"Your request is taken under consideration," he finally says, his voice gruff but not unkind.
Relief washes over her. "Thank you for listening, Father."
Theodore waves his hand, in a gesture for dismissal. As the king dismisses Lexzandra, she curtsies respectfully and takes her leave.
Outside the emperor's room, she can't help but feel a surge of joy and excitement. Finally, she had been able to speak her mind, and she was cautiously optimistic that her father might actually take her concerns seriously.
On her way back to her palace, Lexzandra's thoughts are a jumble of plans and possibilities.
'This is a good start. If I have the Emperor on my side, lady Irina cannot intimidate me.' She is so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't see the man walking in her direction until she collides with him. 'Who the-?'
Stumbling back, she looks up and is immediately struck by the man's beauty.
The man stands before her like a statue carved from the finest marble. His features are almost otherworldly in their perfection: high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing forest green eyes that seem to see right through her. His hair, a rich shade of sunshine, is tousled in a way that appears both effortless and meticulously styled.
His presence exudes an aura of power and grace, making it impossible to look away.
For a moment, Soo-young is caught in the spell of his beauty, an image of an ethereal prince straight out of a fairy tale flashing before her eyes.
'He looks so fine…but I seem to have seen him.'
It takes her a moment to realize who he is: the Crown Prince, Nikolai von Leynthall.
The shock of recognition sends another wave of goosebumps racing up her arms.
The man before her is not just any prince but the male lead from the novel, the same one she must carefully avoid entangling herself with.
Memories of her past life as Lexzandra surge to the surface, mixing with her current predicament. The image of Nikolai is replaced by the stark reality of her death as Lexzandra.
The cold, lifeless feeling of her final moments creeps over her, sending goosebumps racing up her arms.
She remembers the pain, the fear, and the helplessness of that moment. Her heart races as she recalls the darkness closing in, the life draining from her body. The difference between the beauty standing before her and the terror of her past death is almost too much to bear.
Lexzandra's knees threaten to buckle under the weight of these memories, but she forces herself to stay upright. She cannot afford to show weakness now, not in front of the crown prince. The man who represents everything she must navigate carefully if she is to survive in this world.
She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself, trying to push the haunting memories back into the recesses of her mind where they belong.
Nikolai's eyes narrow slightly as he looks at her, a flicker of something unreadable passing across his features. She wonders if he can sense her inner turmoil, if he sees the fear lurking behind her gaze.
She pushes the thought aside, knowing she must remain strong. She cannot allow the past to dictate her future.
"What do you think you're doing, Lexzandra?" he barks, his voice sharp and authoritative. "I've heard about your little confrontation with Lady Irina. What are you trying to prove?"
Lexzandra squares her shoulders, meeting his gaze evenly. The old Lexzandra would have crumbled under his scrutiny, likely bursting into tears and fleeing the scene.
But Soo-young, now Lexzandra, is different. She stands her ground, her chin held high. "I am merely addressing the injustices and mismanagement in my palace," she replies coolly. "Something that should have been done a long time ago."
Nikolai's eyes narrow, and he steps closer, towering over her. "You think you can just walk around making accusations and demands? Lady Irina has served this palace faithfully for years. Who are you to question her?"
"I am the princess of this empire," Lexzandra retorts, refusing to be intimidated. "And I have every right to ensure that my palace is run properly. Just because Lady Irina has been here for years doesn't mean she is beyond reproach. Power unchecked is dangerous."
Nikolai's expression hardens, his eyes flashing with anger. "Watch your tongue, Lexzandra. You are treading on dangerous ground. You should be in your best behaviour, or you will regret it."
Lexzandra's heart beats fast, but she forces herself to remain calm. She looks him directly in the eyes, refusing to back down.
"And you should not judge anyone without proper conduct, Your Highness. If you are so quick to defend Lady Irina, perhaps you should investigate the truth of my claims. Instead of barking orders and warnings, try seeking the truth."
For a moment, there is a tense silence between them. Nikolai's eyes bore into hers, and she can see the conflict within them. He is not used to being challenged, especially not by someone like her. But Lexzandra holds her ground, her gaze unwavering.
"You think you're so clever," Nikolai finally says, his voice low and dangerous. "But this palace is no place for your games. Stay out of trouble, Lexzandra. This is your final warning."
With that, he turns and strides away, leaving Lexzandra standing there, her heart pounding. She exhales slowly, realizing she had been holding her breath.
The encounter had been intense. She had faced the crown prince and not backed down. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
__
As the doors to his chambers close behind Lexzandra, King Theodore von Leynthall leans back in his chair, staring at the spot where his daughter stood.
The king has always prided himself on his ability to maintain order and discipline within the empire.
Over the years, he has become adept at discerning the motives and intentions of those around him. Yet when it comes to Lexzandra, he finds himself at a loss.
She has been a source of frustration and disappointment, her behavior often erratic and her demands frequently unreasonable.
But today, something about her demeanor was different.
Her accusations against Lady Irina are serious, and he cannot dismiss them lightly. The king has always been aware of the palace intrigues and the greed that festers within its walls. Lady Irina has served him loyally, but he knows that loyalty in the court is often laced with self-interest.
If Lexzandra's claims are true, it would explain the deteriorating conditions of her palace.
As he ponders this, the king's mind drifts to his own role in Lexzandra's life. He realizes with a pang of guilt that he has neglected her over the years, but it is a guilt he has long buried beneath layers of resentment and anger.
The truth is, he has always struggled to look at Lexzandra without being reminded of her mother, his second wife. The woman who disappeared shortly after giving birth to Lexzandra, leaving him with a child he neither wanted nor knew how to love. Every time he saw Lexzandra's face, he saw her mother—the woman who had bewitched him, only to betray him by vanishing without a trace.
His hatred for Lexzandra's mother has colored his interactions with his daughter. He has kept her at arm's length, finding it easier to neglect her than to confront the emotions she stirs within him.
But now, seeing Lexzandra standing before him with such resolve, he feels a flicker of something he cannot quite identify. Is it hope? Guilt? A recognition of his own failings?
"She spoke with a maturity I have not seen in her before," he muses, replaying the conversation in his mind.
The possibility both reassures and unsettles him. If Lexzandra is indeed turning over a new leaf, it could bode well for the future of the kingdom.
Yet, the abruptness of her transformation makes him wary. Change does not come easily, especially not to someone as stubborn as Lexzandra.
"Is she genuine?" he wonders. "Or is this another one of her schemes?"
The king, still deep in thought, calls for his secretary, Master Aldric, a trusted advisor who has served the throne for many years.
Master Aldric is a man of dignified bearing, his silver hair meticulously combed, and his piercing blue eyes sharp with intelligence. He wears the finely tailored robes of his office, adorned with the royal crest, and carries an air of quiet authority that commands respect throughout the palace.
Aldric enters the room swiftly, his demeanor professional but slightly puzzled by the sudden summons.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Aldric inquires, bowing respectfully.
"I need you to investigate the ledgers the princess has provided," the king orders, his tone brooking no argument. "Look closely into the affairs of the princess's palace and ensure everything is as it should be. This matter requires your immediate attention."
The king's words hang heavy in the air as Aldric processes the seriousness of the situation. After a moment of silence, he clears his throat, steeling himself to address the king.
"Your Majesty," Aldric begins, choosing his words carefully, "may I ask for clarification? Did you say the ledger was provided by Princess Lexzandra?"
The king's expression remains stern as he confirms Aldric's query with a curt nod. "Yes, Aldric."
Aldric's eyes widen in surprise, though he quickly masks his reaction. "As you command, Your Majesty. I will commence the investigation immediately. May I ask what prompted this sudden interest in the princess's affairs?"
The king's expression hardens as he recounts the accusations. "Lexzandra has brought forth some serious allegations about mismanagement and corruption within her palace. She claims that Lady Irina and others have been siphoning off resources meant for her household. I need to know if there is any truth to these claims."
Aldric nods thoughtfully, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see. It is indeed a matter of great importance if such corruption exists within the royal household."
The king leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. "There's more. I need you to find suitable candidates for lady-in-waiting positions for the princess. It seems she has been neglected in this regard."
Aldric's surprise deepens, though he remains composed. "Of course, Your Majesty. However, I must remind you of the difficulties we have faced in the past regarding the princess's attendants. Many servants were dismissed by the princess herself, often for trivial reasons."
The king sighs, rubbing his temples. "I am aware. Lexzandra claims she has changed and wishes to reform the management of her palace. Whether or not this is true, we must ensure she has the necessary staff to maintain proper decorum. Find suitable candidates and assess their willingness to serve her, given the circumstances."
Aldric nods, though his skepticism is evident. "Very well, Your Majesty. I will begin the search for potential candidates and report back with my findings. However, I must caution that finding willing and suitable candidates may be challenging, given the princess's reputation."
The king's gaze hardens again. "Do whatever it takes, Aldric. We cannot afford to have a member of the royal family in such a disgraceful state. The empire must maintain its dignity."
Aldric bows again, his mind already working through the logistics of the tasks ahead. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will see to it immediately."