THE PRINCE FROM THE NORTH

"Ahh... Alistair." The Emperor muttered, facing the pale-white tall man approaching the Emperor and the Empress with a smirk on his face. "I greet the Sun of the Empire." He added, greeting only the Emperor as he disregarded the Empress, flushed in embarrassment as she was openly ignored by the man who refused to elaborate his head even more, raising it and daring to look into his eyes. 

"Where's... Your mother?" The Emperor asked, trying to hold himself. The Empress had her claws dug into the skin of her palms, disrespected and bullied, and betrayed by the Emperor as he didn't even let the man greet her.

"Ah, my mother. My mother is doing fine, still ruling the country in a much better phase despite the blizzard." With thorns in his words, he criticized the emperor right in his face, causing a lot of gasp at how rude this man could be. 

"Unlike Elysium, our northern tundra has been doing well, all thanks to my Mother whose leadership is efficient and effective. How about you, uncle? It's surprising how the country became... flimsy." There were no filters being presented in his words, directly attacking the Emperor.

"But that must be because of the services I got from the palace servants. Dear me, I am not here to wreck such a precious event. I came here as it is my duty. I hope tonight will become favourable to you, my King." He added, grinning as he took another bow with his hand extended and the other placed on his chest then left the Emperor in front of people who witnessed how they all fell in shame. 

It was a known fact that the first princess, the Matriarch of the North Imperium was the most perfect candidate for the throne. The Princess was brilliant in any way, however, due to favouritism heavily implied by the late Emperor, it was he who had become the Emperor. 

If only the Matriarch was raised as a man. 

Silence filled the whole room, yet their mouths started to gossip, mocking the man who had just left and made a fool of the royal family, eating them. 

Meanwhile, Felicia was still gaping in amusement, surprised, and pleased with how the man handled the Emperor. His rude persona wasn't really a facade, but rather his whole being. 

However, Felicia hopes that he will forget what happened. She was still in awe and felt like whoever that person was, must be a strong opponent of the Emperor. To think he would sauté the highest man of all Elysium, cooking him till crisp. 

"Who are you staring to?" Constantine asked, pulling her by the waist as he forced her to stick with her, growling at the men staring at her while keeping her beside him. These bastards think they have the chance to have her. How ridiculous of a thought that is. 

"Mind your own business, your Highness." She responded, didn't even turn her head to face him as she kept on looking at the bewildered Emperor next to the Empress who ate all the shame. 

She has no personal thing with the Emperor and the Empress, but because of that Alistair, she wants to laugh at their face. Who in their right mind would just flaunt how arrogant they are? 

Are people from the north feisty? Is that how they stood the cold ending of winter? She really needs to know why there is such a conflict between the royal family and the people from the North. 

Who knows, she maybe can use them.

Constantine glared at her for her nonchalant answer, wanting to argue with her if not for the Emperor who suddenly cleared his tone, garnering everyone's attention on him.

"As I was saying... Thank you everyone for blessing the night with your presence. My son, Constantine and his lady, Felicia Vivienne, will the both of you kneel in front of me?" The Emperor announced in such a dull tone, turning his back against everyone to hide the growling expression as he was unable to keep it within himself. 

That foolish, arrogant, madman! If not for his excellence and high proficiency in skills, he would've locked that bastard away! That woman should've just eaten up her garbage and moved on! 

As soon as the Emperor turned around, he smiled like nothing happened, while Felicia was escorted by Constantine towards the direction of the Emperor, gently leading her in front and making her kneel in front of the Emperor. 

Even if she doesn't want to kneel in front of the Emperor because of her stubborn pride, she still kneels and bowed her head in the presence of the Emperor and the Empress who looked at her meticulously with her cold black eyes. 

What's with her and the way she stared at her? It creeps Felicia up. 

A priest was summoned in front of them, followed by a prayer as he began to recite ancient scriptures of prayer while holding both of their heads. He was praying earnestly which Felicia felt so forceful. They have bonded them in the presence of everyone, which is honestly very manipulating. 

"I pronounce the two of you, interconnected souls and recognised by the Goddess above, bound through your faith and loyalty." The Priest said, holding their hands as he then pulled the two to stand up. 

As soon as Felicia and Constantine stood up, the Emperor and Empress walked in their direction, holding a small pillow contained by their respectful rings to show that they were now engaged in front of the witnesses and the Goddess above. 

"May you both live in harmony and peace." The Emperor said, smiling at Felicia as he nudged her over to Constantine who was smirking against her, as if telling her that he had won and there won't be any breaking up that will happen. 

"I wish you two a good life." The Empress coldly said, giving Constantine the ring. As soon as they began to exchange their rings and put them on their fingers, loud music started to erupt from the corners, lifting the awkward mood earlier, as well as fireworks being shown above the sky. 

"Let the fun begin!" The emperor shouted, letting the feast happen while Felicia was once pulled by Constantine onto the dance floor, started holding her in the places and guiding her to dance without even inviting her. 

"Loose that lips of yours, Felicia. Smile." Constantine said as he led Felicia to glide in the centre of the dance floor, dancing with her and stealing everyone's eyes. It is customary for the couple to dance first in front of everyone before they can join.

And it was the most elegant and delicate dance they had ever seen in their lives. Felicia who was deemed as a useless child had glided the floor like a swan ever so elegantly landed on the waters. 

Everyone had their attention being robbed, their eyes trailed upon Felicia's movement and deemed her as a graceful woman, showing her capabilities that she really has the persona of becoming a woman who will really suit the crown Prince. 

"What's with the silence? Everyone is looking at you." The crown Prince uttered, dancing along to the rhythm and the moves with Felicia. Yet instead of replying or even bothering to reply towards him, she just stared into his eyes, cold and reserved.

Meanwhile, in the corner, Helena was biting her lips in an anxious manner. This is not how the night is supposed to be! This is not what she had envisioned earlier! How could this be?! 

No one was paying attention to her, not even her father whose eyes focus on Felicia. He was silent and was observing as if he was free from the chains that bound him. Yet his facade remains in his face, cold and neutral against everyone. 

"Dad..." Helena tried to call for Roelle as she tried to even pull the man's cape, trying to steal his attention. Yet, Roelle didn't even budge and kept his eyes in front of the person who was dancing in front of him. 

It reminded him of someone whom he treasures the most. The woman whom he loves the most. 

Furious with this behaviour, she gritted her teeth, looking at his knight who was also caught in this sweet sensation in his eyes. What's with everyone being bewitched by that woman?! She really is a witch!

Groaning, she tried to maintain her reaction, huffing and puffing as she stared at Felicia. What's with her that she doesn't have?! Why does she get everything that she wanted and not her receiving nothing?! 

"Mommy..." She called. If her mom was here, she would've made everything align with her desires. 

As the music ended, so did Felicia and Constantine's dance. With the two of them bowing their heads, everyone clapped their hands because of the splendid job they both did. It was perfect with no flaws, especially Felicia who had surely bewitched everyone because of her beauty. 

It was everyone's turn to dance and Felicia was about to leave when Constantine pulled her hand, leading her towards the table filled with food and gate keeping her from those preying eyes who wanted to have a piece of her. 

Which Felicia didn't want to happen at all.

"Your Highness, let go of me. I have other matters to tend to." She said, trying to pull her hand from his tight grip that only worsened. He kept that disgusting fake expression on his face, smiling at her as he forced her to follow him. 

This son of a bit—

"Lady Felicia..." Someone suddenly caught them off,

making Constantine and Felicia look upon the person who had called them. 

"Liam..."