Intro (you may skip but it is not advised)

I, Princess Azulia Bellerose, am now 21 years of age. I am the eldest daughter of the Tyrant King Laxsander Azriel Bellerose and the First Princess of the Hydreangean Empire. (First, second,.. etc. Is the succession line to the throne. First is usually the main Emperor/Empress. Second etc. are vassals.) My Father is the Main Emperor of the Hydrangean Empire. He is known as ruthless and cold, but he does have a soft spot for his wife, Empress Victoria (only blood royals can inherit the surname of royals. Victoria married into royalty, so she doesn't have a royal last name), my mother. Sadly, due to Empress Victoria's inability to give birth to a son, she is bashed by the citizens. Emperor Laxsander refuses to take concubines or supporting queens due to his affection for his wife. So I, the eldest, and most beautiful (if I do say so myself) of all great Laxsander's 20 daughters, am the heiress.

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I lifted the teacup to my lips and took a sip. For a split second, I was fine. Then.. as if I lost control. Something snapped in my mind, and I let go. My eyes closed, and my body dropped. I heard my maid gasp and shriek.

There could only be one reason for my fall; I was poisoned.

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I was at a desperate loss of breath. There was a jabbing ache in my head. My eyes burned like they were being gouged away. My mind filled with vivid images of silver gears spinning and turning. They spun out of control and continuously crashed into each other. It was as if they were trying to fit back into place, but an unimaginably strong force kept turning them away. Suddenly the gears shatter, erupting the sound of shattered glass. A ghostly beam of luminous light cascades throughout my strange surroundings.

My body was in such excruciating pain; I was paralyzed. All I did was stare and watch. The scene that played somehow didn't phase me. Something about it felt like I unlocked part of myself. I watched as the gears got wrapped in bright green ivy vines that fixed the broken pieces in place. Out of what seemed to be a deep cave in my mind, a shrill scream of frustration bursts. I could hear someone breathing rapidly, gasping for air, searching for breath. Again, they cry, sending a chill through my veins. The cries made me tremble. I wish I could block out the horrible sound with my hands, but the scream didn't come from my ears. The scream echoed through my mind. The chilling noise subsides, and the ghostly light fades. The scene lay silent and dark. All till I hear a faint fairy-like voice speak to me.

"Time is a curse Azulia...time is uncontrollable.." the voice whispers. They spoke with such a beautiful voice yet expressed such sorrow. "What's wrong?" I wanted to ask, but I couldn't even feel my lips.

The sound of wind blows a melody that washes the fairy whisper away.

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"Azulia??"

To the pleasant tone of my mother's voice, my eyes flutter open. Unable to find my mom in my vision, I started to panic only to realize my body felt light. Light as a feather. What is this? I stand up in my bed and jump. I do a little wiggle too.

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"Azulia?" I turn to my left and see my mom staring at me with an eyebrow slightly raised. Realizing I had just done something out of the ordinary for someone to have just gotten out of bed, I abruptly flop back down on my mattress.

"Wassup, ma?" I smiled stiffly at her. I can figure out this new body thing later. Wouldn't it be cool for my body to have regenerated?!

"I was going to ask if you were feeling okay, but I guess you're fine. Azulia, what scene were you trying to cause by fainting suddenly at morning tea?" my mom's face remains emotionless after my weird dance session.

"Uhh." I bite my lip, looking down. How do I explain to her that I think I was poisoned?

"Azulia... maybe I spoiled you too much. I took my eyes off you for a second, and you're causing such a commotion. Do you have no dignity?" she looks down at her lap and sighs. Her fingers clutch and tug at her dress.

"I- I didn't collapse for no reason, ma! I was poisoned!!!" I grabbed her hands and held them in mine. I caressed her palms, reassuring that I was innocent. Mom, please understand! I'm a good girl.

She then broke out in laughter. I gawked at her, utterly bewildered. Through her graceful giggles, she let out a few words." Of course, darling, I know. I was joking." Her hands still in mine; she brought them to her lips and kissed them. She closed her eyes, holding my knuckles to her brow. "I'm just glad you're alright. Your Father and I were so worried. You were completely still for a whole week. Make sure to rest for today. I don't want you to strain your body since you just awoke." I didn't know I was out for that long…

"Where's papa?" I questioned, drawing my hands back to fix my messy bed head. Mom did a little pout with her lips.

"What is this? Do you prefer your Father over me?" She said humorously while helping me brush small hair strands out of my face.

"No, of course not, Mom! I was just wondering ... since I haven't seen him. Will he visit me today? Will we have dinner with Father?" I looked at my mother with pleading eyes. Father is usually unavailable and rarely makes time for his family. Only Mom sees him every day. Mom helps with political affairs and oversees the royal house. All my sisters and I have meals together while Mama watches over us. Father likely never shows up. I've only seen him in halls and when he requests for me. During which when I am with him, he calls it "father-daughter time." I wish to be closer to him, but with him being the emperor, it's almost unimaginable.

"Your Father is visiting the duke and duchess of House Gladiolus. He'll be back by supper, but I don't think you should even ponder the idea of having a meal with him. I doubt he'll have time since he'll be out the whole day."

House Gladiolus is a house of swordsmen. The most renowned knights of Hydrangea have always come from House Gladiolus. The former Fifth Princess wedded Lord Gladiolus. Could it be that my Father was visiting his younger sister? But it is well known that Father was never close to any of his sisters. Duchess Mentha is a vassal, but meeting her in private from other vassals. It seems unusual.

"Does Father have business with Duchess Mentha?" I ask. My mom frowns.

"You should not be concerned," she says simply.

"Why? If I'm the heiress, then I should be involved."

"You appear to have misunderstood your position. You are but a lady. A mastermind behind her husband. You shouldn't be involved."

I sat there blankly for a second, puzzled by her words. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Honestly," she started," you can begin by getting engaged," she said ever so poised.

Am I foolish? Because without batting an eye, I responded, "Anything."

My mom smiled. "oh, what a delight! Your Father and I have already selected the best hubby for you." She leaned forward and took my hands in hers. "I'll be sure to inform your father of the news."

I swallowed. "Wait..what-" A knock on the door cut me off, and my mother sat back, grinning.

"First Princess, we should begin preparations for morning tea with your sisters." spoke the voice of my maid Beth. I adore Beth, but right now isn't the time for her to do her job.

"I'll be going then. Don't be late for morning tea." My mom quickly tapped over to the entrance with her heels and opened the door.

"Oh, was I-"the maid began, stuttering.

"No, no, sweetie, I was just leaving. You can come in. She's at her bed." My mom said, nodding with a cheeky smirk plastered on her face. I watched as the renowned Empress Victoria held the door for a maid and proceeded to dash into the corridor. Sometimes she surprisingly resembles a child. And what was that phrase "hubby?" Is that commoner slang?

"Good morning, First Princess." Beth greets, lowering her head. I nod and instruct her to fix my typical morning bath. Without hesitation, she scurries into the powder room, leaving me to my thoughts.