The Champion

Later into the party I finally make it back to the main event. Everyone was still having a good time gossiping and dancing. Thankfully, they dropped the subject about the attempts I've made in the past. It didn't bother me slightest. Because this is just about how I escape this cruel fate.

I know that my destiny with Kaiserin hasn't fully been avoided since he made it clear that I'm going to see him again. Thinking about this is making my head hurt, I sat down and rubbed my head in pain. I couldn't focus on anything else, maybe this time I can stop thinking about escaping. For now. 

Soon, I hear footsteps coming towards me when I lifted up my head I am greeted with a bow from an appealing man, with black hair. He looks around in his mid 50s

"Greetings Fräulein Liselotte, I am Duke Nikolai a friend of Count Pavel Von Halhestine. Your father asked me to check up on you? Is everything okay?"

So thats his name. Count Pavel Von Halhestine Liselotte's father. I didn't know his actual name and I didn't really care too.

"Yes I'm fine thank you for checking up on me! I'm okay now!" 

I replied back with lots of enthusiasm so he could go away no he sees that I'm fine. I really didn't have the energy to talk with anyone right now. My whole body is aching but keeping up with a poised face is what I can do now, or else he'll keep bothering me. 

"Fräulein aren't you concerned?"

"Concerned? What do I need to be concerned about?"

"Obviously with the unfortunate events that had happened I'm afraid it'll deem you unworthy of finding a fiance" 

He chuckles slightly he's trying to make it seem like he cares about what going to happen to me. But I know to well whats his true intentions are. 

"Oh my! Is that so? Well you never know, they are some people always actively looking for someone to marry like yourself don't you agree?"

His face is still unchanging from his original expression. He acts like he cares for me but deep down he wants to see me go down.

"Fräulein! This isn't about me! As someone close to your father I should know his exceptions looking for a son-in-law. I'm trying to lead you on the right path, not the opposite. Looking at you, I suppose your worthy for someone working as a fisherman."

"Well who knows! Fishermen is quite a job, I should know you love to a whole lot of fish with meat on the side. Maybe you should start looking for a fishermen whose willing to give you all of their fish. A duke like yourself seems to be taking yourself quite well."

Now Duke Nikolai's facade is starting to break.

"Fräulein commenting on my weight is disgraceful! A women like yourself should know how to respect a man! I could even be kind enough on taking you in as my wife, due to how close I am to your father!"

He leaves going back to where he came from, I know that I'll probably get a scolding from Pavel tonight.

It was well close near midnight guests are starting to leave, and now I'm stuck in a carriage with my father. His expression dosen't seem mad or angry. He's so calm in this rare moment. He might just be tired from all of the talking that he dosen't have the time to scold me.

"Liselotte"

"Yes?"

"Why did you upset Duke Nikolai?"

Nevermind, of course he wouldn't leave this matter alone. Especially the fact that he's the Duke.

"We simply were giving advice to each other about to improve ourselves. He seemed to take that to heart."

"Where did you go in the middle of the party? I was looking for you?"

Ah, how am I going to explain this?

"Did you bother the Crown Prince again?"

"Ah, of course not! I didn't see him."

That was a blatant lie. But I'm sure Pavel wouldn't believe that.

"Don't bother him again, we can't afford loosing our good relationship with the Royal Imperial Family. It's good you want to be close to him but think before you speak so you don't do anything you'll regret."

This reminds me of a memory long ago. In Korea, I couldn't think for myself without anyone approving that my actions were good and justifiable. "Think before you speak" that's all I could ever think about. Tonight was the first time I was ever argued against someone. And shaming them right in their faces. 

I think its the fact that I'm not really Liselotte but So-Jin Lee. People will think bad about Liselotte not So-Jin. Liselotte gives this reassurances to me that I can be myself without really being myself.

So if I go back where I originally was would everything go back to the way it was?

When we arrived back at the estate, Pavel was the first to rest for the night. Before I rested I took a bath, changed clothes, and washed my face and brushed my teeth. I felt relieved for the first time. I was almost going to accept that I could live in this world.

But while I was walking through the halls I came across Pavel's office. I really wasn't gonna go snoop around but I felt so confident lately to be rebellious. Maybe one snoop wouldn't be bad?

There wasn't anything interesting though.

Its all work documents nothing out of the ordinary. But one letter caught my eye. I picked up the letter it was sign to Liselotte. Why would it be in Pavel's office?

But every contents of that letter made me nervous each letter that came by my eye.

Fräulein Liselotte Von Halhestine

or is that the name someone else put onto you? I am Die Meisterin, fear not I am here to help you go through this tragic event. Even though this isn't what I usually do. Please visit my shop to learn more. I'd love to answer any questions you have.

Please visit Destiny's Touch the best fortune telling shop in Eichenburg!

- Die Meisterin.