White roses

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the Roliand residence at seven in the morning, and Daren felt utter bewilderment in the servants' eyes. Count Roliand came to welcome him with a troubled expression, together with the countess: a tall, thin woman with a surly gaze.

"What can we do for you, your majesty?" the count asked.

At that moment Edora, Roliand's daughter, also arrived on the scene. Daren found a glimpse of hope in her expression when she saw the bouquet of roses he was holding and held back a pitying smile. Was she hoping he'd come for her?

"Candace Roliand," he said. "I want to talk to her."

Daren could see the sheer disbelief in everyone's gaze and noticed the earl's hesitation to answer him.

"Candace? Your majesty but why..."

"I want to talk to her. Now!" Daren interrupted him. He was starting to get impatient.

The man bowed his head instantly, then motioned to the emperor to follow him. They crossed the corridors of the villa, until they reached the most isolated room. The count knocked on the door, but no answer came from the other side. Daren snorted, then he dodged the man and decisively opened the door.

Inside was total chaos, and the feathers from the pillows were scattered everywhere and covered the furniture and the floor like delicate snow. In the middle of that whiteness stood Candace, sitting by the balcony with her hair down and her nightgown still on. She was singing a song that Daren didn't know, but that seemed to him infinitely sad.

“She was surrounded by roses and danced,

she was happy and she didn't know it.

But the snake came and bit her, and darkness was born in her heart.

Now she dances with demons with grudge as her companion,

now she weeps and despairs as she piles skulls under her feet.

She is the maiden of light with the darkest heart of all.

She's the maiden of light, fallen from heaven.”

When Candace noticed him, she stopped singing and smiled like a cruel angel drowned in that white purity. "Welcome, Mr. Emperor."

Daren, who was speechless in front of that vision, realized that the count had already stepped into the room looking furious, probably to scold the girl.

"Leave us alone!" Daren ordered him, and the latter froze and backed away. The emperor then closed the door in his face.

Candace laughed. "You came earlier than I expected," she said as she played with a strand of her wavy hair, in which a feather was intertwined. "I was waiting for you at least in the middle of the morning..."

Daren approached her, remaining silent. All the way up here, he'd been thinking about what to say to her, how to threaten her. It didn't matter to him that she could be a witch, a demon, or anything else. He would never submit to her, never.

Now, however, seeing her surrounded by that candor while she sang, disheveled, and dressed in such simple clothes, had triggered something that was holding him back. Something he couldn't explain in words.

He reached out and touched her cheek. "How did you get hurt?" he asked, brushing the backs of his fingers against a reddish halo. He was sure she didn't have it last night.

Candace raised a hand and placed it on Daren's. Her touch was gentle. "It's nothing," she reassured him.

"How did you get hurt?" he asked again, impassively.

"My 'mother' is not an understanding person. She didn't like the way I behaved at last night's party."

"Is that so?"

Candace seemed to notice at that moment the bouquet of white roses Daren was holding in his other hand.

"Your Majesty, did you really bring flowers?" she smiled. "I'm impressed."

Daren handed it to her automatically, without even thinking, and Candace welcomed the flowers into her arms, smelling them with a smile. More than a demon she seemed a simple girl, beautiful like few others.

Daren shook his head at that thought.

What nonsense...

"Why white?" Candace asked.

"What?"

"Why white roses?"

For some strange reason Daren felt disappointed. "I have given orders to find the most beautiful bouquet of flowers possible… don’t you like it?"

"I like it, but white roses... for me? I'm not pure enough to deserve them." She looked at him defiantly. "Next time, your majesty, I would like you to personally choose a flower that suits me. A more corrupt and significant flower."

"We'll see..." Daren sat in front of her. "How did you do it?" he asked, finally determined to broach the subject.

Candace touched the roses delicately, then tore off a white petal and squeezed it in her hands. Suddenly she seemed annoyed by that color.

"Did what?"

"You know perfectly well. If your 'proof' hadn't been convincing enough, I certainly wouldn't be here now."

She giggled. "Then you've lost our game, Mr. Emperor."

Daren continued to stare at her. "Are you a witch?"

He wasn't sure such a thing was possible. Witches had been extinct for many years, as were wizards. The era of magic was long gone, and now men had abandoned magic to venerate only the power of the goddess and keep away the demons. Engaging in magic was an insult and an act of arrogance towards the goddess.

"I'm not."

"And how did you manage to summon a ghost? I know perfectly well that it wasn't an illusion or anything like that, it was too real!"

"It's not important."

Daren leapt to his feet. "It is! Tell me or I'll have you arrested!"

Candace smiled again. "If you arrest me, your father's ghost will appear in front of everyone, as well as your mother's..."

Daren clenched his fists.

"So you are really a witch... or maybe a demon."

"You can think like this if you like. I also call myself a demon," she replied calmly.

He suddenly felt trapped. How could he get out of that situation? There was no escape, no hope at all.

"Don't worry," Candace began to say after a while, probably because she noticed his troubled expression. She still held the roses in her hands, just as if they were a precious treasure. "I want the empress position just for myself. I'm not going to ask for your love or be a burden to you. It's fine even if we don't see each other except on official occasions. You will continue to live your life as if nothing had happened... as if I don’t exist. My presence will also be an advantage because no one will encourage you to marry anymore. You will also get rid of these pushy people."

Daren frowned. It was true, that decision could also have been advantageous to him, but he suddenly felt much more confused than before. That girl had gone so far as to blackmail him and having his father's ghost appear for the sole purpose of having the empress position, and now she was talking to him about it as if she really didn't care. What did she wanted to achieve?

His gaze landed on her cheek again.

Maybe... she simply wants to escape from here?

He glanced quickly at the small chaotic room, and he remembered the cold stares of the Roliand family.

"Why are you doing this? Is it because you want to leave this house?" he asked, staring at her intensely, as if to seek a crumb of truth in those elusive and enchanting bloody irises.

Candace shrugged a bit. "Maybe yes and maybe no," she replied. "But I can't deny that the less time I spend here, the better I’ll feel." Her irises lit up in immense annoyance. "I hate every single member of this house, but I'd hate to kill them so soon..."

Daren shivered. "Kill them?"

"Don’t look at me like this." Her eyes narrowed. "You killed the ones you hated too, didn't you? Then you can understand me."

He lowered his gaze for a moment, unable to bear the intensity of hers. He knew that girl was dangerous, but he tended to forget that. He sighed and ruffled his hair. That girl had already wreaked enough havoc in his life, he might as well take her someplace where he could at least keep an eye on her.

I’ll take her with me. it's the only way. I'll keep an eye on her and she'll be like a prisoner.

"Get a maid to help you get dressed," he ordered.

Candace looked lost at that request. "No one ever helps me get dressed, I usually do it myself."

"Then get dressed. Fast."

She got up and place the bouquet on the table, then she began to undress. Daren turned, uneasily.

"Give me at least the time to turn around."

Candace giggled. "Why? Never seen a naked woman, Mr. emperor?"

"It's none of your business."

He heard the rustle of clothes falling to the floor.

I'm getting into big trouble, I feel it.

After a few minutes, the girl tapped a finger on his shoulder, and he turned in time to see her smile.

“I'm ready,” she said. “Where are we going?”

Daren eyed her for a moment. She was wearing a very simple dress, too long for her. He glanced quickly at the closet behind the girl, realizing that there was very little else.

"Let's go to the city," he announced, extending his arm.

Candace picked up her bouquet again and placed her hand on Daren’s arm.

"To do what?"

"To buy you a dress worthy of the name."

"Why?"

"You can't enter the royal palace like this. Don't you want to introduce yourself as the future empress? Even if you're a demon, it's best that others don't know and don't judge you badly right away."

The girl smiled with a hint of mischief. She seemed extremely satisfied with the result she had achieved. "I think substance is more important than appearance, dear Mr. Emperor."

"And I think both are important. I won't stand beside you or help you in any way, so you'll have to make yourself respected by the servants and the residents of my castle."

"I understand."

"And Candace..."

"What is it, your majesty?"

"From now on, no more ‘mr. emperor’ or ‘your majesty’, just call me Daren."

The emperor left the room with her, and he crossed the corridors until he met the horrified gaze of the count and his family, gathered in the living room.

"We're leaving," he announced.

"You are leaving?" the count repeated. "Both?"

"Exactly. Your daughter will come to the royal palace with me." Daren lowered his gaze in time to see the expression full of malice and amusement that Candace was dedicating to Edora. It seemed that she had lived for this moment.

Surprisingly, though, he didn't feel like blaming her.

"But why do you want Candace? You should have enough maids..."

"Maids?" Anger flashed in Daren's eyes. He didn't know why, but the more time passed, the more he began to despise those three. "Hold your tongue. You're talking about the future empress."

He turned away with Candace and went towards the entrance. Edora ran after them and exclaimed: "It's not true! It can't be true! Why that girl? Why?"

Her father held her. "Edora, are you crazy? Shut up!"

Before leaving, Candace turned and gave her a malicious smile, full of sadistic amusement.

"Goodbye, sister."

* * *

Throughout the carriage ride, Candace didn't say a single word and kept staring at the bouquet of roses Daren had given her. The latter, on the other hand, didn't know what kind of conversation he could have with her. Her presence worried him, and he still didn't quite understand what kind of powers she had, plus he hated being in a disadvantage position compared to someone else. It reminded him of his past and his parents' threats. He had sworn to himself that he would never again allow someone to make decisions about his life, to force him to do something, and instead...

They stopped shortly after in front of a clothing store, and Daren entered with the girl. The owner greeted him with three bows and immediately put herself at his service, asking the other customers to leave.

"I want the most beautiful dress you have," he said. Then he turned to Candace: "Choose some clothes that you like too. Surely, you can’t walk around in that rag every day."

Candace nodded and bowed. "I thank you for your kindness, your majesty."

Daren frowned and said nothing. Hadn't he told her to use his name?

The shop owner brought a pink dress, finely embroidered, and enriched with a lot of lace details.

Candace stared at it for a while, then looked at the emperor. "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to look like a doll. It doesn't matter which one is the most beautiful, I would like a comfortable dress that suits me."

Daren shifted his gaze to the shop owner and ordered her to bring a dress like the one requested by the girl.

The woman disappeared into the back, and she returner after a while with a lilac dress with some black lace and embellished at the waist with an embroidered red rose.

"This is better. I like it very much," Candace said, disappearing into the dressing room to try it on.

When she came out, Daren couldn't help but think that the dress seemed to have been sewn especially for her. It fit her perfectly and accentuated the sinuous curves of her body, giving her a more mature and unattainable air.

"It's perfect," he told her, biting his lip afterward. He didn't want to compliment her or something similar. She was an enemy, and the only reason he was paying attention to her was because she had blackmailed him.

Candace smiled, visibly pleased. Then, she began to choose the clothes as the emperor had ordered her, and when she had finished, Daren gave orders to the shop owner to have them delivered directly to the palace.

They set off again about an hour later, and the servants greeted them with their usual deadpan expressions when they arrived. Despite that, Daren could see the spark of curiosity in their eyes.

Jared, guarding the entrance, was the only one who couldn't help himself and looked at him with his mouth hanging open. Next to him was also Eldan, who widened his eyes, completely bewildered. For once, Daren thought, those two managed to look alike.

"Y-your majesty... w-welcome back," said the chief guard.

"Thanks Jared."

Candace smiled at him, and Daren decided to introduce her to the two. "This is Lady Candace Roliand. She will be living in the palace from now on."

Eldan looked indignant. "In the palace?" he repeated.

Daren nodded. He perfectly understood that Eldan didn't trust her after what had happened the night before, but he couldn't tell him the reason for his choice. No one should have known.

Candace then bowed and introduced herself: "It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Jared and Lord Eldan."

Daren looked at her in surprise. He had never told her their names. Surely, she had heard Jared name shortly before, but how she could know Eldan’s name?

“The pleasure is ours. You are well informed if you already know our names, Lady Candace," Eldan replied.

Daren had now mastered interpreting Candace's smiles, and he immediately realized that what she showed off was circumstantial. "You are both very famous among noble ladies," she explained.

Jared seemed happy with that information, while Eldan didn't seem to believe her.

"And why are you going to move to the palace?"

Candace glanced at Daren, who sighed with resignation. He couldn't hide it, and he wasn't in the position to break the agreements he'd made with her, so he decided to tell the truth.

"She's the future empress. So, from now on, treat her with due respect."

At those words, Daren felt the eyes of all the servants on him nearly pierce his back.

Jared looked thrilled, while Eldan put on the most lost expression Daren had ever seen.

Candace, on the other hand, just smiled again and looked the bouquet of roses she still held in her hand. She looked like a happy bride, quite the opposite of the girl Daren had known.

The silence began to grow heavy, and Daren decided to break it first: "Now, if you'll excuse us, I have to show Candace the castle."

The couple entered the entrance hall, where the party had been set up just the night before. Daren could already hear the gossip starting to circulate: the icy cold and emperor had met a girl who could warm his heart at the party and had fallen head over heels for her.

What an immense annoyance… he thought, irritated by the situation. Knowing that anyone could believe such a thing annoyed him. He could never lose his head for a woman, he could never let himself be dominated by a woman, never!

"Daren!" His cousin voice roused him from his thoughts.

Marcel was coming towards him, accompanied by his fiancée.

"What happened? Galiel told us that this morning you left at dawn and that he didn't know where you were going. You are acting strange from last night's party..." Marcel moved his gaze to Candace. He seemed intimidated by her presence and kept looking down to avoid making eye contact with her. "And who is this girl?"

Daren didn't have time to answer because Candace spoke: "The future Empress of Intial. Nice to meet you, Marcell Marguard. Daren told me a lot about you..."

A lot? thought the emperor. I've never even mentioned a word to her about him...

Marcel frowned and stiffened. He looked uneasy.

"Empress? Is this a joke?" From behind him, Erika also seemed shocked.

"It's not," Daren interjected. "I'll marry her. Why does this surprise you so much? You've all been encouraging me to get married for years."

"But it's so… sudden..."

Candace intervened again: "True love always comes suddenly, doesn't it?" Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly, and focused on Erika, like a snake's. "Lady, your dress is stained..." she said.

The other lowered her gaze and Candace leaned slightly, releasing an evil smile that gave even Daren shivers. "Isn’t a stain like that very strange? Were you perhaps handling something dangerous? For example... poison?"

Daren's eyes widened and he stared at Erika, who had suddenly turned pale. She shook her head repeatedly. "L-lady Candace... what are you saying?"

Candace relaxed her expression. "I was just kidding. You are very easy to impress, Lady Erika."

Erika stiffened. "Do you know my name too? How strange…"

Candace's expression became mischievous again, and again Daren felt like he was dealing with a demon.

She detached a petal from one of his roses and squeezed it in the palm of her hand with a theatrical gesture, leaving everyone present speechless.

"Daren told me a lot about you too," she revealed. "I hope we get along from now on... Both with Lord Marcel and Lady Erika. "