FIVE

My knees are trembling and my insides are churning in agitation. I can't even stop my heart from shuddering because of fear. How could I stay calm when Kyrios is beside me sitting casually while the reporters are getting ready for the interview?

I thought when I woke up a week ago, I could change my path. That I will not be seeing Kyrios or hear anything about him. But I'm wrong. Why do I have to meet him in this world?! Can't I have a peaceful life?!

I wanted to cry but stopped myself from doing so or else rumours about us will not stop spreading like a wildfire. I clutched the hem of my dress before turning my head towards Kyrios. Looking at his calm demeanor, my anger elevated more. What's wrong with him?! Why is he so calm when I'm not?!

"Good morning, Your Majesty. Good morning, Lady Celestine. Thank you for having us here." We both nodded in acknowledgment. "First question, how long have you two been dating?"

I sighed before opening my mouth to speak. "We are not here to talk about our relationship because in the first place... there isn't." I said with confidence but with repugnance apparent in my voice. The reporters, however, looked at us with confusion written all over their faces.

"What do you mean, Lady Celestine?"

Kyrios narrowed his eyes on me but my confidence did not falter. "What happened yesterday was a mistake... a huge mistake."

Kyrios continued on my behalf. "Celestine and I are just friends." I almost coughed out blood when I heard him say the word friends. What a hypocrite! When did we even become friends?! Liar!

"She went to Camp Alpha to visit us but Alexa was late so when the media saw us yesterday, they mistakenly thought that she's my girlfriend." Wow! What an excuse! I did not let him speak more lies and since I don't want to see his ugly face anymore, I stood up and spoke. "I am not His Majesty's girlfriend because first of all he's not my type and I already have a boyfriend. Alexa, his girlfriend is outside so I'll just let her in and you can interview her instead of me."

I exited the suffocating room with inimitable grace, leaving them with their mouth hanging open and admiration apparent on their eyes except of course with Kyrios who has his usual emotionless face. Whatever.

I left them with a smile. Finally, I can go home and I could sleep peacefully without worrying about the rumours anymore.

The same limousine was waiting outside and Peter was already opening the door for me.

I told Peter to take me home. Being a good and obedient chauffeur, he quickly turned the engine on and drove me home.

•

•

•

One month later...

"Miss Celestine." I turned my head towards the source of the voice. Sigh. It was Roland, my Dad's butler. I'm now reading a book entitled 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle' inside the library (of course). It is a series of seven fantasy novels by C. S. Lewis. I put the book on the table and regarded him disdainfully. This better be very important.

"What is it, Roland?"

I smiled at him but his cheeks turned tomato red so I frowned. "What's wrong? Are you sick?" He shook his head. "I am fine, Miss. Your father wishes to see you in his study room now."

I nodded in understanding and stood up. Roland escorted me toward the Lion's den (my dad's study room). Ever since that interview, Dad never talked to me because he's angry. He said and I quoted, 'You shouldn't have said that in front of the cameras, Celestine! He's the Emperor! You are my precious daughter and I will never forgive myself if something bad happens to you.' I don't know that saying to Kyrios that he's not my type would cause havoc among the people. Arrgh... they're just overreacting.

When we arrived at Dad's study room, Roland knocked twice before announcing my arrival and then he opened the gigantic door for me. I thanked him before going inside. Breath in. Breath out. I forced a smile on my face but it quickly vanished when I saw Dad's haunted look.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I quickly stopped dead on my tracks and contemplated whether or not I should talk to him. Should I just walk away or something?

"What are you doing, sweetheart? Please take a seat." Dad spoke softly but I can still see on his face the fear and worry. Why?

I sat down at the chair in front of his desk and looked at him expectantly.

"What is it that you wish to tell me, Dad?" He looked at me and then to his books and then back to me. To say that I'm nervous right now is an understatement.

"You are getting married next month."

I almost coughed out blood and fell from my chair. "Are you kidding me?! Dad, you're just joking, right?!" He shook his head and said no. My jaw dropped on the ground and my eyes widened. This is utterly unbelievable! No. It's outrageous!

Samuel did not propose to me so I'm sure that he's not the one I'm gonna marry. If it's not Samuel then who?!

"You're going to marry the Emperor next month." What?!

"You're just joking, right?! When did His Majesty proposed to me, Dad?! We're not even in a relationship! And haven't we confirmed it a month ago?! Besides, we don't love each other and we're both in love with someone else!" I said hysterically like a mad man.

"Please stop shouting sweetheart and listen to me first." He looked at me with sadness apparent in his eyes before continuing. "Many years ago, before you were both even born, a legal contract was made by Kyrios' father, the former Emperor. He fooled me into signing the cursed contract that eventually leads to all of this. If we cancel the wedding now, our whole clan will be stripped off its noble powers and title. Everything that we have today will be taken away from us until we will be left with nothing." He said while looking around him. Unbelievable!

I gripped my knuckles until it turned deathly white upon hearing those words from Dad but I calmed myself.

"Why tell me about this now when Samuel and I are already together for two long years, Dad? Besides, the whole nation knows that His Majesty and Alexa are in a relationship." I said in a serene disposition. I wanted to scream and trash but I stopped myself from doing so because it will only make the matter much worse than it already is.

"I am very sorry, sweetheart. For all of this." Dad sighed. "The media was already informed about the marriage between you and His Majesty. It will cause havoc among the citizens but it will eventually die down."

I stood up, not wanting to hear all of this anymore and turned towards the door but before leaving I looked back at him and spoke.

"You don't understand, Dad. The people will hate me even without knowing the whole truth. Do you really want me to suffer from all of this when it's not my fault? It will be a huge scandal that will ruin everything including my life."

He opened his mouth to speak but I'm too angry and disappointed to be listening to whatever words he's about to say.

I opened the gigantic door, slammed it shut without restraint and headed towards my room. I flopped down onto my queen-sized bed as tears rolled down from my eyes uncontrollably.

I don't want to die again in Kyrios' hands. This is not what I've wanted. Please tell me it's just a nightmare.