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. 107: Celebration Ball Pt. 3
When we rejoin the ballroom, the entire room is silent and facing one direction: the balcony. My father has just stood up with my brothers, Julia, and the empress. Marie, who has been wringing new wrinkles into her hands on the side catches sight of me and moves faster than I've ever seen her go. She picks me right up, sticking to the wall for less traffic, and hands me off to a waiting manservant who takes me upstairs before I can so much as say goodbye to Elias.
I vaguely recall this kind of scene happening at the Spring Ball, except I was amongst the crowd gazing in awe at the stupidly beautiful people whose blood somehow made them worthy of ruling the Erudian Empire. But today, I stand on top with them and look down below. It makes me wonder just how many people down there dream of one day doing the same.