Prologue - The Marriage

{The Marriage: Vivian's point of view}

Vivian woke up, it was early in the morning, but instead of feeling good, Vivian instead felt like dying…

Today was not a good day for Vivian…

No, in fact, it was probably the worst day of her life, Vivian thought as she was now about to be married off to some fat noble she heard little of, and the little things she did hear about him were simply the worst!

Sadly for Vivian however, was that she could do nothing to change her current situation.

Vivian was the 24th Princess of the mighty Empire of Brune: The Great Empire of Knights as they often called it.

But although the Empire was vast and strong, not everyone in the Imperial Family experienced happiness.

No, in truth, if you were a Princess of the Empire and you didn't have a rich or politically important mother, then your life would be no different from a terrible horrible nightmare.

This was especially true for Vivian as she was the "dirty" bastard child of the Emperor and a female commoner. And because of this illegitimate background, although there were at least 10 Princesses younger than her, she was still considered the lowest of the low when ranking the Princesses of Brune.

Vivian had the worst childhood a person from the Imperial Family, or any family for that matter could have ever had.

There were 15 Princes and 34 Princesses within the Imperial Family, so it wouldn't be a surprise that not all of them had rich powerful mothers.

But even then, only Vivian was the sole living Imperial Child who had a commoner for a mother. So within the Imperial Hierarchy, Vivian was still lowest of the low.

The teachers who taught the Imperial Children that didn't have private tutors of their own, specifically often targeted Vivian.

Whenever she would excel over her other siblings, they'd call her out as an attention-seeker, and whenever she was being bullied by the other Princesses, the teachers would specifically lambast and target only Vivian, calling her out as the trouble maker instead of the actual bullies that started it all, just so that they could get into the good graces of the other Princesses.

Royalty was indeed still royalty, even if they didn't have powerful mothers… Only Vivian was singled out by everyone and was never treated like a Princess, heck she was treated worse than a servant at most times.

The Nobles, the teachers, even the servants, and especially by her siblings, Vivian was treated as an outcast.

The other Princesses within the Imperial Palace often formed cliques and hierarchies with Vivian as the lowest rank despite her performing better than them, with none of the resources they had.

They would steal the toys that Vivian made herself out of the scraps and trash she found lying around the Palace. They would make blunders and accidents like breaking vases and other precious things just to put the blame on Vivian. And the most cruel of all, they would sometimes even play the cruelest little pranks on her like cutting her hair that Vivian treasured and took care of the most.

The saddest memory Vivian had was when the other girls took the stuffed bunny that Vivian preciously named Mr. Sandlers, made by her poor mother just before she died so Vivian wouldn't feel lonely after her death, and they cruelly cut him up into small pieces right in front of the helpless Vivian as they held her arms down, helpless and powerless as they destroyed the last vestige of love Vivian had.

It was the last memory she had of her loving mother who passed away and gave her up to the Imperial Family.

After her mother died, she was sent to the Imperial Court who tested Vivian for her bloodline which later on came out positive.

Starting then Vivian was forced to live in the cold and un-caring Palace, with neglect as her only companion growing up.

Vivian hated the neglect she felt growing up within the Palace, but it wasn't worse than the night Vivian was auctioned off like an actual slave.

Vivian could still remember that night, it was the second-worst night she thought she would ever have. Although Vivian never experienced any sort of respect nor acknowledgment in her short and young life, that night was simply pure humiliation for her.

The past Emperor, her father whom she had only met once or twice, just died leaving her half-brother, whom she too had never met to become the new Emperor.

The first thing that the uncaring prick did was marry off his well-off sisters to prominent figures within the Empire. And to the ones who didn't have any mothers to take care of their marriages, the new Emperor "graciously" held a ball to expose his sisters to whoever would like to marry them.

[A "ball"? This is f*cking slave auction!] Vivian screamed within the back of her mind.

She was lined up along with the other princesses who didn't have the political nor financial backing of a mother.

Vivian felt like a caged animal being sold off as different men started to bid higher and higher.

She felt alone, afraid, and hopeless, worse yet, she had met the eyes of a certain obese Count!

Seeing his devious eyes stare at her, looking at her from top to bottom as if licking her very soul… Vivian felt even more scared to the point that she started to tear up.

And, just as Vivian feared, the fat Count happily bid a large and hefty amount of 900 gold coins!

An insanely large amount considering Vivian's status as a bastard, and considering the fact that Vivian had specifically dimmed down her beauty through a series of different makeup techniques that made her look ugly when compared to her flowing natural beauty.

[9-900 GOLD! Do you have that much money to waste?!] Vivian thought to herself as she remembered her now average looks after the heavy makeup she put on.

After thinking about it for some time, even Vivian started to feel quite flattered that the fat Count would spend that much money for someone as lowly as her…

But all of her positive emotions fell down the drain when she saw him make a lecherous grin at her as he made a creepy thumbs-up at her.

[You're my new slave? I'll ruin your life?! You'll be living worse than a dog??? WHAT do you mean by that?!] Vivian tried to make out the meaning behind the creepy thumbs-up he gave.

But whatever it meant, Vivian knew one truth:

Her life was now ruined.

Vivian suddenly realized the downward spiral she had found herself in and was utterly devastated as she heard crude laughs and jeering mockery that echoed throughout the halls.

Her world had now collapsed.

*Ding Ding* Vivian heard the bell that went off, symbolizing that someone had just won her hand in marriage.

Vivian was now to be married off to that fat Count with no say in this decision that was her marriage, nor the power to change her fate.

The week of preparation before her marriage was simply hell for her. Everywhere she went or hid, she'd feel his creeping presence near her.

Even when she ate there he was… watching.

Or as she sat in the gardens during her free time, there she'd see him, with a canvas in one hand and some graphite in another, pretending to draw as he lecherously watched her every move.

She was trapped, and the days were slow and tedious for her.

At last, the long-dreaded day finally came.

It was still early, but all Vivian thought of doing was cry.

The maids slowly dressed her up, the first time Vivian was ever served for, but she wasn't happy.

Then the Royal Hairdresser started to put makeup on her. But since she was always crying, Pierre the Royal Hairdresser had to redo her make-up again and again until he finally quit and just pretended it was a new fad...

He called it "Emo-Gothic".

{The Marriage: Duke's point of view}

Duke was fat. And not only that!

He was also ugly.

And Duke knew that.

For most of his life, he was called fat and ugly.

Duke was dumb. And of course, he wasn't just dumb.

He was also talentless!

And Duke also knew that.

Swordsmanship? Nope! He was too fat to even run! What made you think he could swing a sword with those flabby arms of his?

Leadership? Nope! Even his own servants mocked Duke! What made you think that he could make other people of his stature follow him?

His teachers called him dumb, his colleges called him slow, and even the servants called him fat!

But in spite of all that, Duke was content.

At least he had a supportive grandfather! Duke thought to himself.

At least his grandfather believed in him. And that… that was enough for Duke.

His chubby, Santa Claus-like grandfather, was loving and cared much for his beloved grandchild, Duke.

"Duke, you might be a little slow when it comes to your studies… and maybe also bad at swords... and a lot of other things actually… but at least you're a curious child!" His grandfather always told him with a thumb's up.

"Being curious means you want to learn! And I think that's the only thing you really need in this life" His grandfather smiled at him.

The only ally Duke ever had was his supportive grandfather who liked to gift him novels.

Although Duke was dumb in Economics and Law and he liked Adventure and Fantasy novels more than his textbooks. Duke was nevertheless, albeit slow, an avid reader!

And Duke was content reading his many books about cool Knights that saved Princesses while talking to his beloved grandfather who never once had called him talentless, fat, nor even slow… directly to face.

His grandfather would sometimes tell him tales of his life as a great knight in shining armor and how he saved Princesses, Nations, and even Queens and their Empires!

Duke great admired his grandfather for that, and Duke was happy because of it.

Duke felt very happy and content with his life.

[If only this could continue forever…] Duke thought.

Until one day his grandfather died from an illness.

His grandfather left him the estate, the family businesses (Or what's left of it), Maine their small fief, and also a letter.

Duke took the letter, a dusty old letter that read:

"To Duke, from Grandpa"

Duke slowly read the letter as he started to tear up. It didn't even look like the tears of those cool heroes who had just lost something.

No, Duke currently looked like a fat pig about to get roasted! This was why Duke tried not to cry in front of other people, as he knew no sympathy would be reaped from them... only scorn and mockery.

"My beloved Duke, I am already old and if you're reading this, it means I am no more. Do not be sad my boy, for I have lived a happy life! But one of my many regrets is not being able to help you in your own life… My last and final help to you my boy is up in the attic. There you'll find my most beloved treasures other than you, of course, my beloved grandson.

To my beloved grandson - Duke. With much love from your grandfather"

Duke teared up as he read the letter… holding and hugging it dearly close to his obese chest.

Duke went up the dusty attic, and in there he saw a large chest.

And as he opened the treasure chest, there he saw a sword, a full set of armor, and another letter that read:

"Dear duke, these are all of the riches I won during my years as a Knight, use it my boy!

Inside you'll find our family's sword. This sword is harder than any metal and was said to have been crafted from the claws of a Dragon! Isn't that cool ey?

A Dragon!

Show them you're better than this! If I were still able to walk, I would've taught you how to be a Knight myself.

Sadly, the time for that has long passed and gone, and my fate has already been sealed.

But your fate is not.

Change your fate!

You're no piggy like everyone says you are!

You are Duke Pendragon!

And WE Pendragons are the highest creatures that even rival the Gods!

We are Dragons!

You are a Dragon!

And I believe in you!

From - Grandpa"

Duke's family was once a great and renowned family known even outside of the Empire's borders called the Pendragons, they were even likened to the highest creatures called Dragons.

Sadly, due to a series of incompetent heirs... like Duke... the Pendragon name slowly faded into obscurity.

Duke started to tear up from his grandfather's encouragement as he checked the sword, its blade was cleaner and sharper than any blade duke had ever laid eyes on. The hilt was made of shiny black metal with inlaid gold patterns while the scabbard was made of pitch-black leathery scales. And the armor, like the hilt, was also made of the same shiny black metal with inlaid gold designs that made the armor look cool and regal.

Duke took the sword as he swore to himself: "I'll change!" as he looked at the great wide sky.

This was now the start of Duke's great destiny!

Or not... as he was immediately tired out by swinging the sword just after 50 measly swings...

And the armor too was too tight to fit his chubby body.

And so Duke thought he'd make his grandfather proud through another way!

Being a rich merchant! He already had the evil-looking mug for it... now he only needed the actual "Evil" part to succeed Duke thought as he pictured merchants to be quite well-known for being crafty.

After a week of travel, Duke went to the capital and exchanged the jewels and gold bars their family had saved for minted gold coins.

Now Duke's destiny to become the greatest merchant this world had ever seen STARTED!

Or not...

While he was in the capital he was distracted by the news that there was a ball that was to be held in order to marry off some of the Imperial Princesses.

[P-PRINCESSES!]

Duke's eyes lit up when he heard that there were Princesses involved.

And so he attended, completely forgetting his goal of being a merchant.

A lot of single nobles were present at the ball, and as Duke walked around he would hear jeers and snickers here and there whenever they saw him. Duke disliked going to events because of this.

Duke knew he was quite famous within the Noble Society as the Fat Count.

Not that he cared nor minded though, he was already used to ridicule. Not many young men were as obese as he was after all.

"Gentlemen! Gentlemen, may I present you ~ my sisters" The newly crowned Emperor shouted as the Princess came out one by one.

After the introduction, the Emperor quickly left as he seemed busy with other things.

Finally, the different Princesses came out like models and walked on the stage runway.

The different nobles gazed and studied the different Princesses and ranked them for their pedigree first, then their beauty second.

Duke was extremely excited right now as he's never seen this many Princesses up for marriage before. And his excitement appeared in his face as the younger Nobles his age started throwing harassment.

"Idiot"

"Fat-ass"

But Duke didn't mind as he was too busy gazing at the Princesses. Until that is when the 24th Princess came out.

Duke was awestruck at her beauty despite Vivian specifically applying makeup to degrade said beauty.

With long, smooth, and silk-like reddish-brown hair, a petite and feminine ideal body-type that Duke preferred, and a face that although was currently covered in and degraded by makeup, was still seen through by Duke to be a face of mesmerizing beauty that hid well behind the sad and cold expressions Vivian portrayed.

To Duke, Vivian looked just like the Princess he had repeatedly envisioned in his dreams whenever he daydreamed about being a great Knight.

Duke knew (Or at least he thought) that it must've been destiny! (It wasn't by the way!)

Duke carefully checked the gold coins he had in his hands.

1034 Gold Coins, Duke counted, was all he had after selling most of the family's assets.

Duke hoped it was enough as he sincerely anticipated the auction.

The Princesses lined up one by one, their faces visibly distressed and unhappy.

[[[Ugh… I hope I'm not picked by that guy]]] The Princesses unanimously thought to themselves whenever they saw Duke's excited visage.

One by one, the Princesses were ordered from cheapest to most valuable according to Brunish Noble tradition, but Duke didn't realize any of that.

He thought they were simply rated from most beautiful to least as Vivian was first in line to be auctioned out.

Vivian, the 24th Princess was like a shining jewel to Duke as she walked on the stage to model.

The Princess stopped in the middle of the stage. But then Duke suddenly felt something wrong as he looked at the melancholic face she was making as the different men around him bid their prices.

[Tsk tsk... Bidding on a Princess?! What humiliation she must've been feeling right now!] Duke, for the first time in his life, felt offended. Not for his own dignity, but for the dignity of a girl he had just met.

[I must save her!] Duke thought as her eyes met his.

Her eyes had a melancholic tinge as if it was telling him:

"Please... Save me, my knight!" (She wasn't thinking this by the way! This is all Duke's imagination!)

Duke mistook her forlorn eyes as he thought she was asking him to save her.

And with that push of force, Duke shouted out his price "900 GOLD COINS!"

The crowd started to laugh and jeer, as they knew of Vivian's pedigree.

She wasn't even the most beautiful among the line of Princesses, so a majority of them thought she wasn't worth that much.

"900?! Hahahaha!" One Count couldn't believe his ears.

"Ah, I've beaten!" Another Count sarcastically gestured as his lackeys laughed along with him.

"Spending 900 coins for an illegitimate bride? I knew the fat Count was foolish, but this…" An older Noble shook his head in disappointment for the younger generation.

Hearing the crowd's jeers and ridicule, Duke simply brushed them off as for once in his life, Duke felt as if he was a dashing Knight who had just "saved" the Princess. (You made her sadder by the way!)

Seeing the Princess staring, Duke gave her a big grin and a thumbs-up, signaling everything would now be alright, just like how his grandfather used to do for him.

And just like that, either from pity or simple ridicule, nobody else fought Duke for Vivian's hand. Duke had now become Vivian's lawfully wed fiancé.

Duke stayed at the Imperial Palace for a while, courtesy of the Emperor, as Duke awaited their fated union.

Duke could've met Vivian at any time during his stay at the Imperial Palace while the wedding was being prepared, sadly Duke was too shy to approach the Princess, and so he would just secretly admire (Stalk) her at every corner.

Devotedly watching her, even as she ate!

One time Duke even tried to beautifully draw her...

"Uhm, yes yes, perfect. Simply perfect, it captures her beautiful form and gravitas!" Duke mumbled as he sketched her with his trusty graphite. Sadly, it looked more like a dying dog, begging for an early release from life, than an actual Princess... or a bipedal human for that matter.

It was the greatest week Duke had ever experienced. Duke even felt as if the days simply flew by too fast!

And so, the long-awaited day finally arrived. Duke woke up feeling like a newborn baby seeing the beautiful world for the first time.

His love was waiting for him! He thought… (She wasn't by the way!)

Duke happily let the servants prepare and groom him for the wedding.

Looking at the mirror Duke thought [Ah my dashing self is too handsome right now. I must keep cool so I wouldn't look too overbearing for her] as he flexed his muscles.

The servants had a very hard time grooming the count.

Pierre, the royal hairdresser looked dreadful as he groomed Duke. Pierre considered it the hardest challenge he had ever faced. That spoke volumes considering the many harsh and absurd life challenges Pierre had faced throughout his colorful life.

No matter how Pierre tried to fix Duke's black and wavy hair, Pierre just couldn't style Duke's hair in a way that made him look presentable! Or at least somewhat close to looking like a human being…

To Pierre, the most annoying part about this was that Duke's hair was actually really good!

[If only it wasn't attached to this head!] Pierre's artisan soul cried out as his pride as the Royal Hairdresser was shattered into a million little pieces.

[First, there was that demanding bitch of an Empress and now a crying Princess and a dense obese turd's wedding?!... Enough…] at that moment Pierre promised himself this would be his last day at the Imperial Palace.

He had enough. Pierre just wanted to be happy… (He just wanted to be happy goddammit!)

[I QUIT!] Pierre thought.

{The Actual Marriage}

Vivian walked the carpet and there she met her husband for the first time.

He was [obese and ugly] Vivian thought, and he even had this creepy smile on his face.

Smiling as if telling her:

"You're mine~"

Which greatly scared Vivian by the way...

Duke wore a cobalt tailcoat jacket and black slacks both inlaid with gold, the best ones he could find just for this special day.

[A waste of money…] Vivian judged as she walked closer to him and the priest.

[He's probably going to waste all our money if this continues! Aghh… then we'd be bankrupt! And I'd be forced to work as a farmer all my life! No… even worse, I might be forced to sell myself just to get by!] *Boo hoo hoo* Vivian continued to sadden herself through her own negative thinking.

[Well... maybe if I could quietly save up some cash, then sneakily encourage him to spend all his money away, when he has nothing left to chase me with, maybe I can safely run away from him! Yes… that might just work!] Vivian thought, already planning her escape not knowing Duke was already bankrupt! Even without her help.

Vivian glanced at Duke who was now in front of her, noticing his tall height and large body, thinking it was big enough in size to instantly squash her if he so wanted, not knowing she was probably a lot stronger than Duke…

[Looking at his size… he could probably squash me with one hand! Won't he be really abusive to me then?!] Vivian frightened herself even more with her own negative thoughts.

She was quite scared of marriage because of all the stories of abusive husbands within the Nobility's scandals.

Vivian continued to silently drown herself with her thoughts of negativity.

But contrary to Vivian's negativity, Duke on the other hand was... quite positive.

[Woah!] Duke was mesmerized at Vivian's beauty... Like really positive...

[She's the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on! Thank god I bought this new coat! Otherwise, I'd look like a frog next to her!] Duke smugly thought even though he still DID look like a frog as he praised himself for his (non-existent) insight...

[I can't believe she'll marry someone like me! I hit the jackpot!] Duke thought as he smiled at her and thought "You're mine baby~ <3"

[Flowing and lustrous reddish-brown hair, a petite and frail body that evoked a man's protective instinct, ocean-like blue eyes, and crying Emo-ish makeup???] Duke's fantasizing was cut short as he saw her makeup that was destroyed by the crying Vivian did whilst the makeup was being put on.

[Huh? Why does she look so sad? Is it a new fashion trend among the ladies, maybe?] Duke was perplexed at her sad reaction to seeing him.

Finally, after Vivian reached the podium, the Priest spoke for a while before finally asking for their vows:

"Do you, Duke Pendragon take-"

"I DO! I DO!" Duke enthusiastically shouted, interrupting the Priest.

*Cough Cough* "And do you, Vivian Alastor Brune, take Duke as your lawfully beloved husband?"

"..." Vivian didn't answer.

*Cough Cough* The Priest coughed in suspense as he once again asked Vivian:

"D-Do you?"

"I... I do" Vivian finally forced out her voice.

*Sigh* "…I now pronounce you Lord and Lady!" *The crowd claps* The Priest heaved a sigh of relief as he declared them married, followed by a flurry of claps from the audience.

As the ceremony finished, everyone started to celebrate.

Each guest danced on the floor, taking a mug of beer in one hand as the married couple sat on two chairs in the middle of the wedding hall.

Vivian felt like the dancing crowd was there to ridicule her for her misery, while Duke on the other hand was thinking:

[S-should I talk to her first? Or should I play hard to get? No no, she might think I'm too clingy if I talk first! A man has to be cool and manly!] Duke was too embarrassed to talk to Vivian first.

While Vivian on the other hand thought: [Please kill me...]

The annoying dancing finally stopped and all the guests, after getting their fill of the food and ale, quickly left as the night of consummation finally came. The night Vivian is currently considering to be the worst night she will ever have... not knowing that in the future, she would consider this one of the happiest and dearest moments in her life.

But that is a story for another time, as the couple right now were having their... "Not so intimate" consummation.

"I-I will take a shower first, don't worry about me!" Duke ran off towards the toilet, as he tried to hide his shyness.

"..." Vivian on the other hand just looked at him as he zipped towards the toilet, sitting on the bed waiting for her inevitable execution.

Duke made sure to rub every part of his body squeaky clean. After making sure that his body was clean enough, he readied himself for war!

He looked at himself in the mirror, thinking how dashing he looked, then smirked: "I got this!" (The mirror slightly cracked a little that day)

Full of confidence Duke went over to Vivian as he went closer and closer to her. Breathing heavily because of his nervousness. But to Vivian, Duke just looked like a pervert breathing heavily as he crept closer to his next victim.

"I-I'll start now!" Duke nervously said. But to Vivian, she only heard "KEHEHEHE! Time to defile you now!" instead.

Duke slowly came closer to Vivian, but something unexpected happened (Well at least it was unexpected to Duke).

*Kuk-WAAAAAA~* Vivian suddenly started bawling.

"I never wanted to be married to some fat turd!" Vivian cried out. Her soul, successfully broken by the innocent and oblivious offender, Duke.

The anxiety, nervousness, and stress, and the fact that Duke had just spent all his remaining money, coupled with the slight pain of being called a fat turd hit Duke all at once and HE TOO started crying!

*Bu-WAAAAAA~* *Duke sobbing*

"Eh?! Eh?! What?!" Vivian was dumbfounded at the sight of an obese count crying in front of her.

"Why are YOU crying?! 'I' should be the one who's crying!" Vivian shouted.

"Well... *Sniff Sniff* M-My grandpa just died and I used up most of my money, and now I'm broke! And-and, I won't be able to make my grandfather proud now! I'll never be a knight! Boohoo~!" Duke started crying mid-sentence.

"I'll never be a knight!" Duke cried out again.

Vivian started to get irritated at the fat man in front of her as a strange yet motherly instinct kicked her right in the boob as she decided to gently listen to the wailing piggy that was now her husband.

Duke cry-rambled about his life as Vivian listened, gently patting the sensitive man on the shoulder.

[I'm crying, no you're crying… whose crying?] Vivian was completely confused at the current situation she found herself in.

Duke suddenly stopped mid-conversation.

"W-Why are you so nice to me? D-Did you suddenly fall in love with me now?" Duke said as he twiddled his fingers.

"No…" Vivian immediately answered with a serious face.

"Awe~" Duke sadly replied.

But then he suddenly had a genius idea.

"Wait here, I have something to show you!"

Duke ran off to his room and brought back a drawing that he quickly showed to Vivian.

[Indeed it is only through the arts can one woo a woman's heart!] Duke thought to himself as he showed Vivian his sketch, his final bet in wooing Vivian.

"Abstract... Dog torture?" Vivian didn't know what she was holding, and frankly, she was too scared to even ask.

"Uhm, n-no... It's a drawing I did of you... I know it's not the most beautiful drawing out there but I assure you it was made with great love and sincere care!" Duke cried out!

Although Duke was awkward at first, he proudly managed to call the drawing that looked to be the heinous torture of animals an act of Love! Truly an amazing feat.

Vivian, surprised by Duke's sheer shameless declaration, looked at the drawn portrait that was supposed to be a depiction of her (According to Duke) but no matter how Vivian looked at it, it was obviously an abstract drawing of a dog being tortured...

The more Vivian looked at the picture, the more clear the dog's cries were...

Then Vivian stared at Duke, suddenly cracking out a burst of sudden laughter.

"Pfft-Puahaha!" Vivian tried to hold her laughter down at first but ended up bursting out at the awkward yet gentle round turd in front of her.

"Haa… You know, even though I might not be in love with you, we could still be friends, you know…" Vivian said as she wiped the tears forming due to extreme laughter and probably a little bit of happiness that started to swell within her heart.

"R-really?! You'll be my friend?" Duke asked.

"Well... Yeah, I mean we are technically married so we'll be seeing each other a lot more often than I'd like"

"I don't really have a lot of friends... But I've heard most commoner love stories start with being just friends, right? Hehe...huh" Duke tried to joke.

"...I'm sorry I don't think that would ever happen"

Seeing the man in front of her, Vivian didn't really want to give him false hopes and so she decided the most merciful thing to do was flat out reject him.

"Oh, I see... But friends are good, yeah very good" Duke pretended to be optimistic as he hid his dejected feelings.

Duke and Vivian continued to talk throughout the night. Duke talked about his fief's situation and Vivian talked about her life and the dreams she had of one day escaping the Palace and showing all of them they were wrong.

They continued to talk like this, even talking about sensitive things they would normally not say to other people. The night was long and mysterious in how it made people more honest about their feelings.

"And then they took my Mr. Sandlers and torn him to pieces right in front of me! Can you believe that?! Those bitches!" Vivian powerfully expressed her grief, trying her hardest to not cry at the thought of her lost friend.

Duke thought it was cute how Vivian's eyes grow larger whenever she was forcibly stopping her tears.

"My mom's death, my life at the Palace, this marriage... It's all so terrible and scary being powerless, you know..." Vivian solemnly said.

"Ah, the marriage wasn't bad because of you, ok? It's just so terrifying to have no power to shape your own life, you know... Maybe having you as a friend was the best thing that happened to me in a long time, haha" Vivian added as she giggled.

Duke wanted to help Vivian out after hearing of her sad past, but sadly, he knew all too well that he too did not have the power to do anything.

But as he was mulling over his own lack of power, Duke suddenly had a brilliant idea!

"You said you wanted to have the power to shape your life right? What if I become that power?" Duke asked.

But before he could continue Vivian had already understood what he was about to say, continuing his words with: "Yeah, we can continue to pretend with our marriage, with that I could help you in managing your estate and businesses-"

"And I can help you in getting enough influence to shape your own life! Plus, I mean we didn't really co-consummate our marriage! Making it null! So... your goal of having a family of your own choosing isn't impossible either!" Duke excitedly continued as he realized Vivian caught his meaning.

"Yeah! Yeah, it is possible! It might actually come true!" Vivian enthusiastically agreed as hope once again sprouted in her heart, a hope for a better tomorrow.

*Yawn*

As the rush of excitement left Vivian, she suddenly felt sleepy as the stress and fears she accumulated suddenly disappeared.

"You should go sleep now, I'll go take a walk outside" Duke worried for Vivian as he decided to leave her alone for today so she could peacefully rest for the night.

"I still want to talk though..." This time it was Vivian's turn to twiddle her fingers as she asked Duke to stay. Vivian never had someone to talk to like this before, so she felt quite sad to see it end.

Realizing this, Duke assured Vivian: "We're married! We'll have lots of time to talk like this" Duke joked.

"Yeah, *Yawn* maybe I'll... sleep now" Vivian slowly closed her eyes as she lay peacefully on the bed as Duke covered her with a blanket.

After realizing she had finally fallen asleep, Duke went outside towards the Palace gardens in order to take a nice long walk, and maybe clear his head of any thoughts still bothering him.

Duke looked at the beautiful full moon as he spoke: "Hey gramps... I found a friend today haha... And I also got rejected. By my 'wife' "

[Of course, she would...

I mean what in the seven hells went into my mind when I thought a girl would actually like me!

Nobody likes fat asses!] Duke lambasted his stupid actions as negativity started to take root in his heart.

[Welp, at least I got a new friend! That's not too bad... Better than nothing I guess!] Too bad for the negativity though, as Duke's idiotic positivity was simply too strong for it to defeat. (Poor negativity, better luck next time)

Duke had a lot to think about that day, lucky for him, the night was long and he had all the time he needed.

That night, in her room, Vivian, before falling asleep hugged her pillow tightly as a warm feeling penetrated her chest, as she whispered to herself:

"Duke huh... his name is Duke, what a funny man..."

And for the first time in many years, Vivian, the neglected 24th Princess fell asleep with a rare smile plastered on her face.