Seducing Mr. Jerk

Chapter 3

I had never been accepted as my father's daughter. I was a bastard, but I was given a title as the royal princess by my father. He didn't like me much, but he didn't neglect me or hated me like my step mother did. Whereas Lavina, she was spoiled, well taken care of to be the perfect pawn to marry into Meridian and bring the connections that would protect our little kingdom from attacks from the Democratic nations.

Meridian was the most powerful monarchy country in the world. A marriage to the king will secure you for life. Lavina had accepted her fate and had been seeing the king for two years, back then I was happy I wasn't subjected to that. I was glad to be the bastard child because I had true love, whereas she had arranged marriage. Lavina had boasted about it though being queen, she had made sure to rub it on my face, it's a wonder why she had just disappeared into thin air.

But here I am, with no true love, no family love, and no people love. Just an empty shell. My eyes were vacant, no matter the amount of makeup that was placed beneath them.

Yet, despite the emptiness inside me, I was adorned in a diamond studded dress. I wore my step-sister's wedding dress, a gown of white silk and lace that shimmered in the morning glow. My hair was elegantly styled in an updo, with delicate curls framing my face. The silver crown placed above my veil, the maids had done a wonderful job making me look like a princess. Beautiful and prim.

But despite the outward appearance of elegance, my eyes still held a heaviness from the tears I had shed all night.

"For a prince and princess, the kingdom comes first. Love is not possible and will never be possible in a royal marriage," Queen Lyra said solemnly as she placed the royal heirloom around my neck with shaking hands. She hated it, she wished it was Lavina, but I hated it more.

I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain that lingered beneath the surface. "Of course, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“As a lady in the household of the Meridian family, you must not speak until it's your turn to speak. Follow the teachings you got here even though you barely paid attention. You would soon be a queen, you shall no longer bow to anyone and hopefully you would stop your awful dressing.”

She stared at me from the mirror with eyes filled with hatred. It must hurt, seeing her husband's mistress daughter marry a king whereas hers was lost to God knows where. Queen Lyra forced a smile before patting me on the shoulder as she stepped away. I could swear that even with hate, there were a little bit of tears.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness wash over me. This was not how I had imagined my life would turn out. I had dreamed of love, of happiness, of a life filled with purpose and meaning. But instead, I would be trapped in a loveless marriage, bound by duty and obligation.

I felt like a puppet, being forced to play a role that was not my own.

A knock echoed through the room, interrupting the solemn atmosphere. I turned to see the door swing open, revealing a familiar face. It was Dorian, the son of my mother's guard before her tragic passing. He had been a childhood friend, but we had drifted apart when he left at the age of twelve, after confessing his love for me.

"Hi, Dorian," I greeted him, surprised by his sudden appearance.

His brown eyes widened in astonishment as he took in my appearance. "Wow, you look beautiful," he said softly, but his gaze quickly turned to concern. "But why the sad gaze, princess?"

I winced at the title, "Stop calling me princess," I murmured, turning away.

Dorian's expression softened, and he quickly corrected himself. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I forgot you would soon be a queen."

I remained silent, unable to find the words to respond to his observation, if I could call it that. Dorian sighed, "As always Lavina will always leave when things get rough," he said with a hint of sadness.

Still, I said nothing, I wasn't in the mood to meet his remarks. To talk or to care. . Dorian sighed again, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "Your father sent for me to be your personal guard during your time at Meridian," he explained. "And I am to walk you down the aisle as well. As a friend."

I nodded, I offered him a small smile, “Then, shall we?”

****

Unlike most traditions where the bride would walk down the aisle to meet her beloved groom, I was meant to sit down and face the people who had come to the wedding while waiting for the groom. They were looking at me with repulsion, as if it was my fault that I was getting married to King Cassian.

As I sat there, feeling the weight of their judgmental stares, I couldn't help but wonder if King Cassian would even show up. Doubt gnawed at my insides, and I feared that this marriage was doomed from the start.

Just as my anxiety threatened to overwhelm me, the door opened, and King Cassian entered the room. As he made his way towards me, I couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, just like he appeared in the papers.

With a strong jawline and piercing eyes, King Cassian had an air of confidence that made it clear he was used to being in control.

His presence commanded attention, and his demeanor was regal and composed. But despite his striking appearance, he remained silent as he sat beside me, his expression unreadable.

I stole a glance at him, trying to gauge his thoughts, but his impassive facade gave nothing away. Was he as reluctant about this marriage as I was? Or was he simply resigned to his fate, as I was?

“Today I bathed us to celebrate my daughter's wedding to the king of Meridian,” Father said, “The wonderful alliance would now be shared by rings, loyalty, children and care. Let the ceremony begin.”

Claps were heard, music was played, rings were exchanged. Everything passed with a blur.

Much didn't happen and I wasn't even paying attention to the gift exchange until it got to a point that I must now leave the castle with my new husband. No one came to say goodbye, no maids saying they would miss me, just me and him.

We rode to the airport in silence, I had changed into a soft blue dress. I hated the silence, because it made me nervous and it gave me time to think what would be waiting for me in the airplane or in my new home. Wedding consummation. I was to provide an heir, that was what my father had said.

I wondered how he would be in bed, even though Cole was an arsehole, he had been gentle.

“Your majesty?” I finally said breaking the silence that had been between us.

“Yes,* he replied. I was scared he wouldn't.

“Do you have another wife, your majesty?” I asked. I shouldn't have. It wasn't my business, Queen Lyra had told me not to ask him any questions, to keep quiet and remain a dutiful wife. But I was nervous, when I am nervous I talk. He looked at me with a narrowed gaze.

“No I don't,” he answered slowly. I felt relieved, at least I won't have to deal with wives being jealous and trying to hurt me.

“But I do have a mistress,” he added. Of course he does, he was attractive, tall, handsome, a king, a billionaire and most importantly a man.

“You don't seem to like that,” he said. Why did he care if I did?

“It's not for me to like or dislike your majesty,” I replied.

“Call me Cassian when we are alone.”

The car finally came to a stop, and we stepped out. The sun was blazing, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

“Cassian!!” A lady's voice was heard from the airplane, she stood there waving and I gulped.

“That's my mistress,” he replied and for the first time since I have met him. He smiled.