Episode 10

So, it's basically an interrogation. — I tried to keep my head in the conversation and my eyes away from his delectable chest, lest I act impulsively and pounce on him.

"Are you Alicia Foster, the northern princess?" Icaro inquired seriously.

"Yes." Had he even asked to see a portrait of me? How does someone marry without knowing anything about the other?

"My research indicates you are the daughter of a housemaid, born from the king's extramarital affair, yet you were acknowledged as part of the royal family due to your resemblance, even so, you've had to live your entire life in a secluded castle?" Icaro persisted with his questions.

"Yes." I replied, a bit taken aback. He didn't know my face, but was aware of my story? It makes sense, he must have sent someone to investigate me, it would be irresponsible to take on an unknown entity as his partner.

"You've spent a good part of your life accompanied by two maidservants and reading adult romance novels containing a high degree of lewdness. You enjoy that sort of thing... I see. Quite daring. Peculiar traits for a princess." Icaro seemed to take pleasure from the interrogation and knew much more than I had anticipated.

"Yes." Someone kill me now. I'm certain he thinks I'm a pervert.

"Which brings me to the most critical question; why have you been acting like a fool since you set foot here?" Icaro asked straightforwardly.

"I desire the north that pretended I didn't exist for years until it suited them, then bartered me off to you in hope I would be killed at your hands without mercy." I blurted out. I instantly covered my mouth with my hand. I completely forgot I had taken the confession drug. "If you knew those people from the north, you'd want to kill them all too. I won't feel guilty for harboring such feelings. No one cared about my well-being when sending me here."

"So that's it. You detest the notion of being sold to me. You must hate me quite a bit," Icaro said without a trace of emotion on his face. It was hard to gauge what he was thinking.

"What did you expect? Isn't it obvious? Who in their right mind would willingly marry a mad and tyrannical emperor who could kill me over nothing? Let's admit, given the circumstances, it's not surprising I feel this way." I responded. I had no control over my mouth, but I felt relieved; the emperor didn't seem annoyed but rather intrigued.

"I'm not saying I don't understand your reasons for feeling this way, but I think you should value your life more and stop flirting with death as if it's trivial." Icaro warned me.

"Do you mean... You're not planning on killing me?" I asked in surprise.

"Have you not realized? You've become the empress of the entire realm. Your power is above everyone else's. If anyone dares oppose you, I will kill as many as necessary. It might sound insane, but I've taken a liking to you. I'll ensure you remain alive for quite some time, but to stay in this palace, you'll need to be far more vicious and cruel than I am, to the extent of earning a reputation greater than mine. Act as before, a complete madwoman." The emperor advised, seemingly interested.

"I have to be evil? Well, being mad doesn't seem too hard for me." This was unexpected. And he's taken a liking to me? And to stay here, I have to appear to be a terrible person? Sounds fun.