After the accident, our protagonist awakens in an unfamiliar and opulent world, but with memories that do not belong to her. As she tries to make sense of her new reality, she discovers that she has been reincarnated into the body of the alluring an...
Today marked the first time I would meet the imperial family.
Edith, the character from the novel, had previously visited the royalty and was quite familiar with them. In the story, the royal family represented the pinnacle of influence and power, using their authority to further their ambitions. Like many royals in fantasy novels, they were driven by a desire for greater control. Despite their outwardly cherished relationship with Edith, it was all a facade. The emperor and empress were wary of their son, the crown prince, who possessed a kind heart and a considerate nature, starkly different from his parents. Raised in a corrupt environment, the prince resisted their manipulations, so they chose Edith as his fiancée, believing her cunning and corrupted aura made her the perfect match.
As the emperor once told his son, "To become a hero, one must know sympathy, but to become an emperor, one must know strategy."
The emperor eventually succumbed to illness brought on by old age. After being exposed, Edith, who had once enjoyed the support of her future in-laws, found herself abandoned by them.
It was an expected outcome.
"Milady, shall we get you dressed?" Beth's voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see her and a few other maids pushing a cart with a formal uniform hanging on it.
A formal uniform? I don't remember having one.
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The outfit was black, reaching just above the knees, with a long-sleeved bishop blouse, red shoulder patches, and a corset belt that hugged the waist comfortably. An alternative skirt was stitched at the back, adorned with intricate golden embroidery, and the most striking feature was the Castilla house crest embroidered on the left side of the chest.
Beth sat me down before the vanity mirror and began working on my messy hair, tying it into a loose French braid with a few strands elegantly framing my face. The maids presented a box of accessories, from which I chose a pair of crescent moon-shaped earrings—simple and lightweight, just the way I preferred. Heavy metal earrings had always been an issue for me. Once dressed, Beth handed me a pair of black silk gloves, and I stood before the mirror, admiring the stunning features of the body I now inhabited.
"Oh my, the lady looks so beautiful!" A maid exclaimed, and she was right. The reflection staring back at me was breathtakingly beautiful, evoking a sense of narcissism whenever I admired Edith's appearance.
I exited the room, Beth trailing behind me as we made our way to the main hall to meet my father and ride to the palace together.
He's late. I've been waiting for ten minutes now. According to the universal stereotype, women are usually the ones who are late, but it seems the Duke takes his time dressing up. I began tapping my foot impatiently, a tinge of annoyance growing inside me.
"I apologize for the delay," a husky voice echoed as I glanced toward the staircase. Like a god descending from the heavens, Edward walked down slowly, adjusting his cufflinks with drowsy eyes. His raven hair was neatly combed, and I noticed his attire matched mine—with some specific differences.
