Invited by the Emperor
2080 Words
And after Anne had left those wishful thoughts, Catarina thoughtfully sipped her tea.
“Yes, there’s no way I’ll be able to think of a solution like this.”
Her gaze sunk. Focusing her thoughts, she came up with something.
“That’s the only way.”
She placed her cup down to the table and muttered to herself.
“I’ll have to talk directly to the Emperor about this myself. There’s no other way.”
Right now, this was the only feasible option for her to take. To save her family from their demise because of her erratic attitude in her first life. Of course, those thoughts are from Alexandra Whites. She might look soft but when she was the CEO of the World’s Leading Weapon Industry in the world, she has always been strict with one principle. Which is to face the battle head-on.
She had never backed down on a battle before, even if they were high-ranking politicians or high-ranking generals.
‘Now, there’s only one problem though’
She thought as she stroked her chin. She might be punished! It hadn’t been that long since she had asked for the marriage, and now she was trying to cancel it? Even if the Emperor considered her as a niece, he would still be mad.
But if this were to save her family, then a mouthful scolding is not much of a problem. It could strain her relationship with the king but she has priorities.
She began to make plans. She tried to find a method that would somehow lessen the Emperor’s anger.
…
The day to meet the Emperor came sooner than expected. He had invited the father and daughter pair, Marquis Nix and Catarina.
The reason is simple: the Emperor is trying to see what the future crown princess would look like.
This wasn’t the first time she saw the Emperor. Since he was close to the Marquis, she had seen him since she was young, and he adored her like a niece.
“Uhm...my lady?”
Anne called out to Catarina who was in deep thoughts. Her words seemed to strike her, snapping her back to reality.
Catarina turned her head towards Anne who was carrying two extravagant and expensive dresses.
“Which one would you like to wear? This is the new dress that you ordered one month ago.”
“Huh? I did?”
“Yes my lady, did you forget?”
“Ahh, I see.” Catarina lied as she pretended to remember.
“Perhaps, you would like another dress? We can buy it right away just for you.”
Anne said as she laid down the dress on Catarina’s bed.
“No no! I’ll just wear something I have.”
“Eh? But will you be okay with that?”
“Yes, I already have a lot of dresses anyways.”
“But…”
Catarina thought while nodding her head, ‘It was a waste of money every time she went to a ball or the palace, she wore a new dress. And it was always of the highest quality. If she sold all of her dresses at once, it would probably come out to be an immense amount of money.
During her life as Alexandra Whites, she had never cared about her appearance. She didn’t have the time nor the freedom to, and even if she had to, it was all due for formal events. She realized that it didn’t matter in her line of work. Planning and drawing schematics in blueprints while wearing a coat or a suit is more than enough. You don’t need to be beautiful to design, you only need your brain and vast knowledge in engineering and science.
With those thoughts, she went into her dressing room. Hundreds of sparkling and dazzling dresses were laid before her. She feels as though she can go blind from their shininess.
“What kind of dress should we pick? How’s this?”
Anne pulled out a red dress. It was as fancy as a rose. With her snow-white skin, Catarina would look like a flower wearing it.”
“No, isn’t there something more appropriate than that?”
“What about this?”
“No, it’s too extravagant…”
Anne pulled out this and that thinking of her lady’s preferences, but Catarina shook her head. Catarina thoughtfully looked at her dress room. ‘There’s nothing to wear.’
Different from her second life, she lived her second life as an Engineer s***h CEO, only a pair of suit and a white coat is best enough. But she also considered that she can’t meet the Emperor looking so simple. Alexandra thought of a dress that looked neat and noble-looking at the same time. She was meeting the Emperor, so she couldn’t wear just anything. She looked for something that was proper and graceful at the same time.
“I’ll go with this.”
“With this? Will you be okay?”
“Yes, I like this one.”
Catarina nodded her head at the neat white dress.
“You’re so pretty, that a fancier one looks better on you.”
Anne pouted, but Catarina just laughed.
“Anyways, Catarina.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Did the thing I requested of the butler arrive?”
“Yes, my lady, it’ll arrive soon at the residence.”
“Alright, thanks. And confirm with the butler again so it arrives on time.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Catarina looked outside the window. ‘Three days from now.’ It wasn’t an exaggeration to say the rest of her life depended on this meeting with the Emperor. ‘No matter what.’
She had a determined expression.
…
Finally, the day arrived. Catarina put on her dress and got ready. She tried to avoid fancy and extravagant clothes, but it didn’t mean that she spent any less time getting ready. In meetings like this, no matter the era, dressing up was a woman’s weapon. As they were going to discuss something important, she needed to do her best to prepare.
“Can you do this?”
“Your makeup seems lighter than normal, but is that okay?”
“Yeah, I think this is better.”
In the past, Catarina had always worn the fanciest and put on the darkest makeup. But she shook her head inwardly. ‘Vanity aside, it doesn’t look good on me. Just because you dress up a lot doesn’t mean that you look prettier.’ She had experienced the developed makeup of the 21st century. She didn’t enjoy dressing herself up during her life as an engineer, but she knew what fit her the best.
Putting on accessories like pearl earrings, brooches, and a necklace with the help of Anne, they managed to finish it in time. After that, Catarina looked at herself in the mirror when she was done. ‘It wasn’t that bad.’ She turned to head to the side, pointing towards Anne.
“How do I look?”
“Woah…You look very beautiful my lady!” Anne praised as her eyes glistened.
“Eh? Really?”
“Yes! It’s not as fancy as before...but...it’s so pretty. You look so elegant and I think it fits you better than before.”
Catarina smiled at her genuine praise.
“Thank you.”
And with that, Catarina left the residence. In the gate, there’s a person standing, waiting for someone to arrive. That was the Marquis Nix.
As he heard the faint footsteps coming from behind, he turned around and looked. He recognized it, it was her daughter.
“Catarina are you read—”
And it was at that moment, Marquis Nix’s eyes widened at his daughter’s presence.
“Catarina…?”
“Yes? What’s the matter, father?”
Catarina blinked her blue eyes twice. It wasn’t just her father, it was also her mother and second eldest brother. They were looking at hey with eyes widened as if they saw something amazing.
“What’s wrong?” Catarina rubbed her head awkwardly, the stares of them made her inwardly feel embarrassed.
However, they weren’t able to answer.
She was beautiful. She was always pretty, but today she was beautiful like she had come out of a portrait. And it wasn’t like she had particularly done anything special. Makeup, pearl necklace, handmade, brooch, and a prim white lace dress. That was it.
But her looks stood out even more with her prim and graceful outfit. If her fancy dresses and extreme makeup had covered her face before, now her elegant outfit focused the attention on her doll-like face and showed off her beauty. Catarina tilted her head.
Do I look weird?”
“N, No.”
Catarina stepped towards her dad and grabbed his hand.
“Let’s go, father.”
The Marquis nodded his head in surprise.
“Sure thing...let’s go.”
The two got on the carriage, their destination, the Royal Palace.
But her looks stood out even more with her prim and graceful outfit. If her fancy dresses and extreme makeup had covered her face before, now her elegant outfit focused the attention on her doll-like face and showed off her beauty. Catarina tilted her head.
Do I look weird?”
“N, No.”
Catarina stepped towards her dad and grabbed his hand.
***
The carriage finally arrived at the Palace, making wheel noises as it went. The Granzreich Empire was one of the most powerful empires that had influence not only on its continent but also on lands beyond its borders, which is why the Palace of the Empire was that colossal and grandiose. Catarina looked at the Palace with wistful eyes for a moment.
‘It’s been a while.’ Before she was removed as Empress, she spent 6 months in this place. But they weren’t good memories. ‘I thought this place was everything.’ She looked away since this place made her uncomfortable. ‘The talk with the Emperor has to go well…
She closed her eyes to prepare herself. The Marquis El spoke up when he saw her in that state.
“Are you alright, Catarina?”
“It’s nothing, father.”
“If you’re not feeling well, let me know. Don’t hold back.”
At her father’s concerned words, she let out a smile.
“Father.”
“Hm?”
“What are you going to do if I make a mistake?”
“What are you talking about suddenly?”
“So…if I…make some kind of mistake…”
The Marquis frowned.
“Why? Did you do something wrong?”
“Of course not father, but what if I did something wrong...will you get mad at me?”
“You’re not sounding like you do Catarina, it concerns me, but if you do something that may get me mad, you will be disciplined for it.”
Catarina gulped, “I see…” She chuckled.
“Yes, if you’re hiding something now, tell it to me now, I’ll forgive you if you tell me the truth.”
“Eh? I was just asking father, I haven’t done anything wrong…”
‘Yet…’ She inwardly sighed, because she might do something wrong soon. ‘I’m sorry father in advance,’. She was somewhat prepared for the aftermath but she didn't know how the Emperor would react. ‘Even if the Emperor becomes angry, I have to face it, it’s now or never! Let’s end this fate I have with the Crown Prince once and for all.’ She promised to herself once more as she looked up at the sky.
Thus, the two entered the Royal Palace.
’
- Writer
