The Emperor’s Temptation

CHAPTER 2: A Deal Forged In Tears

"Bro!!" Isadora flew off from her chair and rushed to hug Xander who just stepped foot inside the living room.

He only parted her back twice, there was no current expression on his stoic face but he was happy to see his sister.

Isadora hugged his waist and looked up at him.

"Look at you, you have changed a lot now, you're so handsome and I'm really proud, Hey bro, do you know that everyone is looking for you? Many years back, no one cared about you but now...

"Isadora, your brother just got back from France, allow him to go freshen up in his room and come down for dinner before you hug him" Evelyn rolled her eyes from where she sat.

Isadora pouted and stepped away from Xander but hugged his arms tight.

"I haven't seen my brother for close to Six years, it's normal for me to act this way" she pouted her lips.

Xande didn't mind her, he just walked over to the diner and bowed to king Torrance.

"Your Highness, mother, father, uncles, aunties and cousins, My greetings to all of you" he greeted them.

"Welcome back cousin" Lucien smiled at him but Xander didn't mirror it.

"Cuz is this you? You look so handsome" Damien admired him but as usual, Xander didn't look bothered about the comments.

"Welcome back, Xander " Vivienne muttered to herself but Xander wasn't even looking at her.

Julian didn't say anything.

Evelyn stood up and hugged him, she cupped his cheeks and took a good look at his face.

"You look so stressed, you've been working extra than usual, try taking a little rest so you won't collapse" Evelyn said gently.

"I'm fine mother" Xander took Evelyn's hands away from his face.

"You should go upstairs and shower then come down for dinner" Silas didn't spare his son a glance when he spoke.

Xander just nodded.

"I will show you your room bro, I had the maids clean it all up for you!" Isadora hugged his arms tighter before pulling him towards the staircase.

Evelyn only stared at them with a smile.

"Isadora is really happy to see her brother" she whispered to Silas and Cicilia just rolled her eyes.

A few minutes later, Xander came back with Isadora. He was dressed in an all black colored long sleeve fitting t-shirt that brought out the muscular view of his body, a black jogger with a black Gucci slippers.

"Come sit beside me bro" Isadora said to him but Silas glared at her.

"Don't worry dad, I miss my sister too" Xander muttered and she smiled as he sat beside her.

"Since we are all complete, I'll start the prayers so we can eat and after dinner, I want to talk to Xander and Lucien," King Torrance said.

Lucien looked at him and nodded but Xander kept a blank face.

"What about my son?" Vivienne frowned.

"He's still too young to have a meeting with father" Evelyn gave her a mocking smile.

"You-

"Can you not start now Vivienne ?" Sabastien who had been quiet all along finally spoke.

Vivienne glared at everyone before keeping shut.

SERAPHINA PLACE

"Who can join me into counting the stars? One, two, there..." Seraphina counted nothing on the air and laughed drunkenly as Chloe and Bianca knocked on her door.

They partied to their fullest last night and Seraphina got drunk.

The door opened, revealing a middle aged but beautiful woman putting on glasses, Her eyes went to Seraphina and she gasped.

"Sorry your Highness , she had a lot of fun," Bianca said.

"Yes mom, I saw Queen Diana, she attended my wedding" Seraphina replied in a drowsy voice.

Queen Margaux took Seraphina from the girls.

"Queen Diana is dead and you haven't done your wedding" Queen Margaux said and Seraphina looked at her face in surprise.

"I haven't done my wedding and the queen is dead? No!!" She began crying and summer shook her head.

Queen Margaux just smiled then faced the girls.

"It's getting late, the both of you should go so you would wake up early and get to the wedding venue on time" Queen Margaux said to Chloe and Bianca, ignoring the way Seraphina was crying.

"Okay your Highness, good night, we can't wait to see Seraphina tomorrow" Bianca waved and Chloe nodded.

The girls left and Seraphina was already singing Gabriella by katseye ( her voice sounded horrible)

Él llegó conmigo y conmigo se va

Sus ojos son mío', eso no va a cambiar

Me quiere a mí y no importan las demás

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

Él llegó conmigo y conmigo se va

Sus ojos son mío', eso no va a cambiar

Me quiere a mí y no importan las demás

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, she sang as Queen Morgaux dragged her to her room.

"Can you shut up!" Queen Margaux groaned and dropped her on her bed, she took off the heels Seraphina was putting on.

"I'm getting married tomorrow mom, how many grand kids do you want?" She pouted.

"You are already thinking of grand kids? Gosh!" Queen Margaux shook her head as she helped Seraphina take off her dress.

"Mom!!" Seraphina pouted when Queen Margaux pulled her up and dragged her to the bathroom.

She put her in the bathtub.

"Shower first and feel comfortable in your sleep, I wonder why you drank so much" she muttered as she went to grab her makeup cleaner.

"chloe and Bianca madddeeee me do it" she dragged so much on the 'Made'

Queen Margaux rolled her eyes and cleaned her make up before helping her to soak up and taking her back to her bed.

Seraphina hugged on her pillow and looked elsewhere as she pouted her lips while Queen Margaux eyes went to her sketchbook that was open on her table.

She smiled as she stared at it before closing the book and turning off the light.

THE KINGS MANSION

In King Torrance study room, Xander and Lucien could be seen sitting opposite king Torrance .

"I'm sure the both of you must be wondering why I called all of the sudden" king Torrance looked at the both of them.

"We don't know anything grandpa" Lucien replied since he knew Xander didn't have any knowledge about why their grandfather called them.

King Torrance brought out a file and passed it to Xander, Xander took it and opened it immediately and as he was going through it, Lucien stylishly put his head to look at it.

"No way! You're allowing Xander to be in charge of the King's styles" Lucien gasped and Xander looked at king Torrance.

"Why are you giving me this?" He asked calmly.

"Yeah, you never let anyone go inside the old Queen company but you're suddenly giving it to Xander ?" Lucien looked surprised.

"He has shown his capability to finally handle the Kings by his success throughout the years" King Torrance answered Lucien before facing Xander.

"You really made a wise choice when you went to complete your school in France six years ago," King Torrance looked proud.

"What about me? Why did you call me here? Is it to make me feel like a plate?" Lucien pouted, looking a little offended.

"No, you've also worked hard but not enough and I'm giving Xander the privilege to give you a good position if he gets the company" king Torrance replied.

Xander looked at him immediately, He was probably wondering what king Torrance meant by "if he gets the company".

"I need to make sure you're legal enough to control the company," King Torrance said.

"What do you mean your Highness?" Lucien asked and Xander kept his eyes on king Torrance as he was interested in knowing the answer.

"You have to prove to me that you aren't gay" King Torrance said.

Right from when Xander has been in high school, he hasn't been spotted with any girl. There were times Evelyn would try to set him up with her best friend's daughter but he didn't show any sign of interest and he took the behavior till he traveled out to Paris.

"Bullshît" Xander muttered.

"I'm serious Xander, I'm going to ninety and I haven't seen my great grand kids. You are the eldest grandson of this family, do you want Lucien to marry before you?" King Torrance complained and Lucien smirked.

"If marriage and having grandkids is the thing then no problem, I have a girlfriend already and we were planning to get married tomorrow" Xander suddenly said and Lucien looked at him.

"A girlfriend?" King Torrance looked like he couldn't believe it.

"Yes grandpa," Xander nodded.

"Well since Xander says so then let's celebrate, How is the wedding going to be tomorrow, are you going to register or are you making it grand?" Lucien asked.

"I never liked the spotlight, of course I'll register and I'll bring her home" he replied.

"Good, the both of you can leave now" king Torrance said and Xander stood up, he was the first to leave before Lucian left.

Lucien's father was waiting for him outside.

"What did your grandpa tell you?" Sabastian asked the moment he sighted Lucien.

"That he would give Xander Kings styles" Lucien replied.

"And what about you?" Sabastian frowned a bit.

"He would give Xander the privilege to give a suitable position but only if Xander gets married" Lucas replied.

Sabastian sighed and nodded before walking away while Lucien followed him from behind.

Meanwhile Xander went to his room, He laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling for a while before his phone began ringing.

He turned his head to his side to see who was calling. It was Camila, his girlfriend from France. She wants to do FaceTime.

He rolled his eyes and picked, her face popped up in the screen, she looked pretty.

"Honey, I'm so sorry I didn't pick your calls earlier, I'm just coming back from work and-

"I've left France" he cut her off and she paused with a surprise expression.

"I told you I was coming with you, why didn't you wait for me?" She frowned afterwards.

"Do you love me?" He suddenly asked.

"Huh? You know I do" she replied.

"Then book a flight to California tomorrow and let's get married" he said and again, she looked surprised.

"Huh?"

"I will be expecting you tomorrow if you really love me, You've been busy with work and don't really have time for us, if you're not interested in this relationship then let's call it off but if you are then come tomorrow and let's get married" he sounded really serious.

There was a moment of silence between the both of them before she sighed and stared at him.

"I love you, I will arrive tomorrow" she mumbled.

"Wise decision" he replied and hung up.

He knows Camila doesn't really care about him, well he also doesn't care, he just keeps her to fulfill his desires as a man since he hates sleeping around with so many women.

Camila does the same with him and Xander was sure if Camila knew he was actually the hidden billionaire prince that everyone is looking for then she would give him her full attention.

She knows his name Xander but she has never for once asked what his last name is or what he does for a living, she's interested in his dìck and little money she thought he has well so was he ( to her pûssy alone ).

NEXT MORNING; SERAPHINA PLACE

"Rise and shine baby, it's your wedding today" Queen Margaux gently woke Seraphina up.

The moment Seraphina's eyes squinted open, she groaned at the throbbing pain she was feeling in her head.

"It's okay, I made hangover soup" Queen Margaux sat beside her and stirred the glass bowl of soup she was holding.

Seraphina drank a few spoons before feeling slightly better.

"Go shower up, your hair stylist and make up artists are on their way, she said.

where did you keep your wedding dress, let me put it in the stand for you?" Queen Margaux asked.

Seraphina pointed to her wardrobe before entering the bathroom. After showering to her satisfaction, she came out to meet the Queen admiring the wedding gown.

"It's beautiful right?" Seraphina smiled as she stood behind her.

"Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking," Queen Margaux replied.

"I designed it myself," Seraphina smiled even more.

"Gosh you're so talented, you're just like your father" the Queen muttered and Seraphina's smile reduced a little but it was still there.

"I'm sure he must be so proud of how you're doing, Soon you will be like him, you will be recognized in front of millions of crowds for your talents" Queen Margaux said softly before cleaning the tears from her eyes.

Seraphina sighed and moved to her mother.

"It's my wedding, let's not reminisce about father today, I'm sure he's happy" she said and Queen Margaux nodded before the door bell rang.

"I'll go get it, it should be your make up and hair stylist" she immediately walked out of the room while Seraphina smiled and continued to admire her wedding dress.

THE KINGS MANSION

Xander sighed as he removed his phone from his ears, Camila wasn't picking up his calls as usual.

His phone rang, it was from Carter, his personal assistant from France and he picked.

"Boss, I'm at the Mansion" the male voice sounded before Xander hung up.

Cater was the only person that knows who he was and he doesn't dare rat him out simply because he knows no one messes with him.

Xander descended the stairs and met Isadora waiting for him.

"Isa, I thought you were going to shoot for your movie?" He asked with his eyes narrowed.

"I wanted to see you before I leave, where are you going? My driver can take the both of us there" she said immediately.

"It's okay, you go act in your movie,we are going in a different direction" he replied and Isadora pouted.

"Fine, but let's walk to the garage together" she pleaded and Xander nodded.

She hurriedly hugged his arms as usual and smiled at him before they both climbed down the stairs.

SERAPHINA’S WEDDING VENUE

The wedding was already going on, it was just a few people, Seraphina friends, her mother and a few of her work colleagues including Maya.

Seraphina and Cassian were already facing each other, they had both exchanged rings and the priest was already making them take their vow.

"Do you, Cassian Lockwood, promise to take Seraphina Valois as your lawful wife, love and cherish her and be with her in times of hardships, happiness, pain and sorrows?" The priest asked Cassian .

Cassian looked at Seraphina with a smile before nodding.

"Yes I do" he replied and people were trying not to clap or make noise as they waited for them to finish.

Maya was boiling inwardly but was masking it up with a smile.

"Do you, Seraphina Valois, promise to take Cassian Lockwood as your lawful husband, to love, cherish and be with him at all times including hardship, happiness, pains, struggles and support him in his daily life activities?" The priest asked.

A tear drop of joy fell from Seraphina's eyes, once she said yes then she would be finally married to this man.

She nodded vigorously.

"Yes I...

Her word was interrupted when she began hearing some funny sounds, like two people having s*x and the male moans sounded familiar.

Adriana's heart skipped beats and she slowly took her gaze to where the sound was coming from..

She turned and what she saw was a total naked Cassian f*****g the hell out of Maya.

Cassian turned but couldn't believe his eyes , babe I can explain he tried holding Seraphina , don't touch me she warned before running out of the Altar.

her hills on her hands and her wedding was sweeping the ground, tears dropping like river, she can't believe her eyes, this man was supposed to be her man but no he is a scum bag, I can't marry him.

Xander tried Camila number the tenth time, before she picked.

Hello his deep voice sounded, why haven't you arrived at the court, why subbing my calls, Xander bombarded her with questions.

Xander the truth is , I can't marry now, I am too young for that , I don't think I am ready for that, please find another lady, there are many out there who you can marry as for me , I am not ready, Camila said before hanging up the call.

Ridiculous she hung up the call even when I was the one who called, Xander said.

Carter let's go he commanded, Carter opened the car and he entered, the car drove out with full speed.

***

Seraphina was running not minding where her leg's taking her, what's on her mind now was to run far away from where Cassian will find her, she wasn't ready to hear his piece of explanation.

She ran to the main road, crossed the first road and that's it, she's oblivious of the car coming and thanks to the driver who held onto the stalling and held the brake on time.

Who the hell is that? Xander shouted he came down but lo and behold it's a lady who is in her wedding gown, so he tried to hear her out.

Young miss why are you running with this , he asked pointing at her wedding gown.

She explained everything that happened, oh I am sorry for that miss but as you can see our fate is the same. I was supposed to get married also but my fiance rejected me with the excuse that she's not ready to get married, what she didn't know was that I am from the King's family.

So since you are with your wedding gown, help me with one thing, let's get married, you will just help me take up my family business, then I will help you build Your career and also Avenge you of your bridegroom.

Without thinking twice Seraphina accepted she can't imagine going back to Cassian , and it won't hurt marrying a stranger other than getting married to Cassian.

Ok then get into the car he said, Carter reverse, go back to the court Xander ordered.

“One more thing,” he said, his tone icy and precise. “This marriage is binding. There will be no annulments. Once we sign those papers, you belong to the King's family.Forever. Do you understand?”

Seraphina's blood ran cold. What has she just agreed to?