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. 124: Slingshot
"Winter. Please rise and come sit with me," Empress Katya urges.
She is in control of the scene. With one movement of her hand, a seat is set up beside her for me to sit. It seems like an honor, but it truly isn't. When people discuss this in later days, rather than discuss how the empress is a bad host, I'd bet 100 gold coins that people will only ask why the table was never set up for me initially. It makes me seem like a greedy opportunist who intruded on this exclusive brunch despite the fact that I was invited from the start.
The corner of my mouth quirks up.
I'd done us both a courtesy by not attending the Spring Ball last year, so as to minimize the potential clashes that could occur before the nobility and yet Katya insists on bringing them forth here?
Well, two can play the game and the easiest way to strike back is fuming in a seat right beside her.