The Emperor's Unfavored Empress

Chapter 4 Cassiopeia: "I plan on marrying the fourth prince."

After the fourth Prince left, my father and the Queen of Cassiana approached me. I felt his heavy sigh as he tried to contain himself. He seemed disappointed, but I didn't want to make him angry. I couldn't help but wonder why it felt like my responsibility and how it was any of my business in the first place.

"We have chosen you to be the fourth prince's bride because we believe you deserve it. Why are you doing this? You have disgraced our kingdom!" said the queen. I looked around for a moment and noticed that it was unlikely that anyone would hear anything we said.

"You are a terrible disgrace to our kingdom. You bring no good when you come here. Instead, you make things worse," said the king. I took a deep breath as I attempted to contain myself from answering.

"You're just as useless as your mother." My ears dinged. Even if she isn't my real mother, it stings every time I hear those words. It feels like a betrayal, a lie, and a stab in the back all at once. I know the insult. That's when I realized that Cassiopeia, who owns this body, and I are one. I can feel her feelings and even remember her memories.

I glanced at the Emperor and Empress, who were now talking to each other and had not noticed us. "First of all, I don't need to please you. You don't deserve to rely on a child you rejected and abandoned." The king’s mouth dropped into a frown as anger flared in his eyes. I'm sure I would have been dragged off somewhere if we were back home! He raised his hand, ready to hit me, "Save your breath, Father," I said, "remember that you are not in your kingdom." My father lowered his hand, an expression of restraint written plainly across his face.

Then I faced Luciana and said, "And you, Luciana. I would have expected more from you than to trample on my mother's memory. Have you forgotten that you were just a lowly servant in her chamber?" Her eyes widened as she trembled with anger.

"What did you say?" her furrowed eyebrows met.

“Was I not clear? Do you really think I did not know what you did with my foolish father, climbed onto his bed and took my mother's position? I have all the facts, Luciana. You're not of royal blood!” seeing her angry face excited me and made me want to annoy her even more.

"Enough." She gritted her teeth. "Theo, you should not ignore this disgrace. I must insist that we bring the Princess back so she can be punished appropriately. I know the risks of what will happen to me if I go with them.

"Let us go home," the king said.

"I will not go with you," I said firmly, and took a step back.

"You may be able to stay here, but even if you do, you will eventually have to leave." He signaled two of his soldiers in and told them to take me home.

"Allow us, princess," they said respectfully.

The Emperor called the king when they were about to take me away. “King Theo,” called the Emperor. They immediately stopped and respectfully addressed the Emperor. “May I speak to Cassiopeia?” the Emperor asked.

"Yes, your majesty!" His smile reached his ears as he laughed.

"And you too, I want to invite you to the table so we can talk properly," the Emperor said. "This is an opportunity for us to establish a more open conversation, one that is not influenced by the opinions of others," his majesty added.

"It would be my pleasure, your imperial majesty."

We sat at an unusually long table where the Emperor and my father sat at either end with their wives beside them. The princes are present as well, except for the fourth one.

"Have you summoned Magnus yet?" asked the Emperor. Before anyone could answer, the fourth prince entered the room.

"Magnus, my son, here you are!" said the Emperor. The fourth prince sat in front of me.

In the middle of our meal, the Emperor suddenly spoke, "I didn't know that the princess was so good with a sword, King Theo," the Emperor seemed stunned. The princes looked at me at the same time. Obviously unaware, my father couldn't answer.

"I hope this does not offend your majesty," my father said humbly.

"No,” the Emperor said, “I was impressed by the princess. It’s pretty unusual to find such a feisty woman," the Emperor’s laugh echoed through the hall. I saw the king smile at me with warm eyes for the first time.

The Emperor turned to me."Perhaps you will show me sometimes how you handle a sword, Princess." I just smiled back, not really in the mood to talk.

"Pardon me, your majesty, I just want to ask if we will pursue the wedding?" my father asked, “it seems that my daughter crossed the line with his highness, the prince,” he added.

"That’s why I called you here. I wanted to ask your permission to let Princess Cassiopeia stay in the empire. We will give her a huge room and maids." My father and Luciana stared at each other. They want this marriage so badly. I’m sure they will agree.

"Yes, your majesty. If you believe that is best for my daughter, I will entrust her to you," the king said.

“Very well!” said the Emperor.

The Emperor turned to the fourth prince and asked him, "What do you think, Magnus?"

"If that's what you see fit, father," Magnus replied straightly as he kept eating.

"Then, it's decided Princess Cassiopeia will stay with us as we plan for the wedding," smiled the Emperor. "She is now a part of our dynasty. We will make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." The Emperor added.

Magnus stood up and quickly wiped his lips with the cloth napkin in front of him, "I apologize, your majesty, but I have some more work to finish," he said politely. It's peculiar that the fourth prince didn't say goodbye to the Empress.

After dinner, I went out to see the King and Queen's departure. I went out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. They had left with their crew back to the Cassiana Kingdom, and I could finally catch my breath after seeing their carriage go out of sight.

"After everything you have done to stop the wedding, it is odd that you are here now and even getting a room for yourself like a true princess of this empire." I almost froze in place when Magnus appeared in front of me. He took me by the arm and pulled me into the dark part of the lobby.

"Because I must marry you," I reply. I cannot tell Magnus that my main reason for staying in the empire was to escape the cruelty of the king and queen.

"Obligation? Ah, that's right, you are your parent’s debt repayment to save their kingdom," Save the kingdom? "Do you think I don't know the true intentions of your greedy father, Cassiopeia?" his eyes narrowed. "I know you asked your father to withdraw the marriage, so I'm wondering why you are here now?" He said in a sarcastic tone. I was taken aback. His eyes were always cold, but his voice sounded so cruel.

"You know nothing! This is not about my father – it's about you!" I retorted. He laughed heartily, a cackle that had no humor in it at all, "I know that the emperor is looking for someone to be your match because of the curse that has been circulating your whole life," I added.

Magnus's eyes darkened. It felt like the cold pierced right through my soul. "Don't use me as a tool, princess." He said, "Tell me your real intention, and I might spare your life." The deep sound of his voice seemed to overtake the sound of my heart beating thoroughly. I knew then that he was dangerous.

"You're too curious," I said mockingly, trying to hide my fear. "Just do your princely duty, and I'll do mine," I said. I did not want to be in his presence any longer, "now, Prince, if you will excuse me, I am going to my room. I have to rest."

"After you, Princess Cassiopeia," he said as he gestured his hand. I turned my back towards him, and Lin came just in time.

"Are you alright?" she asked me.

"Do you know where my room will be?" I asked her in a low voice while pacing slowly.

"Yes, we are here," Lin said, then we turned right. Two women were standing at the door, and they opened it for us. When I entered, Hera was already there, preparing my bed.

"Your highness, your room is wonderful," Hera exclaimed while hugging the pillow she was fixing. "You should really come to see it for yourself."

"Is that so?" I answered with a smile. "Have you and Lin eaten yet?" I asked her. "Yes, when you were eating, we were in the other room, eating with the guests of the empire," Lin answered.

"Good then," I said as I sat on the bed.

"Your highness, the bath is ready. Allow me to assist you." Hera came to me and helped me remove the jewelry from my body one by one. She helped me take a shower. With the absence of privacy in the world I belong to, I have learned not to take it for granted and will now adapt as much as necessary.

Hera and Lin were standing close to me at the side, and I knew that these were the kind of people I could trust. Lin seemed to notice my restlessness because she moved closer to me. "Next to this room, on the left, is my room," Lin said, as if she had read my mind. I smiled.

"Hey, I'm going to head out now. I know you'll be okay. I'll come back before breakfast tomorrow. If you need or want anything, ring the bell, and we will come as soon as possible."

“I’ll be okay, Lin,” I reassured her. “It’ll be fine,” I said, looking at her. She immediately stretched her body and yawned in response.

"Good night, princess," she smiled.

"You were insulting in front of your princess," Lin said, sneering at the other.

"It’s okay, Lin," I said to her, causing Hara to giggle. "Lin, can I speak to you first?" I asked her, and her reaction immediately changed as she hurriedly approached me.

“Is there a problem?” she asks, her voice full of concern. I shook my head and sighed. I go outside onto the balcony, and she follows me. She stops just a few feet from me, her eyes darting back and forth, following my pace. I take a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm as I realize what this must mean.

There was silence between the two of us. "I plan on marrying the fourth prince," I added, and she laughed.

"You're not going to run away?" she asked. I shook my head. "What changed your mind?"

"The Prince was angry earlier and said something about my father's evil plans. The reason for this marriage is to save the kingdom of Cassiana.” I faced Lin, and his expression was indescribable. She held onto my arm.

"So?" Lin snapped, "Does this concern you?" Her grip on my arms tightened, "You shouldn't get married. The fourth prince will kill you every chance he gets."

"Do you think that if I run away, I will get away from the anger of the king, my father?" Lin asked. "Do you want our entire tribe to suffer the consequences?”

"Why do you have to be the one who has to assume the obligation that your witch sister should be able to fulfill?" I laughed a little at what she said.

"I have nowhere to go, Lin. I have no power against my father."

"Alright, whatever you decide, I will wholeheartedly support it. If you change your mind, I will be here with the whole tribe." I could feel the sincerity in Lin's voice, which delighted me.

“Thank you, Lin.” My true purpose is to let fate take me wherever it takes me as I find my way back to my real world. I will take refuge in the power of the empire and the protection of Magnus, who will do all they can to protect me from anyone who wishes to harm me while I search for the real owner of this body and my way home.