Bride of the Ruthless Emperor

Episode Four

The two days Leanna had left with her family passed fleetingly. They packed clothes, jewels, and books, gathering her warmest garments for the long journey ahead.

She spent what time she could with her little sister, Imelda, making promises to keep in touch and trying to cheer the girl up.

“Will I be able to come visit?”

I hope so. But she told her, “Yes, of course, you will.”

Her sister looked wistful. Her gray eyes looked through the window at a clear sky. Her soft and round cheeks gave her a girlish and innocent appearance. “Will he love you?”

Leanna shrugged, sad that it was unlikely that he would. He didn’t seem like the loving type. She couldn’t even imagine a mealtime with him during which she wouldn’t feel like her food was lodged between the top and base of her throat. “I don’t know.”

“I want him to love you. It’ll be like that fairytale we both read. The Callous Fae Prince and the Gentle Human Princess.”

It was a romantic tale, where the Prince, a powerful ruler of an immortal court fell in love with a human princess, despite the numerous beautiful fae women who surrounded him.

Leanna laughed, pushing the story to the back of her mind. “If that happens, won’t that be wonderful?”

“Truly!”

The rest of that day went in a blur. She sorted her clothes with her handmaids and gathered up the furs and warm dresses she had, looking wistfully at her lighter clothes. From her understanding, summer was brief and dull in Kadria. She might never see the sun bring its warmth down on her face ever again. While walking in the hallways with her mother, she caught a glimpse of the Emperor and his companion, Gerwulf. The Emperor made eye contact with her, but he didn't acknowledge her presence in any other way.

Eventually, the day of her long journey to the Emperor Alaric’ castle arrived.

Her mother dressed her with her lady-in-waiting, Alia Lowood. They combed her hair, rubbing fragrant oils into each lock. They braided it and used pins to hold the ends in at the side.

Her dress was a simple thing, made of thick and soft dark brown wool. It was made durable, to provide her comfort on the long journey. They put a cloak on her. Though the fabric was heavy, the weight was comfortable.

“You look like a queen,” Princess Imelda chimed.

Looking in the mirror, Leanna could see what she meant. Her gray eyes stared back fearfully at her from a pale face. But she could admit that she looked regal.

She went down to her carriage with Alia, her mother, and her sister in tow.

The sky was overcast and a cool breeze ruffled her hair.

Her father was speaking with the Emperor, his expression solemn. When the Emperor noticed Leanna, he left her father’s side and came towards her.

Everyone bowed to greet him.

“My lady,” he said. The small smile he wore looked forced, strained. His eyes coldly appraised her appearance. “Are you ready for the journey?”

Leanna nodded, though her stomach was twisting and upset. “Yes, I am.”

“Lovely. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Taking her gloved hand, the Emperor steered her towards the place where the rest of his company stood, eager for the journey. Most of them were men, a few about his age, most older. Only three women stood among them, two were much older and weathered, faces hardened by seasonal changes and difficult circumstances. One was younger, dashingly beautiful, silver rings glinting in her elaborate silvery-blond braids. She eyed Leanna with suspicion.

“Everyone,” Alaric said, his voice booming in the cool air, “this is Princess Leanna Artel of the Kingdom of South Hallow.”

He paused, as everyone focused on her. Leanna’s cheeks heated up at the sudden scrutiny.

“Beautiful, isn’t she?” There are murmurs of assent, some men even whistling. “She is to be my bride.”

What? But didn’t he say–

“I want nobody touching her or attempting to harass her. She is under my protection. Anyone who fails to comply…” He spat out cold laughter. “Well, let’s just say you don’t want to know what happens to those who fail to comply.”

What a wicked threat.

Oddly, the severity of the threat made her feel safer. Perhaps the warmth of the Emperor’s touch also contributed.

The Emperor led her back to her carriage, his hands still holding hers. Imelda launched into her arms when Alaric let go of her.

“We should set out now,” the Emperor said, his gaze focused on her face. “I’m afraid we’ve wasted some time.”

“That is true, your majesty,” King Rowan said. “A storm seems to be approaching. It would be better if you make it some distance away before it comes.”

The Emperor returned to his people, leaving her to say her goodbyes.

A lot of tears fell as they embraced each other. Imelda pleaded with Leanna not to go, saying that she’d be lonely without her. Then she switched to asking her parents if she could go, too. Queen Halaria finally held her off long enough for Leanna to get into the carriage and settle in beside Alia. Two guards, chosen by her father, rode with the carriage; one in front and the other at the back.

The carriage moved and Imelda’s cries grew distant.

Leanna leaned into the seat with a heavy heart. She wished she could have asked more questions and stayed a while longer. She didn’t even get the chance to see many of her close friends, prominent ladies in their respective families.

She couldn’t even see her brother, Prince Stanis, who went on some diplomatic trips on behalf of the family. She wrote him a letter though, telling him of her mission and hoping they’d see, at a point.

Her only consolation was that she had Alia to accompany her. Alia, though younger, had been her close companion for the last few years.

Presently, the younger girl patted her arm to console her. Her brown hair was done into two neat plaits, and her brown eyes shone with curiosity. “Are you comfortable, your grace?”

Leanna sniffed, wiping her eyes. “Yes, I am.” The chairs were padded, so though the road was bumpy, she didn't feel it much.

“Perhaps a nap would do you some good.”

Leanna laughed. “I’d miss the journey if I were to take a nap. I want to watch the scenes change. And I have a book to keep me company.”

Alia told her to ask if she needed anything. After agreeing, Leanna settled in to read her book on the Kadrian Empire. If she had to go there, it was important that she be as prepared as possible.

She kept dozing off, however. And her mind kept returning to what the Emperor said while addressing his men. “She is to be my bride.” She wondered what he could’ve meant and if it was a form of misdirection, perhaps so the men would comply. Or could he have changed his mind?

Try as she might, the words keep sliding off the page. Her head was full of worrying thoughts and she chose to watch the bleak scene beyond the window instead.

The rain began to pour and the scene beyond the glass windows got more bleak.

Leanna adjusted the cushions around her and fell into a comfortable sleep. She startled awake when the carriage stopped and she heard a heartbreaking wail outside.

“What’s going on?” Leanna asked, trying to get used to the semi-darkness. It was not evening yet, but heavy clouds had obscured most of the day. She had a sweet dream of running in wet grass with her siblings and was annoyed about the interruption.

Alia was already opening the door. “I’ll take a look and bring a report, your grace.”

But Leanna desired to stretch her limbs after staying cooped up in the carriage for so long. She pushed the door open and inhaled the smell of smoke and wet mud. There was a light drizzle and though the air held a biting chill, there was something refreshing about it.

Looking carefully, she found a less muddy spot and stepped out of the carriage, ignoring the cries of the coachman and one of her personal guards. Her limbs stretched pleasantly and she let out a small sigh.

She lifted the hem of her dress and marched across the muddy terrain to the place where a group of people gathered.

Alia saw her and rushed to her side. “Your grace, you shouldn’t be here.”

“I was a bit cramped. I wanted some air and to walk the stiffness out of my legs. What’s going on?”

“There’s a man…”

She trailed off as a loud wail filled the air. The language was strange, but Leanna recognized it. She pushed past everyone, ignoring the sounds of surprise from the men.

She emerged to see a half-naked man, covered in bruises, burns, and oozing purplish wounds. He held a knife, his eyes wide and panicked.

The Emperor stood before him gripping his sword and asking questions.

When the man saw Princess Leanna, he lurched towards her, crawling on his hands and knees. Instinctively, Leanna scampered backwards and away, but with so many people behind her, she could only go so far.

The Emperor turned, his already dark expression further darkening when he noticed her.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

Leanna ignored him. Now that she had grown a little used to the wounds on the body of the man before her, she was no longer afraid, but rather, filled with compassion. She lowered to her knees, ignoring the mud and asked, “What happened to you?” in his language.

She was oblivious to how quiet everyone had gone.

The man’s eyes grew wide, frenzied. “Tell him.”

“Who? Tell who?”

“The decay is here. And it will come for him.”

“Who? My father? Or the Emperor?”

The man didn’t reply. He let out a chilling guttural cry and slit his own throat.