The morning light broke through the balcony, slapping my face with an unwelcome brightness. A gentle knock followed, and a sweet, polite voice drifted through the door.
"Good morning, Your Highness. I hope I'm not disturbing you… may I enter?"
I groaned, still half-buried in the silk sheets and feeling the weight of yesterday's chaos in my bones. I looked blearily toward the corner of the room.. Kaelen was there, still awake, standing as a silent sentinel. He hadn't moved an inch all night. Good. Still safe. Still alive.
"Yes, please... come in," I said, pushing myself up into a sitting position and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
The door opened with elegant grace. A young, pretty lady stepped in, wearing a simple but impeccably clean white and brown gown. She bowed deeply, her movements fluid and practiced.
"I'm Elin Lowfen, Your Highness… your new handmaiden."
I stared at her for a second. She looked so innocent and helpful.
"Good morning, Elin... Elin, is that right?" I asked, trying to shake off the morning brain fog.
"Y... Yes, Your Highness," she replied, her eyes widening as she took me in. A look of genuine horror crossed her face. "Oh, my Lord! Your Highness, you are still in your bridal gown? It's so heavy and over-fitted... it might cause skin irritation or redness! We must get you out of it immediately."
I looked down at the crumpled silk and heavy embroidery. Ugh, yeah. I really didn't change last night, did I? But hey, it was worth it. By listening to Kaelen's "origin story," I'd basically pulled off a major intelligence heist while sitting in bed.
"Apparently, I was just too tired to move," I said, giving her a small, weary shrug.
Elin approached me with motherly urgency. "Please, come with me, Your Highness. You need to get ready for the day."
I nodded and glanced at Kaelen. He stood there like a statue, completely unreactive. Right. If he isn't reaching for his sword, it means I can probably trust her.
Elin led me toward the Royal Bathing Chamber, her steps careful and light. I felt like an illegal immigrant being smuggled into a five-star spa just because I couldn't bear to show my unhygienic state to the rest of the palace yet.
Once inside, Elin gently started unhooking the endless row of buttons and laces from behind. I just stood there, staring at the steam rising from the massive marble tub, letting her do her thing because I was honestly too exhausted to care about modesty.
My mind drifted back to Kaelen's story. An assassin at age five? And now he's loyal to the very man he was sent to kill. My "Ice Cube" husband, who is also the Strongest Mage Alive, really has a way of flipping people to his side.
Seriously, who wrote this story? Why is all the power balanced toward the humans? I'm an Elf, the supposed "Superior magical race," yet I'm the one stuck with zero magic force while my husband and his knight are basically walking nukes.
And here I am, "Her Imperial Highness" of the Eryndor Empire. Because apparently, Lucian isn't just a prince—he's the First Prince, and one day he'll ascend the throne and become Emperor. Which makes me the future Empress.
Great. No pressure.
Elin gently peeled away the heavy gown, leaving me in some seriously old-school innerwear. She reached out to help with the rest, but I put a hand up.
"Thank you, Elin, but I'll take it from here. Could you just… please prepare some fresh clothes?"
She nodded and stepped out, giving me the privacy I desperately needed. I dipped my toe into the water—the temperature was perfect—and sank in, letting the warmth soak into my aching muscles.
System!!! Hey, I know you're there. Just come out!
The blue light flickered to life against the steam.
[ What is it, Celine? ]
"What is it? Come on, you're supposed to help me! Tell me which manhwa or novel I'm in. What's the fate of this Cyrina I'm trapped in?"
[ Manhwa? Novel? Celine, this is the real world. The fate of this new identity, Cyrina, is in your hands now. ]
"Huh? What? Don't joke with me!" I splashed the water in frustration. "Why am I here? I died on Earth—why drag me into this politically crushing princess body!?"
[ Do you not regret being unable to help people on Earth? ]
[ This is a new life with new chances. It is all up to you how you choose to live it. ]
"Urgh, okay! But at least help me! I need you to tell me the history of this Cyrina, the people, the Empire—everything!"
[ I am already helping you quite a bit. I believe I still haven't heard a 'thank you' yet. ]
"Thank you for what?" I scoffed.
[ Do you think you could have stayed on your feet the moment your eyes opened in this body? With the new air and a fragile, light body weighted by that heavy bridal gown? ]
I paused. Oh. Right. My brain hated to admit it, but the System had a point. I should have collapsed the second I woke up.
"Fine. Thanks," I muttered. "But give me more."
[ Celine, I told you answers are expensive ]
[ I will only help with what I am allowed. If you ask for extra, you will have to pay a price for it. ]
"Yeah, sure. Nothing is free. What price?"
[ I would suggest you do not bother with it and learn on your own about this Empire and your new body, Cyrina. ]
"Tsk... I will!" I narrowed my eyes at the blue text. "I'm going to see what I encounter in the Royal Library and learn everything about this world on my own. Just you watch!"
The blue screen flickered one last time, the text pulsing with a sudden, ominous crimson glow.
[ Oh... forget about surviving the Royal Library encounter. ]
[ Brace yourself for the Empress. ]
My heart plummeted into my stomach. "The Empress? Oh, Lucian's mother... no!! Wait, you mean my mother-in-law—"
I didn't even get to finish the thought. I was still submerged in the water, vulnerable and alone, when the heavy, reinforced doors of the Royal Bathing Chamber didn't just open—they were thrown wide with a bang that echoed off the marble walls.
I didn't hear Elin's sweet voice. I didn't hear Kaelen's steady footsteps.
I heard the sharp, rhythmic clack of high heels against stone and the rustle of heavy, expensive silk. A cold, suffocating pressure filled the room, making the steam turn into a chilling mist.
I slowly turned my head, my breath hitching in my throat.
Yeah. I'm doomed.