Chapter 2 - The Wedding

~present day~

The road to the Capital of the Empire of the Sun is long and unpleasant for Aristia, who's never had to travel outside the castle before. The carriage is small and uncomfortable, only having enough space to accommodate two people: herself, and one of her maids. She has motion sickness and is on the verge of throwing up multiple times throughout the journey, to everyone's displeasure, who don't shy away from scowling at her whenever she asks for a little break.

Not many people are inconvenienced by her, as she's not accompanied by too many anyway: only a handful of knights and a few maids. With how small their convoy is, no one would assume a princess is travelling in one of the carriages. Still, they condemn her for being sent away from the Kingdom to accompany her, as if it was her fault.

She makes a mental note to send everyone back as soon as she's settled in the Empire.

However unpleasant the atmosphere in the convoy is, Aristia tries to enjoy the unfamiliar sightseeing of meadows and mountains and streams as she moves across her Kingdom. She smiles gleefully as she is able to point out the names of the rivers and the small towns she briefly passes through on the way to her new home; after all, she memorised the maps in her geography books by heart. If someone dropped her in the middle of nowhere, chances are she'd figure out her location with ease. The maid in her carriage smiles at her and shows some curious expressions when Aristia tells her about the history of the places they're going through, or what each village and town is known for, and she is grateful to have a partner to converse with until the maid loses interest and falls asleep.

With so many breaks along the way, the journey lasts almost two weeks, and with each passing day, Aristia's heart beats louder in her chest. She wishes she could escape the inevitable, run away somehow and start a new life far away from the Kingdom and the Empire.

She knows she can't. The cards fate dealt her seem to ensure that she'd be hated wherever she goes, anyway.

She's heard that the Emperor of the Sun is a kind man; perhaps he would be kind to her as well, even if their nations are enemies. He's the one who asked for her hand in marriage, after all.

And if not kind, perhaps at least indifferent. She hopes he won't abuse her like her father did. She hopes he won't hit her until she's sore and has difficulty moving the next day.

That's not too much to ask for, is it?

When she arrives, a knight opens her carriage and helps her step down. Not that she needs much help, anyway. She's dressed modestly. Unlike a rightful princess, her dress is not big and elaborate, and she has no difficulty moving herself. It seems unsuited for the Capital. There are a lot of people waiting for her, and despite the contempt in their eyes at the sight of her – which she expected – she can't help but feel they are disappointed by what little things her father sent her with.

A couple carriages, a few servants and a modest dress, totally inappropriate for the grandeur of the Empire. This thought only gets reinforced when she watches the intricate embroideries of jewels on the knight's clothes. He looks like a princess more than she does.

She wants to laugh thinking about it, but she keeps a straight face as the man bows to her.

"Future Moon of our Empire, welcome to Your new home." He says respectfully, but his words are empty, and his eyes cold.

Aristia smiles in return, trying to think of this as a warm welcome. It is anything but. "Thank you. What is your name?"

"Lee Know, Your Highness."

"Nice to meet you, Lee Know. Would you be so kind to show my attendants to their temporary residence for the night, and assure they are well fed? Please talk to the cooks and prepare enough food for them to pack tomorrow, as they have a long way back to the Kingdom." Aristia commands like a true princess, just as her maid taught her. She keeps her head high, even if the words feel foreign on her tongue.

"Your Highness?" Lee Know tilts his head. He was definitely not expecting this. Doesn't the princess know that she has no allies in the castle? Why would she send everyone back home?

"Hm?" Aristia forces a smile. A knight should always respect her commands, her maid made sure she remembered this.

"My apologies, I was just assuming His Excellency The Emperor should know of this beforehand."

"Oh, is that so? I don't see him around, though? Unless I'm mistaken."

"Unfortunately, His Highness had some urgent matters to attend to and was not able to come meet Your Grace."

"I guess it can't be helped, then." Aristia smiles again. "Since the Emperor is not here, I am the highest authority." She challenges him. She notices he has something he'd like to say, but he bites his tongue back, much to her pleasure. The power is indeed delicious, and it gives her a little rush, even though the command is not difficult. She doubts the Emperor would have much to object anyway, as he most definitely considers everyone in the Kingdom an enemy.

"But Princess, how could we go back-" Her maid starts but shuts up instantly, a look of panic crossing her face, that only intensifies once Aristia turns to her. She has no authority to speak before the princess, unless explicitly given permission to, and the fact that she ignored these customs in front of all the maids, butlers and knights of the Empire that came to welcome her shows just how little everyone in the Kingdom respects her. She knew she needed to cut her losses, but this blatant disrespect only intensifies the burning wish she has to get rid of everyone that ever looked down on her.

God knows she's going to have a lot more people showing her the same disrespect in the Empire. She doesn't need anyone from the Kingdom to do so as well.

The maid immediately avoids her gaze and bows, so Aristia ignores her and starts walking towards her chambers, guided by Lee Know. She gets introduced to a couple of maids as well, who are supposed to assist her going further.

Spies, Aristia thinks. She knows that every move she makes will be tracked and reported to the Emperor.

She also gets introduced to a dress maker who hastily takes her measurements for her wedding dress, who throws her nasty looks for refusing to take off all her garments. How could she, when her back has such ugly scars from the abuse she endured?

When every appointment for the day is done, she asks one of her new maids to prepare a bath for her. The maid bows in her direction, but Aristia can already sense the disdain coming from her. Her suspicions are verified as soon as she checks the bath water.

It's freezing cold.

~

"They are really brave for this move." Jisung chuckles and shakes his head, amusement plastered on his face.

"They must think we are fools." Chan laughs along. "I can't believe they only sent 100 gold as dowry. What kind of princess marries with such a laughable amount?"

"Right? Besides, isn't the King rumoured to adore his daughter? What is going on?"

"We won't forget this for sure when the time comes." Seungmin shakes his head.

The council formed of him, Jisung and the Emperor is currently seated around a table, together with Lee Know, one of Bang Chan's most trusted knights.

"How did she seem to you, Minho?" Chan asks.

"Mhm, quite unpredictable. I told you already that she asked me to send all of her attendants home."

"Foolish girl." Seungmin shakes his head. "Doesn't she know she has no allies here?"

"She didn't seem particularly close to the people in the Kingdom either." Lee Know shrugs.

"Maybe it's all a façade to gain our trust." Jisung suggests. "If we let our guard down now, she could find out that we're planning to uncover the documents for the mine and start a war in two years."

"We'll see." Chan replies. "Anything else about her, Minho?"

"Yes. I received word that she had her measurements taken yesterday, and apparently made quite a fuss about not wanting anyone to see her naked. She didn't let the maids assist her washing either."

Chan chuckled. "What, is she shy?"

"Quite unusual for a princess to wash herself." Seungmin observes. "When are you planning to meet her?"

"I'd say never. But realistically, during our wedding."

"What, you won't go see her even once?" Jisung's eyes grow large. "I knew you were cruel, but that's another level, Chan."

"Don't call me cruel, I'll have your head cut off for treason." The Emperor threatens jokingly. When it's just them in the secrecy of the council room, they don't have to keep appearances. Sure, Bang Chan is the Emperor of the Sun, but he's grown up with a handful of loyal people around him he considers as close as family, so he allowed them to drop the honorifics when in private settings. "Felix keeps beating around the bush to go meet her, he's quite curious."

"Dangerously curious." Seungmin adds.

"I'm also curious." Jisung admits.

"She's just a spoilt rotten princess of our enemies. What is there to be curious of?" Lee Know asks the men around the table.

"I agree. Nothing good about getting acquainted with someone like her. Our original plan of ignoring her completely seems to be the best to ensure nothing unwanted gets to her ears." Seungmin says.

"All I know is that I'm not looking forward to the wedding." Bang Chan remarks.

~

"Your Highness, may we enter now?" The attendants softly open the door to Aristia's chambers, keeping their heads down.

"Yes, come help me." She commands. She managed to put on the large wedding dress on her own, making sure to cover her back completely before allowing the attendants to come finish dressing her.

The wedding dress is the most beautiful garment Aristia's ever seen. It's white, embellished with beautiful green and golden jewels and white pearls all over; its sleeves are puffy, made of a soft, see-through organza that is not so heavy on her arms, and looking in the mirror, she's barely able to recognise herself. Her train is so long, she is sure it's going to catch everyone's attention as soon as she steps in the room.

Dressed in the white and golden colours of the Empire, she notices, as if for the first time, that she is really beautiful. She looks like a true princess, like the future Empress. Her garments are also adorned with green emeralds, much like her wrists and neck, a symbol of her former Kingdom, which she finds quite ironic.

'The jewellery has been chosen by the Sun Himself', as one of her attendants said.

Why would he want her to wear green, and not gold?

Is this his way of welcoming her, somehow telling her that she should feel as if she's still home, or is this some sort of threat informing her that she's never going to be accepted fully?

The green emeralds all over the dress also make this last thought a bit more obvious to her, but she decides not to ponder on it.

Maybe I'm overthinking. Aristia shakes her head and informs the maids that she's ready.

As she gets out of her rooms, two knights bow in her direction and start escorting her towards the church. One of them she recognises. She even remembers his name: Lee Know, the first face she's seen when she stepped out of the carriage, the man who first welcomed her into the Empire. It's the first time she sees the second one, though. He's a bit shorter than Lee Know, and his arms are a bit buffer too. His expression seems softer.

Since he came to escort her, he must also be an important knight.

Once they reach the church, Aristia tries to not look too much around. She's curious, but she keeps her eyes from searching the faces of the people looking at her, following her every move. She breathes in and makes her way towards the Altar, where a man dressed in the same colours as her - only without the green emeralds - is waiting with his back turned.

The Emperor, she thinks as she steps up next to him. He doesn't spare her even one glance, and she refrains from turning her head to watch him. Instead, she side-eyes him and notices a sharp jaw as if he's clenching it, a perfectly sculpted nose and brown eyes. She averts her gaze a few seconds later, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing she's curious about him.

Still, isn't curiosity normal? He's never come visit her ever since she got to the Empire, not even once, and before they officially get married, she doesn't have a high enough authority to go see him first, unless he asks for her, or unless she requests an audience.

Every muscle in Chan's body gives him away. He is displeased to be at the Altar next to a bride he doesn't like one bit, nor want, nor even need.

Well, the last bit is false, even if just a tad, and he knows it. He does need her for this marriage, giving him an easy temporary alliance to her nation, but he's counting the days until he'd be able to get rid of her, even if they haven't shared one word so far. He knows he dislikes her without having to talk to her. The fact that she hasn't looked for him or even asked someone if she can see him tells him how arrogant the princess is, too.

Tsk. He almost clicks his tongue out loud in annoyance.

He is not the only one displeased to be there, though. Aristia is as well, and so is everybody in the church. The only delighted ones are the people of the Empire whose sons have been drafted to join the army at a young age for wars that seem to be without end.

Aristia is discontented with this situation; she's the daughter of a King who didn't want her, sent over like a sacrificial lamb to his enemy, a man who doesn't want her either, who won't even cast a look at her. She decides she won't look at him either. Two can play this game.

Let's just look at these flowers and not think. She repeats in her head as she admires the bouquet of white peonies.

The priest begins talking, spewing nonsense about eternal love and about how they will always have each other's back. As if for the first time, Aristia realises that even though they are a fake couple, the marriage is very much real. What a shuddering thought, to be forever tied to this man she knows nothing about.

By the end of the priest's long speech, it's traditional for the couple to kiss, so Chan turns his body towards the princess, and she is able to see him properly for the first time.

The Emperor is good looking, she notices, but his gaze pierces, pulling at Aristia's heart strings. She doesn't know how someone can throw her such a malevolent stare, and she almost shakes when he firmly rests his right hand on her neck right under her jaw, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. He uses that same hand to lift her head up, their eyes fighting a silent battle.

She expects a kiss and closes her eyes instinctively, but instead, she feels him remove his hand from under her jaw, and moments later, her head is weighted heavily by what she assumes is the Empress' crown. Her left hand moves towards the foreign object on her head and touches it unsurely, but the darkness in the Emperor's eyes tells her she is indeed wearing the crown of the Empire, matching his golden one.

She is only able to see her own reflection in his eyes, and she tries her hardest to keep her composure and show him that she can also be Empress, not a simple toy he brought over from the Kingdom.

The next time his hand rests under her jaw, she decides against closing her eyes. She will no longer be taken by surprise. He hesitates for a bit when seeing the new-found determination in her orbs, but eventually moves closer and presses his plum lips against her decisively, and people start clapping, for the Sun of the Empire has finally welcomed his Moon.

~

Following the church service, a great ball takes place in one of the rooms of the castle. The atmosphere is radiant, filled with chatter and laughter and sounds of glasses clinking against one another as people get drunker and drunker, celebrating the union between The Kingdom of the South and The Empire of the Sun. In earnest, everyone is toasting for the beginning of a time of peace and tranquillity, as the Empire has always been at war due to the large ambitions of the previous Emperor, Chan's father, who wanted nothing more than to see their Empire conquer all that used to belong to them centuries ago.

Chan has much of the same ambitions, and even after his father's sudden passing, he's managed to fulfil his wishes and brought the Empire to the largest it's ever been. Despite this being a good thing in terms of the Empire's prosperity, it's also been tiring on its people, who've seen their sons, husbands and fathers sent off to war, to never return back home.

The Sun and the Moon are seated together at a table overviewing the banquet hall, sitting in silence. He doesn't address her any words, so she doesn't bother to strike up a conversation either.

What a lonely place this is, up on a throne with no one by your side but a betrothed that doesn't want you, while everyone else is having fun right in front of you.

Even during their first dance, Chan barely looked at Aristia, and he hadn't spoken to her at all. The disgust plastered on his face during their first dance was obvious, and his indifference now regarding her presence is, too.

Truly, she was nervous during their first dance, but she realised quickly that Chris was at best unconcerned about their wedding and the dance. He simply took the lead, as men must do during a dance, and she followed him, but they didn't say a word, nor did they smile or show any kind of expression signalling they at least get along. She assumes they looked like those rigid, stiff wooden figures in the music boxes, and she dreads the plays that will inevitably get written about them and the royal wedding.

Aristia starts wondering if the people in the room are also able to notice the height of the wall between them but realises it's a pointless thought to have. She focuses on the chalice of wine in her hand instead, that's already been emptied and refilled a couple of times. She can't help but feel how uncomfortable the crown is on her head, how it's making her scalp hurt.

She wishes she could take it off, throw it across the room and run away.

The ridiculously large dress would make it hard to do so. She thinks, and almost lets a chuckle escape past her lips.

The alcohol is getting to her head and it's getting harder and harder to keep her eyes open, which is exactly what she is hoping for. She hopes she'll pass out as soon as she gets into the Emperor's chambers. Like any woman on her wedding night, she is expected to offer herself wholly to her husband, and hopefully bear his children as soon as possible. She doesn't want it, but it's her duty as a married woman, and even more so as the Empress. If she's drunk enough, the man next to her can do whatever he wants to her body, and she won't feel a thing during the deed. She almost winces imagining the horrendous pain she's going to be faced with tomorrow after The Emperor has had his fun, but her many years of training to be a respectable Crown Princess aid her in keeping a straight face.

Besides, whatever he does to her can't be worse than what her father's done up until this point, can it? A beating must certainly hurt way worse than sexual intercourse. That's what she hopes for, anyway, burying all the books on marriage etiquette she had to read deep in her head, trying not to think of the lines describing the numbing pain women feel under their partner the first time, and, if they're unlucky, during every intercourse.

"Sun and Moon of the Empire, I congratulate you on your marriage. May you live happily ever after together and be blessed with many children." A young blonde approaches the table and bows respectfully, and Chan starts smiling.

"Felix, no need to be so formal." He says but doesn't bother introducing Felix to Aristia or explaining who he is.

She can guess, though, since Felix is also wearing white and gold, the colours of the royal family, and his head is adorned by a crown, albeit smaller than Chan's. Considering the fact that he also addressed them first, without waiting for permission to speak, he must be the younger prince.

"Are you having fun, brother? You haven't even gotten up since the first dance. I'm sure Her Highness must be bored." He says, looking expectantly at Aristia.

"Not at all, His Highness is great company." She replies in an almost mocking tone, concentrating hard to not slur her words.

"I must apologise for interrupting you two, I'm sure there's a lot to talk about as you get to know each other. However, I'd really love it if Her Highness would join me for a dance." He offers Aristia his hand.

"Oh, I'm afraid I might step on your toes. I'm not a good dancer, and I've quite enjoyed the wine from the northern region this evening." She chuckles and tries to play it off and politely decline his invitation, but Felix doesn't back down.

"Not to worry, Your Highness, I am quite strong and an excellent dancer."

To that, Aristia can't object anymore, and so she places her hand in his and stands up with his help, rearranging the uncomfortably large dress and instinctively placing her hand on her crown, making sure it stays in place.

Felix guides her to the dance floor and places his left hand firmly around her waist, keeping her right hand in a strong hold.

They start spinning to the music, looking elegant under the delightful gazes of all the people in attendance. Despite being quite intoxicated, Aristia matches Felix' lead perfectly.

"My sister-in-law said she's a bad dancer, but it doesn't look like it." He remarks, and Aristia can't help herself but joke around a bit, and steps on his foot.

"Oops." She smiles, and Felix starts laughing brightly. Aristia thinks the title of 'Sun of the Empire' would be better fitted for him, with how radiant his smile is, compared to his brother's piercing gaze that's been throwing daggers in her back ever since she stood up from the throne.

"Why are you trying to get drunk?" He asks all of a sudden.

"Oh, I'm not just trying to. I'm also succeeding." She chuckles, and Felix laughs again warmly.

She is a beautiful woman, and he can't help but feel bad for her; all alone, in an unfamiliar nation, married by force to someone she doesn't know, who hasn't spoken to her at all since the night began. He can't imagine how suffocating that must be. She must also feel intimidated by his brother, since she's also quite young. If he's not wrong, she's 2 years younger than himself, which means she's 5 years younger than Chris.

"I'm Felix, by the way. Chan's younger brother. He hasn't introduced us, that rude rascal."

"Rascal?" Aristia chuckles again. "Isn't it treason to talk like that about the Emperor?"

"He's a quite forgiving man."

"He doesn't strike me as such, but what do I know?" She fakes another smile as she hints at the fact that today is the first time she's ever meeting the Emperor. "My name is Aristia."

"I love your name. Rising Empress. How fitting!"

He exclaims, and she just smiles. Fake, fake, fake, fake. She always thought balls are tiring, but since her father hasn't allowed her to join too many, it's hard to get used to this.

She misses the confines of her room back in the Kingdom, the shelves with books to keep her company, and most of all, her loyal maid, taken away by sickness too long ago.

There is no sense of familiarity for Aristia in this place, no refuge. Only the suffocating dress, the heavy crown, the way too crowded ballroom, and a dagger stabbed in her back by her own husband, that's making it hard to breathe and almost impossible to focus on the smiling man in front of her.

"He hasn't talked to you much, has he?" Felix asks, as if he's only now figuring out her earlier allusions.

"I enjoy silence." She retorts.

"I'm sorry..." Felix smiles sympathetically. "So... back to my original question, is his company that bad that you have to be drunk to be in his presence?"

"Such is the fate of a bride. There'll be plenty of time for us to spend together without knowing each other, and I feel woefully unprepared."

She confesses, and Felix hums, barely audible over the loud music. Just as he wants to say something comforting, the music briefly stops as the musical ensemble prepares itself for a next song, and people come to compliment the two on their perfect dancing. They surround Aristia and start asking her all sorts of questions, definitely curious about her, and it's becoming a bit too overwhelming, and she's getting dizzy.

It's too hot, and she's had too much wine, and her corset is way too tight, and her head can't seem to get used to the weight of the crown; it hurts. Aristia finds herself missing the tranquillity and comfort of loneliness that her throne provides, far away from everyone. She just wants to excuse herself and go back on her throne so she can breathe, but there are customs to be respected, and she doesn't want to come across as rude and leave in the middle of a conversation. She starts scanning the room with her eyes, until they finally fall on the bulky guard that escorted her with Lee Know in the morning.

He's not too far away from her; he's there for her protection, and his gaze is also stuck on her. As soon as they make eye contact, it's as if he understands that something is wrong; he sees the urgency in her eyes and instantly begins moving towards Aristia, asking everyone else to step aside.

"His Majesty requested The Moon's presence, please excuse us." He says with a bow and begins guiding the Empress away, ignoring the protests of the disappointed crowd, and she's never been more thankful.

"Thank you." She whispers as soon as they are a bit further away.

"I apologise, but... Are you feeling sick? You seem pale... if I may." He whispers back, and Aristia nods.

"Just needed some air. What's your name?"

"It's Changbin, Your Highness." He bows again as soon as Aristia reaches the steps to the two thrones and the table where only she and her husband are sat. She avoids looking into Chan's eyes as he scans her face, and simply nods towards Changbin and goes to sit down.

For the first time ever, someone noticed her discomfort, and actively did something to help, and she is truly grateful. She hopes the banquet will end on a positive note at least, although it seems far from over, and just rests comfortably against the backrest of her throne, wishing for time to pass quicker.

After about an hour, a young woman approaches their table and bows respectfully, waiting for her or the Emperor to say something first. Being the highest authority in the Empire, unless the Empress or Emperor addresses you first, you are unable to speak to them.

"Arabella." Chan says as soon as he notices her, a large smile plastered on his face, which makes Aristia involuntarily raise an eyebrow.

"I greet the Sun of the Empire and congratulate you for your marriage." She says respectfully, almost making Aristia scoff.

She is the Empress now, but this girl – Arabella – hasn't even bowed towards her, nor addressed her in the salutation. This in itself would be considered inexcusable behaviour, but Chris doesn't seem to regard her as his wife either, so he doesn't bat an eye at the ignorance.

"You may raise your head."

"You look as healthy as ever." She bows again, shorter this time, with an intoxicating giggle that is quick to reach Chan's ears, and Aristia doesn't fail to notice the way her husband's cheeks receive prominent dimples as he smiles at the compliment.

"And you as well. Your father must be pleased to be able to pride himself with such a beautiful jewel."

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of your praises."

My ass. Aristia thinks briefly and stops herself from rolling her eyes at this exchange. How blatantly rude, to flirt in front of her so openly. Does Chris want a concubine already?

"The night sky is truly beautiful tonight, Your Majesty. I wish you could see it as well."

"If I weren't confined in this ballroom, I would. You, however, should go and dance and enjoy yourself."

Arabella. Aristia observes the girl walk away. I shall not forget this name.

~

The banquet lasts for a few more hours, which Aristia uses wisely to drink a bit more wine to the point where walking towards her room to change from the dress is almost impossible without the help of the maids.

When she gets there, she almost lets them undress her, until she remembers about the scars on her back. She doesn't want anyone else to know about them. The Emperor would probably see them tonight, but that's something Aristia could deal with, since he is unlikely to spread any rumours about her. He still has a reputation to keep, and marrying a broken princess of the enemy kingdom would not be a flattering appeal.

The maids are, however, a different story entirely. They feed on the insecurities of their masters and whisper between themselves late at night about all the affairs of the house. She knew it all too well, for she's heard them many times before, when she was still living in the Kingdom.

So, she sends them away and begins taking off her garments excruciatingly slowly. After getting undressed from the large dress, Aristia is quick to discard it somewhere on the floor and begins changing into tonight's outfit, which consists of garments that leave little to the imagination. Beautifully delicate lace lingerie, ruffled garters and a flimsy night robe hug her body, and on top of it, a fur coat she should wear until she reaches The Emperor's chambers. Everything is easily discardable, but she tries not to linger on it for too long.

Before exiting the room, she places the crown firmly against her head, as she shouldn't be seen anywhere without it. Even if she's worn it for hours already, she simply can't get used to the heaviness on her scalp, and she can already feel the impending headache. She's never had to wear any crowns in the Kingdom; her father wouldn't allow it, not wanting to recognise her status as the Crown Princess.

The knight who's helped her earlier, Changbin, comes to escort her to Chris, and she can't help but feel yet again like a sacrificial lamb served on a platter for her husband to devour. Changbin bows at The Moon briefly and avoids her eyes at all costs.

Is it embarrassing, knowing you're escorting a half-naked Empress to your master, so she could be fucked like a whore for the whole night? Aristia almost wants to ask but keeps it to herself once again.

The wine is making me have foul thoughts. She rationalises in her head, for it's way easier to blame alcohol than to blame the actual problem: a vulgar personality that comes out anytime she feels like fighting the whole world for dealing her a bad hand.

Once she enters the room, she is quite pleased to find it empty. This means a bit more time to prepare, and she suddenly doesn't feel drunk enough.

She scans the table for more wine but is unsuccessful to find any until the door opens, revealing The Emperor.

"You're here." He states, as if surprised.

Aristia nods.

"Of course you are." He mumbles. "Unfortunately."

"Yeah, it's truly a misfortune." She replies, and he lets out a short, mocking laugh. She involuntarily hugs the fur coat tighter, as if to protect her body from his sight.

"You see, it's quite funny that you're here, actually. Wanna know why?"

"... Why?"

"Because I asked them not to bring you." He smiles. It doesn't reach his eyes.

"Is that so? I shall take my leave, then." She starts going towards the door, hoping he'd just let her pass. She brushes past him, and as soon as she raises her hand to open the door, she hears him curse under his breath.

"Fucking whore."

She stops, her hand on the handle, as if she's frozen. Anger is boiling up inside of her, but the rational side of her knows it would be better to simply get out and not look back. He doesn't want to sleep with her, so she's free to go and end the day without having to go through any abuse.

She should go.

Simple enough.

But how dare he?

How dare he not address her one word the whole night, and once he does, it's to affront her?

"What did you just say to me?" She turns around, anger lacing her tone, and watches him right in the eyes.

"I said," he smiles again, this time larger and more menacing, "fucking whore."

"Whore?" Aristia chuckles. "Is that what you think of me? God, how ironic this is. You don't know anything about who I am, but still dare to call me names."

"Listen up, I can call you whatever the fuck I want. So, whore, kindly get out of my room before I also treat you like one."

"No. You listen up. You might be Emperor, but you married me, so now I am your Empress. Act like it."

"How daring." He chuckles again, but then his face turns serious all of a sudden, and he starts aggressively walking towards Aristia, taking the crown off her head in one swift motion and throwing it across the room. He then grabs her wrist tightly and drags her away from the door, throwing her on the bed.

She freezes, just as she always did whenever her father would grab and hit her.

As soon as her back is against the mattress, the fur coat separates in the middle and lies flat on the bed, exposing Aristia's body under the flimsy nightgown. She wants to cover herself from Chan's sight, but he gets on top of her and pins her hands apart, looking sharply into her eyes.

"The temerity you have." He starts, this time no longer smiling, and a chill makes its way towards Aristia's spine. She's scared of him, she's sure of it now, and she's crossed the line. "Do you think you're truly an Empress? Let me break it to you: you're not, and you'll never be. Never. So, just stay somewhere, quietly and out of my sight, and I'll leave you be as well. Is that clear?"

Will he hit me like my dad if I oppose him?

"You asked for my hand-"

"No. What I asked for was peace, so don't flatter yourself. You and that father of yours who claims to be King are only thieves, stealing away our gems and claiming them as yours. But for the sake of peace for my people, I'm willing to turn a blind eye. That's why you're here. Of course, a foolish girl like you would have no way of knowing such things." He spits out. "Do you have any idea how much you disgust me? Kissing you in that church today has easily been the worst thing I've ever had to do."

"You must've had an easy life, then." She blurts out, annoyed with the way he's patronising her, and something shifts in Chan's gaze.

"You must be extremely intoxicated to keep talking back to me."

"Tsk. Not enough."

"Still keeping your head up after all I've said? Fine. Want me to show you that you're nothing in this place?"

He aggressively rips away her nightgown and her bralette, leaving her exposed under him, and then presses his body on hers, his lips mere centimetres away from her neck.

"You mean nothing to me. You are nothing. I can do whatever the fuck I want with you, and no one would bat an eye. You know why?" He whispers in her ear. "Because I am the Emperor, and you're merely a tool."

Aristia doesn't say anything, her body trembling in fear when Chan separates himself from her.

"Didn't you notice that I didn't even let you wear golden jewels today? You are not part of my family. Is that clear to you now? Get the fuck out of my rooms, and don't come back."

She listens this time, hugging the fur coat as tightly as possible around her and sprinting to the door, opening it in a rush. She doesn't even notice that she's forgotten to pick the crown back up, not that she knew where it fell, anyway.

On the other side, Lee Know and Changbin are guarding the door. As soon as he sees her, Changbin's expression changes to surprise, while Lee Know's stays neutral.

Aristia musters up the last bit of dignity she has left, and looks into Changbin's eyes, commanding him.

"Take me back to my rooms."

It's hard to fight back the tears that want to spill from her eyes, but she does so successfully until she's alone. She heads towards the small balcony attached to her room and glances outside, hugging the fur coat tighter than ever, but doesn't open the door. She simply looks outside, crying in silence, and tries to focus on something else – anything to take her mind away from her husband who loathes her and the reality of the fact that she'll have to wake up in this Empire from now on.

Her eyes fall on the countless stars above, that give her a sense of peace. It's always a humbling experience to watch the Universe and realise how small you are in the grand scheme of things. So, that's what Aristia does. She just watches the stars dance and sparkle in front of her eyes, mesmerised by their grandeur.

That Arabella bitch was right. The night sky is truly beautiful tonight.

~

(A/N) Little treat for you, new chapter a day early

Love,

Storm