Camila Rodrigo POV:

Everything was happening so fast, it was like my whole life was coming to an end right in front of me, all at once in a way I never imagined. I, Camila Rodrigo the poor hunter girl just trying to contribute to my family is now getting married to the ruthless emperor of Rustad empire. We had just exchanged royal ancestral rings, I and Lord Leonardo Mendez who is the youngest prince in Rustad history.

According to the rumors around the empire, apart from his drop-dead gorgeous looks and his courageous and ruthless leadership, not much is known about him. He is the only child of his late parents Lord Ricardo Mendez and Lady Liliana Mendez who both died in an ambush and that was when Lord Leonardo had to take leadership.

" May Lord Leonardo takes the new lady Camila in a sealing kiss of matrimony" tho priest said to lord Leonardo who sat across me with the holy fire burning between us, my face was covered to my chin with a white Veil and shock rippled through me but, instead of me keeping my fucked up mouth shut...

"what did you say?" I said quite rudely with a faint tone of irritation, I wasn't about to give my first kiss to an unworthy piece of shit😒😒. Gasps filled the atmosphere while Lord Leonardo just stared at me briefly then stood up

" A kiss is not needed, the marriage has already been sealed" and with that he left and went upstairs, people were quiet for a bit but the resumed with the party soon enough. I stood up and my mom came to me with my sister Julie

"what was the meaning of that, why didn't you just kiss him... He is so hot" Julie complained

" If he is really so hot then go fuck him then maybe he'll marry you instead" I retorted

"if it will work then why not" she said and I couldn't resist shaking my head.

" Camila Rodrigo, go and apologize to your husband now" mum demanded but before I could protest, she gave me a death stare so I just nodded and went up stairs. l was directed to a hall way and the guard pointed the last room for me as my lord's so I went there. It looks ominous and the closer I get to the door, the stronger the scent of cheroot cigarettes, sweet and pungent. without knocking I swing open the door... shit!.

..." I swear, My lord i didn't see anything trust me" I said then laughed akwardly but I know he ain't buying that bullshit so I slam the door shut and start running towards the door on the other end that says NEWLY MARRIED LADY but as soon as I start running, I hear him behind me ... oh legs, don't fail me know, I said to myself as I ran faster then I got to the door and pushed it open but before I could close it , he already entered....

Lord Leonardo jammed the door behind him then looked at me with a cheroot in his right hand. I let a breath out then search on my on the fluffy white bed that's hard Rose strings hanging from above it while he Leaned on the door and stared at me. He took a drag of the cheroot in his hand which gave him an ominous look as he was wearing no shirt and no royal robe as before instead was in a casual trouser, just a trouser.

" I see you run very well "he said

"You should see me when I'm not in a freaking ball gown" I replied playfully, and he smirked a bit, a light breeze blew, and my veil shook, but it didn't raise

"Now tell me what you saw " Leonardo said while throwing the cigarette on the floor and stomping on it to put it out

"I didn't see anything, I swear it" a lied blatantly making him raise Brow at me and shake his head

"So, now that you know I smoke... are you going to tell anybody?" he asked then walked to a chair by the dresser and sat and furrowed his brows

"I particularly like to mind my business but if you want to know my point of view then I'll be happy to share it with you" I said with a bit of tease in my voice.

"I'm quite interested in hearing it" he said, but I scoffed

" Maybe later, I am quite unsatisfied with this attire I am in, tomorrow I'll make sure to tell you when I'm dressed in something much more comfortable than this but till then .... You will have to leave" I said then he walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder, I could swear that I saw his eye glance at the white bed, but maybe it's just my imagination... why will I imagine such a thing ?🤨🤨.

"Then get comfortable right now because we have to talk now lady" he said in an unoffensive tone, but rudeness was hidden in it Leonardo looked at the neckline of my dress briefly then he grab my wrist and pulled me to my feet then turned me to face away from him all without letting go of me

"what in fucks name are you doing?" I cursed

"Helping out" he simply said then grabbed the Rope of my corset and pulled it, so that it loosened, I quickly held my gum tightly to my body so it wouldn't fall to the floor

" Are you high or something of that sort?" I yell at him which I started regretting because if he is as ruthless as the rumor says

then I'm dead meat but he just shrugged instead.

" oh don't be so dramatic, you are wearing a vest and a knee length jeans under the dress" he said while folding his arms and rolling his eyes at me

"oh right 😅, that's true" I smiled from realization " wait, how do you know that?"

I asked while giving him this look🤨.

" Well, let's just say you don't run very lady like ... plus, I have eyes you know"

I let the gown drop to my feet then step out of it Revealing The Vest and gene I wore underneath it. Leonardo let go of me and went back to his chair and sat while I stepped out of the dress and sat back on the bed then picked up the gown and placed it beside me.

" Firstly, I didn't know my Lord wears anything that isn't a royal robe or war attire, neither did I know you walk about shirtless" I teased and he looked at himself like he was just noticing it himself then looked back at me

" Think of it as my wedding gift to you" he said and I rolled my eyes

" Yeah, I got six packs as my wedding gift 😒😒" I said with sarcasm oozing from my voice

" Anyways, rule 223 of emperors guide to greatness, no harmful habit must be possessed by the emperor such as drinking and smoking etcetera" I said

" Rule 239, a drink must be accepted from the other empire during a uniting ceremony, in essence... Drinking is allowed" he countered

" But not smoking my Lord" I have to call him my Lord as a sign of respect

"Are they both not dangerous habits, which means, if in place of a drink you are given a cigarette, you should take it" he said and walked towards me then looked down at a sitting me while just to intimidate me but instead I stood on the edge of the bed so that I was a little higher than him.

"Rule 400 the last, no smoking, unnecessary drinking or taking of hard drugs for it may bring an early end to the ruler --- ah!" I exclaimed as I lost my balance and fell, but after I had already prepared for impact and turned to face the ceiling to avoid falling face flat, Leonardo caught me princess style firmly against him, my veil fell off and he saw my face for the first time. l know I'm pretty but why does he look shocked 🤔?

" I won" I said in an unintentionally low tone which some call bedroom voice 😅😓

" yah, I lost" he replied while maintaining eye contact but it felt wierd so I tried balancing on my feet and he let go of me after I was well balancing properly. Leonardo moved back to the chair again while I sat back down.

" fine, I'm wrong but I'm not gonna quit smoking because of..."

" oh shush, I'm not asking you to, it's none of my business and like I said ... l love minding my own, life is easier when you only involve yourself in things that concern you" I said and he arched his brows in shock but for only a moment.

Leonardo adjusted in his seat then stared at me a bit more intensely than before

"Well then, I've got some questions, and you are going to answer them" he said, and I pouted

" Is that a request or a demand my Lord?" I asked, damn it's so annoying that I have to call him MY LORD 😒. I hope his head doesn't get too big because I probably won't do this for long.

" It is an order in fact, a royal one at that" he said and smiled wickedly" an order from your royal emperor"

" Hey now, that's playing dirty" I grumbled

" Don't worry, when you are a queen or something, you can do the same" he said teasingly.

" Fine, ask me anything you want to know about but, fair warning, I won't answer anything I don't want to"

"What is your name?" Leonardo said

" Camila Rodrigo "

" You mean, Camila Rodrigo Mendez" he added his surname to my names with a teasing tone just to piss me off but instead of growling at him... I restrained myself and just gave him a death stare.

"Yeah, there's a Mendez in my name now, I better go add it to my birth certificate" I said with a sarcastic smile 😒 but he didn't look pissed as I wanted him to.

" I'll get my assistant to do that for you "he countered with just the right amount of sarcasm to make my blood boil.

" Son of a bitch" I swore under my voice

" What did you say?"

" Nothing my Lord, next question" and this time he just chuckled a little

"Okay, of all the maidens in this empire... Why you?" he placed his hand beneath his chin and rubbed it" surely there has to be a reason why"

" Yah there is... Hold up one second, are you saying that I can't just be chosen because I look eye catching... Are you trying to say I'm ugly or what?" I nearly let out in rage

" No, actually you are gorgeous, and I find you attractive... Golden brown eyes, small pink lips, long black silky hair that is just as soft as it looks and just the right size curves in all the right places and those dimples..." at that point I think I was blushing, and I unconsciously stroked my hair" but, we both know that the elders and their wives who picked you out are way smarter than just judging by looks "Leonardo said

" As much as I want to prove you wrong, you are actually correct... All the girls of 22 and 23 were asked to the medical quarters for a test, this test was to find the virgins amongst us the shall pass through screening, but I turned out as the only one, so I was convinced to marry you"

" Wow, you are the only virgin in your age... I don't know if that is sad or a thing of pride" he said" is it that you have never met a guy who wanted you or..."

" it's not like that, It's just... Have you ever seen a girl with a sword or staff... Especially when the girl looks posh and pampered?"

" Well, I have fought a lot of wars but ."

" Exactly" I cut him off" But that's me to the guys looking for 'fun'. My dad was a commanding regiment to your late parents when your dad still ruled but after the accident where he lost both his legs, he opened a librar, butt he had already trained me for war and kind of made me take a liking to hunting. He died 4 years ago due to the damage the accident had on his brain --"

" Dwayne Rodrigo 1st division commander" Leonardo said in a low regretful tone "I'm sorry we lost him" he said and bowed which was not expected but made me respect him a bit.

" it's not your fault, plus I am done mourning him. I beat up any guy who tried beyond their limIts" I smiled with pride

" What a brave girl you are, Dwayne really raised you in his image "he stood and came up to me then patted my head in a friendly way. I can't imagine this man being as ruthless as rumored, but maybe that is all they were … Rumors.

" any more questions?" I asked

" That's all for now, you should rest... It was a busy day" he smiled at me then left but I could see the grief in his eyes, were he and my father really that close?.