"Ellanious, you are crossing your limits!" Crown Prince Griffin shouted, his sword menacingly pointed at my throat. It was a stark reminder of the moment he had done the same in the royal court, an act that had wounded my ego deeply.
The audacity! How dare he point his sword at me? Who granted him the right to do so? Was it simply because he held the title of Crown Prince, the future ruler of this empire, that he believed he could act with such unwarranted pride?
Fury welled up within me, my blood simmering, my body seemingly on the precipice of succumbing to a bloodthirsty urge. However, in an instant, an unusual calm washed over me, quelling the rising storm of emotions. I couldn't explain this sensation.
"Ellanious," he called my name again, our eyes locked in an unyielding gaze.
"Yes, your highness," I replied, my voice unwavering.
"I'm listening to your order, so go ahead and behead me."
I moved closer to the sword, allowing its cold blade to touch the middle of my throat. My throat trembled, but I didn't flinch. I wasn't sure if my fearlessness stemmed from the knowledge that death here might simply return me to my world or if it was because he truly had no power to harm me.
"I see you don't have any fear for the royal family," he said, a sardonic grin on his lips, further kindling my anger.
"No, you are mistaken, your highness," I responded, my own smile betraying a newfound confidence.
"What do you mean?" he inquired.
"I'm not hesitating because I lack fear for the royal family. Rather, I'm uncertain if you possess the authority to carry out such an execution."
"I don't believe that the sun of the empire would grant his authority to those who are unworthy of such power," I stated, victorious in this round of our exchange.
He clenched his teeth during my response, but his irritation was short-lived. Another announcement from the guard interrupted our confrontation.
"The sun of the empire is entering."
I couldn't help but wonder whether I should laugh at this absurd situation or if I should be ungrateful for my present circumstances.
"What kind of behavior is this, Crown Prince Griffin?" the Emperor spoke, his presence commanding attention and respect.
"Father…"
"Greetings, your Highness," I bowed respectfully, though the sword still remained at my throat.
"You may resign, princess," the Emperor stated, but I couldn't resist intervening.
"I'm no longer a princess, your Royal Highness. Please retract that statement, as it could lead to misunderstandings," I implored politely.
"You are still the princess. You are still engaged to the prince. You are still the future mother of the empire."
The old man seemed to have lost his faculties. Despite everything, he continued to address me in a manner that I detested.
"I brought Miss Jessica Atreides here to ensure that any misunderstandings remain within the imperial family," he explained, the mention of her name causing my insides to churn like I had been thrown into a well of boiling water.
"Greetings to the Crown Princess," Lady Atreides bowed.
"So, Lady Atreides, what do you wish to convey?" I inquired, my tone cool and composed.
"I'm deeply ashamed of my behavior in front of the imperial court, Princess. I apologize for any offense I may have caused. My intent was merely to demonstrate that the Crown Prince and I have been friends since childhood, and I didn't appreciate the manner in which you belittled him. If that is what upset you, then I apologize once more in front of the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire, the Duke, and the Chief Priest." She even reached out to touch my feet in a sign of apology, but I quickly stopped her.
"Why would I ask you to seek forgiveness in this manner, Miss Baron?" I retorted, my smirk revealing my amusement.
"Are you forgiving me then? Does this mean you won't object to the marriage?" she inquired.
"Wait a moment!"
"When did I say I forgive you?"
"Are you delusional?" I asked, my amusement evident in my voice.
"Lad—"
"Mistake again, Lady Baron!"
"How many times must I remind you that I hold a higher position than you? How could you casually address me as 'lady' when our statuses are entirely different?" I gazed at her, watching her confusion play out.
"I apologize, Princess," she said, bowing once more.
"Not like this," I replied, stepping outside where the crowd had already gathered around the Duke's residence. They anticipated the Emperor's arrival, accompanied by the priests and my father, the Duke.
But as I set foot outside, I was greeted with a cacophony of voices, a chant or perhaps a beg, a chorus of supplications that the real Ellanious had never heard. It was as though they had disregarded her existence until I assumed her identity and began acting as I saw fit.
"Princess, what are you wearing?"
"This color will bring bad luck to our empire."
"Yes, princess, go change it."
The people were now evaluating my attire, as if I were a mere doll, my appearance subject to their scrutiny and control.
"Why should I?" I retorted, defying their expectations.
"Why should I change my outfit?" I repeated.
"Princess, as I said, this color is not for saints," the chief priest said again, coming forward. But my glare made him step back.
"Saint?"
"I never said I'm a saint, so why do you guys believe I'm a saint?" I asked.
"Because God sent you here to save this empire. The oracle came a long time ago, signifying that the daughter of the Duke Usoro will bring the godly power with her, which will bless the entire empire," one of the people from the crowd spoke out loud.
"So, am I born just to bless you?" I asked, but my eyes were basically turning dark with anger, which I can no longer suppress anymore. It is getting out of my suppressing capabilities.