Empress of Adarra

The imperial court of Adarra was in chaos. And at the center of this turbulence is the empress, who was rumored to lose her sanity.

Her suicidal attempts fueled the fire even more. In the social circle, the empress was the favorite topic to talk about, as silent as they could be. Behind her back, she was a laughingstock. However, none of them want to lose their heads either.

House of Tyrell, is known for its enormous power and wealth. One single word from its master, lives could instantly be gone.

And during this time, the master was undoubtedly not comfortable after receiving such humiliation. His countless rivals are making use of the empress' attempts of suicide to ridicule him, saying what kind of father he is, how did he raise such a daughter like her.

At the empress' palace,

''Your majesty!'' The head maid entered the empress' chamber with an unsettling face.

She hastily opened the chamber's door, searching for the empress' familiar figure.

Cereza yawned as she lay down on her bed lazily. Her arms and legs spread all over the bed.

The head maid couldn't hide the horror on her face. She's not only the empress' head maid but also her former etiquette teacher. ''Oh where in the world your elegance, Your majesty!?''

'Who is this? The whole world was laughing at her and cursing her name and here she is, lazing around all day,' she thought, mentally crossing her arms.

''Greta, what's wrong?'' Cereza was right there, stayed still, lying down on her bed. Yet a frown started to form on her face once she saw Greta's expression.

The head maid then remembered what she had come in her chamber for.

''Bad news, your majesty! The duke is coming.''

''What?!'' Shocked, she instantly got up. ''This is not good.''

Cereza didn't expect that she will meet the empress' father this early. In the novel, it was mentioned the duke does not even bother to visit his daughter personally. He will only send a letter or a subordinate if Cereza will need something to do. They will only meet in person during a banquet or an assembly if and only if her presence is needed.

She thought she was safe from her father as long as she stayed in her room, thinking about what she heard from the female lead's mouth last night and asking herself what she gonna do next.

But seriously, she realized how dumb she is. What she had thought so far was, 'let's be a lazy potato for a moment and do nothing. Do nothing. That's the plan. Well, at least for now I guess?'

''What an upsetting unexpected turn of events!'' She cursed under her breath as she let Lilith and the maids dragged her from the bed to the dresser. ''Can't I have a day off?''

''Your majesty, we need to dress you up before the duke came!'' Lilith exclaimed.

''Ugh, can't I go like this?''

Lilith looked at her, still dragging her body towards the dresser. ''It's a big ''no'', your majesty.'' She shooked her head aggressively.

The maids heaved a sigh of relief as they successfully made the empress sit in front of the mirror. Then they moved quickly to dress her up and transform her from a homebody to a refined and elegant empress once again.

''Your majesty, why do you need to when you do nothing to be tired of,'' the head maid suddenly appeared behind her. Seriously, it startled the hell out of Cereza.

'Did the maids here eat mushrooms and absorbed their power? They are suddenly appearing out of nowhere.'

''Ow, that hurts Greta! Don't slap it on my face.'' She complained and looked at Greta as if she was hurting.

''I didn't slap you, your majesty.'' Greta also stated her complaint. Their bickering is not new to anyone because they know Greta was like a mother to the empress. The empress trust and treasure her. Among the people around her, the empress knew Greta is the only person true to her. Cereza is aware of it, so she put her trust in Greta like what the empress would do. Sadly, she would also meet a tragic end just like her master.

Setting aside the sudden gloomy feeling swirling inside her, Cereza pushed herself to act normally.

''No, you just slap me the fact that I am useless!''

''I did not say you're useless!'' Greta exclaimed. She grabbed a comb at the mirror's side and then gently touched the empress' auburn hair to comb it.

''Well, Greta, do I need to do something to get tired? Isn't it thinking enough is 'something to do?'' Cereza pouted as she asked. She glanced at the reflection of a person standing behind her, brushing her hair. She saw a beautiful brown-haired middle-aged lady. Her round glasses shined once sunlight hit the mirror bouncing back at her. Underneath those glasses is a pair of chocolate eyes. The gentlest and most beautiful brown eyes Cereza had ever see.

It was Greta's reflection on the mirror. 'She is simply beautiful,' Cereza thought to herself.

Greta sighed and her face softened as she was once again defeated by the empress.

''Your majesty, you can do what you want.'' She put down the comb on the side table before looking at the empress in the mirror. It was full of love.

Cereza felt the warmth coming from her mother-loving gaze.

She realized the empress have something she don't have. It is the people who truly care for her.

In her real world, Cereza was alone. There are people who will guard her and will follow her order. Not because they care, but because they are paid.

But these people around the empress - Greta, Lilith, and her knight, Sean. She could feel something different which she had rarely encountered in her world - sincerity.

Somehow she felt jealous of the empress and feel the guilt as well. Because of her, these precious people were taken away from her.

'Empress Cereza is it fine for me to have your people? And love me like how they love you? Sadly, I am not you. What would they feel if they find out I am not the empress they serve and love wholeheartedly?'

''Your majesty, what's wrong? Do you not like the dress we picked for you?'' Lilith got worried when she saw the sad expression of the empress.

''No no no! It looks wonderful.'' Cereza said and smiled as bright as she can. She thought she must restrain herself from thinking disturbing thoughts while she was surrounded by people - especially them who care for her.

'Happy thoughts, self. Happy thoughts.' she said in her mind, scolding herself.

Cereza looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her mouth opened wide in awe. The female lead might be the most beautiful person in the whole wide world but the empress' beauty is no joke.

Seriously, she's gorgeous!

She was wearing a white elegant dress, full skirt, and ground-length with intricate embroidery of golden doves sprinkled with gold and tiny diamonds. The dove was the symbol of Adarra's empress, signifying peace and purity. The insignia was not only embroidered into the dress, it is all over the empress' palace. Cereza was sure that all of her formal attire had that distinct embroidery.

''What a pain,'' she blurted as she could feel the heavy burden an empress should bear.

Peace and purity?

That is Adarra's empress' most important role. She should embody peace to the people of the empire and have an image of the purity of a saintess.

Once an empress failed to show these attributes, she could be overthrown unless the dragon of the empire - the emperor - defend her.

Its wide and long sleeves and the tight bodice were making her more uncomfortable. There's no way she could get used to wearing these kinds of inconvenient attire.

'This is pure torture!'

Her auburn wavy hair cascaded down to her hips. A golden tiara, the empress' favorite accessory was sitting on her head. Cereza could see how it fits her perfectly - what she meant is, the tiara serving as her mask - a perfect empress her father wants. She understand why it was her favorite because it made her feel like an empress while hiding a broken daughter behind its magnificence.

Cereza could imagine her, whenever she wears the tiara she transforms into an empress as she should be.

''Your majesty, the duke is waiting in the receiving room,'' Lilith informed her as she politely offer her hand to guide her.

''Thank you so much, everyone,'' she smiled and put her hand on Lilith's.

However, she was stiffly walking and she could feel Greta's burning gaze on her back.

''I'm sorry, Greta. I couldn't also remember all the etiquette lessons you taught to me.'' She said and wiped the invisible sweat on her forehead.

Greta didn't scold her and her gaze once again became gentle. ''Your majesty, don't worry. I will teach those etiquette lessons again. I will make sure you'll remember everything,'' she sighed helplessly.

'Oh no, that would be the death of me!' Cereza's inner thoughts.

''T-Thank you, you're so kind Greta but I think - ah, my feet ache so much!'' She said as she winced as if in pain. Her acting was effective though.

''Your majesty!'' Greta rushed to her side and Lilith bent down to check on her feet.

''I'm fine.'' She reassured them.

''Greta, I think I remembered now.''

''What?!''

'I honestly don't want to put myself on those etiquette lessons. I'm sorry, Greta. Thankfully, I watched some videos of those runaways, great models all around the world would grace those to join. So, it would be okay to imitate them, right? I hope so I could pull it off and impress Greta. Cereza, you can do it! Push yourself if you don't want to suffer at those hundred volumes of etiquettes!'

She encouraged herself as she threw a glance at those thick books glaring at her in the corner.'

Holding Lilith's hand, Cereza let out a deep breath.

''Open the door,'' she commanded. The knights guarding at the empress' chamber heed her order.

As she stepped out, the maids lining up to the hallway to greet her can't help but stare at her in awe. ''Her Majesty looks so majestic!'' They whispered to each other. ''She is so elegant and regal!'', earning a death glare from Greta, known as the ''Iron Head Maid''. Only then did the subtle noise created from their whispers died down.

Greta looked at the empress' elegant figure. A proud smile appeared on her face. She was impressed and happy. ''Your majesty, I know you can conquer every adversity life may throw at you. Just walk confidently for you have the most beautiful heart in this cruel world,'' she said as a silent tear dropped from her right eye, her glasses became a little bit blurry.

''Your majesty,'' Her father greeted her. He looked modest on his dark green coat with a laurel crest pinned on his cravat.

Cereza was surprised. He looked so young than what she had imagined. She assumed he was around in his 40s unlike his father in the real world who had reached his 60th year.

He is good-looking with his raven hair, a perfect match to his emerald eyes. No doubt where did the empress got her genes. Since her father has raven hair, her auburn hair must be from her mother.

Cough.

''Uhm...Duke Tyrell? I missed you,'' Cereza said trying her best to sound ecstatic.

On her second time of reading the novel, she paid attention to the empress' life although she is a mere side character. She observed that the father and daughter had a very complicated relationship.

They act loving in front of the others but when they're alone together, one of them will transform into a totally different person.

Her father observed her movement. And she felt like he was looking through her soul. That gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

'He is really scary. It's like his eyes could see through me,' Cereza panicked internally.

''My empress, you…look different,'' He said and gently smiled.

Cereza silently cursed. How much she wished she could wipe off those smiles on his handsome face.

''Thank you, duke. Different…is good,'' she laughed and imitate how a typical lady acts.

'Ah, Cereza, if there's the best actress award I would be the number one, right?'

He chuckled riding along with his daughter yet she didn't miss the brief glint in his eyes.

''Your majesty, can I…speak with you privately?'' He asked then sipped his tea and glanced in her direction in a heartbeat.

Cereza slightly trembled and her lips twitched thinking about what comes next.

''Father, can I-''

''Your majesty, this father had a hard time missing you,'' he said warmly. Those words of affection carried different meanings and Cereza could feel it.

But if she didn't allow the seemingly little request of a loving father, the duke might discover that there is really something wrong with her.

Before she could have a concrete plan to survive her death after two years, she had to play along with this dangerous cunning father of hers. Just like what she did with her father in the real world. Silently building and working on her escape plan while playing the docile daughter at front.

So far this is how she planned to survive. But seriously, Cereza realized now that she had to formulate a more elaborate plan than this.

Sadly, she had to wait for motivation to move her lazy ass. She knew it would not work if she would only sit and wait for the motivation to came upon her.

She wanted to cry. She just can't help it.

''Your majesty?'', her father asked her again. This time his voice became a little bit sharper despite his smiling face.

'Tch. Didn't he got tired smiling like that?'

Cereza coughed to clear her throat, ''Lilith, prepare an osmanthus cake for my father and bring along the other maids. We need private time together.''

She sighed in relief at the back of her mind. It took a lot of courage to open her mouth without stuttering.

She can't show she was afraid of him.

''Yes, your majesty.'' Lilith obeyed right away.

''So duke, how are you doing?'' Cereza managed the friendly atmosphere around them even though the maids finally disappeared in the receiving room. Only she and her father were left alone. It was giving her anxiety.

'Tch. I couldn't just get used to this.'

''Well, well, well, my daughter. It's all thanks to you.'' Another sipped and he put his cup down. He adjusted his coat and stand on his feet.

''How about you, my dear?'' He said and walked towards Cereza.

She was lying if his footsteps didn't shake her a bit. Her nails dug on her palms, strengthening the walls she had built - the facade she was showing at front.

''I'm doing fine, fa-''

Slap!

A harsh landed on her left cheeks yet Cereza successfully kept her face as expressionless as possible although inside, she was on the verge of crying.

''My dear daughter, remember why you're in that glorious seat. Do you remember?'' He said with a gentle loving smile on his face.

''No.'' With her head hung low, she answered her father, quick and firm. 'Ah, so he started again. How he always pitched the fact that he made an empress in Cereza.'

''What?!'' Cereza could feel his eyes burning a hole in her head.

She wanted to laugh. He might be burning in anger because of the humiliation she had received. She was well aware of how her past actions negatively affected the House of Tyrell and she was not complaining though.

'The pleasure is mine'.

Ridiculing him would be her favorite hobby - well, at least in secret.

She doesn't want to lose her head yet.

Cereza saw how he raised his hands in the air.

She lifted up her head, gathered her courage, and looked into his eyes.

He was about to hit her when his hand was grabbed suddenly - who else, but his always-ever-so-docile daughter.

''Father, don't you remember this so-called daughter of yours has amnesia? I didn't even...recognize who you are.'' She flashed her brightest smile.

'You are not the only one who can pull off that friendly vibe. I guess I got that in your genes, father' She said, humphing at him in her mind.

''Wait, are you even my father? If you're really my father…'' Cereza stood up while her hands still clutching his wrist. She leaned in closer as her smile got wider. She sharpened her eyes as she looked at him.

''...why are you acting like this?'' She said as she let go of his hand.

''You-''

Cereza crossed her arms as she cut him off. Not leaving a room for him to speak.

''Yesterday, I had read a story about a loving father in hope that I could retrieve my lost memory. The story showed that a loving father doesn't hit her daughter without any reason. Even a 10-year old could understand that. How about you?''

The duke didn't respond. She completely wiped off that fake smile on his face. Instead, it was void of any emotion while looking at his daughter.

''I apologize but I couldn't remember you as my father.'' She said then snapped her fingers on her free hand, the door of the receiving room opened and knights entered and surrounded him.

''Knights, the duke is leaving. Please gently guided him as he departs.''