UNKNOWN BATTLEFIELD

EMMY stared at the vast night sky. There were thousands of stars scattered across the darkness. Sometimes, she wondered, how good it would be if she could just vanish alongside the stars. Maybe there, she could once again meet her mother. A bitter smile crossed her lips at that thought. What a childish thing to think. 

"Emmaline, get in the car."

That cold voice immediately woke her up from her reverie. She looked ahead and saw the car waiting. The backseat was still open so she could already see his father sitting there. So, she hurried over. Thankfully, the dress she's wearing was not too long or complicated. 

The moment she sat down beside her father, the car slowly ascended and began its travel. Their destination – the mansion of the Lancaster family.

Just like their family, the Lancaster family was an old ducal household. The two families were almost equal in terms of power. If the Grimaldis had a firm foothold over the political arena, then the Lancasters had their claws over the military. 

The party they're attending tonight was the 200th birthday party of the patriarch of the Lancaster family – William Lancaster. He had already passed down his ducal seat to his eldest son 50 years ago. But no one would ignore him because of that. Because even if he was no longer sitting at the ducal position, he still held most of the Lancaster family's power. 

As some form of respect, Duke Grimaldi had to attend this party. Not only him, but also all the important figures in the capital. Maybe even the Emperor himself would attend.

If Emmy knew that the party was tonight, she would do her best to return home a day later. She really disliked attending parties like this where she had to pretend like some gentle noble lady. Interact with other people who was also acting as fake as her. Her facial muscle would surely suffer this whole evening.

She couldn't even understand why she had to accompany her father. Usually, during important events like this, her older brother was the one who accompanied their father. Because in her father's words, she lacked the etiquette that her brother had already perfected. She would surely only embarrass him. So, why was it her this time? 

She couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Father, is Brother also going to attend the party?" she finally asked.

"Thomas will meet us there," her father simply said. Which meant that her older brother was also attending.

"Then why--?" She stopped, realizing that she just blurted that out. "I mean, I was just wondering why Father would bring me."

"You are to meet your fiancé there," her father said, as if he was simply talking about the weather.

When Emmy heard that, her whole body froze. Because when did she have a fiancé? Or did her father actually appoint a fiancé to her without her even knowing?

For the first time in a while, her temper broke out. "Fiancé? I never realize that I actually have one. Since nobody ever bother to tell me anything. Or is my opinion so inconsequential that Father couldn't even be bothered to tell me about it?"

"It's Cecil Lancaster. He proposed marriage while you were away from vacation. I accepted his pursuit. He will be your husband. Your marriage will be held next year."

Her father didn't directly answer her question. But he might as well have said; 'Yes, your opinion doesn't matter. You will marry this person whether you like it or not.'

Emmy felt completely cold all over. No wonder her father ordered her to go with him in this party. Cecil Lancaster was the youngest child of the patriarch. He and his late wife had him relatively late. So, he was quite well-loved in the family. 

"He's older than you," Emmy said through gritted teeth.

Cecil Lancaster was 10 years older than her father to be exact. It was actually quite weird that he was single until now. Many believed that he just loved his freedom too much. After all, he was known for always travelling around different galaxies all year round. Who knew that he would suddenly propose marriage to the Grimaldis?

Emmy was sure that she didn't have any interaction with Cecil Lancaster. So, why the hell did he propose marriage? 

"You know as well as I that age doesn't matter in this era," her father said without any emotion. "He has the right lineage and that's all that matters."

She clenched her fists and bit her lower lip. If she didn't do that, she was afraid she would say something irrevocable. 

"You will spend time with him during the party." Anthony finally glanced at Emmy. "Do try to behave yourself."

Emmy squeezed out a smile. "Yes, Father."

But deep inside, she was already seething.

Soon, they arrived at the mansion of the Lancaster family located at an artificial floating island. There were already a lot of luxurious cars parked on the designated area. Their own car slowly landed on one of the empty spaces. The two bodyguards who were with them were the first to go out. They each both opened the doors of the back seat. 

Emmy came down of the car. She stood up straight and stared at the huge mansion in front of her. She took a deep breath, calming all the anger and frustration inside her.

Her father looked back at her. That one silent glance was telling her to hurry up and follow. And so, she did. Knowing full well that what was waiting for her was an unknown battlefield.