This is the beautiful and slightly sad love story of Princess Marie, known as 'our beautiful princess', and Maximilian, the sergeant of the Habsburg family, known as 'the last knight of the Middle Ages'.
The 'marriage of the century' between Princess Marie and Maximilian changed the fortunes of the Habsburgs, who at the time were the Holy Roman Emperors, but were broke and headstrong.
Actually, the term 'marriage of the century' was used for the marriage of Princess Marie's father, Charles the rash duke of Burgundy, and his third wife, Margaret of York, but there is no doubt that it was her marriage to Princess Marie of Burgundy that laid the foundations of the Habsburgs, later the greatest royal house in Europe. It seems to me that theirs was the 'marriage of the century'.
The historical anecdote of Princess Marie and Maximilian, together with the story of Alicia and Cecilia, who were Princess Marie's attendants, closest friends and like sisters, weave a tale that mixes historical fact and fiction.
A must-see for anyone who wants a peek into the world of brilliant medieval European princess tales, where royal bloodlines are intricately intertwined!
I could be happier to share with you, my readers, and the fascinating history of Europe during this period!
The pairing is supposed to give you your perfect partner. A divinely chosen ordained pair.
Most nobles forced into the pairing end up matched with a commoner and disowned by their families. Emmeline had come to accept this.
The neglected youngest daughter of an overly ambitious father, she had accepted trading her life of luxury for a chance to finally be loved.
However, everything goes wrong when she is paired, not with a commoner, but Cassius Marcellus. The nephew of the King and sole heir to the powerful Marcellus duchy, who was forced into the pairing to show royal support for the ancient ritual.
Emmeline quickly throws Cassius and his parents' plans into chaos when she refuses to be quietly discarded. She was promised a perfect partner who would love her, and that is what is going to get.
................................
Cassius opened his eyes slowly, his nose still only inches from her's. "Emmie." He slowed her worrying, reaching up to press a rough palm to her cheek. "It's fine." She waited a few seconds to check he meant it, before kissing him again. She moved slowly, as if wanting permission as she lifted one hand up to rest on his good shoulder. He chuckled, meeting her lips and humming happily against her mouth.
"I love you too." She finally admitted between kisses.
Cassius paused, pulling back to see her fully. "You mean it?"
Emmeline nodded, suddenly embarrassed. His answering smile was triumphant. "I will make you the happiest grand duchess this kingdom has ever seen." He vowed, kissed her hard before she could reply.