After they assist the Emperor inside the mansion, everyone seems to forget that the Grand Duke family is also coming. Mother and Father are probably busy talking to the Emperor so instead, they let me greet them once they arrive.
"That man stares at me…" I whispered to myself. I know that he is looking directly at me and I wonder why. I never knew that the new Emperor is young and a beautiful man, I bet his Empress is a beautiful woman too like my father said.
"The Empress is the most beautiful woman in the world."
A rushing carriages entered the gate. As soon as I see those signs that belong to the Grand Duke family, my hand shakes nervously. I can't be this weak in front of them even as Valeraine Thornfield. I must not let them belittle me. The first carriage door opened and Grand Duke Bastian Dellahne with his son, Rydell Dellhane came out of it. He helped the woman who got out of the second carriage to walk closer to me. I know all of them, so I can't be wrong about who they are.
Forcing myself to stay calm, I managed to greet them and give them my best smile. "Thanks for coming, Grand Duke Bastian, Grand Duchess Shahira and Lord Rydell. Please come in, my mother and father were inside with the Emperor."
They gasped when I mentioned the Emperor. Looks like they are surprised by his sudden presence too. I managed to take a quick look at Grand Duke Bastian as they walked inside the mansion. The maids immediately assist them, especially the gifts they bring from their kingdom. The Westeria Empire has four kingdoms; Sollaine Kingdom, Kestramore Kingdom, Therondia Kingdom and Zariya Kingdom. Grand Duke Bastian is from the kingdom of Sollaine while my father is a Duke of Krestramore Kingdom.
I wonder how I managed to get engaged in another kingdom's duke son. "You look gorgeous tonight, is it for me?" Lord Rydell said, looking at me. "You don't need to try to impress me because in my heart, I only want Lady Odessa."
I know it. Lady Odessa is a daughter of Marquess Briolyn. They have very small connections that's why they are also poor. As far as I know, Rydell wants to marry her to protect her because soon, Marquess Briolyn will die. He had chronic cancer and no doctor could cure it. I am not certain if he really loves her or not.
Instead of going inside, Lord Rydell walked towards the direction of the garden. "It's too early to go inside, let's stay here for a while."
Lord Rydell is not evil as his parents, especially his father. Grand Duke Bastian wanted to provoke the emperor to start a worldwide war just for the sake of collecting enough fortune and to destroy the Emperor and put the Empress consort's son. "May I ask you a question, Lord Rydell?"
"Please speak, Lady Valeraine."
"Why don't you tell your father about not wanting this marriage?" I asked. We stopped at the fountain in the center of the garden. He slowly slid his hand in the water before looking at me.
"Lady Valeraine, what would you do if your parents prepared hot water for your bath just because it's winter already? Would you reject the hot water because you like to bathe using cold water? Can you stand hurting their feelings just because they want the best for you?" he answered without looking away. "I know that my father chose your family because your family is somehow connected to the empire.They simply want me to have a better life."
"But is having a better life more important to someone who you want to be with?" I replied.
He sighed and then sat at the edge of the fountain. "I plan to divorce you in public after four years of our marriage." That shocked me, divorcing someone in public is a disgrace to the family. My family will be a laughingstock in the public if that happens.
"If you do that, the other royal family will suspect my family because of your sudden change of mind after a long year of peace. You can't do that." I said. Instead of correcting his words he laughed and looked at me.
"Do you like this marriage?" he asked all of a sudden, I was taken aback by that question. "You are also against this marriage so you must cooperate and accept it. After I divorce you, you can travel around the world. I will give you tons of gold so you won't bother me again."
Someone laughed from our behind. I turned around only to see those mesmerizing blue eyes, he was standing a few steps from us. Lord Rydell and I immediately gestured our greet towards him. "Sorry for interrupting, I just want to step outside to see these flowers."
"I-it is fine, Your Majesty. Lady Valeraine and I are just talking about our upcoming marriage. You are not interrupting something." Rydell said and then looked at me, probably asking me to support his statement.
The Emperor looks at me, I pull my thoughts together and speak. "That's right, Your Majesty."
"I see." the Emperor said then walk towards the circle table and sit on the chair on it. "May I speak to Lady Valeraine, Lord Rydell?"
What? Why? I looked at Lord Rydell to see if he would really leave me, but then I saw him bow a little and walk away from us. Why does the Emperor want me to be with him alone?
"Will you please sit in front of me, Lady Valeraine?" the Emperor said. I walk towards him and slowly sit at the vacant chair in front of him.
"You wish to speak with me privately, Your Majesty?" I asked, silently praying that he didn't hear what Rydell said earlier or else it would not be good for the both families. Instead of speaking, he placed his one hand on my cheeks. "Y-your Majesty?"
My heart is beating so fast from the normal. My cheeks also felt like it was burning. Why does the Emperor touch my cheeks?!
"Why don't you break off your engagement to Lord Rydell and marry me instead?" My both eyes widened after what he just said. Am I dreaming? "I won't divorce you in public, I will give you a good life more than him, such beauty doesn't suit him." he added leaving me completely speechless.
"W-wha…I don't know what to say.."
He took my hand and using his finger he wrote a few letters on my palm one by one.
P-R-E-T-E-N-D.
Why does the Emperor want me to pretend? Someone please save me!
"What do you say? Will you become my wife and the Empress?" he asked again, holding my wrist tightly. "If you refuse me, I will use another method and you won't like it."
I took a deep breath while looking at his eyes, I felt like drowning from his gaze. "Y-yes, your Majesty."
He smiled and put down my hand, after that we heard a few steps running away from us. That's where the Emperor stood up and his expression changed. "I will personally take you to the Westeria Empire tomorrow. I will explain everything to you later. " he said then walked inside the mansion again.
What just happened?