It was already midnight when Francheska woke up, and thankfully no one was there, only finding herself alone in the room.
‘Everyone has probably gone to bed… it's already deep in the night.’
Positioning herself to rest her back on the headboard of the bed, she massaged her eyes to make her vision adjust to the darkness of the room.
Thankfully it was still well-lit with a few candles around, Francheska stood from the bed and silently tip-toed her way to a candle for her to snatch and find where the physician's notes were stored.
Walking across the large room of the infirmary, Francheska tries to open every door she passes by, some are shut and locked, and some are… unfortunately unlocked, which surprisingly on the third unlocked door was the physician’s office.
“How odd…” Francheska whispered to herself as she made her way in, and headed to the table.
Setting the candle on the desk, Francheska began reading some of the papers that were left behind.
“Why were these left here… perhaps the physician is too busy to organize them…”
Francheska read the notes of herself, detailing her symptoms, and what treatment was used to alleviate her pain. Among the stack of papers, one particular document caught her eye. Taking it out for her to personally read, she felt like she hit the jackpot– it was the answer to her questions, it was the empress’s notes.
Taking the candle back to take a closer look at the words, Francheska took her time to carefully read through the pages.
“It all makes sense now…” Slowly setting the paper down, Francheska let herself collapse on the physician’s chair to take, and absorb the moment.
‘The preparation of the food, abnormal attentiveness of one specific plant in the garden, heightened security around the imperial kalxar, the cold and strict demeanor shown by the people here… They are intentionally doing it all just to keep Her Majesty’s grave illness!’
“What are you doing here?!” A firm and stern voice interrupted Francheska, which promptly made her jump from the seat.
“It’s you– I apologize for my rudeness, but your highness, you are not supposed to be here.” The man averted his eyes, unsure if he was sorry or because of the lightness of the clothing she wore.
‘Ah, so that is why it’s unlocked…’
Noticing the papers that the man once laid on his desk were touched, he turned to her highness’s attention and her expression turned into panic. Her words fail her, as she can only open and close her mouth of her reluctance about what excuse she will use.
“What do you think of your highness? now that you know the critical condition of her majesty…” the man's eyes transformed from apologetic to menacing, “On behalf of her majesty, she spared you by granting you the title of crown princess—just give the word, and your fate will change instantly.” The man spoke bluntly as he slowly approached Francheska.
“I- I’m confused, why spare me– when Josephine– that lady on that day could answer everything's problem– including her majesty’s illness!” Francheska tried her best to keep her voice low, but her temper was strong enough to get her point across.
“I-I’m confused, why spare me—when Josephine—that lady from that day could solve all the problems, including her majesty’s illness!” Francheska attempted to maintain a low voice, yet her frustration was evident in her tone.
The physician sighed as if the question had never crossed his mind, “Only Her Majesty holds the answer. When that lady displayed her powers, I believed it could resolve all issues in the empire and usher in a new golden age,” the man walked past Francheska to retrieve one of his notes from the desk, “I wouldn’t be facing this dilemma now.” Placing the paper down and organizing some documents in a corner of his desk, he redirected his focus to Francheska.
“Both her highness and her majesty left a strong impression on me at that event. That lady lacks control over her abilities; she requires years of proper guidance to harness her powers… and throughout the centuries, the empire has persevered. If she were to become the crown princess, she could render me obsolete, prompting me to bid farewell to my role as an imperial physician and relocate to another country.” The man bitterly chuckled at his own words.
“But I’m just an ordinary woman, like any other in the court.”
“Yes, but Her Majesty has chosen to spare you. Despite her illness, Her Majesty decided to rise from her bed just to rescue you.”
“Rescue me…?” Francheska inadvertently repeated the physician’s final words aloud, prompting her to cover her mouth.
‘Does this imply that ‘someone’ orchestrated the entire incident? Deliberately humiliating and disgracing me to elevate Josephine and position her as the crown princess?’ With widened eyes, she could only stare silently at the revelation.
“You've had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty in person. By now, you must have understood how and why the people here in the imperial kalxar behave the way they do. So, what are your thoughts, your highness?” As he posed the question, a moment of silence enveloped the room, awaiting Her Highness's response.
’Her majesty was fully aware of what would happen to me in that event… that I would be discarded, betrayed, and left me to shambles-- but she… she--!’
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, mentally processing everything to craft her reply. It had only been a few days since she arrived at the imperial Kalxar, and before her arrival, Francheska had endured humiliation, and doubt, acquired knowledge, and summoned courage to reach this point.
Clutching her nightgown tightly with both hands, as if her life depended on it, she finally spoke, "I wish to become the crown princess." The imperial physician raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Francheska's statement.
"As long as Her Majesty is by my side in the imperial kalxar, I will strive to make her remaining days fulfilling. That is my desire—to ensure Her Majesty has no regrets."
The man smiled at her response, "Your wish shall be granted, your highness. I will honor your words."
He gently patted her head, remarking, "You remind me of her majesty in her youth." Then, gesturing towards the door, he added, "Now, return and rest."
As Francheska made her way out of the room, she couldn't help but ponder the meaning behind the man's words.
‘I know this ‘world’ is cliche, or is it because I’ve read stories like this from my past life but– does that guy have feelings for her majesty???’ Francheska could only ponder that question.
----------------------------------------
“Your Highness, are you feeling well now?” inquired her knight, his concern evident in his tone.
“Yes, I am well-rested. I am grateful to have made it to this day,” Francheska replied, her lips forming a gentle smile as she looked at Sir Liam, who rode gallantly beside their carriage.
Closing the carriage window, Francheska settled back, attempting to focus on her upcoming speech. However, her maid, Shelly, positioned before her, seemed hesitant, her eyes trembling as if frightened.
‘I have already cleared her name of any involvement in the tea incident, and the imperial physician even supported me. Why is she still so anxious?’ Francheska wondered silently.
To alleviate Shelly's concerns, Francheska inquired, “What is troubling you, Shelly? You are no longer in trouble. I have assured you—”
“It's not about that, your highness!” Shelly interjected, causing Francheska to raise a surprised brow.
“Your Highness, the farm boy…” retrieving a small note from her right side, “…he asked me to pass this to you.” Shelly gently handed the note to Francheska, her own emotions a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.
Shelly awaited Francheska's reaction, knowing the contents of the note—just a few words saying ‘I’ll be waiting…’—and observed as her Highness studied the paper intently.
“Your Highness…”
Moments later, Francheska, who had been fixated on the note, tore it into tiny pieces and tossed them out of the carriage window, before turning her attention back to Shelly, a blend of curiosity and reassurance in her expression.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Detecting Shelly's hesitation before smiling, Francheska realized her maid was holding back her thoughts, perhaps fearing they might lead to another disagreement.
Despite the awkward pause, Francheska remained focused on her impending speech throughout the journey, providing a distraction for those around her, even though her demeanor appeared cold.
Accompanying Francheska on this trip was the crown prince, who would join them later at the event. The prospect of not sharing the same space with him immediately brought relief to Francheska, allowing her to concentrate solely on their public appearance later.
While Francheska appeared serious and engrossed in her speech for the crowd, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how she and Archie would meet discreetly, especially considering the challenge of concealing her presence from the audience.
Here is the revised version of the text with improved grammar:
Much like her previous public appearance, the day seemed dull and uneventful for Francheska. She secretly hoped for the crown prince to delay or prolong his absence, as she had no desire to entertain the crowd with their relationship, especially after the rumors about them had spread following the previous event.
Sitting alone and observing the proceedings, Francheska's maid, Shelly, whispered in her ear, “Your Highness, you should pay closer attention to this event.”
Almost letting the words slip past her, Francheska noticed someone in the crowd who stood out—a familiar face, Archie. Acting on instinct, she abruptly stood up from her seat, drawing the crowd's attention towards her.
Unfazed by the stares of the audience, Francheska's focus remained solely on Archie, who met her gaze with his trademark smile that she had not seen in months.
“Your highness, your highness…?” It took several attempts for the host to finally capture Francheska's attention.
“Huh? I... It looks enjoyable. I'd like to participate,” Francheska hesitated momentarily but managed to save face by joining the activity.
“Are you sure, Your Highness?” Shelly asked nervously.
“Absolutely,” Francheska affirmed, making her way from her seat to the crowd.
Standing before Archie, Francheska intended to converse with him alone but was taken aback when Shelly also stood by her side.
Nearby yet seemingly distant, both longing to exchange words, they were interrupted by the host who began explaining the rules of the upcoming activity to the participants.
‘So, the objective is to chase a piglet in the mud, and whoever catches it before time expires wins the prize... Seems simple, but... in the mud?’ Francheska's brows furrowed in confusion, eliciting laughter from the host and the onlookers.
“...Don’t worry, your highness. You can still opt out or choose someone from the crowd to participate on your behalf—”
“No, I wish to partake. It sounds amusing!” Francheska declared, removing her heels and rolling up her sleeves to her elbows.
The crowd and Francheska's maid shared a concerned look, but to Archie, Francheska's display of courage seemed endearing, reminding them of their competitive past when they used to win prizes from the stalls.
Due to the limited space in the pen, the host decided to restrict each round to four participants, with a shortened time limit of a minute and thirty seconds. Luckily, Francheska found herself grouped with Shelly, an unnamed man, and surprisingly, Archie, who managed to persuade another participant to switch groups with him.
“Already strategizing on how to catch the pig, Franches— I mean— your Highness?” Archie nervously inquired, realizing the formality of his address.
“Absolutely! This is the perfect time to observe and plan. Sitting idle while others have fun was becoming tedious. It’s time to put my thoughts into action,” Francheska declared proudly, smirking at her own words.
As Shelly engaged the other man in their team, creating a moment for them to be alone, Archie decided to share something significant with Francheska.
“Listen, Francheska, I have made my decision.”
“...”
“I have carefully read your letters and have chosen to leave this place. Tomorrow at dawn, I will board a boat. Your warnings about impending disasters have unsettled me. Despite my skepticism about your 'existence,' recent events have left me unnerved by their eerie resemblance...” Archie confessed, turning to meet Francheska's gaze.
“I know it may be futile to persuade you now... but I will wait.” He smiled, a mix of bitterness and sincerity, hoping his words would resonate with Francheska in some way.
The crowd expressed disappointment as the time quickly elapsed, with none of the first group managing to catch the pig. Some participants pleaded for additional time, but the other groups wasted no time once inside the pen, immediately going after the piglet. However, despite her initial plan to observe, Francheska found her mind blank, devoid of strategy, as she stared at the thick mud underfoot.
Upon Shelly's return, she noticed her Highness's troubled expression and couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
‘What transpired during their conversation? Why do I sense something amiss?’ Shelly's confusion turned to anger as she silently glared at Archie.
The host signaled for their group to be next, prompting Shelly to nudge Francheska. “Your Highness, you still have the option to withdraw and simply observe the event,” she whispered, her tone firm as if it were the only choice.
Gently removing Shelly’s hand from her elbow, Francheska replied, “No, I can do this. I must make the most of every opportunity. Shelly, you believe in me, don't you? Will you stand by me until the end?”
Shelly was taken aback by Francheska's demeanor at that moment. She appeared solemn, as though anticipating something dire to occur immediately following the event, despite it being a simple piglet-catching activity.
“Yes, Your Highness, I will be there with you until the very end, wherever you may go,” Shelly affirmed.
“Then I will be in your care,” Francheska smiled. It was a smile that Shelly had almost forgotten, a smile she had sought after for years while taking care of her. These rare smiles, few and far between, lingered in Shelly's memory, providing warmth to her heart.
As the previous group failed to catch the piglet within the time limit, it was their turn to enter the pen. They positioned themselves strategically, anticipating where the piglet might be caught easily.
Before they could even settle into the thick mud, the horn sounded, signaling the release of the piglet. The crowd's cheers filled the air, boosting the spirits of the participants, who found themselves smiling unconsciously as the audience rallied behind them.
Francheska lagged behind the others, feeling regretful for neglecting her physical strength. She compared her current state to her past self, who used to exercise regularly. At her current age, she could only resort to extreme dieting to maintain her appearance on stage.
Observing the other three participants cornering and diving to grab the piglet, Francheska was on the verge of giving up. However, she saw the piglet heading towards her. Summoning the last of her energy, she widened her stance for balance and managed to grab the small animal. Unfortunately, the thick mud clung to her ankles, causing her to twist her hip, releasing the piglet and falling face-first into the mud.
The crowd gasped, awaiting a reaction from their Highness as they witnessed her plight in the mud. Shelly called out to Francheska, rushing to her aid, but Archie was quicker to reach her side.
“Are you alright, Franches— I mean— Your Highness?” Archie inquired, his voice tinged with concern. Though a hint of panic initially crept into his tone, he quickly regained his composure, realizing the situation they were in.
As Francheska looked up at Archie, he struggled to stifle a laugh, pretending to wipe his brow with his arm to conceal his amusement.
“Your Highness…” Shelly stood in shock at the muddy spectacle before her.
“HAHAHAHAHA!” Francheska burst into laughter, dropping to her knees in pursuit of the elusive piglet.
The crowd resumed cheering, with some chuckling at the sight of their messy highness, reveling in the joy of the absurd game.
Unfortunately, their group ran out of time, but one of the participants finally caught the piglet, the same stranger who was with them. As they exited the pen, it became apparent that the man had a loving family waiting for him, embracing him in celebration of his victory. Witnessing this heartwarming scene, Francheska couldn't help but find it cute.
“Hurry! Get me a clean cloth and fresh clothes for her Highness!” Shelly shouted at the top of her lungs while using the clean sleeves of her dress to wipe Francheska's face.
“It's alright, Shelly. There's no need to be so upset. Let's turn that anger into joy!” Francheska reassured her maid.
“Your Highness, we are in a public space! You know how people will talk about this, about you—!” Shelly's rough wiping of Francheska's face was halted by the princess.
“Shelly, who cares... You already promised to be with me until the end, and I trust that you'll stand by me. Let's find happiness in our surroundings, regardless of what others may think or say about us. Let's seek joy wherever we go.”
Francheska's eyes held a deep sincerity that stirred Shelly's concern once again. Having witnessed her Highness endure challenging times, facing betrayal from nobles and even her own family, Shelly found it hard to simply embrace happiness when the world seemed to be against her.
“Very well, I have agreed to stand by you, Your Highness, but I am my person too! If you are harmed, I cannot sit idly by and ignore the injustices done to you,” Shelly asserted.
“Yes, you are your person, but it's futile to waste our energy on those who only bring pain. Let's focus on happiness and savor the present moment!” Francheska chirped.
“Here are the clothes,” the servants appeared with fresh garments.
“Too extravagant!” Francheska declined the clothing, “Come, Shelly, assist me. Let's head to the market and explore what they have to offer.” Seizing Shelly's wrist, Francheska skipped along the road, the hem of her elegant dress brushing against the mud as they made their way to the public market.
“Sir Salvia, I only need you by my side!” Francheska exclaimed, making sure her knight heard her. As they strolled through the bustling crowd, whispers followed them, but Francheska paid them no heed as they perused the stalls at the market. Engaging with merchants, traders, and customers to find what they were seeking. Francheska's attention was drawn to a boutique that they decided to explore for suitable attire.
“I'll take this and that, could you also assist my companions in finding suitable attire? They seem too serious for a festival like this,” Francheska instructed the owner, placing a significant sum of money on the table.
“I can handle it myself, just help them, please,” Francheska added with a smile, carrying the selected garments to the changing room.
After a few minutes, Francheska emerged fully dressed, giving herself a final glance in the mirror before selecting a few accessories to complement her outfit. Engaging in a chat with the boutique owner, who recommended items to enhance her look, Francheska eagerly provided feedback while awaiting Shelly and Liam.
“Your Highness, we apologize for the delay,” Shelly and Liam bowed simultaneously, acknowledging their oversight.
“You both look splendid! No need for apologies when it comes to fashion. You should spend more time on it! Oh, this would look lovely in your hair—Liam, why don't you try this pin for some added aesthetics!” Francheska suggested, and though Liam initially hesitated, he eventually acquiesced, unsure of where to place the intricate accessory. Francheska stepped in to help fasten it for him, pronouncing his name in the process.
“You can call me ‘Liam’ if you wish, Your Highness,” Liam expressed, noticing Francheska's use of her maid's name.
Observing Francheska's surprised expression, Liam added, “You don’t have to—if you prefer, your highness.”
“No, no, no! I was genuinely taken aback by your willingness to let me address you by your name—I thought you might be offended that I did so suddenly. It was rather impolite of me... I tend to address people by their names, finding it simpler and more direct—but I am honored,” Francheska explained, trying to conceal her shy smile, though her blush betrayed her feelings.
‘I was so apprehensive... I feared Liam might be upset by my inadvertent use of his name... I'm still wary of him and his future self—I must strive to remain on his good side for now...’
Upon exiting the boutique, the owner offered Francheska her change, which she declined, opting instead to keep it as a token of appreciation for the fashion advice and assistance provided to her companions.
Throughout the rest of the day, the trio reveled in the festivities. They indulged in street food, purchased snacks and souvenirs, played games, dabbled in a bit of gambling, got their faces painted, and enjoyed various performances. Fortunately, no imminent threats loomed over them, perhaps due to the serious demeanor Liam exuded despite wearing less armor than usual.
Seated among the crowd for the final performance of the night, Francheska couldn't contain her wide smile as she reflected on the events of the day. Her joy stemmed not only from the absence of the crown prince or the presence of Archie but from the realization that her life should be like this—where she wasn't on display, a spectacle for others to mock or exploit as an entertainer. Instead, she yearned for a simple civilian existence where she could make mistakes, express long-held thoughts, be truthful, love freely like any other human being, and relish the comfort of sitting among the audience, just another face in the crowd.