I soon realized that I would have been the happiest girl in the Sun Empire if I could have choked an annoying and idiotic duke I had ever had the displeasure of meeting. Not that I had met any other before, but I was a firm believer that none could be as tiring as the man sitting in front of me, grinning like he had won a prize of some sort.

Ohhh, if could... even if for a moment. But of course, I could not. I wished to live a long life, and that was not compatible with choking the Mountnero Duke, the cold snake of the Sun Empire. So I stayed silent on our way to the palace. A place overflowing with death traps. And even though I was wearing a cute frolic pink dress and riding a carriage for the first time, this could not bring me joy.

To avoid the gleeful stares thrown at me by the Duke (and decrease my urge to punch him), I concentrated my view on the window and the ever-changing scenario from outside. In a calmer state, I could now think of ways to avoid any undesirable encounters.

According to my knowledge, it was too soon for Jenni to meet the princes. That only happened when she reached her teenage years. They were introduced by Princess Odette, the older sister of Prince Francis. Jenni had gone to greet her, at the request of the Empress so the princess could have a friend of similar age and of the right pedigree.

During the visit, she found both princes hiding from their tutor in Odette's palace, a usual affair between the three. In the book, it was all very romantic and full of charged destiny. A true fairytale.

Although it always baffled me how she got to meet BOTH at the same time. Even if there was a reason behind such a strange coincidence.

The Sun and Moon empires had a long relationship. It went back to the beginnings of their kingdoms at the hands of their gods. Their frosty and sometimes violent relationship flourished with time, turning both enemy nations into brotherly lands. The past war was forgiven and forgotten.

Or so it was told by those who wished to bury an unsavoury history.

To promote both empires' good relations, princes of similar ages always studied together. That way, they would grow a bond, which would last for a lifetime. They would also share knowledge as proof of goodwill between nations. One year, the princes would study in the Sun Empire and the next in the Moon Empire. This would be the norm until they become adults, at eighteen.

Luckily for the story, both royal princes were the same age, and both were the only sons of their respective families. Just like their fathers before. What a remarkable coincidence...

I was not sure of the date or in which year would bring their studies to the Sun Empire. If I was lucky, they were busy studying magic at Luar, the Moon Empire capital. However, it would be anyway safer for me if I stayed far away from the Royal Residences and the Scholar Headquarters, where the princes studied when they were at the Sun Empire.

I was starting to feel hopeful, looking through the window while a festival grew in the main square of Solar, the Capital of the Sun. Tents were being lifted, merchants were busy carrying baskets full of unseen things covered by blankets, and people were already gathered on the fringes of the space even if nothing was ready yet.

The noise, the colours and the sweet scent that travelled through the air soothed my worries.

However, the Duke, being the ass that he was, had to ruin the moment.

"Would you like to visit Princess Odette? You both are close in age and it would be good if you had someone to talk to besides your sister." He said while giving me a wholesome smile as if he was doing a wonderful thing.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Oh no, you won't!

I put on my best sad face, which made that grin of his disappear fast. He came to my side, worried.

"What is the matter, my dear Lucreatia? Why the long face?" he asked, while he patted my hair.

I looked at him, realizing that if not for his rotten personality, he would have been quite a catch. Neat blond hair, a sharp face with soft edges, blue ocean eyes and a glow that oozed confidence. He wore a navy colour suit with white pants, and a golden pocket watch, the colours highlighting his unhuman perfection. It made him dreamy to any unsuspecting lady. Too perfect. Like a sculpture, a piece of art. He seemed so lovely and such a worried father, yet the knowledge of what he had done was too powerful for me to ignore.

To survive, however, I kept it away from my tongue. Or my thoughts, so I could sleep better with myself.

"Papa, I thought we were supposed to pass the day together..." I sniffed a little to add some feeling to it. "Now you want to get rid of me!"

I let out a sob, worrying the Duke. He was so flustered that he didn't know what to say, choosing to hand me his handkerchief instead.

The silence didn't last, and he talked while I cleaned my fake tears.

"My dear Lucreatia, my work, while important, would bore a lady like yourself. Unfortunately, there is no one there who can play with you when I am not available. I only wanted you to have an enjoyable time... I didn't mean to get rid of you..."

Upon my insistence on staying by his side, he relented and talked about it no more. He talked, however, about my love for him. Sang it, to be more precise. How big it was and how it made him the happiest father in the world.

My soul puked during the rest of our journey.

Until the palace came into our view. Already from afar, one could see its greatness. I had never seen a palace so big and so grandiose. The walls that encircled it were marble, tall and imposing, while the gates were of pure gold. They were shaped like a great Sun with six rays that curved on themselves. And when they opened, they glided to the side, creating the illusion of a sunset.

The first building that greeted us was the Residence of the Emperor, the centre of everything. It was a huge marble-round building with a dome of blinding gold, more powerful than any sun. We turned to the right, passing several smaller buildings of the same white with a splash of gold. Their lines were perfectly straight and hard. There were no other colours and there was nothing out of place.

It was striking. And boring after a while.

The Duke, being the prime minister himself, worked in the government's office, which was close to the Emperor's quarters. It was a series of buildings connected by gilded air bridges, forming a hexagon. The closest buildings to the government office were the utility houses and the Royal Academy, where the princes studied. I had to be careful to not step outside the premises or I could face undesired encounters.

During most of the morning, I stayed by the Duke's side. In the beginning, it was bearable, as he had meetings to attend. I was bored, but at least I didn't wish to puke all over his shiny shoes. All changed when I had the horrific lunch of hell with him. I never thought before that one person could be so full of another that time seemed to stop. The hour I spent with him was torturous, though, for many, it would have looked like we were a doting father and daughter pair. The aides who served him were all smiles and exalted expressions. I guessed, on normal days, the Duke was his cold and ruthless self. This side of him gave everyone a more breathable time.

Everyone except for my sad self...

When the Duke said he could take some time for an afternoon tea with me, I freaked out. Right there, I gave him a flimsy excuse and went to visit the garden just by the side of the building. It was nothing more than a big patch of green with some benches where people could catch some sun or read. Or just enjoy a breath of fresh air.

But at least I would be away from him, and my sanity kept.

The Duke, however, being the overprotective jerk he was, made an aide come with me. When I told him I wanted to be alone, the aide misinterpreted it as a sign that no one should use the garden and went off to warn people to leave the premises.

I watched him go, with the certainty that I would have to measure my words better next time.

A little time later, when I decided to go for a walk around the building, I heard a child's voice."So you are the famous Mountnero daughter... I thought you were supposed to be a beauty..." the voice chuckled mockingly.

I should have ignored it and gone my way, but I didn't.

Instead, as an idiot, I turned to where the voice was coming from. And I froze solid.

Black hair.

Olive skin.

Red blood eyes.

And a devilish smile.

I hated it...

But even more, I hated my unlucky ass.

I am so fucked up now...