"His majesty gave the princess the freedom to what!!??" I face palmed when Marie's voice rang across the hallway. Well I'm shocked as well but looking at his questionable actions, I'm not as surprised as her. "Yes Ms. Marie, the princess here is given an unlimited budget to spend for the day." I made a suspecting face, "What if I used all of the empires treasury?" I crossed my arms and stared at the chamberlain.
He is one of my father's people. Surely he also hates me. Since he served father from before even I was born, he must've also missed the late empress. My mother. And despised me for taking her life away. Peniel Fredrick. My father's left hand. He's my father's most valuable people. There's also his advisor, his loyal knight, and his shadow.
"Princess, the empire was built about a hundred years ago, running out of gold or any other treasury is the last thing you should be worried about." He smiles that of a snake. I rolled my eyes. "Let's go then Marie," I got up the carriage, ignoring the hand that was given to me by my father's knight. Sir Karter. With a K. Building my guards up against my father's people is currently my number one goal. They're to keep an eye on me in case I made another mistake and be reported to him.
"Oh princess! I can't wait to go shopping! It's been ages since we re-do your whole wardrobe! Luckily this maid of yours knows all the fashion trends that are currently booming and I will make you the center of it!" I made a horrified face, being the center of attention is that last thing I want and yet here she is already planning on doing it. I sighed and just let her do whatever she wises as soon those things will mean nothing to me and become a display inside the room that I won't be staying for long.
The soft sunlight made my vision drowsy, why am I so tired? What did I do yesterday? I guess having a little nap time won't hurt. I'll just rest my head on the window and surely we'll reach our destination in no time.
It was dark but I can hear the sound of water dripping from somewhere. Did I fall asleep? Why is it so hard to open my eyes? I can't feel my body. Wait, I hear the sound of footsteps, who's there? The emperor? Callius?
A door suddenly opens, blinding my vision, wait my vision? Where even am I? "There's the crown princess, take her to the throne room." Whose voice is that? It's a male yes, but I've never heard of him before. I could barely open my eyes yet here they are dragging a fragile girl's body like a sack of potatoes. When everything was clear enough, I could make out at least my whereabouts. I'm in the palace, but why does it look so… Gloomy, silent, and cold. Was it always like this?
As we walk the hallway, we walk pass a broken mirror but I was fast enough to catch a glimpse of my appearance. I was ragged, my clothes were dirty, eyes dull, and my mouth was gagged. What happened? Where are the emperor and Callius? Did they really leave the palace and not notice the freaking circumstances of this? I can't imagine the great emperor of Lycoris abandoning their pride and palace.
"Look up princess, that's your father, the great emperor." As if my eyes moved on their own, I saw my father- No, the emperor tied down on his knees, he was in armor, for what? We're not on war, are we? He was ragged as well, dried blood smeared all over his armor; he was gagged as well with a dirty cloth. He looks up and his dark blue eyes met mine then he struggled, he thrashed around but he was pushed back down harshly.
I cried, well I think I did. I currently have no control over my body or anything at all. I'm just conscious but the body doesn't belong to me. I was struggling in their grip and mumbling incoherent words as I watch my father. "Hey great emperor, look at how pretty your daughter is." The men who held me lift my chin up and the moment I saw his face, I was mesmerized. Yes, shocking. Weird thing is, I thought he was one of the nobles' soldiers but he doesn't look like a knight, he looks more like a mercenary. A handsome one.
The emperor mumbled up words with his mouth covered in cloth. "Take it out," The moment that dirty cloth was pulled, swear words came out with anger lacing his tone. "You touch her; I'll kill you, ALL OF YOU!!" Yet he couldn't move. I felt hot tears streaming down my eyes. I'm crying? For the emperor? Ridiculous. "You're all bark and no bite gramps," his words struck something in my head. The emperor may be of old age but his face doesn't look like his age. So calling him gramps could only mean one thing…
"Karza don't spill the beans too soon," The same voice from the beginning of my dream suddenly appeared, I was about to see his face when-
"Your highness, we're here," I jolted in my seat. I looked outside and see we're already in front of the boutique. "Oh, thank you Marie," the knight opened the carriage door and I step out. The hot air of the capital made me shiver. Suddenly my mind came back to the scene where the palace was cold. It sent another shiver down my spine but I shook it off. "Your highness, let's head inside, it too hot out here." Marie pulled me into the boutique and I was greeted with the smell of fabric. You know those smell of new fabric in clothing stores? Yes, those aromas.
"Welcome- Oh my, your highness!! Welcome to Aurora Boutique, how may we serve you?" I saw Mrs. Aurora and I were hit with a sudden longing. Out of all the people, she was the only one who showed me genuine love and care. In my last life, she took extra care in making my wedding dress, every single detail she effortlessly made and analyze. No wonder she became one of the most distinguished boutique of the empire. "Hello Mrs. Aurora." I smiled and greet her back. "Your highness, please have a seat, I'll bring you our newest catalog." Two ladies appeared out of nowhere and brought me and Marie to the VIP room.
"Here's the catalog your highness," one of the ladies handed me the catalog and left the room. "You can pick for me Marie," I handed it to Marie whose eyes were glittering with stars and excitedly flip through the pages as I stared outside the window.
At times like this, my mind always drifted into my previous life. And on one person, the lady who became Callius' other woman. I don't know her name as she was brought into the palace when I was sick in bed dying and on my last moments. But she does have the same features as my mother. Blonde hair and green eyes. I envy her. She looked like someone who receives love daily and pampered by her family, no wonder Callius loved her. The way his eyes lit up when they looked at each other. As a crown princess and his wife I felt jealous of course but I don't loath her.
Just then my mind caught onto something, her dress. It looked different from dresses that period of time. I smirked and a thought came to mind. "Marie, go call Mrs. Aurora," I said and she immediately called for the person. "I think it's fair if I do this, when you're going to steal my man anyway in the future." This time, no nice princess. I'll be more evil if I have to, to those who won't be beneficial to me.
Mrs. Marie came in with a smile on her face and I stood up, I walked up to her and held her hands. "Mrs. Marie, I have a new look for the dress I'll be wearing in the upcoming ball." She looked at me surprised but she also smiled. "Alright princess, how about we sit down and design it together." I nod and we sat on the sofa while discussing about the design and layouts of the dress.
Her eyes widens when she heard my idea. "Oh my princess, isn't this showing too much skin?" she gasped either in amazement or horror, who knows, but I do know she likes my idea and design. "Considering the current trends, yes it is showing too much skin especially around the shoulder and cleavage area." I cheekily smiled and scratch the back of my head. "But I think this could be the next trend your highness," she looked up from the sketchbook and smiled. A promising smile. I return it and nod my head.
"Well, let's start a new one shall we?"