Francheska is sitting idly in a large library to pass the remaining time she has surrounded by towering bookshelves filled with knowledge and stories. The library is bathed in a soft, warm light that filters through the tall windows, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Francheska, who is dressed in comfortable yet elegant attire, is seated at an antique wooden table lost in thought.
She would walk and sit from time to time, bored of what to do in the imperial kalxar, and couldn't wait for tomorrow to arrive. Resting her head on her other hand, as Francheska’s fingers idly traced the spines of old books, her gaze was drawn to a grand piano nestled in a corner of the library. With a sudden burst of inspiration, Francheska rose from her seat, ditching the pile of books she collected and making her way to the instrument. The piano, with its polished ebony finish, exudes a timeless elegance that complements the library’s refined ambiance.
Seated at the piano bench, Francheska runs their fingers over the smooth keys, feeling the cool touch beneath her fingertips.
“It's been so long…” Francheska said, feeling the nostalgia when she first got to piano lessons.
When Francheska began to play, the library was filled with rich, melodious strains of music, each note resonating with the wisdom and creativity that permeates the space. The music weaves through the aisles of books, infusing the air with a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Francheska then abruptly halted her performance as a thought passed by her– her debut song. Although she could barely recall the starting notes, Francheska began to hum the familiar tone that flew by, trying to catch it as she tried to make form through the piano keys.
The library’s ambiance, with its hushed reverence and the faint scent of aging books, provides a cocoon of inspiration for her creative mind.
With each note she recalls, a gentle smile graces Francheska’s lips, her expression reflecting the joy of reliving the harmonious composition that once flowed effortlessly from her fingertips. The soft glow of the library’s lamps bathes her in a warm, golden light, adding to the intimate moment of introspection and artistic reflection.
Surrounded by the wisdom and creativity of countless authors and thinkers, Francheska’s mind becomes a canvas upon which the notes of her debut song begin to reemerge, blending with the timeless spirit of the library to ignite her talent once more as she tries to sing the lyrics.
Her voice range was so different from her past life but she somehow remembers a teammate of hers that had similar range to the ‘Francheska’ possessed, and truthfully she is grateful for that fact, for she have been envious of such a voice range.
The fan’s comparison of whose voice is better and who should get the most lines would always hurt her ego internally. She is fully aware that it is for the concept of a song, but no matter what ‘she’ always becomes the bad example of what a singer is.
“...ah was it ‘your inhibition’... or ‘your ambition’? Whatever, as long as it matches the lyrics–” so absorbed to her mind, before Francheska could continue the song, the sound of the book impacting the floor echoed inside the large library, destroying the atmosphere of inspiration.
Waiting for someone to appear and introduce themselves, there was none, and the quiet resumed in the room.
“Who’s there!? Show yourself!” Francheska took her courage out.
Although Francheska is aware of being in the safest place in the empire, she still feels scared of the realization that she is alone, and has no knight beside her, nor her trusted maid. She is also aware that magic exists in this world, impossible things could happen, and ghosts could exist too.
Rising from the bench, Francheska made up her mind to go back to her chambers. Walking back to the pile of books she left, she wanted to grab a few to not bore herself back in her chambers. Turning to a corner, Francheska saw a familiar hair that she despised, the crown prince Gerald.
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Straining to show her annoyance, Francheska focused on the books that were now piled neatly. Francheska noted this on her mind, probably of how baffled she was that Gerald would be the one who does such unexpected behavior, he is the only one close to the desk of course.
Minding her own business, Francheska took her time finding a book. She hates the guy, but why would she be the one who’s pressured to leave the library? Gerald has the blood of a powerful family but they have the same title– not only that but in Francheska’s personal opinion despite she and him having a one-year age gap their experience differs, in her eyes the crown prince is just a spoiled selfish brat who would later kill her, not only that but due to the recent event that occurred– Francheska is not the one who should be begging for forgiveness.
“That was a beautiful song.” The crown prince broke the silence out of the blue.
Holding two thick books, Francheska was about to add another but after hearing such a compliment her hand only hovered. The weight of the books prompted her to swiftly support the bottom of the stack to prevent them from falling, her two hands were enough to carry, deciding that it would be enough for now.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Francheska pretended not to hear his highness, for she already knew ‘that’ song was beautiful, it won many awards and got them famous of course, and she is proud of that debut song. For now, hearing a compliment from an awful person sounds good but not satisfying– especially from someone who replied that her efforts are nothing compared to Josephine's.
Clicking her tongue unconsciously, Francheska could only roll her eyes in annoyance and made her way out.
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“Shelly you’re finally here!” Francheska shouted as she hugged her beloved maid tightly as if she would run away.
Soothing the crown of her highness’s head to reassure Shelly’s presence, Francheska missed the feeling under her care.
“Did you miss me, your highness?” Shelly tenderly asked.
“Yes! The servants here felt like one of the guards, they are so cold just like the food they serve here!” Francheska spilled out her complaints, that she did not even care if she was insensitive or acting spoiled like the people she despised the most.
“I never knew someone could compete with her highness’s cold demeanor.” Shelly teased.
“Hey! I’m not a cold person, just on the outside.” Francheska smiled as she snuggled closely to Shelly for warmth.
For Francheska, Shelly is someone she treats like a mother– or what she ideally wants a mother to act. Take care of her needs even with or without asking for it, although with a mind that is already mature for her age whenever Shelly is there to take care of her just like any maid would do– Francheska never felt being served by a maid. This made Francheska scared for Shelly, for how Francheska values her so much that she doesn’t want Shelly to get involved with her.
“Poor Your Highness, I thought you were already smart enough to handle life in the imperial kalxar. You want me to be the one to guide how your meals are cooked?” Hearing that, Francheska could only nod in agreement.
‘Wait… now that I think about it… they could preserve a flower that could barely survive the climate of the empire but why can’t they provide a proper service to me? Do ‘they’ really hate me… or…? No, I don’t have to make assumptions, all I need is evidence.’
Snapping out of her thoughts, Francheska detached herself from the embrace and leaned one of the desks to hypothesize a plan.
“Your Highness… is something the matter?”
“Shelly, can you make a drink that can upset my stomach?”
“Yes…?”
“Something easy to treat, that is what I need– and deliver it this afternoon, I will drink it.” Hearing that, Shelly's eyebrows knitted to a worry.
“Your Highness, are you back to your old shenanigans…?” after hearing that Francheska could only sigh, not in annoyance but she got what Shelly meant by that question.
“No… I am not back to ‘that’, I just want to know about the well-being of the empress… the physician only knows that, and it would be suspicious of me if I just directly ask about it–”
“You can just ask me, Your Highness, I can fulfill whatever it is you ask me to do.”
Francheska was reluctant after hearing Shelly, but she soon gave in. Francheska only has a few people around her in the imperial kalxar, she would be stupid not to rely on Shelly and her knight. It is risky but with both of them at her side, Francheska can guarantee a safe and well-executed plan.
“Alright, Shelly listen carefully.”
—-page break—-
In that afternoon, before going to the parlor room Francheska made a little detour to the library to return the books and borrow a new one to enjoy while enjoying her time before her scheme.
“I’m finished, on our way then!” Francheska merrily said, as she happily strutted back to Shelly and her knight behind the library door.
“Your Highness… you did not even greet his highness the crown prince.” Shelly who whispered.
Francheska did it on purpose, she pretended the crown prince’s presence was not there, whose words fell on deaf ears on the lady who took her time on the shelves. It was obvious, that the servants saw their awkward interaction, and Francheska could not even care less.
“After what he did? That guy doesn’t deserve an ounce of my attention. I would only start hearing him out of his attention if he starts apologizing first.” Francheska did not even try to hide the annoyance and bitterness of her tone.
“Anyways, I’m excited, go ahead of me and start preparing my afternoon snacks.” Francheska widely smiled, seeing that new expression on her highness’s left a chill running down Shelly’s spine, which made Shelly fasten her pace to the kitchen.
Sitting comfortably near the window of the parlor, Francheska began to read a book she brought along.
The content of the book was boring for her, but a few pages in it finally got her attention before she realized someone was sitting across from her– the crown prince.
‘Why is he here…?’ that was on the back of Francheska’s mind but decided to be in character, for it wouldn’t be long before her refreshment arrived and she was in the infirmary.
As she flipped to another page, Francheska could not help but wonder when Shelly served the tea, having the crown prince in the same presence as hers was already suffocating. To be completely honest they were not the only people inside the parlor, there were some servants and unfamiliar officials there to witness their awkward atmosphere.
‘No wonder, the crown prince’s attitude became sour, I am just like the people here in the imperial kalxar… Whatever! Shelly please, hurry it up!’ Francheska nagged her maid in her thoughts as if Shelly could hear her across the hall to the kitchen.
“Your Highness, the tea is here.” Shelly’s familiar voice broke Francheska’s focus. Although wanting to grab the tea for her to drink, Francheska stayed in character as she politely set aside the book she was reading and waited for Shelly to fill the cup.
“Your timing is impeccable, I was dying of thirst!” The crown prince closed the book swiftly as he leaned on the table to grab the cup which Shelly failed to fill the brim, which sent a panicked expression on her face.
Francheska saw Shelly’s alarming expression and her highness stood up from her seat to grab the cup from the crown prince before his lips could touch– spilling some to his expensive robe.
“HEY–!” The crown prince wanted to scold Francheska but was more surprised to see Her Highness gulping down the hot tea in one gulp.
Slamming the cup down to the table, Francheska made eye contact with the crown prince but before she could speak she first let out a burp, “Your Highness, I was thirsty first–!” burping another one.
The crown prince could only show disgust, his Highness decided to eat some of the snacks and ordered Shelly’s maid a cup of his own.
Francheska, who already calmed herself down, decided to pick up her book, but before she could even open it from where she left, her stomach started churning, cold sweat started to form in her temples, and her vision was starting to blur.
“Hey, what are you doing–?” The crown prince managed to catch Francheska to her balance.
“P-physician…” noticing Francheska’s paling lips, the crown prince ordered someone in the room to bring the physician, two or a few people left the parlor to his order, but as he saw her sweat gradually increasing, his highness made his decision, is to carry Francheska to their physician.
Francheska sensed his highness’s action that she tried to work out ‘no’, declining his offer.
“Knight… I need my knight…!”
“There’s no need for that! I will carry you to the–” before his highness could continue, the knight was in front of them.
Silently, with Sir Liam’s usual demeanor, he took Francheska from the crown prince to his own and ran his way to the infirmary located in the imperial kalxar.
“Thank you sir…” Francheska whispered to her knight.
‘I did not expect the tea to work this fast! I underestimated how things move ‘here’, I should have listened to Shelly’s warning… I almost got her in trouble this time too–’ Francheska then blacked out from exhaustion.