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. 154: Forbidden Magic
"You look tired, your highness," Elias notices, his loyal butler Chester pushing him into the sitting room.
The ornate room, which had seemed dull and lifeless all week, suddenly seem to brighten a tad as he is rolled right to the side of my couch as opposed to being seated on the opposing couch across from me. The proximity is comforting. Most maids and servants are required to stand a certain distance away from all imperial family members, which can feel incredibly isolating at times.
I know, I know. I said I wouldn't see Elias again until my 12th birthday when he begs for forgiveness with a nice present. But this princess is also a loser with no friends so I have to make do with the few I have while Emma is off on assignment and I'm stuck in a fugue about the tea party yesterday.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to tell a lady that?" I snap, before latently recalling that Elias' mother died at birth and could be a huge source of trauma for him.