Elizabeth walked through the palace corridors, her steps steady but her heart racing beneath the composed expression she wore. The dawn light filtered through the grand windows, casting a soft glow across the intricate marble floors. She knew she had to leave, but she hadn't told anyone, not even the emperor. Her mind was already consumed with thoughts of the Osborne mansion, and the inevitable meeting with her father and Countess Amelia.
"Is something troubling you, Lady Elizabeth?" A maid inquired as she passed, her voice filled with concern at the furrow in Elizabeth's brow.
Elizabeth gave a slight smile, waving off the question. "Nothing at all. Just an early morning thought." She dismissed the maid gently, knowing she had to keep her true purpose hidden.
In truth, returning to the Osborne mansion filled her with a sense of dread. Her father's stern, calculating gaze haunted her thoughts. In their last meeting, his expression had been void of warmth, his words sharp with expectations, treating her more like a pawn than his daughter. And then there was Countess Amelia, her father's wife, who had never concealed her hostility toward Elizabeth. The countess viewed her not as family, but as an intruder in her carefully crafted world.
As Elizabeth reached her chamber, she closed the door softly behind her and prepared herself for departure. She knew she couldn't simply walk out; the palace guards were always watchful. She would need to slip away discreetly, perhaps taking a lesser-known path through the gardens to avoid drawing attention.
A knock sounded on her door, and she froze, quickly arranging herself to look calm and composed. When she opened the door, she found one of the emperor's aides standing there.
"Lady Elizabeth," he said, bowing respectfully, "His Majesty requests your presence this evening."
A flicker of panic shot through her—if she went to the Osborne mansion, there was a risk she might not return in time to answer the emperor's summons. But she couldn't turn back now. She'd already resolved to leave.
"Thank you," she replied smoothly, giving a slight nod. "I'll be sure to be there tonight."
The aide bowed and left, and she closed the door, leaning against it as a heavy sigh escaped her. She would need to be quick.
She carefully selected a simple dress and a dark hooded cloak, something inconspicuous that would allow her to blend in with the crowds should anyone see her outside the palace. With her heart pounding, she slipped the cloak over her shoulders and quietly exited her room.
The early morning air was crisp as Elizabeth made her way through the palace grounds, taking the narrow path along the edge of the garden. She avoided the main routes, hoping to avoid the guards or any familiar faces that might question her presence outside so early.
When she finally reached the outskirts of the palace, she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision sink in. Her mind raced with images of what awaited her—the cold halls of the Osborne mansion, her father's calculating expression, and Countess Amelia's scornful gaze.
Why was she even returning? She wondered briefly, but she knew the answer. No matter her disdain for the Osborne household, it was still her family. A twisted, painful connection bound her to them, and a part of her felt compelled to fulfill whatever expectations they had, even if it meant enduring their callous treatment.
The journey to the Osborne estate felt longer than usual. As she passed through the familiar gates, memories of her childhood surfaced, memories tinged with a mix of sadness and resilience. This had never felt like home, but it was the only place she knew before coming to the palace.
Stepping into the grand foyer, she braced herself, lifting her chin as she entered. The servants barely acknowledged her arrival; to them, she was neither noble nor notable—merely an unwelcome reminder of a past better left forgotten.
"Elizabeth." Her father's voice echoed from the corridor, and she turned to see him approaching, his eyes studying her intently, as though appraising her worth. "You came."
She nodded, trying to suppress the nerves that crept up her spine. "Of course, Father. I wouldn't ignore your summons."
He gave a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. You understand the importance of your role, I hope?"
"Yes," she replied, though the word felt hollow. "I understand."
"Do you?" He stepped closer, his voice a low murmur. "Remember, Elizabeth, your presence with the emperor is not merely for your own benefit. You are representing this family, this name. You must please him, do whatever is necessary to ensure his favor remains with you."
Elizabeth's hands clenched at her sides, hidden beneath the folds of her cloak. She could feel his eyes watching her, analyzing her reaction, as if she were no more than a product, a tool in his ambitions.
"I understand, Father," she repeated, her voice steady, though every word burned her throat.
"Good," he said, his tone approving yet indifferent, as though she'd just recited a lesson. "You must ensure that he values you, that he sees you as indispensable. This is your duty to this family."
As he spoke, Elizabeth's mind wandered, imagining herself anywhere else but here. She felt the familiar weight of resentment building, but she suppressed it, holding her expression in check.
"Tonight, we're dining as a family," her father continued, his words drawing her attention back to the present. "I expect you to be here. It's long overdue."
"Yes, Father," she said quietly.
With a dismissive nod, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone in the grand hall, his words echoing in her mind.
She prepared to leave, heading toward the exit, but a new worry took root in her mind. If she was to attend the family dinner, it meant facing Countess Amelia as well. The countess's disdain was no secret, and Elizabeth knew that dinner would be far from a quiet family gathering. Instead, it would be another subtle reminder of her place, a chance for the countess to issue thinly veiled insults and to remind her of her "lowly" origins.
As she stepped back out into the morning light, Elizabeth let out a deep breath, the tension in her shoulders finally easing as she put distance between herself and the Osborne estate.