I had just finished my bath when Sarah earlier insisted on helping me, but I declined. I know it’s part of her duties, but what could she do? She’s under my command, and I have the authority to change the rules and regulations as I see fit.

I paused while adjusting my robe when I caught sight of three more maidservants approaching. "What are they here for?" I asked, irritation evident in my voice. God knows how much I detest being surrounded by so many people.

"Sila ang tutulong sa mga isusuot mo, Your Highness." Napataas ang kilay ko sa sagot ni Sarah. Napatingin ako sa higaan at doon ko nakita ang wedding dress na isusuot ko. Napangiwi ako dahil kung titignan ito parang sobrang bigat isuot.

Napatingin ulit ako sa mga maidservant. Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang nahuli ko silang may binubulong sa isa't isa. One of them was even raised her eyebrow at me. "Kayong tatlo, hindi kayo pinapunta dito upang makipagusap. Where are your manners? Show some respect, remember I can evict you so do your duties properly," pagbabanta ko sa kanila at agad naman nanlalaki ang mga mata nila. "Patawad Your Highness! Patawarin ninyo kami!" Mabilis silang nagsiluhod at pinagkiskis ang mga palad habang nakataas as if they are begging for mercy.

"Stand up. I don't have time for your dramas. There's more important to do, now dress me," mabilis nilang sinunod ang utos ko.

They dressed me in all sorts of garments before finally putting on my wedding dress. It was pure white. I grimaced at how tightly the corset cinched around me. I tried to move, but as expected, the dress was heavy and cumbersome. The top of the dress had a high collar with bishop sleeves, adorned with diamonds around the neck. The skirt was layered and semi-wide, and my waist was squeezed tight by the corset, making it appear unnaturally slim and raised.

Damn it. I felt like a tightly wrapped suman, my skin practically suffocating from how constricted I was. To top it off, my hair was braided so tightly it almost hurt, and the crown perched on my head didn’t help. Are they trying to be funny? But fuck, this is my fault anyway. I wrote this scene, after all.

I sighed and stared at myself in the mirror. I do love my eyes—they’re a striking emerald green. My curly hair, dark brown almost to the point of being black, matched my equally dark eyebrows. Celestia’s beauty was perfect, flawless in every way.

"Your Highness, naghihintay na ang Knight sa labas," wala na akong nagawa pa at lumabas na rin sa kwarto.

The ambience is kinda unfamiliar for me. Kanina lang ako nakarating sa mundong ito at hindi man lang ako nabigyan ng pagkataon na makapaglibot. Kahit na ako yung lumikha sa bawat sulok nito at iba pa rin talaga kapag nakikita mo. I really want to scream out frustration. Hindi na rin ako nalalayo sa mga kumakalat na usap-usapan tungkol kay Celestia.

They escorted me into the carriage, with Sarah accompanying me. I’m certain we’re on our way to the Temple, the sacred place where weddings of Royal members, nobles, and other high-ranking individuals are traditionally held. Commoners, however, are not afforded the privilege to wed in the Temple, they have their own designated churches for that.

As the carriage began to move, I couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between the grand ceremonies of the elite and the simple, unadorned unions of the common folk.

Habang nasa karawahe nakaramdam na ako ng gutom. Hindi ko alam kung nakakain ba ako, "Sarah may dala kang pagkain?" nagawa kong itanong. Napatingin siya sa akin ngunit agad din nagbaba ng tingin. "Paumanhin ngunit wala akong dala, Your Highness." Napapikit na lang ako. Mukhang kailangan kong indahin ang gutom ko.

"Nandito na tayo, Your Royal Highness," pagkasabi pa lang niya ay agad kong hinatak pataas ang dress ko at bumaba. "Your Highness!" dinig kong taranta ni Sarah.

Gulat naman na mukha ang sumalubong sa akin na knight at tumikhim din kalaunan, "Hindi magandang bumaba na mag-isa ang binibini sa isang karawahe lalo na ikaw, Your Highness." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "So? I can manage... By the way, what is your name?" I asked, ignoring his criticism. His brow furrowed slightly. "I am Edward, Your Highness. Your personal knight." He bowed formally as he introduced himself.

So this is Edward, the former knight of the Emperor. He is handsome, with dark brown hair and sharp brown eyes. His eyebrows are thick, his nose pointed. His lips, though somewhat pale, are full.

I smirked. "All right, now please lead the way, Sir Edward," I said, gripping my skirt to lift it slightly. Edward took the lead, and Sarah and I followed closely behind him. Ten knights walked behind us. What is this? A wedding or a war?

That Emperor—I wish I could kick his ass for making this wedding so cheap. This is my wedding, it’s supposed to be memorable, right? And again, this is all my fault... but no! I must change this, everything. I have to tame him or gain his trust in order to survive... right, I must stick to my goals.

We finally arrived at the Temple, where two knights took their positions on either side of the door. I took a deep breath. This is it. I never imagined being in a scenario like this, so it’s no surprise that I’m nervous.

As the door opened, my breath became heavy. Shit, look at these people. Their attire screams authority, and their mocking eyes are filled with bitterness. The ladies are sneering at me, whispering to one another. Are they just here to judge me?

I composed myself and began to walk. My gaze briefly fell on the altar, and I immediately regretted it. Why does the Emperor have to be so handsome? Look at his stunning long black hair—not too straight, with a slight wave. Damn, it suits him perfectly. And his eyebrows, thick and expressive. His pointed nose. As I slowly approached him, I could see his lips, a deep red, slightly thin.

I couldn’t help but stare into his eyes. I bit my lip nervously. His gray eyes, deep and alluring. My knees shook, for God's sake! He has this intimidating aura.

I discreetly looked around, needing to divert my attention for a moment. I took another deep breath. I don’t recognize my family here. Perhaps I will later. They’re the ones who put Celestia in this situation, all to increase their power, and the Emperor agreed because he was just bored.

"Focus my soon to be wife." Napaigtad ako nang bumulong at marahan akong iginaya ng Emperor sa tabi niya. Shit, I completely lost my focus, "Pardon me Isaac--I mean Your Imperial Majesty. I'm just famished," mahina at tama lang na marinig niya. Wala na akong narinig na salita mula sa kanya kaya tumahimik na lang din ako.

That was not part of the story, then this is the good start to change everything.

I composed myself as the High Priest began to his speech and later on, me and the Emperor exchanging vows as if we are devoted to each other. As a former Author I am expert when it comes constructing words or speech.

"I now! I pronounce you Husband and Wife! You may now kiss the bride," anunsiyo ng pari na agad kong kinalunok. Nanghihinang mga tuhod akong humarap sa Emperor habang seryoso lamang siyang tumitig sa akin. Unti-unti niyang nilapit ang kanyang mukha kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang pumikit. "I don't have desire to kiss you either, yet it's uncommon not doing this." Agad akong napadilat nang mga mata sa paglapat ng kaniyang malambot na mga labi sa mga labi ko. His words are kind of dissatisfactory, yet I can't get mad either at this point.

Agad din siyang lumayo habang ako ay naiwang nakanganga. Saka ako natauhan nang hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at inangkla sa kanyang braso. "Brace yourself, we are not done yet." I took a deep breath as we walked together.

"Greetings to the sun of the Empire, your Imperial Majesty the Emperor, at sayo mahal kong Celestia!" Napatitig ako sa dalawang mag-asawa na nakangiting sumalubong sa amin. So they are my parents? They seems so delight and they even gave me a hug so I hugged them back.

"We have more to go, King Averson and we shall go," seryosong turan ng Emperor, "Yes! of course, of course! We shall go," sangayun ng Papa ko--damn, ano ba dapat kong itawag? Dapat ba na Ama? Hindi ako sanay.

NASA iisang karwahe kami ng Emperor at kanina pa ako naiilang dito. Magkatapat kaming dalawa at kanina pa niya ako tinitigan, "May dala ka bang pagkain?" hindi ko na napigilan ang magtanong. Nangunot ang kaniyang noo. "What do you think of me? Palaging gutom?" napaawang ako sa tugon niya, "Tanga ka ba o gago? Ako nga iyung gutom hindi ikaw," I hissed dahilan ng pagdilim ng mukha niya.

"It's indeed the rumors are true, you are lack of proper etiquette. You speak a foreign languages too, what a waste." Napasuklay siya sa kaniyang buhok gamit ang mga daliri. Para siyang may malaking problema. Okay, tanga ako sa part na 'yun.

Imbes magalit ako ito ako ngayon, mesmerising the beautiful view. Hindi ko maiwasan na mapatitig sa magandang mukha niya habang siya ay nakapikit. Ang perpekto ng mukha niya. I sighed, malala na ako.

NAKARATING kami sa Imperial Palace at doon kinoronahan ako bilang ganap na Emperatris. Hindi ako sigurado kung makakaya ko ang mga kaakibat na tuntunin ngunit kailangan ko pa rin na subukan--no, I must do it.

NAKAHARAP ako ngayon sa harap ng salamin habang sinusuklayan ang buhok. I am wearing a red sleepwear dress kaya litaw na litaw ang kaputian ko. Kabado ako ngayon dahil ito ang unang gabi kasama ang Emperor bilang asawa niya kaya ito ako ngayon hinahanda ang sarili. Nakakainis lang dahil kailangan pa na kaming mga babae ang maghintay para tawaging ng kanilang mga asawa, parang sobrang baba naming mga babae.

Dumaan ang ilang minuto hindi pa rin nangyari ang inaasahan ko kaya nakaramdam na rin ako ng antok, "Sarah!" agad naman bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Sarah habang nakayuko. "Speak," I commanded, "Hindi na lumabas ang Emperor sa kaniyang opisina simula kanina, Your Majesty." I clenched my fists. Naghintay pa ako, sinabi na lang sana niya. May araw ka rin sa akin Isaac, I swear to your fucking ass! Makukuha ko rin ang loob mo.

I will show you what I can do.