Joseph began to feel comfortable in the kingdom of Britannia. He spends his days meeting with nobles, gathering information, negotiating trade deals, and demonstrating the empire's technology.
Today he was finishing a meeting with the Prime Minister at the palace.
He walked through the palace garden and found the princess sitting on a bench, who seemed lost in thought.
'Huh, Princess. She seems worried about something.'
He quietly approached her.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing.
"I hope I'm not interrupting. I saw you sitting here and thought I'd take a moment to talk to you."
Elina looked up, a look of surprise on her face. "Imperial diplomat," she said with a smile. "I was just lost in thought."
Joseph sat next to her, comforted by her presence. "What were you worried about?" he asked.
Elina sighed, her eyes looking out over the garden. "I was thinking about my future," she said. "The marriage my mother arranged for me, and whether it's really what I want."
"I understand how you feel," he said. "Sometimes, it feels like our lives are predetermined, and we have no say in the matter."
Elina turned to him, "Do you think it's true?" she asked. "Do you think we have no control over our own destiny?"
Joseph hesitated, not sure how to answer. He didn't want to give her false hope, but he didn't want to crush her spirit either. "I think we have more control than we realize," he said at last.
"But seeing the way forward is not always easy. Sometimes, we have to take risks and trust ourselves to make the right decisions."
Elina nodded, determination on her face. "I think you're right," he said. "I need to take control of my own life to make my own decisions."
As they talked, Joseph felt a sense of connection with the princess that he couldn't ignore. He knew he was a diplomat, and his role was to facilitate trade deals, but he couldn't help but be drawn to her.
Meanwhile, Strom grew increasingly frustrated with her lack of interest in him. The princess was preoccupied with her own thoughts and desires.
Strom couldn't understand why she couldn't see the benefits of marrying her. The Barco family has made the biggest contribution to the Queen's power. Relations with them will increase the power of the royal family.
When Strom saw her talking to the Imperial diplomat, he felt anger and jealousy. What is special about that diplomat? What did Imperial diplomat have that he didn't?
Strom worked hard to win the princess's heart. He often came to the palace, attending every ceremony and function where he knew the princess would be present. He tried to charm her with his intelligence and good looks and win her over with his charisma.
But despite his best efforts, the princess doesn't pay him that much attention. Storm's frustration grows and he begins to wonder if he will ever be able to win her heart.
Storm's eyes narrowed as he watched the diplomat, a sense of determination growing within him. He would not be defeated by this upstart diplomat. He would marry the princess, no matter what it took.
And when he turned to leave, he caught the eye of Marquis Worthington, who was watching him with a calculating gaze. Storm knew that the Marquis was a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and he felt a sense of unease.
"Marquis," said Strom. "Hmm...I see you're still interested in the princess."
The Marquis, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Strom, I'm interested in many things. But yes, the princess is definitely one of them."
Strom narrowed his eyes. "What do you want from her?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
Laughed the Marquis. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want. I want to use her to gain power and influence in the kingdom. I would have offered to marry her if you hadn't come in the way."
Storm's grip on his sword hilt tightened. "You'll never get away with it," he growled. "The princess is mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."
The Marquis laughed. "Oh, Storm, you are too predictable. Although your family is the most powerful Duke family. However, due to some of the Queen's recent reforms, many Nobles have become opposed to her. Are you sure you can solve these? "
As they spoke, the princess approached them. A look of concern on her face. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes darting to Strom and Marquis Worthington.
Storm's face smoothed out, and he smiled charmingly. "Just a little disagreement, my dear. Nothing to worry about."
But the princess's eyes lingered on Marquis Worthington, and Storm could see the suspicion in her gaze.
"Ah princess, we are taking our leave. Nothing to worry about. "
"Huh"
As they parted ways, Storm couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that Marquis Worthington was a dangerous man, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
But Storm was determined to protect the princess, to keep her safe. He would do whatever it took to win her heart, to make her see that he was the only one who truly cared for her.
Meanwhile, Joseph was growing more and more concerned about the situation. He had seen the way Storm and Marquis looked at the princess.
He decided to speak to the princess, to warn her about the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing. "I need to talk to you about something."
Said the princess, her eyes curious. "What is it, Imperial diplomat?"
Joseph hesitated, not sure how to begin. "It's about Marquis Worthington and Young Master Storm," he finally said. "I think they're both dangerous, and I think you should be careful around them."
The princess's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice low and serious.
Joseph took a deep breath. "I think they're both trying to use you for their own gain," he said.
The princess's face turned pale and Joseph could see fear in her eyes. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"This is just my guess. But you need to be careful," he said.
The princess nodded. "I will," she said. "I'll be careful."