When we arrived at Nokturna, I only caught a glimpse from the gap in the carriage's curtain and I was surprised by the abundance of soldiers. It is a military regime indeed.
We entered the royal palace of Nokturna as I endured the urged to stretch from the being confined from that god forsaken carriage.
"Thank you for enduring the long journey, Princess Nerina. His Majesty is still busy from work so I'll guide you to your room to rest. If you could follow me this way please," Javier prompted.
Before leaving, I turned towards Biron, "Sir Biron, I'm truly grateful to you. Thanks to all the Knights who were with us along the way, too. My best regards in the future. Please say my thanks to them."
He nodded before bowing at me, "Yes, Lady Nerina."
As I followed Lord Javier down the grand hallways of the Nokturna palace, the weight of the situation began to settle in. I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the palace's grandeur and the warmth of Aethorador.
Javier guided me with practiced ease, explaining the layout of the palace and its various facilities. His demeanor was polite and professional, though there was an underlying formality that I hadn't quite adjusted to yet.
"Your room is this way," he said, leading me to a door at the end of a long corridor. The door opened to reveal a spacious chamber, elegantly furnished but with a stark, utilitarian design. It was clear that the palace's aesthetic prioritized function and formality over comfort and warmth.
Javier gestured for me to enter. "I hope you find everything to your liking, Princess. This will be your knight disguised as a maid, Eliana, she will be taking care of your personal needs."
Eliana, a young woman with a serene demeanor and neat attire, stepped forward with a polite curtsy.
"Welcome, Princess Nerina. I'm Eliana, and I'll be your personal maid. If you need anything at all, please let me know."
I offered her a warm smile. "Thank you, Eliana. I appreciate your help."
Javier gave a nod of approval before stepping back. "I'll be leaving now so you could have some rest. You'll be having an audience with His Majesty so I'll come back to fetch you later."
Just as Lord Javier was about to leave, he paused at the doorway and turned to face me again.
"Princess Nerina," he began, "I will go over the important points once more. His Majesty already has three concubines, each a princess from different countries."
I nodded at him, Leo already explained it to me and I'm okay with that, it's not as if I married the King for love. After Javier left, I took a moment to explore the room. The canopy bed was adorned with delicate patterns, and the champagne color of the walls gave the room an elegant yet subdued feel. The balcony overlooked a lush garden, a small respite from the grandeur of the palace.
Eliana began to unpack my belongings, organizing them neatly. I sank into the plush bed, finally letting myself relax after the long journey. The mattress was soft, and the pillows cradled my head perfectly, causing me to sleep peacefully.
"Princess? Wake up now."
I blinked awake, still feeling the weight of the journey on my body. Eliana stood by my bedside, her voice soft but insistent.
"Princess? The time is drawing near, so let's have you changed soon."
I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes as I took in the room again, now softly lit by the fading afternoon light.
"Alright, Eliana," I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "Let's get ready."
She helped me into one of my gown its fabric a deep shade of blue with silver embellishments, a color that seemed fitting for the formality of the meeting. As I stood before the mirror, I took a deep breath.
"Do I look presentable?" I asked, adjusting the gown slightly.
Eliana smiled warmly. "You look perfect, princess."
"Thank you. This is what my brothers back in the country chose for me," I said, smiling softly as I ran my fingers along the intricate fabric of the gown.
Just then, a light knock sounded at the door, and Javier entered.
"Princess, it's time," he said with a polite bow, his expression unreadable but professional.
I took a deep breath, grasping the long sleeves of my dress as if drawing strength from it. For my brothers and everyone back in Aethorador—I had to face this. There was no turning back now.
As we exited the room, the corridors seemed to stretch endlessly toward the meeting hall. Each step echoed in the silence as I resolved myself to face the Emperor with all the dignity and strength my brothers had instilled in me.
The audience room was grander than anything I had ever seen in Aethorador. The elaborate decorations and the sheer scale of the chamber gave off a profound, almost intimidating aura. The two knights standing at the entrance nodded to Javier, acknowledging our presence.
I could feel my palms becoming sweaty from the growing nervousness. My heart raced, but I straightened my posture, determined to show no sign of fear.
With a signal from Javier, the knights opened the towering doors, revealing a vast room lined with Nokturna's most elite. Sir Biron led the way, his steps confident and measured. To my left, knights in shining armor formed a precise line, standing like sentinels. To my right, officials, dressed in formal robes, stood in a solemn procession.
They all faced forward, guiding my gaze to the raised stage at the far end of the room. The path felt endless, the silence thick with expectation. At the end of it stood a throne, and seated upon it was the man I had journeyed all this way to meet—the Emperor of Nokturna.
Just as the rumors had described, the Emperor possessed an imposing presence. His white hair gleamed in the soft light of the audience room, contrasting starkly with his piercing red eyes that seemed to see through everything. His solid, muscular physique was evident even under the regal attire he wore, exuding an air of strength and control.
His face was sharp and handsome, but it was the cold aura that surrounded him that truly stood out. His expression was unreadable, and his posture perfectly composed—there wasn't a single crack in the mask of authority he wore. It was as if no warmth could ever touch him, and I suddenly understood why he was known as the "Ice King."
I took a deep breath and stepped onto the red carpet, my eyes focused straight ahead. As I approached the throne, I could feel every gaze in the room on me, weighing me down. But I kept my chin high, refusing to falter.
Javier finally introduced me to the King, "Your Majesty, I have finally brought Princess Nerina."
His voice was calm, measured, and surprisingly courteous given the coldness of his appearance. "I'm sorry if I have troubled you. You have come to such a far place as Nokturna. Welcome, I am Augustus Nokturna, the Emperor of this country. It is a pleasure to meet you."
I curtsied gracefully, keeping my eyes steady on him, even though the weight of his gaze pressed on me. "The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty. I am Nerina Wystan, princess of Aethorador."
The Emperor nodded slightly at my introduction, his expression remaining as cold and unyielding as before. His gaze was intense, as if evaluating me in that brief moment.
"It is good that you've arrived safely," Augustus said, his voice steady and measured. "I trust you will find Nokturna to your liking, though it is quite different from Aethorador."
"I will do my utmost to adapt and serve Nokturna to the best of my abilities," I replied, keeping my tone composed. "I understand the importance of this union, and I am prepared for the responsibilities that come with it."
The Emperor gave a small nod, his expression remaining composed and formal. "Very well, I look forward being together with you as the Empress in this country."
His words were polite, but I could sense the underlying expectations behind them. Being the Empress of Nokturna would not be easy, especially given the political landscape and the presence of the other concubines. I would need to navigate these challenges carefully.
"Of course Your Majesty, I will help in any way I can."
"Rest for now," Augustus continued. "You will be informed of the next official occasion in due time. Until then, focus on familiarizing yourself with the palace and its workings."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing slightly.
With that, the formal audience ended. Javier stepped forward and motioned for me to follow him out. As we exited the grand audience room, my heart was still racing, but I felt at ease now that I'm done meeting the King.