Forgetful Marriage

Thunderous Banter

[Third Person]:

There was a time where Lillian would have never believed anyone, no person could come a step closer and stand their ground. She had only ever known to distance herself from things, people because that is what she had learned from her kingdom.

Do not trust anyone, not even those related by blood.

Yet for the first time she stood outside her husband's study, wondering if she should knock or step right in, after all it would save face if she acted with rage.

The sweat clinging on to the ends of her hair, trickle down her collarbone, collecting at the curve of her breast. It was not easy to reach the emperor's chambers when they lived in separate palaces and Julian is certainly not one to act first.

It had been months since their encounter in the garden, but ever since; the emperors distaste towards her had only multiplied. She could barely even catch a glimpse of his face, he was always doing something, anything, avoiding her. She tried to strike up a conversation at times but was only responded to bitterly, so she had made it her mission to return the same attitude. The whole palace had heard of their banter, the gossip only increasing every time they clashed.

She pushes the door open, her dilemma ending when thinking about her husband's arrogant face. She felt no reason to uphold the sophistication of nobility, not with Julian.

As she stepped into the study, her eyes immediately met with his. His demeanor condescending as if judging her already and all she had done so far was push open a door.

"Empress." He pressed his lips together. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"To your incapability." she smiles. "There is no reason for me to meet with your highness otherwise, don't you think?"

"Humorous as always." His jaw ticks. "I would hope to god you never loose that ability of yours, Lily."

Lillian clenches her fists. It was so easy for him to get under her skin, all he had to do was look at her and speak a few bitter words. It was so easy and she hated it. She was equipped with all the knowledge a lady can have and yet failed to keep her composure when talking to him. Her only and beloved husband.

His fingers tap on his desk in a repetitive motion, as if telling her he's bored. As if telling her, she need to be quick and get out of his sight.

"I am the empress of this kingdom." She says, walking closer. Each of her steps careful, as if warning the man before her.

His eyes flicker up to hers, his fingers stopping in air. "And?"

"And your wife."

He chuckles at the notion, as if she had said something funny. "My wife?"

Three months, it had been since their marriage yet this was the first time he had let out those words from his mouth. It took him three months to say the word 'wife' yet it didn't sound like something coming out of a loving husband's mouth. This one was filled with contempt.

"My wife?" He repeated, as if testing those unfamiliar words on his mouth. A certain coldness to his eyes as he got up from his seat and made his way to her.

"You," His eyes fell to her face, as if examining her reaction. "Can never be my wife."

Lillian's polite smile dropped. Ever since she was born, she was told that no matter the situation she had to keep her smile, it was ladylike.

It was a quality only the finest ladies in the land held. Yet ever single ladylike fiber in her was tainted the moment she met Julian, his distaste towards her had seeped into the purest parts of her being. She could only return it back, tenfold.

"Your highness asked for my hand in marriage." She spat.

"I did." He replied, his tone bored. "Like it is every man's duty to."

"you asked for mine." Her eyes flickered in anger; his dismissive tone was like an arrow to her chest.

"I heard you the first time, empress."

She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white because of the anger she felt toward him. No one had shaken her so much, nothing could ever make her feel like this yet he never failed to make her feel otherwise.

"Why did you bring me to this kingdom?" She raised her voice. "Why did you propose to a woman you've never met?"

His jaw clenched as he heard those words, a certain rage buzzing inside him. Lillian could only think it was because of her insolence, that she dared to speak to the emperor in such a tone.

"Leave."

Lillian's eyes widened. "No I will not leave without-"

He cut her off, stepping closer, in her space, their bodies at a proximity that they've never been in. "You will do as you are told empress. I've entertained your arrogance long enough."

A shiver ran down her spine at the coldness in his voice. "Is that an order?"

"It is as you see fit." He turned. "Do not come until you're called."

She looked at his back, it reminded her of the words her mother had once said to her when she was young 'A woman should live her life in obedience even if all her life goes staring at her husband's back, it is her duty to love him even if he never turns to her, she has to spend her life hoping he will.'

Her mother was like that, always waiting at her father's words like a dog. It was all her mother had taught her.

"I can't hope." She spoke. "It is repulsive to hope."

The Emperor turned to her, unable to understand what she meant. "What?"

She looked at him, biting her quivering lip. "Hope is for those who can clearly see it."

He raised his eyebrow. "You are not making any sense empress."

"I know." She turned, her back facing his front. "I have known so, since our first meeting."

She had lost count of how many times she had tired to stand her ground with him, how many times she called herself the empress but it was all for naught. A man like the emperor, would never voice out his reason, and a woman like Lillian wouldn't care enough to listen.

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a/n: welp :D hope you enjoyed this chapter! lmk what you think!