He hissed under his breath, blood laced with shame. His fingers twitched at her waist- tempted to shove her away.
Silk and chains. All the same. He thought, jaw clenched. But he didn't move. Not here. Right before the wolves.
He was left panting for air from the intense kiss. She pulled away, eyes gleaming with satisfied mockery.
This is madness. A farce of an alliance with a vampire. I'm beginning to doubt my life itself. The ache on his lips throbbed- a reminder of her intrusion. A silent warning.
The nobles' applause roared again - laced with mockery. The Zenith guests gasped, their gazes heavy with pity for their once-beloved prince.
"Poor prince. How glad we are that her late majesty didn't have to see this scene," some of them whispered among themselves.
As the kiss ended, she led him toward their throne. Everyone stood as Nashia approached her throne, crossing her legs with effortless confidence.
He followed her to the twin thrones and sat beside her in silence. No crown. No official title. Only a seat— shared out of duty.
"As expected of Her Majesty- she wouldn't pass the key to the thief itself."
"Did anyone truly expect her to hand the empire's spine to a Zenith-born whelp?"
Eric caught the low, sarcastic laughter curling through the crowd. It was subtle but biting. An imperial marriage with no crown? What a joke.
Nashia also noticed the laughter, but she seemed to enjoy it and turned a blind eye. While Eric suffered alone, his jaw clenched in silence.
They sat on their throne while the guests conveyed their congratulations and gave the newlywed pair their gifts.
Soon, the gift-giving part ended. Nashia got up from her throne. So did Eric, trailing behind as she descended the steps.
The maids led Eric to a private chamber to rest before the feast started. He sank into the couch, his shoulders heavy with unspoken weight. His hands clamped between his knees.
The maids served him some light refreshments. He picked up the wine glass and took one gulp, only to hiss from the pain in his inner lips.
"Just perfect. I can't even drink peacefully now," he murmured under his breath.
He looked up as the door opened and his family members walked in. The air was cloaked in the stiff silence of royal disappointment.
"Strange how some rulers forget tradition when it doesn't serve them. I suppose etiquette is optional in Rosett, isn't it?"
Empress Gloria snapped as she strode in, her gown rustling like angry whispers. Emperor Alex strode in just behind her and slumped on the opposite couch.
"Mother, calm down. They might hear us?"
Princess Avira followed her mother's trail while trying to calm her down. Prince Arthur also came in and sat with a bored expression. His eyes darted around, looking at the maids.
"So what? Any decent ruler would have crowned him. But decency isn't universal. Do you know how important that coronation was?"
She replied through gritted teeth, not bothering to wait for a response. She further added,
"It's one of their traditions. An important one at that. Without coronation, he would be just a legal partner of hers with whom she may entertain herself, but not an equal who would rule beside her side. His authority is cut by half."
Her hand gave a light squeeze on Eric's shoulder. The emperor gave a noncommittal hum, but Gloria went on, voice low and sharp.
"A consort without a crown is a companion without worth. She knows exactly what she's doing. Don't be fooled by her poise, Eric—she's playing a long game, and you're the piece she's keeping in check."
He sat there, every word from his mother like a fresh lash– yet he said nothing. His jaw clenched, and the wine still stung in his throat. Avira dimmed down with tension.
Coronation of the emperor consort is one of the long-standing traditions of the Rosett Empire. In the past, the emperors used to have multiple companions.
Among them, only one could have the coronation and the honour of being the emperor's official partner. Others are either a consort or a concubine.
Which means he can access half the authority of an emperor crowned consort. Empress Gloria poured out many more jabs before Emperor Alex cut her off.
"It's enough, Empress. Watch out for your words. We are still in the enemy's land. Let's get up. The feast will be starting soon," he said, standing up, smoothing out his suit.
She only huffed in annoyance before complying with him. "Finally," Arthur murmured under his breath while getting up.
"Eric. Don't disgrace us. Make sure you serve your purpose," Alex stated as he turned and strode out.
Gloria eyed Eric for some moments before catching up with Alex, and so did Arthur. Only Avira looked back with sympathy.
"Brother, don't be sad. Everything will be fine. I hope you will take care of yourself properly. Don't miss your medicines!" she murmured to him before joining her family.
Eric leaned back on the couch with a sigh. Soon, the maids led him to a huge ballroom. Nashia was already seated at her throne, swirling a wine glass, with a bored gaze.
She looked up the moment he entered. She eyed him while he walked closer. A hint of mockery and amusement spread through her expression.
Yet she stayed silent until Eric got up and sat on the twin throne beside her.
"Her majesty, the Empress, looked quite uncomfortable when she arrived. Did my staff fail to serve her properly?" That was more of a statement instead of a question.
She knew that the Zenith Empress was unsatisfied with not crowning Eric, though it satisfied her. Her dissatisfaction fueled her thirst for revenge.
It was a mockery. A reminder that she knows. She knows everything that happens within her palace. Maybe a warning too?
Her eyes held a secret. A secret too secure that frightened Eric. Something buried, deeper than mere thought of hospitality. But he couldn't read her yet.
"Not at all, your majesty. Maybe she was simply tired," Eric replied, a forced smile hanging on his lips.
"I see. Come, let's finish the rituals," she said, standing up, waiting for Eric to follow her lead.
He raised the glass beside her, the sting on his lips a reminder of the chains beneath the silk. The feast had begun—and so had the war behind smiles.