Chapter 5

I know why they are so worried about me meeting them.

To many people, it might seem like the Princess's father sold her off to a powerful country, in order to protect his own country.

But actually that is not what really happened!

The Princess, in whose body my soul is currently stuck is either very ambitious or highly patriotic.

The kingdom from where she belongs is a very small kingdom in compare to this Empire where I am currently living. 'The Ashkeya Kingdom' it didn't had much military power but it was financially strong due to it's natural resources and immense gemstone mines. But that is one of the biggest reason why it was frequently being attacked.

Most of the territories were  attacked by the neighbour Kingdoms. There was even a war just a year ago. Somehow it managed to stop the war but it's military power became weaker due to loss of many soldiers and knights.

But both The King and his subject knew it won't be able to survive another war.

Watching all this the Princess came up with an idea. That she would marry the Crown Prince of Empire Ophera, the only large Empire which supports her country, and will continuously give a hefty amount of dowry, in return they will ensure her countries safety.

And so did the King, the Princess's father did. He asked the Crown Prince's hand for marriage. But little did he knew he was already engaged.

The Emperor of Ophera declined this offer as polygamy was banned in their country. But soon enough an offer arrived. He proposed a marriage between the only Princess of Kingdom Ashkeya, Princess Isabella Clinton and Empire Ophera's Grand Duke, the late Princess's son,his own nephew Grand Duke Elios Heymann.

Soon everyone heard this news. For some it was simply an insult to offer the Duke for the Princess instead of the Prince. And for some it was an opportunity to become the Grand Duchess of such a huge and powerful Empire where even a Marchioness might be more powerful than a Princess from such a small country.

But The King was totally against this offer. The Grand Duke, who is well known as the war hero. He even once himself came to help during a territory attack in Ashkeya. A person who was sent to war since he was 14.

According to The King, Princess's father the Duke will be often sent to wars, which will leave his daughter unarmed to all sort of dangers.

But things weren't so easy. The King couldn't just decline the Emperor's offer like he (Emperor) did previously.

The King had already exposed how weak he was by that point; that he was willing to sold off his daughter. This left the King with two thoughts either he would accept the offer and the war hero would help his country or he would decline the offer and the Emperor would sent the war hero to destroy his country.

And thus the trap the King had created he was himself stuck inside of it.

The King was out of wit. So his daughter, Princess Isabella, agreed to the Emperor's offer. She told her father that she will marry Grand Duke Elios Heymann and they will be still giving the dowry. And in return Empire Ophera will ensure her younger brother Prince Philip's safety and wil give her Kingdom military support.

Finally the wedding happened. Her personal knight, Sir Arthur D Sousa, a commoner and her attendee Lilly Evans, a noble from countryside volunteered to come to Empire Ophera with her.

Now that I think about the wedding; from my memory it was a very small ceremony for being a Princess's or Duke's wedding. Very few people were present there. Only the Emperor came as Elios's guardian. And most of the others looked like knights and their wives. No other member of the Imperial family came either.

Considering both of Elios's parent are no more and still only his uncle came doesn't sound good either.

***

One thing that amazes me is that although I have the memories of the Princess! I don't know how she used to feel! How she used to feel for her father or for her country.

I can see that both Lilly and Arthur love and respect me; but I don't know exactly how the Princess felt about them!

Or how she felt about Elios!!!

But do I need to know how she used to feel? I never wanted to came to this world. But if I am already living someone else's life............... can I live it on my own terms and conditions?

I do want to understand the Princess. But just because I can try to understand her; I can't become her! I don't even know how exactly she was. Right now the only two person who know the most about the Princess are Lilly and Arthur. I don't know what they think about me! Do they really believe I'm the Princess?

And once they found out I'm not the real Princess,........ what will happen to me?

***

Next Day

"Princess, should I bring your breakfast to your room?"

"No! I'll have my meals at the dining hall from now on Lilly." I replied with a smile.

"But Princess, are you sure you will be able to eat with His Grace?" nervously she asked.

"I'm the Grand Duchess now. Sooner or later I have to live according to that. The sooner the better."

"Yes Princess. I understand."

I walked out of my room and went to the dining area. I could feel everyone's gaze piercing through me. There's no way they all will accept me as their Grand Duchess so easily after everything I have done. So I need to maintain myself from now on.

I stood near the dining table quietly. Soon the butler noticed and whispered something in Elios's ear. Elios looked at my direction at once. Then within a few seconds he stood up.

"Bella will you have breakfast with me?" he asked eagerly.

"Yes, your Grace. Where should I sit?"

"Here," he showed me a seat near him, "this is the Grand Duchess's seat. Please come."

I quietly took the sit meanwhile a maid brought my meal on the butler's order.

It was a very large dining table but only we both were seated. I looked at Elios. He looks he is in his early twenties. He has a well built body and a very strong aura around him but still I could feel kindness in his eyes whenever he looked at me.

I had dated a few men in my world but I'm already married in this world. And even with someone so young. I know the Princess herself is pretty young too.

The Duke lost his father at a young age, then his mother the late Duchess, who was also the Princess of this Empire became the head of this family. From an early age he had to participate in wars. Although he was able to showcase his talent and became a hero for his nation, his mother was already diagnosed with a chronicle disease and soon died leaving the Young Duke all alone.

To be honest this wedding does no good to Elios. Neither he loved me nor he is receiving the dowry. He is just a puppet in this Empire, who goes to war in the Emperor's order and even got married in his order.

"Bella, is the food to your liking?"

"Ummm.... u.. yes. Yes your Grace."

"I know it must be difficult for you to adjust with our food habits. The butler is doing his best to match the food for your taste but feel free to tell him if anything isn't to your liking."

"Everything is fine Your Grace."

We both quickly finished our meals and get back to our works.

***

"Princess you are all ready now."

"Oh thank you Lilly and thanks to you both too." Elios sent two maids and a dress for me to wear for the lunch with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

"No Her Grace. You are already very beautiful. We didn't do much," said one maid.

"Yes. Of course she is very beautiful," said Lilly proudly.

I could clearly see in the mirror that all of them had put extra care to get me ready. I do used to resemble the Princess a little. But somehow she look much more elegant than I did in spite being younger. This navy blue colour gown looks very beautiful anyway but the Princess's features and body posture makes it standout.

"Princess, shall we take our leave? asked Arthur standing outside the room.

"Yes. Let's go." I replied as I left the room.