, grinning widely. The woman he knows? How could he possibly say that? We're not close.

He lay back on the bed. He's half-naked with an unknown woman. The girl is looking at me innocently. He left for almost a year and returned with another woman. I'm not expecting anything from him, but I did not expect him to be this low.

"Still cold, Azalea," he murmured. I see. Even he hasn't changed. Still irresponsible. I can't believe he became the king. I guess he was just lucky to be the only child of the former king.

His father and mother wouldn't be happy to see him behaving like this. Oh well, I'm not even amused. I looked at him seriously, "Pull yourself together, Josiah. Stop playing around. Send that girl back to her home. You need to continue the responsibilities you left behind," I said coldly.

He raised an eyebrow, "Send back whom?" he asked. What? Don't tell me...

"She's not leaving, Azalea. This is Trisha, the woman I love," he said. I stared at him in disbelief. I'm... I'm speechless. He even has the nerve to introduce his mistress to me.

"And starting today, she will stay here. We both know we don't love each other, Azalea. So... give way for us. Surely, you will allow that to happen, right?" he said.

I pressed my lips tightly. Does he have any idea how absurd he sounds? Give way for them. I'm still married to him. He's the king of Celestria, and yet he dares to do this.

Infidelity and betrayal. He has even neglected his duties as king. Is this how he will repay me for all the sacrifices I have made? He will be humiliated, the same as me.

He will disgrace the entire royal family. I stood straight, "No. I won't allow that. You better send her back, or I will," I warned him.

His grinning face suddenly turned serious. "You don't have the right to do that. I'm the king—"

"And what do you think I am, Josiah? I'm the queen. I ran this kingdom when you chose to leave and play around. You take your responsibility as a joke. So... it's a no, I won't allow you to do that," I said firmly.

He walked closer to me and tightly grabbed my hand. "Whether you allow it or not, Azalea, Trisha will stay here with me. Be the good and perfect queen, as they always say. Allow me to be happy," he said and harshly let go of my hand.

I stared at him and laughed sarcastically. Perfect queen, he says? How dare he bring that up. Perfect people won't tolerate infidelity.

Very well, then. Why am I even talking to him if he has already made up his mind? "Okay. I'll agree to what you want to happen. But on one condition," I said seriously. He raised an eyebrow at me.

I smirked and looked at his mistress, who couldn't even look at me now. How naive... or is she just pretending? I looked away and then looked back at Josiah.

"I will agree to let you be happy. That is if..."

"If what?" he impatiently questioned. The smirk on my lips widened. "Divorce me," I answered. I've wanted to tell him that for a long time.

"That's the only way for you to be happy, Josiah. Divorce me and make her your queen since you love her as you said," I added. He couldn't hide his shock as he looked at me.

I've been longing for my freedom since the day I was engaged to him. From the first time I saw him, I disliked him. He's handsome but not really my type.

I see him as a child who is always throwing tantrums. He's a spoiled brat who always gets what he wants. He has never been responsible.

Even when he became king, he relied on everyone around him to do his work.

I don't want to give up the throne and abandon my people. But I want to end this badly. Just like him, I want to feel true happiness.

His face darkened, "No. I won't allow that. You can't abandon your responsibility as the queen of Celestria." Really?

"But you can, Josiah? You left for almost a year. Don't give me that answer," I said, gritting my teeth in annoyance.

"It's a no, Azalea. You'll be the queen forever," he said, turning his back on me. What? "You said you want me to give way to you and to your lover. Just divorce me, and everything will be over between us!"

He stopped walking and looked back, "It is still a no. Ask anything but that." He can't do this.

"Are you saying you'll make the woman you love as your mistress for life?" I saw Trisha look at me.

I know she won't agree to that. She'll be treated as the home wrecker of the royal family. Such a lot of humiliation ahead for her.

"No. That won't happen," he said, shaking his head. "I won't take a no as an answer. If you don't want to divorce me, let the girl go," I said seriously.

He shut his eyes tightly. "Damn it, Azalea! We can't divorce each other. The people won't allow—" I raised an eyebrow.

"You're the king. I know you can make the impossible possible. Just do what you always do—" he glared at me so I didn't finish what I was saying.

"Leave. I don't want to talk to you!" he angrily yelled. He's throwing tantrums again. I bit my inner lip to hold back my anger.

It seems he's really losing his mind. "Okay then. I won't argue with you. But this is not over, Josiah. You need to decide quickly. I may look patient, but I'm not. Don't provoke me to do things you won't like," I warned before leaving.