Villainess's Survival Mastery

4. Marriage Doomed To Fail

As Clementine made her entrance down the aisle, the breathtaking effect of her presence was palpable to all who beheld her. Each step she took, drawing closer to the Second Prince, was a mesmerizing display of grace and beauty.

The wedding ceremony itself was grand and beautiful, a stark contrast to the internal schemes and malice that brewed beneath the surface of this alliance. Yet, throughout it all, Clementine maintained the same icy composure that had come to define her. Her gaze remained demure, directed downward, fingers cradling a bouquet of lilies—an image of ethereal innocence concealing the calculated mind within.

Even Prince Xavier, who had been vocal in his complaints about marrying what the rumors had deemed a "scheming wicked woman," or perhaps simply about the institution of marriage itself, found himself stunned by her ethereal beauty. Sunlight filtered through the tinted windows, casting a radiant glow upon her pale silver hair. It was as if she were the moon itself, reflecting the radiant light of the sun. Holding a testament to Xavier's perceived role as the sun of the empire. The rumors whispered among the aristocracy were proven true—Clementine indeed appeared as if she were blessed by the moon, a celestial beauty in their midst.

Clementine pov

As I glided down the aisle, the train of my dress cascading behind me, I couldn't help but notice the dozen handmaids who were carefully holding its length, ensuring it remained flawless. The intricacy of the white gown, woven with diamonds and clear crystals, was a testament to the wealth and extravagance that came with marrying a member of royalty.

With each step I took, the weight of the opulence surrounding me was palpable. It was as if I had been thrust into a world where luxury knew no bounds.

But as I looked up, my gaze met Prince Xavier's. His expression had shifted from earlier complaints to a smug, self-satisfied grin. He seemed to be conversing with the emperor, his words carrying an air of arrogance and objectification. He spoke of me as the perfect wife, a pale moon in need of his radiant light, casting himself as the rising sun. It was a perspective that left a bitter taste in my mouth, one that I knew all too well.

My eyes, trained to observe every detail, didn't miss the presence of a handmaiden that Prince Xavier referred to as "Amelia." It struck me as rather peculiar that a prince of his age would require such personal service.

Amelia's demeanor was haughty, and there was something in the way her gaze occasionally flickered with envy as it settled upon me. It didn't take much to deduce that this handmaiden was likely trouble. Given Xavier's track record and the subtle attempts Amelia made to divert the prince's attention away from me, the bride, it became increasingly clear the kind of predicament I was being thrust into.

Ah, the audacity of Second Prince Xavier to bring his mistress, Amelia, to his own wedding. This brazen display of power that left me rather astonished, yet not surprised . In a world where appearances and propriety held great weight, such a move would have been scandalous for anyone else. But it was no secret that the emperor favored Second Prince Xavier, granting him a level of immunity that allowed him to flout conventions without consequence. It was clear that I had entered into a marriage where the balance of power was heavily skewed in Xavier's favor, and I would need to tread carefully in these treacherous waters.

It was a stroke of luck, in a twisted sense, that Xavier's mistress hailed from a lowly background like Amelia. If news of this scandal were to leak, the high societies that surrounded us would undoubtedly relish in making me the laughing stock of their intricate circles.

As I observed the unfolding events, it became evident that this marriage was indeed entangled in a web of alliances and concealed intentions, just as I had anticipated. It was clear that the path ahead would require a great deal of strategic plotting on my part.