Just a day after the celebration, news of the appearance of the female lead Josephine and the empress was the feast of the people, Francheska as always again in the papers too.

As Francheska perused the morning papers, she couldn't help but sigh at the familiar headlines. "Every time I read this, it feels so déjà vu," she mused, her thoughts drifting back to similar occasions in the past.

She can barely recall her past life, still the feeling stuck to her like glue. The scandals, the made-up bullying, dating, and whatever made-up stories were created for her name just to resurface– to be relevant to the industry.

Unsurprisingly, her name appeared on the paper but somehow emotions within her were like a boiling cauldron being stirred so nothing of it would spill; this time her name was small, just a phrase that could be misunderstood.

‘They are just making money Francheska… don’t let it ruin you…’ Francheska convinced herself, as she took a deep breath and rubbed the sides of her temples as she exhaled.

“The empress is coming in!” a shout, with the opening of Francheska’s chamber, opened for the empress.

Francheska's heart raced as she hastily placed the paper aside, her attention fully captured by the announcement of the empress's arrival. With a sense of urgency, she straightened her posture and gracefully executed a deep curtsy, a gesture of reverence befitting the presence of royalty.

“Pleasant morning Your Majesty, how may I be of service to you today?” Francheska asks.

As she rose, Francheska's eyes met those of the empress, a mix of apprehension and curiosity swirling within her. There was something about the regal bearing of the empress that seemed to tug at the frayed edges of her memories as if she were on the cusp of a revelation.

“Nothing my darling, how are you with the chamber, is it to your liking?” her majesty said, as she walked her way around the room inspecting if there was dust left untouched by the servants.

Despite Francheska's knowledge, an unshakable sensation gripped her, likening the empress's presence to that of a predatory force, prowling like a hunter encircling its prey, instilling a primal sense of unease within her.

“Umm, it is capacious and richer–”

“I’m not satisfied.”

“Pardon me, your majesty–?”

Her majesty snapped her fingers and a servant went by the empress to hear her words, they had a few exchanges of words, and her majesty brought her attention back to Francheska.

“Come with me my darling, let’s have a small walk in the garden and have our breakfast there.” the empress grabbed Francheska’s hand as she slid her hands to the forearms of her majesty.

It was awkward for Francheska for the one right beside her is the empress herself– rather a political figure of the empire! In her previous life, she hadn't even met or dared talk to the president about their incompetence–

‘And I’m trying to fight these people down… I can now see my doom.’

Besides that, after that night. The empress herself made Francheska stay to the imperial kalxar for it is what every betrothed would be after the official title.

Recalling that night, Francheska was glad she was spared by the empress and she got to keep the title as long as she was alive.

‘Now that I think about it… is Her Majesty's well-being life-threatening? If I recall, the emperor’s celebration was her first appearance in years… why now?’ Francheska took a glimpse at the corner of her majesty at the corner of her eyes.

“List all your questions in your head my darling, I will entertain them as much as I can. Right now, just wave and smile, enjoy the glances.” the empress whispered to Francheska, as they showed the nobles of their closeness.

‘I never knew the imperial place would be so busy… I thought it looked dull– I mean it is but… this is too stifling!’ Francheska shows her widest smile and waves to the nobles they meet.

Although the distance to the garden is long, because of the knights clearing their path it was easier and it wasn’t long enough to eat their breakfast.

‘Eugh, the food became cold to the touch, I guess I really could not complain or change things around here… but I will sure miss the methods I taught my servants for how the foods are to be prepared, served, and keeping the temperature!’ Despite Francheska’s chaotic thoughts, she was able to keep her stoic facade and ate the meal prepared before her.

Now that her majesty was before her across the table, Francheska realized how much the crown prince resembled the empress more, not sure if this was the intention of the illustrator when designing the character but they had the same signature beauty of their eyes.

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Cleaning the residue with a cloth and straightening her skirt, Francheska was done eating after seeing Her Majesty's plate.

“I know that it was too sudden making you stay in the imperial kalxar, still a crown princess should have settled after bestowing the title. Seriously, how careless his majesty has been!” her majesty annoyingly said, as she took her napkin and wiped roughly the corner of her lips as if she had just eaten something awful despite already being done with the meal.

“If I dare ask Your Majesty, can I take a few people from my household? Aside from my knight of course…”

“Oh, that would be a pleasure! Just write a letter about who they are and my servants will send them here to the imperial kalxar.” her majesty happily said, and asked one of the servants to give Francheska paper to write. After a while, Francheska could not help but be uneasy about her majesty’s stare on her, as if waiting for something more.

“Is that it, You’re not gonna throw more questions at me, darling? I would hold a grudge against the people who neglected their duties and had those same people throw a shameful reputation for almost a year.” the empress bluntly said, which made a crack in Francheska’s stoic demeanor that her majesty giggled at such an expression.

“I’m sorry darling, your beauty resembles your mother but your behavior is to your father. Although you have those concoctions of a Hartpinjer, I can now see that you are your person but my intuition tells me that you are holding back.” Her Majesty’s lips corner curled into a smirk, proudly pointing out her observation of Francheska.

‘Shit, no wonder the people in the hall, the emperor, and the crown prince could not dare go against the empress, she is scary as hell!’

“With all due respect to your majesty, I am not who you think I am.” Francheska weakly said, looking down on her plate.

“There you go again darling, pushing yourself aside! But I understand. I have been in your shoes once… so young to be in this new environment, scared, frightened, and naive. The words that I have read and been taught from mentors just crumbled down when I stepped to the imperial kalxar.”

“Then that and the rumors are enough to denounce my title as a crown princess!”

“I could right now–!” the empress raised her tone with a threatening intention.

‘Yes, please! Just change your mind to Josephine so I can just live my remaining years on my own!’ Francheska gritted her teeth to escape her thoughts.

“Rather, that lady from the night before is rather pathetic and that sister of yours is too blinded by the glory like the rest of them. That only leaves you– can’t you see that darling? Everything has been handed to you like a silver platter, ready for you to devour– all you have to do is pick up your utensils and take what you like.” the empress said confidently, provoking and urging Francheska to get out of her shell herself.

“Now darling, tell me what you want…”

“Your majesty, I want–” Before Francheska could finish, a servant came unannounced that the empress herself got irritated but did not lash out on the servant, rather her majesty forced a smile.

Her majesty only could turn down Francheska and tell the girl that the empress would want to hear what she wanted when they got another time to themselves like today.

Francheska was disappointed, but the heavy sigh that she released seeing the empress out of sight of the garden made her aware of her relief of safety, despite the weird looks of the remaining servants standing a distance around the table.

Now that Francheska is alone at the table the remaining time is hers. Despite the short and very overwhelming of the empress’s personality, it was enough for her to have a conclusion of how the empress is perceptive and isn't far from the truth.

‘Yeah, she got me good, that I am holding back…but can anyone blame me? I’ve danced on the edge of death not once but twice! Followed with near-death experiences, like yeah sorry for sounding insane, mature, and can barely get along with people my age!’ Francheska could only slump like melted butter on her chair as she drowned herself in her own words.

Staring at the glass ceiling of the greenhouse garden, Francheska could only think about what normal teenagers would do around this age. She misses her past life, in this ‘world’ no one really questions her age and just expects her to do the duty of her title.

“But she is not wrong. I am handed pretty much everything in this life rather than what I was in my past life…” she mumbled to herself.

Pushing her worries back, Francheska decided to straighten her posture on the chair and start to think of who and what she wanted to bring to the imperial kalxar so that she could finally stop the servants from their uncomfortable stare.

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Taking a walk around the garden perimeter of her new environment and what sights there are in the imperial palace to explore. She discovered a lot of absurd things in the garden, especially about the rare species of plants there. Francheska noticed that some of these need special conditions and specific temperature levels where these plants strive the best. Despite all that knowledge, Francheska could only think of one thing… either they were insane or the empress was extremely sick, and the girl could only curse at herself for forgetting such vital information.

Frustrated by herself, Francheska got out of the garden and just unconsciously followed the pathway wherever it took her from this big place. Gracefully treading the cobblestone pathway, the rustling of her gown echoed the tranquil surroundings. From a distance a faint clashing of swords and a foreign sound she had not heard before made Francheska curious but also scared of what she would witness, she wanted to turn around but the two servants behind her made it awkward she didn't even want to meet more people on her way.

‘I’m just gonna walk fast…’

As the sound got clearer, Francheska realized that there were knights who seemed to crowd whoever was fighting, she was not interested but her fast pace soon slowed down as she realization of who it was on the field, it was none other than the crown prince himself.

It was the training grounds, the crown prince Gerald who was engaging in a fierce sparring match with the best knight that they had. The clashing sounds echoed through the air, an intricate dance of skill not only that but the crown prince was harsh and kept hammering through his opponent's defenses that it was impressive the knight was able to keep his stance for long. With an intricate determination to break Gerald’s limits, in between pauses the crown prince would use his magic to catch his opponent off guard– of course, the knight successfully dodged or parried his highness’s advancements. Both of them demonstrated a newfound strength and agility that left onlookers in awe.

Francheska, who halted in her tracks, found herself observing the spectacle from a distance, her sharp eyes capturing every move with keen interest. As the clash unfolded, the swift and calculated maneuvers of both combatants painted a vivid picture of the intensity of their training. She was never fond of watching her knight Sir Liam training, for her it was not of her business, and was fully concerned about her future wellbeing, but now standing there made her wonder what would happen if Sir Liam and Gerald fought in combat.

Watching the fight, Francheska’s mind wanted her to move back to her tracks on the pathway, but she was just too absorbed in what would be the outcome that all she was doing was waiting to see who would win. Her eyes would wander from the opponent then to Gerald as they kept exchanging blows of their sword and magic, which Francheska unconsciously clutched on her thumb, anxious about who’s gonna win and lose.

She wants the crown prince to lose, wanting the opponent to leave a scar on Gerald. It was stamina against stamina, and Francheska could tell that his Highness could not keep up with his opponent, for Gerald had been using his magic to create distance from the knight.

‘Please, lose…!’ Francheska begged, despite not saying it out loud so the knight would hear her.

Amidst the vigorous training on the sparring grounds, the crown prince Gerald found a momentary respite from the distance he created. Sweating and catching his breath, he glanced around the training field creating a new move for his use, and his eyes unexpectedly met Francheska’s from a distance. It seems that Francheska’s stare was so intense that she snapped back to her senses when Gerald’s attention clashed with her eyes.

The bustling background noise seemed to fade away as their eyes locked, in that instant, the intensity of the training ground seemed to pause. As swiftly as the eye contact was made, Gerald returned to the sparring, reinvigorated by the silent exchange. The training grounds resumed their lively atmosphere, but the brief connection lingered in the air, leaving an imprint between the crown prince and Francheska who decided to continue her own business, leaving the training grounds, not caring who won or lost in that session.