"Lily, get the red shoes with the white bow tie, I think they would go perfectly with this gown," Rosaline said.
I didn't want to go. I knew very well what kind of people I was going to meet inside that dining room.
But this was not something I could simply decline.
The Royal dinner. A small tradition passed down for generations was held on every third day of the third week of every month.
It was a dinner where the members of the royal family would go to 'catch up' with each other. However, this wasn't the case for this Royal Family.
Suppose I accept that this was the past, then this dinner wasn't exactly memorable for me.
Moreover, I was going to meet them once again...
"Your highness... Your Highness." A maid kneeling beside me called.
I looked at her without responding.
"Please lift your foot." She said. I obliged as she slipped my foot into the red shoes.
"Get the white pearl necklace and the silver earring." Rosaline says at the top of her voice as two maid rush to the jewelry boxes.
I still felt dizzy and my body felt stiff and heavy. I didn't want to put on any jewelry but if I protested I'd spark another argument with Rosaline. I had to save my energy because only I knew what was ahead.
Rosaline signaled two maids to bring the mirror in front of me. I really didn't need to look at myself though. Because every person in the palace didn't hide their thoughts about how I looked.
On the other side of the mirror was a girl looking right back at me. She had long curly hair as dark as midnight that gracefully fell on her firm shoulders and emerald green eyes that looked like a lush rainforest in the summer. Her smooth brown skin brought out the beauty of her eyes and the white pearl necklace complimented the blood-red gown that tightly held her body revealing her sweet curves, sweet enough to have any person break their neck while trying to get a second look. As if that wasn't enough, the head maid placed a white fur-like scarf as the final touch.
Calling her beautiful would do her no justice.
'Hmm... I look younger.' That was the only thing I could think of as I looked at myself in the mirror.
Yes, I did find myself beautiful but the people.... no, my 'family' thought otherwise.
"Your highness, It's time to head to the dining room." Rosaline said as she signaled the door.
It was a long walk to the other side of the palace. The Hindenburg palace surpassed its neighboring countries' palaces in terms of size and luxury. It was said in history class that it took three whole years to build it. Whoever the first king was must have used a fortune.
I still didn't come to terms with everything that happened. Why? How? and What? was the only thing ringing in my head. Nevertheless, I had to put all that aside and focus on the present. I could find answers to all that later. After all, fate gave me a second chance. Using the knowledge I had, I could manipulate these events to my favor and hopefully change my untimely death to come two years later.
Wait.
'If I am to die two years from now then what happens in one year.' Memories of the mysterious timer I encountered before I woke up flashed across my brain.
I turn my head as I was trying to think of the events that are to take place in one year. I was too caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't realized I stopped walking.
However, my thoughts were cut short by the large painting on the wall beside me.
She had the same curly black hair and brown skin as I did. A sweet soft face and a soft aura enough to let people lower their guard around her. A gentle smile as warm as the first rays of the sunrise. Large Hazel eyes that looked as though they stared right through you. I was an exact copy and paste of her. The only difference was the emerald eyes.
There was a small writing on the edge of the enormous painting.
'Second Empress Jewel Liliana von Hindenburg'
I'm not sure how long I stood there staring. I didn't feel sad as I stared at the painting. In fact, I felt a little bit of resentment.
"Your highness! We must hurry! The dinner is to start in a few!" One maid said.
I continue walking. We finally reached the main dining hall. The maids that escorted me, seemed to vanish into thin air as they were nowhere to be seen. The main butler that was standing outside the door bowed the moment he saw me and reached for the doorknob. I signaled not to open the door as I needed time to gather my confidence.
I had not realized it but I was shaking. Memories of my final moments flooded my brain and I started feeling nauseous. In that room sat the people that made my life a living hell.
I lived my life walking on eggshells. Tried so hard to be the sweet girl that obeyed every command but all I got was the short end of the stick. I trusted too easily, I gave my heart out too easily when all I wanted was a family that loved me.
'But all that is in the past' I muttered under my breath.
'The naïve fool whom you toyed with has seized to exist. You shall all pay.'
I took a deep breath and clenched my fist. 'I shall turn the tables.'
I nodded my head at the butler permitting him to proceed.
"HER HIGHNESS SECOND PRINCESS ARIEL LILIANA VON HINDENBURG HAS ARRIVED."
.
.
.
"Father, look, I made this song for you. I did it during my musical classes. Madam Helena told us to make a song and dedicate it to a special person" Yvette said as she signaled a maid, who came running with a golden flute adorned with diamonds atop a white pillow. She stood up and began playing it.
The melody was sweet and tender enough to put a baby to sleep. Once she finished it, the room was filled with applause as Yvette curtsied and smiled brightly.
"That was a splendid song my daughter, it sounded so soothing, I think our little girl is going to be a good musician. Don't you think darling?" Yvette's mother praises her.
"I agree, that was quite the performance. I'm very pleased to be the lucky person to whom you chose to dedicate it. Tell me, is there anything you desire, I must reward you for this. Ask and you shall receive." The king, Yvette's father said as he held Yvette's hand.
"I am honored, Your Majesty," Yvette says as she lets out a small chuckle. "But I'm afraid it's quite hard to choose as you have been very kind to me father. Please give me a little bit of time to think."
"As you wish."
"Now that I've realized where is Ariel?" Yvette added with a sly grin on her face.
"She is such an irresponsible brat. She can even make it on time to this very important dinner." Yvette's mother scorns. "I'll have to have a chat with her!"
"Please mother, maybe she overslept or probably doesn't feel too good. I'll talk to her, alright?" Yvette said.
"Fine, be sure to scold her!" Yvette's mother sighs.
"That reminds me, dear, you said you'll think about the issue I brought to you a while ago, have you concluded?" Yvette's mother said as her gaze turned serious.
"As I said, my queen, this is not a matter I can simply alter in a matter of days. The king of the Hiest kingdom already set his firstborn son to marry Yvette. I can't simply call off this engagement as it is a peace treaty between our two nations." His Majesty sternly said.
"But I simply can't stand the thought of sending my sweet daughter to a foreign country." The first empress whines.
"Believe me, I understand, but it is not as simple as you think. But I'll see what I can do." His Majesty added.
"Why not have another person do it instead." Yvette said breaking the silence.
"Who is it?"
His Majesty already knew who Yvette was referring to but he still asked because he needed to hear it coming from Yvette's mouth.
"Why not have-." Yvette's words were cut short by the sudden opening of the dining room doors.
"HER HIGHNESS SECOND PRINCESS ARIEL LILIANA VON HINDENBURG HAS ARRIVED!"