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He was still as dead as the day he had that accident. He believed that his body might have survived, but his soul died that day Eida left him. His heart might still be beating at this minute, but it flatlined, shattered, and never recovered.

“Are you ready for your press conference?” His father knocked on his door, reminding him of his obligation to his family, the crown, and their people.

As if he would forget it when his father continuously reminded him of that fact. He had no problem leading their people to greatness. He had been born and trained to do that.

In truth, it had always been about his duty to the man who gave him life.

Honestly, he believed his father had solely created him for that purpose alone. But what could he do? A child could not choose their fathers.

But what he did not like about it was the fact that he had to marry someone worthy of the crown. At least to their laws and standards. He initially believed that was the reason Eida had run away.

.....

She thought she was not suitable to become queen of this fucking Kingdom. But, he was proven wrong again when he learned that his father had been right about her all along.

She did not deserve his love and his devotion. He almost gave up everything for a woman who did not earn it. But it did not mean he was not hurting.

He loved her. But she destroyed that love together with his will to live. He knew he would never love again. He would live the rest of his life miserable.

“I am almost ready.” He shouted as he looked at himself in the mirror, shoving the memories away. Except for the few scars on his skin that had not disappeared, no other visible damage on his body would indicate he was in an accident.

The doctors called it a miracle that he had survived with just the scars to remind him of that unfateful day, but he found the marks on his skin as a curse. It was just superficial compared to the damage inside him.

He should have died that night. Instead, he had to live with this pain for all eternity. His memories would continue to haunt him as long as he was alive. His father said it was his second chance, but he disputed that claim.

But one thing he had agreed with his father. If he had to live, he should at least be productive. He could not allow his selfish heart to let down the people he had been serving all his life. They deserved someone to lead them, and he was the most qualified to do it.

“Then, hurry up because it will start in a quarter of an hour.” The Count shouted, but he never attempted to enter his room.

Since he had agreed to his terms, his father had given him space, respecting his boundaries. Probably, as long as they coincided with his demands, his father was willing to allow him some slacks.

But whatever his father had in mind or his intentions, it was not for his good, that was for sure. And undoubtedly not for the people and the Kingdom. It had always been for his goddamn legacy.

“Hi!” A female voice greeted him as soon as he opened the door. He did not need to look at her face to know who she was. “You’re father said that I should get you. The conference is about to start.”

Her sweet voice, her lovely smile, her stunning dress, and the extravagant pieces of jewelry she wore did not fool him. She might be beautiful and intelligent, but she was not the woman he wanted. But she was what the Kingdom required.

She would be a good candidate for the position of queen. She had checked all the boxes in the list of their tradition. According to the law that ruled their land since the beginning of their reign, she would do well to be his queen.

But as his wife, that was a different matter. He would never love her. She would only be his partner on the papers. But still, he had to acknowledge her as his wife, and she had to bear his children, that would be the next heir to their Kingdom.

“You did not need to come here. I know my fucking obligation, and I sure know how to look at the time.” He did not like that they were not yet even married. She was already micro-managing him. He did not like it one bit.

His father knew how to choose another puppet he could manipulate with a short string. She might have come from a wealthy family with slight royal blood and a bright career, but she was just another business transaction.

Her father sold her to this marriage for a successful merger of two families. Correction! The merging of two businesses and a Kingdom. It was nothing new. That was how the kingdoms had survived for centuries.

He had hoped that the new world had erased those non-sense traditions, but it seemed it was still very much alive until now. And he had not escaped its grasp. He only hoped that he would be the last.

His child would never have to bear this responsibility placed upon his shoulders, to sacrifice love, and happiness for the sake of a tradition. He would make sure of this once he had become King.

“I just thought that you might need some help. And it would be nice if we would arrive at the conference together.” She stood her ground, unfazed at how he had shut her down and had unfairly treated her.

He was mad at the world, not her. So, he did not need to take it on her. However, he could not show her kindness because that would give her hope that their marriage could become something more.

Still, she appeared to be a fighter. Lance would give her that. But other than that, he could only respect her as his soon-to-be wife, nothing more. If she expected something more from this marriage, she would be disappointed.

As he said, he was already dead. He was only here because his body refused to leave this world just yet. Maybe it was punishment for what he did in his past life because he could not think of why he had to go through this shit life.

“Fine. Let us go.” He walked past her along the hallway towards the direction of the stairs, not caring if she had to walk by herself. She managed to reach her room on her own. She could still do that on the way downstairs.

Still, she caught up with him, snaking her arm around his, making it appear like they were a lovely couple. He guessed he had no choice but to play the part as they climbed down the stairs with her by his side.

“Is this necessary?” He looked down at their entwined arms as they descended to the grand hall of the palace.

He knew it was needed if they would act like a loving couple for the people. But they had not reached the conference room. There was no need to pretend yet.

“Lance, I know you don’t like me, but we still have to do this properly.” She whispered in his ear as she leaned closer to him. “So, act like the loving fiance and smile because you don’t know who is watching us.”

Soon, he was standing before the cameras, facing the media for his interview as the new heir to the throne. With him was the wife his father had chosen, the woman who would share his life and be his queen.

Then, her face brightened in front of the light and cameras, as if she belonged on the movie screen. She was indeed beautiful and charismatic. She would fit perfectly into the role, just like the Count wanted.

But that was all she was. All that she would ever be.

“Then, let’s get this fucking circus on the road.” Because to him, this was all a fucking show that should entertain the masses.

Still, he had no idea if he was the ringmaster, controlling the show, or the clown, providing the laughter. But he would be he was the latter. It was not what he wanted for his life, but he still ended up in this situation.

The only thing that had him going was the people he hoped he could help. As the new King, he would have the power to change things around here. He just had to take his time until he had his control back in his hands.

“Lead the way. I will follow your lead.” His future wife responded with a confident smile.

She looked at him, then his father, who was not far from them. His father wore a satisfied smile, telling him he was feeling victorious today. He would let him have this one.

For now, he would play this game that his father had started. Then, all of this would be all his to rule as he pleased. His heart and soul might have died, but his mind was still functional. He could still do good for his people.

He could still be the King they needed at this time and age, a modern-day King.