Chapter 22 Palace (Part 1)
***
Days passed and it was now time to go to the palace. Aillenne was subject to her nanny and maid's care until she was ready.
She was woken up early in the morning, made her clean her body, poured with fragrance oil, then powdered and forced to wear layer upon layer of heavy clothes that made it hard for her to move, nevertheless it is pretty despite inconvenience.
For hours and hours of beautification, it had finally ended.
Aillenne can breathe a sigh.
Even though she was hungry and begged her nanny with teary eyes, her nanny would still not give in as it is a custom and for her own sake.
She just couldn't put her head in this absurdity.
How can such custom bind a woman from her needs?!
But with a body of a child and a weak appearance, no one would be intimidated and give her what she want. She can only whine inside.
After all the preparation, the escort guard lifted her up the carriage and it went.
The Marquis was sitting in front of her. Eyes closed, legs crossed and arms folded. He didn't utter a word throughout the travel. It made Aillenne anxious.
'What would happen if I will make a mistake? Would the original change? Will my fate of being dead in the hands of the Imperial palace happen early?'
Death.
Aillenne wondered that if she die in this place, would she be reincarnated or transmigrated again.
Thoughts ran wild in her little head. The ribbon in her dress became creased due to her anxiousness.
She rummaged her thoughts about the original novel and looked for possible scenarios that will happen.
But all she can think is the only fact that Aillenne had come and gone a few times to the palace when the emperor wanted to see her.
It is fine at that time that she didn't need preparations like what she endured for the past week. Sadly though, the body also did not have the memory about such event.
This world had been cruel to her. She didn't have a loving family, her situation is poor, no character cheat, no powers and everything relies on survival.
She didn't have anything, just her appearance, and of course her ever supportive nanny Sabbie. I really wished I'd been the female lead of the story, no problems just pure development towards love.
Aillenne turned her gaze towards the window and watched the passing scenery. The ride would be more peaceful and exciting if only it is meant for a stroll and excluding the overbearing presence of her father.
The carriage stopped.
Surprisingly, her father reached out to escort her like a precious child. As if the coldness and his past actions was a lie.
We entered the palace.
***
The door of the imperial palace is so huge, the throne is magnificent and the emperor looked so handsome despite the obvious lines of aging.
He smile towards Aillenne as if he was eagerly waiting for her arrival.
The greetings and exchange of words ended quickly.
She didn't know what her preparations were used for. It seemed so casual and simple.
Her father and the emperor talked about state of affairs and let Aillenne freely roam around the palace. She have a lot of time before coming back to lunch.
She passed by many buildings, then momentarily watched the fishes in the fountain then proceed her walk.
The Marquisate is huge, but the palace is so large that it may take a week or more to explore the wide place.
She went around freely and filled her eyes with the outline of the palace. Flowers, people, horses to the soldiers training on the training grounds.
After a while, she roamed around the place where flowers filled the most. She played a little then made a flower crown and put it on her head.
The maids sighed in awe at the cute child doing her thing. They fought the urge to hug or pinch her cheeks.
Glancing towards the front, her eyes were momentarily blinded. She saw the shining waters of the lake and remembered the fate of the original Aillenne who died by drowning.
It is not the same place where Aillenne died, but it has the same feeling.
The waters are calm and the lake is so beautiful. The birds flapped their wings hard as they took their catch with their sharp talons. A few animal cries and insect sounds can be heard, but the place is very peaceful.
She flinched when she heard a rustling sound from her side. She ran back to the path she came first, frightened.