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. 95: A Warm Welcome
The difference between my return to Radovalsk and my unexpected departure is more drastic than the difference between first-class and economy class on a plane.
I alone ride in a carriage, a discreet but luxurious vehicle with supple seats I can't stop bouncing on. My father, my brothers, the royal guard, and all high-ranking generals within the army ride horses, the fine stallions setting them head and shoulders above everyone else.
But even so, I cannot fully enjoy the return due to many factors: the empress waiting for me in the palace, Julian's iffy response regarding telling his subordinates, and our impending break-in to the most heavily guarded individual in the Erudian Empire.
The past few days have been more stressful than applying to college, which should not be possible.
"Your highness, we've arrived," Emma informs me quietly, tugging me out of my daydream of little versions of me running around as everything is on fire.