In the quiet stillness of the night, the palace corridors are dimly lit by flickering torches. The crown prince, Nikolai, strides purposefully toward Lady Irina's quarters, his expression a storm of barely contained anger. The events of the day have left him simmering with questions and doubts. He needs answers, and he needs them now.
Upon reaching her chambers, he throws open the door without bothering to knock. The guards bow, and say nothing as the Crown Prince storms inside.
Lady Irina, startled by his abrupt entrance, quickly adopts a look of feigned innocence and distress. She rises from her seat, her eyes already welling with tears as she senses the prince's fury.
"Your Highness," she breathes, her voice trembling as she steps toward him. "What brings you here at this hour?"
Nikolai's eyes flash with anger. "You know very well why I'm here, Lady Irina. I want answers. What happened today?"
Irina's lower lip quivers as she looks up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Oh, Your Highnessi, it was terrible. Lexzandra has been spreading lies about me, trying to turn everyone against me. She's always been jealous of our relationship, and now she's using these false accusations to undermine me."
Nikolai's jaw clenches as he listens to her, but he refuses to let her tears sway him. "You're telling me that the emperor himself is wrong? That he has been misled by Lexzandra?"
Irina's tears flow more freely now, and she reaches out to touch his arm. "Please, Your Highness, you must believe me. Lexzandra has always had it out for me. She's spreading these lies because she wants to see me fall. I swear, I've done nothing wrong."
Nikolai shakes off her hand, his expression hardening. "Enough, Lady Irina. I don't have time for your games. The emperor saw the proof himself. The ledgers, the documents—they all point to your guilt. How can you stand there and lie to my face?"
Irina's face contorts with desperation, and she falls to her knees, clutching at the hem of his tunic. "Please, Nikolai, you must believe me! I'm being framed. Lexzandra has always hated me. She wants to destroy everything I've worked for."
Nikolai looks down at her, his anger mingling with a hint of sadness. "Lady Irina, you're disappointing me. I defended you, trusted you, and now this? How am I supposed to believe you when all the evidence is against you?"
Irina's tears slow as she realizes that her usual manipulations aren't working. She looks up at him, her eyes wide with fear. "Your Highness, please, you're the only one who can help me. Don't let Lexzandra win. Don't let her tear us apart."
Nikolai steps back, his expression resolute. "This isn't about Lexzandra winning. This is about the truth. And right now, the truth is pointing to your guilt. I can't let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. The emperor will deal with this, and so will I."
Irina's shoulders slump, and she watches helplessly as Nikolai turns and leaves her chambers, his mind made up. The door closes behind him with a finality that leaves her in the oppressive silence of her own making.
She sits there, tears still streaming down her face, but now they are tears of genuine fear and uncertainty. Her hold over Nikolai is slipping, and she knows that the consequences of her actions are closing in on her.
__
Lexzandra hums a soft tune to herself as she sits at her desk, her journal open before her. The quill in her hand dances across the pages, recording the tumultuous events of the past week.
The room around her is quiet, filled with the soft light of early morning filtering through the large, ornate windows. The scent of fresh flowers, placed carefully in a vase nearby, mingles with the faint aroma of ink and parchment.
Her desk is a sturdy piece of mahogany, polished to a shine, with neatly organized stacks of paper, inkpots, and quills. The room itself is modestly decorated, reflecting her preference for simplicity.
Lexzandra's movements are deliberate and thoughtful as she writes, pausing occasionally to gather her thoughts or dip her quill in ink. She recounts her confrontation with Lady Irina, the investigation that followed, and the steps she has taken to assert her authority.
It's only been a week since she reincarnated, but she's already changed so much.
After some time, she sets down her quill, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She closes the journal, the soft leather cover cool beneath her fingers, and places it on the desk.
Today, she decides, she will visit Master Aldric to discuss the selection of her new ladies-in-waiting.
Rising from her chair, she smooths her dress and makes her way to find Master Aldric. She feels a sense of urgency; the sooner she secures competent and loyal attendants, the better.
As the morning sun casts a golden glow over the palace gardens, Lexzandra steps out, her eyes catching the vibrant colors of the flowers in full bloom. The roses, tulips, and daffodils paint a picturesque scene, their sweet fragrances mingling in the air.
She takes a moment to appreciate the tranquil beauty around her, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. The dew-kissed petals glisten in the sunlight, and she allows herself a brief respite, letting the serenity of the garden bolster her resolve.
Lexzandra continues on her way, crossing the cobblestone paths that wind through the lush greenery. She makes her way to the secretary's office, hoping to find Master Aldric.
The room is quiet and orderly, but conspicuously empty.
Papers are neatly stacked on the desk, and the inkpots are filled, ready for the day's work. She scans the room, but there is no sign of the secretary.
Assuming that Master Aldric must be with the emperor, she makes her way towards the king's chambers.
As she approaches, she spots Master Aldric stepping out, a stack of papers in his hands. "Master Aldric," she calls out, her voice respectful yet firm.
Aldric looks up, surprised to see her. He quickly masks his surprise with a courteous nod. "Princess Lexzandra, what brings you here?"
They greet each other formally before Lexzandra gets to the point. "I wanted to discuss the matter of appointing my lady-in-waiting. The king mentioned that you would be handling this?"
Aldric nods. "Yes, Your Highness. I have selected a few candidates and plan to review them in person today."
Lexzandra smiles. "I would like to review the candidates myself. After all, they will be serving directly under me."
Aldric's eyebrows raise slightly in surprise. "Princess, it is not customary for the royal family to involve themselves in such matters. The candidates have been chosen based on their qualifications and recommendations."
Lexzandra smiles, but there's a steely edge to it. "I understand that, Master Aldric. However, I believe it's important for me to meet them personally. Their loyalty and compatibility with me are just as important as their qualifications. It's crucial for me to have people I trust implicitly."
Aldric hesitates, clearly torn. He respects Lexzandra's newfound assertiveness but is also wary of breaking protocol. "Your Highness, I must insist that these procedures are in place for a reason."
She steps closer, her eyes locking onto his. "I appreciate your diligence, Master Aldric. But given the recent events and the challenges I've faced, I think we can agree that good cause is exactly what we have."
Aldric sees the resolve in her eyes and realizes she will not back down. He sighs, a small smile playing on his lips. "Very well, Princess. I will arrange for you to meet the candidates. But please, be mindful of the time and their schedules."
Lexzandra beams, gratitude and determination mixing in her expression. "Thank you, Master Aldric."
Aldric bows slightly. "I will have the candidates brought to the antechamber for you. I trust your judgment, Princess. If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to call upon me."
Lexzandra nods appreciatively. "Thank you, Master Aldric. Your support means a great deal to me."
As Lexzandra and Master Aldric part ways outside the king's chambers, a serene silence fills the air.
'I will have to take a look at who used to serve Lexzandra…I remember writing it down in a journal,' she mumbles in her head. 'There was always someone with Lexzandra i read in the novel..'
Just as Lexzandra begins to walk away, Aldric, glancing down the hallway, suddenly stiffens. His eyes widen in surprise as he blurts out, "Duke Waymont?"