Rise of the Unfavored Princess
I had thought that my life couldn't get worse when I walked in on my fiancé cheating on me with my best friend. But after a series of unfortunate events, I opened my eyes in a world that I had only read about in a webnovel, the Erudian Empire, ruled under the domineering, bloody reign of Emperor Helio. The worst part? I'm not even the main character! Reborn as Winter Royberg de la Erudian, I am the pitiful side character who is discovered to be a royal bastard princess due to a certain physical trait only the imperial bloodline possesses. But I know the end of Winter's story and the unwanted royal punching bag is framed as a witch and killed at age 16 on the guillotine due to the scheming of the cruel empress. An aloof, murder happy father? Check. Psycho half-sister? Check. Meddlesome author who wants me to follow the script? Double check! I don't want to die an early death again, so I'm determined not to ever be discovered as a royal again. But before I know it, I'm trapped in a palace of blood and opulence playing tricky games of power, games I have no clue how to win. How will I survive to adulthood in the imperial palace and get my happily ever after? And am I really the only person who fell into this world? *UPDATES 1-2 TIMES A WEEK* *1500 TO 3300 WORDS PER CHAPTER*
Ch. 101: Winter's Gambit
"Emma, can we- can I have a word with you?" I stutter over my words after a sleepless evening back at the palace.
"Yes, your highness," Emma answers.
Mourning the loss of a decent stipend has made for a long, trying night. I have bags under my eyes and sluggishly prop my head up as I stare at Emma with some guilt.
"You're my official playmate, you remember that right? We've been through thick and thin, and weathered many storms and assassinations together. I feel as if we have 100 years of history behind us," I begin warmly, hoping to ease into the topic at hand.
It wasn't as if I thought I would be getting Julia's 10,000 gold coin stipend, but even a fraction of that would have done wonders for me.
"Since Duchess Taylor is still in charge of paying out the royal stipend you have no money to give me." Emma ended the conversation rather quickly, my sheepish look her answer.