Jeremy hastily closed the door behind him. The first thing that caught his eye was Selina's silhouette illuminated by moonlight. The princess stood with her back to him, looking out the window. Her loose silver hair, falling to her waist, shone brightly and looked especially beautiful now.
The guy froze, unable to force himself to step forward. The Duchess, in turn, although she heard the sound of the door opening, didn't budge an inch. Jeremy could only guess what would happen next.
This pause dragged on incredibly long.
Finally, a cold voice, seemingly coming from somewhere far away, reached his ears: "Why are you standing there?"
Jeremy gasped in shock. His eyes were full of uncertainty as he stupidly looked at her silhouette in the moonlight.
"And what... What am I supposed to do?" he asked nervously.
At that moment, Selina de Lun finally turned to him. Seeing the beautifully defined features of her face, the baron's son became even more timid. Unexpectedly, the woman began to slowly advance on him, and this rendered him speechless.
"You look at me with such fear... Am I really that repulsive to you, is that it?" she asked.
The ice witch approached Jeremy almost closely and lifted his face, holding him by the chin. This was the first time she had touched him. And, as Jeremy expected, this touch was extremely cold.
There was not a hint of ordinary human warmth. The theory that this woman was actually made of ice no longer seemed so implausible to Jeremy.
"I, I..."
Jeremy didn't know what to answer, and just stammered impassively. Despite the fact that this question was asked directly, he couldn't tell the truth.
The Duchess surveyed her husband, seeing the expression on his face as if he were about to faint. Her lips twisted, and it was unclear what emotions she was experiencing at that moment.
"Our marriage is already considered valid, even if we don't spend our first night together," she unexpectedly uttered, "You don't have to tremble so much before me."
"..."
Jeremy's pupils dilated at her words. Selina removed her hand and moved away from him. She announced this with a face reflecting no emotions:
"According to the rules, after the wedding we are to move into shared quarters. However, this means nothing. You can live as before, except that occasionally you will have to accompany me to social receptions. The matter of an heir will also be resolved. When the time comes, I will simply cast a spell on you, and you won't feel a thing."
Jeremy was bewildered. "Won't feel a thing? How?"
But before he could clarify this, Selina had already disappeared from his field of vision. The princess sat on the bed and, apparently, was about to go to sleep. Jeremy watched this in confusion.
"There are traditions of my clan that I can do nothing about," she explained impassively, "We must spend the first night together. I will sleep on the bed, and you on the floor."
Jeremy opened and closed his mouth. His face twisted, whether from relief or joy. Or maybe from all of the above. In any case, he liked this alternative much more than the one he had initially imagined.
"F-fine."
Selina lay down in bed and, apparently, immediately fell asleep. Unlike her, Jeremy couldn't simply drift off into the realm of Morpheus. The presence of the ice witch in the same room still caused him anxiety. Finding some blanket in the closet, he found a spot next to the bed and lay down on the floor.
Folding his arms on his chest, Jeremy stared at the night ceiling. Since he couldn't sleep, he kept thinking about the ceremony that had passed today.
Perhaps only now did he realize the full reality of what had happened to him. I really... got married.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
***
Jeremy was in his own dreamland. He dreamed of his past life, which, compared to his current one, could be called carefree. Fun gatherings with friends, numerous part-time jobs, and the quarrels that occasionally happened in his home. All this was covered in a pink haze of nostalgia.
The guy dreamed of one of the most ordinary days. He was having breakfast in the kitchen before heading off to school, watching his mother cook. In the small kitchen, she was frying his favorite pancakes. His little sister tugged at his hand, asking for help with her school homework. And the family pet, Rex, was gnawing on some trinket he'd found and wagging his tail.
This feeling of peace and absolute comfort, which Jeremy couldn't find anywhere else. If he could, he would stay here forever. But...
At some point, the dream was interrupted. He was awakened by a bird chirping near the window, only to fly away later. Jeremy opened his eyes and began to slowly focus on the room, not immediately realizing where he was. Finally remembering, he exhaled heavily.
It was just a dream... pushing away this thought filled with disappointment, Jeremy rubbed his sleepy eyes.
He sat up on the floor and looked around. As soon as Jeremy remembered that he hadn't fallen asleep alone that night, he instinctively tensed and turned his gaze to the bed. It turned out to be already made. And the princess herself was nowhere to be seen.
She must have already left... he thought with relief.
Taking a deep breath, Jeremy got up, deciding that now was not the time to laze around. Especially on the floor. Looking at his reflection in the large mirror hanging on the wall, he noticed how disheveled his appearance was. His red hair lay chaotically on his head. Well, first things first, he needed to tidy himself up.
Fortunately, right next to this room was a fairly spacious bathroom. About half an hour later, there was a knock on the room door.
"My lord, it is time for breakfast," announced the servant standing on the threshold. "Oh, yes... I'm coming."
Jeremy was a little surprised, but didn't show it. Servants had never addressed him about this before, since he and Selina did not eat together and tables were set for them separately. Jeremy would just let them know when he wanted to eat. Did this mean that now they were married, they would have to dine together?
The guy went down to the dining room and was met with a sight that somewhat confused him. In the spacious hall, at a long table of white marble, three persons were seated. Jeremy was quite bewildered to see Camilla here and... her companion.
He approached closer and hesitated before taking his seat. "Sorry, but what is going on here...?" he muttered awkwardly.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess has honored us with her presence," the Duchess stated impassively, "As an expression of our clan's gratitude, Her Highness was invited to breakfast."
It finally dawned on Jeremy what was happening. Apparently, this was why he had been called to the table today. After all, as the princess's spouse, he was obliged to receive important guests.
"Oh, I see," he stammered, "I, Jeremy de Lun, greet the Rising Sun of this empire."
Jeremy hastened to greet the important guest according to custom. Kaena, in her usual arrogant manner, did not deign to acknowledge him. But, at least, there was no ominous look this time. Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief and finally sat down.
Servants began to bring in dishes, and the meal slowly commenced.
Jeremy and Camilla exchanged glances across the table but didn't dare to start a conversation in the presence of such overwhelming persons. In the end, they really had to focus on the food. However, at the same time, a social conversation began between the other two present.
Initially quite neutral.
"I am grateful that you were able to grace this event with your presence, Your Highness."
"It is quite natural to be present at such a joyous event," Kaena replied with a smirk, "In turn, I invite you to pay us a return visit when the appropriate time comes."
"What appropriate time are you referring to?"
"You see, in the near future, Lady de Walte and I plan to marry. However, before that, I have some matters to settle..."
As soon as this phrase was uttered in the dining hall, Camilla choked on the salad she was eating. A shrimp got stuck right in her throat, and the girl's face rapidly paled as her spirit threatened to leave her body.
This feeling intensified when the princess's hand squeezed hers under the table.
"I can't wait for that either," looking at Camilla's reaction, she smiled, "But, unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit. I want everything to be top-notch, as you deserve. For that, I need to make some preparations."
"What... What preparations?"
While the damned shrimp blocked her access to oxygen, the lady's face began to turn from pale to blue.
"Oh, yes, Duchess. It would be useful for me to know what political views you hold," the princess uttered, "Perhaps you are not yet aware, but I only support totalitarian monarchy. In turn, your position is not entirely clear to me."
"Your Highness, you surely know that the North has always maintained neutrality in such matters," Selina replied dryly.
"M-m-m... Yes, perhaps up to a certain point, your isolationism served you well. But not now," crafty, unkind lights gleamed in Kaena's eyes, "In the current reality, remaining in your former position is like walking a tightrope. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
A ghastly silence fell over the dining room. The Northern Duchess's eyes grew cold at her words.
"Your Highness, do I understand correctly... That you are threatening me right now?" this remark slipped from her lips in a terrifyingly calm tone.
The Crown Princess burst into an ominous laugh that froze the blood of almost everyone present. Jeremy and Camilla simultaneously hiccupped and looked at each other with pale faces.
When ice and flame clashed, this place was about to become a field of unleashed battle.