For the first time in her life, Francheska woke up unusually late, her body aching from the festivities of the previous day's festival in the nearby town. There was one thing Francheska longed for—drinking beer. Unfortunately, she was still underage, so all she could do was gaze longingly as her mouth watered involuntarily. The last thing on her mind was the boat that Archie had mentioned, but it was evident that Francheska was resolute in her beliefs at that moment. There was no escape from her fate, no shortcuts—she had decided to face it head-on.
As she rose from her bed, Francheska found herself singing with all her heart and dancing the choreography she had learned in her past life. Perhaps still caught up in the festival's energy, Francheska had plenty of vigor to expand. Shelly and the other servants, who had entered with permission, observed this uncommon sight from their highness, who had always been as stoic and silent as any Hartpinjer.
"Why are you all just standing there? Come and serve me breakfast," she exclaimed, her tone demanding yet playful, a side of her highness rarely seen.
Some of the servants began to send for a cook, but Francheska interrupted, "WAIT! I will come with you," hastily donning a thick robe to join them in the kitchen.
Francheska's unusual behavior sparked curiosity and awe among the servants. Despite her usual cold and silent demeanor, her current demeanor, full of happiness and energy, lifted their spirits. Even the other guests who caught a glimpse of her highness couldn't help but take a second look at Francheska's radiant smile, afraid of missing such a rare sight.
Upon reaching the kitchen, her Highness did not wait for the servants to open the door but entered unannounced. The cooks were bewildered by her presence and choice of attire.
Her Highness began questioning the whereabouts of ingredients and seasonings, putting pressure on the staff to provide answers. Though they wished she would refrain from snooping, her title made it difficult for them to object.
"Are you finished? I want to cook for myself." Francheska proudly said, puffing her chest with both of her hands on her hip.
A collective gasp filled the room at her words, causing panic among the staff as they attempted to escort her highness out.
"Anyone who dares touch me will be dismissed!" Her Highness's stern voice silenced them, and they reluctantly stepped aside to allow her passage.
Francheska felt a sense of satisfaction, proud that she could deliver such generic villain lines. "Alright, time to cook for myself. I should make my usual breakfast and then go visit Her Majesty!"
Rolling up the sleeves of her robe and securing her hair in a tight bun, Francheska surveyed the assortment of utensils, ingredients, seasonings, and meats before her.
Though it had been a while since she had cooked for herself, Francheska could only prepare her typical breakfast from her previous life and share it with some of her servants.
She called for Shelly to lend a hand, making the task more manageable and ensuring that everyone could enjoy breakfast together.
Every action Francheska took was meticulously noted by Shelly for the benefit of the cooks and other servants. Observing this, Francheska opted for the simplest breakfast she could recall.
'I shouldn't make something complicated. I'll prepare a breakfast from my dieting days,' she thought.
The dish took nearly six minutes to assemble, and both the servants and Francheska seemed somewhat underwhelmed. It appeared as though her highness had haphazardly selected ingredients from the room, a behavior expected from someone who had been pampered.
Despite its appearance, Francheska sampled her creation. The familiar taste brought a smile to her face. While it was a staple diet breakfast, she found it still quite delectable. Signaling for the others to join her, she was met with expressions of horror.
Despite their trepidation, Shelly gathered her courage and, with a fork in hand, tasted the dish prepared by her Highness. Chewing thoughtfully, Shelly took her time to discern the taste and flavor combination. It took three bites before she finally acknowledged that it was indeed delicious, prompting her to recommend the dish to others. Some shared Shelly's reaction, while others, although not entirely fond of it, Francheska suggested tweaks to personalize the flavors. Overall, everyone praised her highness for her culinary creation.
"Your Highness, this dish tastes as splendid as the one who prepared it. What shall we name it?" inquired one of the servants.
"Uhh... salad?" Francheska wiped a bead of sweat from her temple, sensing their dissatisfaction with the name.
"Since your Highness crafted it—"
"Yes, it shall be called 'Your Highness Salad!'" suggested.
"—No, it should be 'The Grand Salad.'" another chimed in.
A whimsical debate ensued over the dish's name. Francheska, choosing to ignore the banter, noticed servants preparing to wheel a trolley of food out.
"Excuse me, sir. Are these for her majesty?" Francheska inquired, receiving a nod in response. She smiled and quietly followed them.
Upon reaching Her Majesty's quarters, the food servants were allowed entry, but Francheska was halted by the knights guarding the room.
Deciding it was too early to engage in a dispute that could spoil the day, Francheska chose to take the high road and return to her chamber to change into a proper dress.
As she was about to change direction, the grand doors suddenly swung open. The figure of the empress emerged, and a servant was instructing the guards to stand down and gesturing for Francheska to enter.
Francheska's spirits lifted as she confidently walked past the hesitant knights.
"Your majesty, I am honored to be in your presence," she greeted her majesty, who was reclining on the bed.
One of the butlers motioned for Francheska to come closer and sit beside the bed.
Francheska was taken aback by her majesty's current appearance, noting the differences from when her majesty had unexpectedly interrupted his majesty's celebration, their breakfast in the garden, and now in her majesty's private chambers.
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"Francheska, my dear, I am overjoyed to see you again. I recognized your voice outside the door, so I had someone fetch you," Her Majesty spoke warmly.
"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
"Why have you come, my dear? Is it regarding your answer or my son's upcoming birthday?" Her Majesty inquired.
"Your majesty, I have chosen to confront challenges head-on."
As the mention of the crown prince's birthday lingered in Francheska's mind, a hearty laugh erupted from her majesty, catching Francheska off guard, and making her wonder about the expression she unknowingly wore.
"Don't fret, my dear. The crown prince's birthday is still many moons away. You have ample time to contemplate a gift before the grand day arrives," reassured Her Majesty.
Francheska remained silent, weary of making excuses to appease the crown prince. Unable to muster a smile, she wore a blank expression, prompting another chuckle from her majesty.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but truth be told, I have no desire to dwell on his highness," Francheska remarked bitterly, avoiding eye contact to prevent voicing her disdain for her majesty's son, knowing it could lead to dire consequences.
"I, too, found myself in a similar situation once, dear," the empress reminisced, her gaze wandering as she delved into memories. "The weight of responsibilities resting solely on your shoulders, navigating a foreign realm you scarcely recognize."
Prompting her nearest servant, Her Majesty whispered instructions to guide Francheska to her wardrobe, offering a gentle smile as breakfast was arranged by the bed.
Subsequently, other attendants presented an array of accessories to complement the attire.
A servant, on behalf of Her Majesty, expressed the desire for Francheska to wear dresses she was unable to do in her youth.
Suppressing her excitement, Francheska bit the insides of her cheek and gazed at the exquisite dresses before her in contemplation.
Taking her time to select the perfect dress, Francheska embarked on an exploration to find the ideal ensemble.
'Every dress seems to fit flawlessly. Well, if the empress herself wishes it, then...' Francheska pondered to herself, while the attending servants appeared to struggle with the decision. Suddenly, she shut her eyes, spun around, and randomly pointed at a servant, letting fate dictate which dress she would wear that day.
After some time, admiring herself in the chosen attire, Francheska was captivated by her own perceived beauty—attributing it to the character crafted by a talented illustrator commissioned by the author to visualize her, finding herself thanking the artist rather than the villainess's parents.
Returning to reality, Francheska emerged in her new attire and made her way to her majesty, grateful for the unexpected yet cherished opportunity.
As Francheska stood before her majesty, the empress emitted a slow, appreciative clap, relishing the enchanting sight before her.
"Ah, come closer, dear," beckoned her majesty, prompting Francheska to approach the bed. "How I yearned for a daughter. If only my health hadn't been so fragile from the outset of my life."
"Your majesty, this dress is truly exquisite. What was its intended purpose?" inquired Francheska.
"It was crafted for my father's birthday celebration. I designed that very dress, but sadly, my father never beheld my creation. He, too, suffered from the same illness as me... I suppose I truly was my father's daughter," her majesty reminisced with a touch of bitterness, masking it with a forced smile to spare Francheska any distress.
"I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I did not mean to evoke such sorrowful memories," Francheska expressed contritely.
"Do not fret, my dear. Tell me, I have heard whispers of your 'magnificent' mind. I am intrigued... would you be willing to share your thoughts with me?" Her Majesty inquired.
Confusion clouded Francheska's expression, as she had distanced herself from the rumors circulating about her, pondering what 'magnificent' deeds she could have accomplished.
Sensing Francheska's dilemma, her majesty relented, expressing her desire to be regaled with entertaining tales. Francheska breathed a sigh of relief, contemplating which stories to recount.
Embarking on narrating excerpts from novels she had perused in the palace library, Francheska's efforts failed to captivate her majesty, who interjected before she could delve deeper into any particular tale.
"My dear, I have perused most of the palace's literary collection. What I crave is something novel—a fresh narrative that I trust you can provide," her majesty expressed, a tinge of disappointment intertwined with hope in her voice.
Gripping the fabric of her dress, Francheska felt a pang of hurt at the familiar tone used by her majesty. While understanding her intentions, the words still stung, opening old wounds.
‘Shall I recount stories from my previous life? Although Her Majesty may not comprehend, the series I once starred in such compelling plots that engaged audiences. Sharing these tales may not be amiss—it is merely a story after all,’ Francheska contemplated, clearing her throat before commencing to recount one of her favorite series she had acted in.
Every afternoon, Francheska regaled her majesty with tales of the movies, TV series, and dramas she had starred in during her previous life. The empress displayed a keen interest in the progression of these stories, finding their absurdity entertaining. Francheska noted that her majesty resembled the mothers, aunts, and grandmothers she encountered at fan meets, enthralled by the intricacies of the series.
Her majesty often questioned unfamiliar terms such as 'cellphone,' 'laptop,' or 'television' that slipped from Francheska's lips. She attributed these to 'creativity,' elucidating the advancements in technology. While Francheska believed magic to be more fantastical than human inventions, both had their explanations and functioned uniquely.
'Discussing my world with her majesty feels surreal...' Francheska mused inwardly.
"I've noticed your fondness for the villains in your tales. Your eyes light up when you speak of them. Care to share your insights?" the empress giggled.
"Personally, Your Majesty, I see them as courageous figures who assert themselves when no one else will—though they may appear deranged upon their entrance... it's merely an expression of their true emotions," Francheska proclaimed proudly.
"I am astounded by the brilliance of your narratives. You have woven such captivating tales that I struggle to believe they are mere fabrications. You are truly a genius, my dear!" her majesty applauded enthusiastically, prompting an awkward chuckle from Francheska.
'I'm not the one who created those stories, they were created by very talented storytellers who won such great awards...' keep to herself.
"Not quite..." Francheska thought silently in response to Her Majesty's praise.
"I understand if you are... perhaps... weary of sharing more stories with me, but..." the empress trailed off, hinting at a desire for another tale. Francheska graciously accepted the request to share another story.
As Francheska retreated to her chambers, she pondered over which story to recount next. Struggling to recall engaging narratives after years in her new life, she grappled with a sense of identity crisis, unsure of her true self amidst the tales she spun.
‘Should I divulge the reality of my previous life to Her Majesty? I lack fresh anecdotes to recount... To her, my past existence is but a tale, unknown as my true history…’ These contemplations lingered in her mind as she drifted into a peaceful slumber on her bed.
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Francheska mustered her courage and began recounting her previous life, assigning new names to the people she struggled to recall. Despite the absence of written records, she was surprised by how much she could recollect, yearning for the detailed letters she gave Archie, which chronicled her past life meticulously.
Over three days, Francheska divulged her tale to Her Majesty, astonished by the brevity of her former existence.
"Is that all?" inquired her majesty with a hint of concern, to which Francheska simply nodded in acknowledgment of the conclusion.
"What a tragic yet poignant conclusion... It aligns with the themes of your prior narratives," remarked Her Majesty.
"And what are your thoughts, your majesty?" Francheska inquired nervously, her thumbs fidgeting in anticipation of the response.
Francheska's heart pounded in her ears, reminiscent of the uncertainty surrounding Archie's unspoken opinions. Presenting her tale to Her Majesty felt akin to seeking validation from a prominent figure in her life.
Drawing a deep breath, Francheska stilled her restless thumbs, lifting her gaze to gauge her majesty's reaction. To her surprise, tears welled in her majesty's eyes, cascading down her cheeks, leaving Francheska stunned.
Eager to console her majesty, Francheska began to speak, but her words were cut short as her majesty interjected...