I Am The Tyrant’s Wife

After Krillien announced their wedding, an uproar of whispers and shocked words was thrown around; the noise in the banquet had never been louder.

"How could this be?" One noble asked, nervously glancing at Meredith who began to walk towards the exit of the balcony, following behind Krillien.

"The Ryvetskys lost all influence, how could this be beneficial for His Majesty?"

"How could this be beneficial for us?"

"Was he not going to marry Lady Lillian?" One of the nobles asked, his voice snapping, causing their uproar to silence as they slowly turned their heads towards a lady, sitting down in one of the tables set out, sipping her glass of champagne.

Noticing the hundreds of eyes on her, her bright blue eyes slowly raised from the glass in her hand to the crowd, a smile appearing on her lips.

"My, you lot speculate too much." She uttered, the smile still apparent on her lips. "If you'll excuse me, I must greet the future Empress." She stood up, holding a dark blue fan in her hand. Lady Lillian made her way through the crowd. Unsurprisingly, their eyes were very much on her. Though they silently moved out the way to allow her a path, it didn't stop their whispers the moment she passed.

"Lady Meredith," Lady Lillian greeted, grabbing her attention from speaking with Theodore. Lady Meredith turned around, eyes widening seeing Lady Lillian bow, her hand holding the fan placed on her chest as her red hair fell on her shoulders. "It is a pleasure to make acquaintance with the future Empress." She raised her head and greeted her with a small smile.

"Lady... Lillian," Meredith said, still shocked to see her.

Lady Lillian de Burke. She was the daughter of the Grand Duke, highly influential with the many mines he owned. He was highly influential in politics as well. Hence, why she was a candidate as the former crown prince's wife. Prince Caspian decided to marry the daughter of Viscount Barkley. His title was also taken away alongside with the Ryvetskys. It was cruel as he lost his daughter days before that by Krillien's sword.

"I congratulate you on your upcoming wedding, Lady Meredith. I am glad to know you have overcome such obstacles." Meredith looked at her, her dress modest yet fashionable, laces adorning her gown and a few layers of her petticoat, outlining more of her figure than the puffy dresses the other noble women were wearing.

Elegance. Meredith thought. Lady Lillian was the epitome of elegance.

From a young age, she had been taking lessons on etiquette, history, and politics. She was the ideal person an Emperor should marry--the person Krillien would have chosen if he hadn't been so concerned about someone else overthrowing his power. Any one of the princes could have married her and yet, none chose to do so.

She was the "Princess of the Empire" despite her status saying otherwise, but she indeed deserved to be one.

The Empress title was supposed to be hers. Suddenly, she felt an awkward atmosphere between them. Lady Lillian was the daughter of the Grand Duke meanwhile Meredith was only a Count's daughter. And her father isn't even a Count anymore. Their statuses had always been on the opposite end of each other. More so now.

"Thank you, Lady Lillian. Your kind words are appreciated."

"It seems His Majesty has taken a liking to you; to have a wedding in three days' time." Lady Lillian spread open her fan and held it close to her face, its purple feathers at the ends of it fluttering as she talked. She noticed the leaning ears and the nobles peering closer at the two of them.

Meredith awkwardly smiled, "oh, His Majesty seems to adore efficiency." 

"Mm," Lady Lillian smiled. "I shall not take too much of your time, Lady Meredith. It is a pleasure to speak with you--" she bowed, "--future Empress."

"Ah... yes." Meredith uttered as she watched Lady Lillian walk away, the nobles moving out of the way once again. The moment she was out of sight, the nobles crowded in with each other, murmuring and occasionally glancing at Meredith with their piercing eyes.

Future Empress. 

Empress.

Lately, everything had moved too fast that Meredith hadn't sat down and thought about whether this was the right decision for her. Being the Empress had never been one of her goals which is why she was content to have been chosen as the top candidate for Prince Friedrich, the second prince, as the status would have been too much of a burden. Yet here she was, willing to have the title as long as she is without her family. 

Did it matter though? Krillien had already been running the Empire his own way. There was no need for Meredith's useless opinion--if she had one, anyway. She would be too scared to speak her mind, the rest with the nobles and the workers of this palace. 

Meredith stood by the corner in silence, watching the nobles enjoy the banquet as they occasionally watched her. Throughout the night, as drinks began to pour and bottles of wine began to empty, the nobles had completely forgotten what they were there for.

Lady Lillian stayed until the banquet ended, interacting with the other noble women who spoke of Meredith at times.

"She stayed there the whole night," one of the ladies commented, glancing at Meredith in one of the tables, sitting alone with a glass of wine in her hand.

"My, poor thing. His Majesty didn't even show up once again." The other lady said, solemnly looking at Meredith's figure.

Lady Lillian took one last look at her again, "perhaps there's nothing more to this marriage after all."