I awoke when the carriage made an abrupt stop. I looked out of the window to see the imperial palace. My eyes turned cold, I felt disgusted with the luxurious honey trap before me. The wealth it held drew in nobles only for them to meet their downfall.

"Alina." I calmly turned my gaze to my father. He had already exited the carriage, waiting for me to follow. I quickly made my way out of the carriage as to not delay. I wanted to get this over with quickly, I had no intention of taking my sweet time within a lion's den.

While walking to where the emperor waited for our audience, I could feel better the changes within me. Not just my emotions and thoughts were merged with Alina, but also the etiquette ingrained in Alina was instinctively showing. The way I walked and carried myself was graceful, I felt grateful for this as I did not have to learn the etiquette.

We soon arrived in the private garden of the king. It could be seen as an insult for not formally receiving us with dignity, or it could be seen as a display of the close relationship between the King and the Eirlys house. I did not know what to think as neither me nor Alina have met with the King personally.

Two knights respectfully bowed before leading the way to where the king awaited us. Before I knew it I was faced with the king.

"Greetings to the Sun of the Sargon Kingdom. May you forever shine and prosper." I reflexively greet the king before I can properly look at him.

"Please stand. No need for all these formalities." The king said in a benevolent tone. His voice warm and deep showing his age.

I slowly raised myself to meet the gaze of the King, but once I do I can't help but stiffen.

His eyes.

They were the opposite of his warm voice, they were filled with calculative emotions. As if looking for the best way to toy with his possessions. His eyes exactly mirrored the prince's in my dream.

I was a fool to think that the king would be different, he was the one to personally raise the prince.

A beast couldn't be born from anything other than a beast.

It seemed the king noticed that I was tense, as his smile deepened. I didn't feel scared, only bitter that it might not be only the prince wishing for my death. I didn't know what they could benefit from my death, but my bitterness soon turned into a futile anger.

I made sure to not let it cloud my judgement as I knew it is what they wanted from Alina's memories. But I now made up my mind to not only survive but cause as much damage to the crown prince... I wasn't going down without a fight.

If that made me a villainess then so be it, I would become a villainess hard for them to forget.

"Come, sit. Tell me what it is you are visiting me for." The king said, turning to my father. We both sat in the seats in front of the king without hesitation.

"We are here to talk about the engagement between the prince and my daughter, your majesty." The duke spoke as soon as he sat down.

"What about the engagement?" The king said patiently, but I saw how his eyes were sharper.

"We-" The duke was cut off from me putting my hand on his. He was caught off guard, but I simply smiled to show I would speak about this.

"Your majesty, this maybe impudent but I wish to call off the engagement between the prince and I." The king kept a calm face but if looks could kill, I would be six feet under.

"And why is that?" His expression showed gentle confusion, but the intensity in his eyes was all but gentle.

"The prince needs a healthy queen to birth heirs, but I have developed Frigor Rubens. I will not live long without a cure, let alone birth heirs. You know very well this engagement was for politics, but I wish to spend the time I have left sincerely." The expression on the kings face grew darker and darker, he seemed to be sorry for me, but I had the feeling he was holding back his laughter.

I have no idea why the prince wants me dead, but I can tell the king either agrees with him or at the very least doesn't care. I felt disgusted with the act before me, I only wished for the king to allow this.

"Very well..." Once the king composed himself, he agreed with a look of pity. I knew better though, him agreeing without questioning me was him saying I couldn't escape his or the prince's palm.

The king called for his aide to prepare the paperwork for the duke to sign, I thought it was ridiculous for my engagement papers have to be signed by my parent and not me. I knew there was nothing I could do about it, society in this book were very conservative in many different ways.

"Father, you called for me?" A warm and melodic voice spoke from behind me. I didn't need to look to know who it was...

That voice tormented my dreams.

"Greetings to the future sun of the Sargon kingdom. May you forever shine and prosper." I gave my greetings immediately, as well as my father.

"Please, stand. There is no need to be so formal." He said with a blindingly bright smile, but I could see that the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

His eyes...

They weren't like the ones from my dreams, they were cold but the ones from my dream held an insanity that couldn't quite be touched. The kings eyes were an exact copy of the ones from my dreams though. I felt an foreboding sense of discrepancy, warning bells went off within my mind making my ears ring.

I felt the blood in my scalp drain, while chills crawled up my spine.

"The engagement between you and Miss Eirlys has been broken off." The king interrupted my thoughts as he spoke.

The prince put on a surprised face while giving me a questioning gaze. A gentle smile made way onto my face, showing I had no intention of explaining why.

I turned to see my father whispering to this king, while the king nods in agreement. I know he is telling the king that I don't wish for the prince to know, but I know the king will tell him anyway. Even if he doesn't I know the king doesn't care that I'm dying, or maybe even is glad that I am.

I feel a stinging gaze to the side of my head, I know it is the prince but I have no intention to acknowledge him.

"Why don't you show Miss Eirlys around the garden, while me and the Duke talk." The king softly said to the prince.

"Yes, father." The prince gracefully stood and was quickly by my side holding out a hand. Having no choice, I gently took his hand while standing by his side. He quietly walked with me, politely matching his steps with mine. I soon found myself in a secluded area of the garden, surrounded with rose bushes.

The prince let go of my hand, surprising me, but I kept gentle face while standing still to see what his next move would be. He made his way over to a bush and plucked a rose, before returning to me. He smiled handsomely while handing me the rose.

"Why don't you drop the act?"