"Sign it."
"Can I have an explanation first?"
The handsome man behind the desk looked up from the documents on his hands but only an annoyed expression appeared on his face. Angela knew he was a busy man and had no time for unimportant discussions nor explanations, not even for the gorgeous woman in front of him.
However, she didn't back off, even if his cold and indifferent eyes looked at her and showed nothing, only coldness, and mockery. Not many would stand that harsh look. After all, he was the mighty Crown Prince of the Arion Kingdom and the most respectable man in the country. His name, Ilian Larson.
"You don't deserve an explanation but in the account of our time together I will tell you. Your dear father is a traitor and is waiting for his execution, if you want to follow him, I don't care, if not… sign and leave, now."
Angela widened her beautiful eyes, but the surprise didn't linger on her face for more than a few seconds. Her trained expression came from those long sessions with her teachers back in her father's house. However, she was still amazed, though the shock didn't come from the supposed treason of her father, instead, from something simpler, this was the first time the man had looked at her in the eye and spoke more than ten words to her.
Then when he lowered his eyes to the documents on his hands, she woke up from her daze, and not daring to waste more time, she made a humble bow as she understood the severity of the circumstances. She had no other choice but to comply. The little steps she made to the front of the desk felt as if time walked slow and then stopped when she signed the papers, her fate. She didn't notice, but her head was lowering with every move of her feet until her hand reached for the pen on the side.
However, as she was anxious and sad, the man only returned to his documents as if seconds ago he hadn't shoved his wife the divorce papers without any mercy. The wife he hadn't noticed and had neglected for the few months they were married.
However, Angela's hands were trembling and her eyes were trying hard to conceal the tears threatening to fall at any time.
'This is for the best,' she kept repeating silently inside her mind. 'This had to happen.'
The dream she had once was shattering in front of her. This man was once the hope she always waited for, although they didn't know each other. He was her only desire in her little desperate world, but he never gave her a chance.
The engagement arrangement was set many years ago, when she was only a little girl of seven years old, and he was ten. She didn't know that the dream would only last a few months.
Since infancy, she was educated to understand the duties for the Crown Princess position and the Empress responsibilities that she would have to bear later. Her tutors were strictly giving her lessons day after day without rest to help her understand her future husband's duties and to provide responsible advice to his ears. Her father would never let her shame the family and his title.
However, the harshness of the education she received was too much for a little kid when she should be outside playing and enjoying. There were never kind words to encourage her, no friends to spend her time and share her sadness, but only his picture and stories about his great achievements even from a young age. Though, they were enough for her to strive in.
When she met him for the first time, three months before the wedding, she looked radiant and full of happiness. But, he only appeared cold and distant, without any intention to be close to her. She thought that with time they will grow to know better each other, so she waited patiently.
"Your highness, it is a pleasure to finally meet you," she smiled graciously. If any other, they would fall in love with her without a second thought, her long blonde hair and her perfect face and figure were a lovely sight.
"Mmm," he nodded without showing a bit of interest.
Later she insisted on meeting him several times before the wedding to deepen their relationship, but his schedule was always full, or so his assistant said.
"I am sorry, Miss Yves, but today is not good, he was called to the Palace."
She tried to understand and never said a word of complaint even if she couldn't meet him even once before the day of the wedding. She thought everything would be okay, also her family was abnormally enthusiastic. However, a week from the wedding, the Duke of Yves, her father arrived home with so much ire and anger written on his face.
"You useless thing! How could you fail to seduce him?!"
"Father, I… I don't understand…"
She didn't know why her father was so angry at her. Even though he had never shown any affection towards her, he would always treat her with respect and courtesy.
"You… I thought the beautiful face your mother passed on to you would be enough but… you are simply useless."
She was stunned, he had never commented on her mother before. She only knew she died giving birth to her and some years later, he married her now step-mother.
"Darling, what's going on?"
"That bastard, he already has a lover."
"What? But the engagement…"
"He will go through it, he doesn't have a choice, but he is a scheming bastard, he will try to find a way to ditch the marriage later."
Hearing those words, Angela's mind was about to explode. The two elders were discussing fervently their following plans, but she was not in the mood to hear or say anything. Her heart was shattering with every second.
