Chapter 32: The condemned

Prince Julian led Livia to the garden and sat her down on the bench.

"The palace," he told her strictly, "isn't for the faint of heart. It hasn't been up to a day since your marriage was blessed yet you weep."

Livia's head shot up at his accusatory tone.

"Your brother…" she shot back.

"Your husband," he corrected and her nostrils flared.

"Both," she spoke, "he is both. He has a bad temper and he doesn't even try to treat me well, even if a pretence."

"So you prefer that lives false to please you?" Julian raised a brow.

"I do not mean that," she replied defensively, "but he is quite mean."

Julian stared at her then sighed.

"You are right but it's only for a time. He is sad that the empress imposed the marriage on him and he's finding it quite hard to deal with the sudden change. Please be patient with him."

Livia rolled her eyes and folded her hands in annoyance.

"Sad, my foot. I also should mope around and hit items since the marriage was also imposed on me. Worse still, I am only a