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. 178: Forbidden Knowledge
My fingers trail over the word FORBIDDEN, embossed in a foreboding red across the black leather book cover.
Although he isn't here, I can just imagine the self-righteous smirk he'd have on his face as he quietly asks, "So you like it?"
"A gift within a gift?" Emma asked, seated in the corner of the room while tossing a thick bag of coins up and down.
"Mhmmm," I hum in confirmation. "It made for a fascinating read."
Recent nights of insomnia have been assuaged with a well-placed candle on my bedside table and me, huddled right beside it with the book in my lap. I've seen Marie's suspicious glances at the used candle that's down to its nub every evening, but I've been quite hush hush about the book, even with her. I was even going to keep it a secret from Emma, but in true Emma fashion, she discovered the heavy tome within 2 days of my birthday.
"Do you know why magic is forbidden in the Erudian Empire, save for imperial doctors and battle mages?" I ask Emma.