The Duke's Passion

Chapter 634  The King's Possession -- PROLOGUE

Year 1841 — one year before the present time.

A woman was sitting meekly inside the carriage, all alone. Clad with a beautiful white bridal dress hugging her hourglass figure, she was stunning even with the veil over her head. Behind the veil was a pair of empty indigo eyes and blank countenance; a misplaced expression of a beautiful bride of the emperor.

"So, this is the Great Heart Empire?" she murmured, peeking through the curtain to see the bustling capital. "It's very different from our Karo Kingdom."

Florence Von Stein. The sixteenth princess of the Karo Kingdom, and now the empress of the Great Heart Empire, was shoved into an arranged marriage with the emperor of the empire by her older brother, Heliot.

Since the Karo Kingdom and the Empire had close ties, the emperor and the king of the Karo Kingdom agreed to solidify their relationship through marriage. Also, because of the increasing demand to have an empress. That was the short story of why she was inside the carriage. She was on her way to meet her husband; the husband who didn't even bother coming to the Karo Kingdom and going through all the ceremony. Instead, Florence had to skip all that ceremony and travel to the empire.

Not that she felt anything in particular about it. A political marriage was normal, and she knew she didn't have a say in it. If anything, she was also baffled why, among the other princesses, they chose someone like her.

"I guess His Highness didn't want to sell off his other sisters since they have more value," she whispered, thinking there was no reason Heliot would choose her if not for that reason. Florence was an outcast, a forgotten princess, someone who was always part of the background. 'But well, I guess my husband isn't really picky. He'd take anyone from the Karo Kingdom.' A deep exhale slipped past her lips. 'I wonder what he looks like? They said he was a human and already old...'

Her imagination showed her a wrinkly old man who was in the last year of his life. She pressed her lips into a thin line, looking down. Looks were the least of her concern, but it still somehow bothered her. She knew nothing about her husband. All the information she knew about him was the general details. So, in a way, it scared her. "I shouldn't think about anything," she whispered, shaking her head lightly. "Even if he is old and smells grave, I am still his wife now. I should fulfill my duties as his wife and his Empress."

Her eyes softened with bitterness, leaning her back against the backrest. Perhaps that was the reason, she thought. The reason His Highness, her brother, who had more influence than the king of the Karo Kingdom, chose her. She was an obedient princess. So selling her off to an old man was more acceptable. Her other sisters would throw a huge fuss if they were chosen. Even if the prized was the title of an empress, titles meant nothing in the Karo Kingdom.

Why would it? The king had no power over Heliot, a mere prince, who wasn't even the crown prince. Understandable, though. Heliot was reliable, wise, clever, and talented. He had proven himself over and over again, but he simply didn't like the official titles. While Florence was deep in her thoughts, the carriage came to a halt. She heard the sound of the trumpet and the voice announcing her arrival. "We've arrived?" as soon as those words left her lips, the door of the carriage flew open. She flinched when she met a pair of sharp eyes.

Dominique. "Welcome, Your Majesty, the Empress." He placed his palm across his chest, bowing gently as a greeting to the empress. "The emperor had important matters to attend to. Hence, he ordered me to welcome you in his stead."

'Important matters... so this marriage isn't that important to him, huh? Well, that is fine.'

She sported a smile. "It's alright. I appreciate the warm welcome," she replied in a soft voice, handing her hand out to reveal her tan complexion.

Dominique clasped her hand, assisting her out of the carriage. Once she was out, Florence raised her head to see more knights welcoming her arrival. "This way, please." She smiled at Dominique and walked down the carpet. "Thank you."

*******

"Your Majesty, your empress arrived."

Rufus glanced up from behind his desk, watching Kristina enter his office. She stood in front of his desk, hands on her hips.

"Are you sure you won't see her?" she inquired while scratching her temple. "She'll be fine. Dominique welcomed her in my stead." His voice was the same; no excitement or whatsoever about this marriage. "It's best for her to rest after an arduous journey before we have a wedding ceremony in the empire."

Kristina frowned, walking towards the shelf to lean on. "Your Majesty, can I pretend I am not your subject?" "You always act you are not."

"Goodness gracious." She sighed heavily, shaking her head, arms crossed. "Your Majesty, I know this is an arranged marriage you agreed with for the empire's best interest in mind. But... is this really fine? I mean, the poor princess got married to a robot."

This time, Rufus paused as he looked up at her. "Too much."

"Ah. Sorry, sorry. My bad."

"Not because your marriage worked out for you and Noah, doesn't mean it'll work out for me." Rufus shook his head, refocusing his attention on the document on the desk. "The best I can give my wife is some time alone. We're strangers tied in marriage, so I will give her at least that sort of freedom."

He paused and glanced at Kristina. "I expect nothing from her, and I'm certain she expects nothing from me. As long as she doesn't abuse her title as the empress, then I am fine with anything." "If the Marchioness and your mother hear you say this, I'm certain they will beat the crap out of you," Kristina murmured as Rufus sounded like a real jerk. "What are you mumbling over there?"

"Nothing, Sire." Kristina chuckled awkwardly. "I'm just saying congratulations on your marriage! Ha ha! Alright, I'll leave now."