The sun begain to shine. The sun rays shone on my face and I blinked lazily, stretching my arms under the covers. It felt like an eternity had passed since I've slept this comfortably especially for a change of place.
I got up, I was surprised to see such a magnificent room, I was in awe for a second and couldn't believe my eyes. For tweleve years I did sleep in a big room but it wasn't as gigantic as this one. I rose from my bed and gazed outside the window, the sight was truly remarkable. I could see the whole empire from here. It looked really peaceful, a bit too peaceful. The gate of the room opened. A young maid and an old lady came inside. The old lady spoke.
"Morning, lady. I am the head maid. This girl will be your personal maid starting today. If you need anything you may ring the bell and she'll come to attend you, hope you understand. Then I'll be excusing myself". The old woman was the head maid and her eyes were filled with disgust towards me. Well I don't really care.
" Um, it's nice to meet you madam. My names Emily and I'll be taking care of you from today onwards." She looked like a joyful kid. She was probably the same age as me. Unlike the head maid she looked at me with a soft gaze.
"Hello Emily, I'm Celine. It's nice to meet you as well. Then from today onwards I'll be in your care and let's also get along, alright". I said.
"Y...yes, please take care of me as well". Emily said with a bright smile. I don't feel any danger from her and I really like her. She looks like a kind soul.
"Emily, do you know where my brother is staying. Can I go and meet him". I asked
"Ahh yes, I know. I need to get you ready and then we'll go to your brother and eat breakfast". She replied.
"Alright then". Emily took me to the bathroom and gave a hot bath. It felt really cozy. Then she applied some shampoo on my hairs and combed them. The smell was really attractive. It was like cotton candy. Then she washed my hair and scrubbed my body. After that she made me wear a cotton robe, it was so soft. She took me outside to dress me up. My jaw literally dropped. The dresses were too extragavent. They were too much.
"Ummm Emily, these dresses are too much. They don't suit my taste. Aren't there any modest or simple ones? I asked
"Madam, wait a minute. I'll go and look for some simple one". After a minute or two Emily returned with some dresses."How about these madame? They are much more simpler than the others".
"The blue and white one. It looks like something that suits my taste". Then I changed into the dress. It fitted me perfectly.
"Madam, you look so pretty, I'll do your hair now and then you'll look just like a princess. Your hair colour is amazing as well. I can't believe I'm serving someone as pretty and kind as you ". Emily said with a smile. She truly was an angel. I'm glad she's the one who's serving me.
"Emily, your flattering me. Thank you. I also think your quite pretty. I'll leave my hair down, no need to put much hardwork on it". I said
"As you wish Madam and thank you for the compliment". Emily replied.
"There you go madam, you'll all ready"
"Thank you for the hardwork Emily. Now then shall we go to see my brother."
"Yes madam, let's go. What would you like for breakfast? Emily asked.
"Anything would work but I'll like a cup of coffee, if possible".
"Yes madam. I'll lead the way to your brother's bedroom". I then followed Emily. We arrived at Lucas's room. He was still sleeping. I didn't want to disturb him so I quitely went towards his bed and kissed his forehead. I was really glad he was safe. After a while Emily brought breakfast and Lucas also waked up. We both had breakfast together. It felt really amazing. This moment was all that I ever yearned for. But there was something wrong, there's was no way the Prince would let us live here so easily. He must be scheming something. We both finished our breakfast. Lucas was busy drawing, he was provided colour pencils and a notebook. Lucas was drawing and I sat there looking at him while drawing and then suddenly there was knock. Cedric came inside and said.
"My lady the Prince requests your presence".
There, I knew there was something. The time has finally come. I got up and asked Lucas to wait for me to come back. He nodded and I went away with Cedric.
"Your Highness, we're entering". Both of us entered and bowed infront of him, I actually never wanted to but I didnt want any problems for Lucas.
"Ahh so you do possess some sense of manners and courtesy". He said as if he looked down on me. Me on the other hand, I glared at him and ignored his comment as it would've been a waste to argue.
"Cedric, you may take your leave. I want have a conversation with the lady alone".
"As you wish Your Highness". Then Cedric left.
"Celine, take a seat". Then I sat down and so did Allen Standford.
"What's your surname" he asked
"I don't know, I grew up in an orphanage" I replied. I couldn't possibly tell them I'm from the family that were behind the martyr of the vampires.
"I prefer you speak honestly, I don't like dishonest people" he said.
"I'm being completely honest, I actually don't know." I replied.
"Hmmm...then. Are you ready". He asked
"Ready for what." I replied
"Ready for repaying my kindness. You were the one who said you'll repay me." He said
"What is it that you want? I replied.
"Nothing much. I'll take over the title of the Emperor of Standford soon, but there's something I need to have in order to claim that title". He said
"Let's get staright to the point, shall we Crown Prince". I replied with a smile.
"Pretty bold for a young girl. Well then let's get to the point. A wife. I need a wife. And you're the only one who is capable of becoming the wife I want. You possess all the qualities I need. Strong willed, can wield a sword, knows how to handle affairs cleverly and more than that you're interesting and you have a pretty face as well. Those golden hairs of yours make you a fine candidate as well. I've never met a woman as a amussing as you. Three years. Sign a contract with me for three years. I'll let you live after three years". He said with no emotion on his face.
"Your Highness, do you even know what you're saying. I'm sorry, but I can't do something like this. I have to say no. Your talking about marriage so easily, are you even considering my feelings." I replied with an upsetting face.
"Celine, may I remind you I never asked a question. If you say no, you have to face the death of your brother and you surely don't want it. I'm giving you a chance to reconsider. Yes or No."
"Prince, your using my brother's life against me. Do you know how unfair you're being. Your a Vampire, there's no way a human and a vampires marriage can be approved. It's just not possible. Please I'll do anything except this marriage. If you're worried about people knowing your identity I won't even open my mouth even if I'm being tortured. But marriage is impossible."
"Fine, then I don't have any choice, you may say your farewells to your brother. I'll be going now". I stared at him with disbelief.
"Wait a minute, please don't do this. Your being completely unjust. Please reconsider".
He completely ignored me. Didn't even bat an eye or looked behind. He was about to leave the room.
"Fine..fine, fine, fine. I'll marry you. I'll marry you. So don't do anything to my brother. I'll marry you got it." I said with trembling. My heart was filled with nothing but hate for this jerk. I can't believe he put me in such a tough spot. I hate him. I hate him so much. He looked at me with an evil smirk.
"I can see the love you possess for your brother. You made a good choice. I'll let you and your brother live after three years. Till then, you only need to act to be intimate with me in front of others. I'll also respect your boundaries. We'll keep the engagement ceremony after three months. And I'll send your brother to an outstanding academy for his studies and he'll also learn how to use a sword. It's a pretty good deal isn't it?. But let me remind you, don't even try to escape from here if you don't want your brother to die. I'll be leaving now, if you want something, inform Cedric." He could see my crying face but still didn't react. I had to get married to someone as merciless as him.
I stood there, tears coming down from my eyes. I felt so helpless. I pitied myself for being so helpless. Why me, I didn't do anything wrong. Why do I have to face it all.
This is so wrong. I washed my face and went back to Lucas. He was still drawing. I went back to my room and sat down on the sofa peeking outside the window. Thinking why is my luck so f**ked up.
"Three years. I'll have to endure only three years more. Then I'll be able to break free and till then Lucas would became a fine grown man and then we'll both live happily and maybe I'll do a job and we'll live with Catherine. We both will be happy. That would be really nice."Yeah, it would be nice".
Celine wished a future filled with happiness. But this isn't the future she'll have. There were many upcoming future sorrows and hardship that she had to face. The true hardships had just only begain.