I woke up with a start again.
The memories of my past life still haunt me every night.
My mind is never at ease even though I try my best to not show this uneasiness to anyone.
I try to comfort myself that I have a family who cares for me in this life at least.
I advised myself to cheer myself as it was my birthday today.
I could clearly see the preparation going on through the window.
My eyes shunned when I saw various jewels being transported into the palace.
"Hope I could get some", I wished.
I stared at my beautiful new face in the mirror while the maids attended to me.
Some braided my hair decorating with all sorts of jewels and flowers, while some selected dresses.
"Show me the ones which have more jewels", Martha ordered.
Martha was just like a family to me.
I still remember how Martha was being treated by Sienna in her previous life.
She paid no heed to Martha's advice and was obsessed with the male lead.
But she was with Sienna until the end even during her hardest times; death.
Again, I got carried away and my thoughts were abrupted by the knocking on the door.
It was the butler Edward, I started calling him Gramps since I was 3.
He's one of the most trusted subordinates in the McGlynn family.
My mother, the grand duchess, saved him during her expeditions in the shattered city of Shej.
He then clarified his loyalty towards McGlynn, especially towards the grand duchess.
" I hope you're this year passed with joy and prosperity," he said as if he was reading a textbook.
Quite laughable indeed.
I snickered and Gramps glared at me.
"You have to complete the formalities milady. You're grown up now and you'll have your first birthday ceremony in public. You will officially be introduced in the high society where people will start judging based on everything. You can't let a simple mistake happen."
"Gramps, you even didn't have to say this. Your concerned eyes speak everything."
"And you know that I have been elected as a young scholar as I could read the entire texts and inscriptions and have a hold on four different languages."
It might quite be a thing for a five years old but counting my previous life. I am almost 25 years old after calculating both my lives.
"You don't have to worry. The etiquette class won't go to waste."
I could see that he was a bit rest assured by those words as he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Now now, shall we proceed? The nobles are waiting. And I'm so happy that you'll finally be able to get along with other nobles of your age. You will get to make so many friends." Martha said.
"I don't understand whose birthday it is today....yours or mine? You look even more excited than me."
"Of course I would be excited, my lady. I can't wait for others to look how our lady has bloomed into such a beautiful flower."
"Martha, remember...I am hardly five years old. Don't talk as if I've gotten into a prestigious university or something."
Tears welled up around Martha's eyes.
"I can't believe our lady has become mature at this age. I feel so blessed to attend a sensible lady like you."
The butler, Edward looked as if she was talking about a completely different person.
"Martha, are you perhaps talking about our lady?"
"Ohhhhkaayyyyy."
I stretched that word as far as I could.
I used to use the word 'cringe' a lot but I never expected that it would feel so weird when it happened in real life.
When did this novel become so melodramatic?
"Get ready everyone. I guess we should leave now. The guests have been waiting for quite a while now." I Instructed.
I addressed the guards to open the door.
The door opened in a very dramatic manner.
Ufff!! It's to cliché even for a novel.
I made a grand entry with my beautiful gorgeous dress made of silk and sapphire which matched my eye colour; green.
Both siblings were standing behind me.
That was the first time I saw them behave so obedient and polite.
I guess royals do have two faces!
I went with the flow and bowed gracefully in front of everyone and waved my hand dramatically.
Everyone in the crowd was impressed as it was too much for a five-year-old to do.
I'm pretty sure everyone must have thought I'm some kind of spoilt lazy daughter of rich parents.
Now, I started walking towards the crowd and again bowed gracefully towards the Emperor and the Empress.
"May this humble person greet the sun of the Empire, you're Majesty."
It was cringey but it always works.
"You may rise." he addressed.
"I heard you have started translating various literature and historic texts in historic languages..."
"Yes, majesty. I am studying very hard to get accepted into the very prestigious school of the continent, Heites High".
"Isn't that near the northern part of Zie, the country famous for its prestigious universities? The atmosphere there is competitive. Also, many of the scholars working under me have graduated from that university. Good to see that the McGlynn family is still famous for its talented people. I hope you will get to serve me shortly. The country needs such geniuses like you."
"Gladly, your majesty. The pleasure is all mine. I hope you will have a pleasant day and please let me know if you feel dissatisfied in any manner. I shall not waste your precious time any further and will take my leave."
He waved at me to dismiss.
I wanted to say more to him but stopped in dead tracks.
In fact, I will work for such a narcissist like him.
I knew nothing would benefit me from the emperor as of now, at this age.
I got really tired listening to the long speech, it was so fucking useless and boring.
I need to meet more people to increase my reputation and get connections.
" How does it feel after Apple polishing the d-bag emperor? You really know how to get your things done from whom. I guess we just saw the miniature version of mom." Reynord snickered.
" Stop addressing the emperor with the d word."Katherine corrected.
She gave him a hard blow on his head.
"Owwwww. I'm not as thick skin as you. It hurts." he whined.
"Stop acting weird brother and it is very rude to disrespect people. Especially people with more IQ than you." I made a sarcastic remark.
"Heyy..." he couldn't argue but still continued to say 'hey' , and 'shut up'.
Katherine and I couldn't stop laughing.
I have never seen him embarrassed in my entire life.
His cheeks were as red as a tomato.
Suddenly I felt a pat on my shoulder.
I turned around to find Tasha Harl, the closest friend of the female lead!
I wondered what she wanted to discuss with me!