Royal Lady of the Blueprint

Doom Event Flags

When Catarina returned to her room, she started to write again. ‘Eleven years from now,’ She wrote down events that would occur in the future. She had about ten years before she died from the guillotine.

She tried her best to recall most of the important events that significantly affected her life and her family. Since it happened thirty years ago, she couldn’t remember that well. However, she could somewhat remember the key events, so she wrote them down as they popped up in her mind.

The Second Tauric Expedition, her second older brother's death.

When she wrote that, her heart felt like it was being squeezed. This time, she was definitely going to stop it.

Death of her mother due to an unknown disease.

Political strife resulted in the rebellion of the third prince’s family, the extinction of the Eisenberg family, and her father’s death sentence.

The death sentence of her first older brother, charged with protecting the Empress.

As she endured the heart-wrenching pain from her chest, she continued to write. Because this life was going to be different. She was going to make sure of it. She also wrote things down not related to her family.

-First Tauric Expedition Force, destroyed by the disease. 50,000 estimated deaths.

-Death of the current Emperor, due to bad health

-Second Berlun Epidemic. 100,000 estimated deaths in Berlun the capital of the Germanian Kreise Empire or Granzreich.

-After the Tauric War, smallpox spread from the East. Three cities in the South were locked down. Estimated deaths, 70,000.

She sighed.

There have been a lot of deaths from the disease since she was in this time period. Since public health departments and other breakthroughs in medicine haven’t been developed yet.

Her knowledge in engineering may not help but her knowledge about medicine while taking a degree in medical technology might have.

She looked at what she wrote again. Second Berlun epidemic, 120,000 estimated deaths in Berlun, the capital of the Granzreich Empire. It was terrifying. And it was only 120,000 because they had somewhat prepared for it. During the first epidemic, over 200,000 had died. ‘Is there any way to decrease the number of deaths?’ She had returned to Catarina’s body but she was still Alexandra. She was the genius of the century and might be called the new mother of engineering. But her expertise wasn't aligned with the problem.

Luckily, during her second life, she investigated and studied anything related to the major events in her first life. She wondered why the disease occurred or where it came from. Fortunately, thanks to modern media technology, she was able to find out the answer.

But still, there is a limitation of knowledge when it comes to public health or the history of medicine. Her brain full of modern knowledge can be of help.

Now that she has written down all major events. She began thinking of ways on how to prevent it. Normally, she’ll just report her thoughts and knowledge to the appropriate agency or the Minister of Health but it won’t go through as she doesn’t have any power over the government.

Thinking of the government, she suddenly recalled that her father was a chancellor of the Empire of Granzreich. He would seriously consider what she said.

‘And the other reason is…’ She continued to think about her past. There were minor things, and there were major things. But…she froze while writing.

‘Oh my gosh. How did I forget about this?’ She swallowed.

-The announcement of her engagement with the Crown Prince. Year 283. The Royal Birthday Ball.

The year 1923, it was this. ‘If it’s the Royal Birthday Ball, there’s only 6 months left!’ Catarina turned pale.

The Royal Birthday Ball. Everyone in the empire congratulated and blessed her. That’s when her engagement was announced, and the tragedy began.

At dinner that day. All the family members were gathered for the first time in a while.

“Catarina, does it not suit your taste?”

“Oh, no, mother.”

The Marquess smiled at the word ‘mother.’ Catarina had never called her ‘mother,’ all this time. The Marquess was a bit sad that Catarina, whom she loved the most, kept a distance from her. But that all changed recently by her sudden change of behavior.

Catarina doesn’t know how happy she was when she called her mother.

Their relationship strained way back five years ago where her mother doesn’t give what Catarina wants. She thought that it’s for the best of her moral development but it didn’t go as planned.

But that all changed.

Not only that, Catarina treated her respectfully since that day, like how the mother and daughter relationship works. Warmly and lovingly. The Marquess was pleasantly surprised.

‘But why does Catarina look concerned about something?’

Her daughter always had a gentle expression these days, but today it was strange. The girl’s face was clouded as if she weighed down by heavy concerns.

‘Even the strawberry cake that she likes hasn’t been touched by her.”

“Catarina? Is there a problem?” The Marquess asked.

“Eh? No mother…”

Her daughter shook her head and fumbled her hands, but anyone could see that something was going on. Everyone around her had a weird expression.

“Is there really no problem?”

“Yes, Catarina. If something is troubling you, just tell me. Your big brother will solve that problem of yours.”

Her father and her second oldest brother worriedly asked her. Her eldest brother just looked at her without any words.

“That’s…”

Catarina hesitated and sighed.

“The Royal Birthday Ball, father.”

“Ah…! So that’s the reason huh?”

Her father nodded his head. He realized what she was worried about. It’s the ‘thing’.

“I see...don’t worry about it too much my child.”

“Eh?”

The Marquis smiled.

“I already had spoken to the Emperor. And everything has gone as you wanted.”

Catarina inwardly screamed, “No!!” During that, her father continued.

“During the ball, the Emperor will officially announce engagement between you and the Crown Prince. Like you wished.”

She stared blankly at her father as if something had died inside. But it was at that moment. A cold voice split the air.

“Father, I’m against this engagement.”

Everyone looked at the eldest brother in surprise.

An emotionless, hard face. But still a handsome one. It was her eldest brother, Baron Nathan Eisenberg.

“Nathan, what are you talking about? Against this engagement?”

“Father, I’ll be frank. Do you really think that Catarina is a good match for the prince? No, do you think that she’s fit to become the mother of all the citizens of the Empire?”

“You…! What do you mean by that?!” Albert clenched his fist, angry at his brother's words.

“It is what I say it is, Albert. Although I can’t say anything on the prince's behalf since I’m lacking, compared to the Emperor’s decision, I really don’t know if this child is fit to be the Empress.”

“You….! What do you mean?!”

At the rude words, Marquis Nix raised his voice.

The atmosphere of the dining area turned heavy and silent. So quiet that one could hear a bird chirping from a distance. ‘He’s being like this again, after returning home after one month.’ The second older brother signed inwardly. “He’s always like that to Catarina.”

The adjutant of the prince, Baron Nathan, always thought lowly of Catarina. ‘She’ll throw tantrums like that again after that. Catarina has always been like that.”

But he was surprised when he looked at Catarina’s face.

She doesn’t have a hurt expression at all! It was wistful. ‘What? Am I really seeing this? Isn’t Catarina supposed to throw a tantrum at me?’

But as he saw it for the first time, Catarina wasn’t upset at all. Rather.

‘Eldest brother’s tongue is still sharp. I used to hate that tongue before.’ After she had become the Empress, her brother used to scold her every time she made a mistake. She thought it was a nuisance, but now she knew why her brother had said those things. ‘And he’s completely right. That seat isn’t for me.’ She thought of her past life. Every single tragedy had begun after she became the Empress. ‘I have to stop this engagement if it’s the last thing I do.’

The marriage was a tragedy for everyone. Not only for her, but it was a tragedy for the Crown Prince. Putting it in perspective that way, the Crown person was also a martyr through that marriage. ‘As for me, I was able to be punished as I deserved, but he had to be responsible for everything he didn’t do. ‘

She let out a sigh.

‘Let’s just think about how to stop this engagement. And I’ll live my life as an engineer who doesn’t have anything to do with the Palace.’

And she was locked in her thoughts.

The eldest glared at his younger sister, and Nathan didn’t say much. In that awkward silence, dinner ended.

“Excuse me, I have something to think about so I’ll leave for my room first.”

And she returned to her room.

“….”

Her second oldest brother, Albert, frowned at Nathan.

“Brother, you’ve been gone for a while so why are you treating Catarina like that after returning home?”

“I only said what I was thinking. Why?”

“You don’t know how nice Catarina was being these days!”

“Nice? Catarina, that child?”

Nathan snorted. Albert furiously responded.

“You haven’t even seen for yourself! These days Catarina…!”

“I have seen. For the last 15 years. That child has become nicer? You sure jest. I’d rather believe if you said the Sun rose from the West.”

“Brother!”

Albert was about to raise his voice, but Nathan shook his head.

“No more of this useless talk. I’m going back to the Royal Palace. We have something to prepare of”

“…….”

Albert sighed. His stubborn brother was never going to believe it until he saw it for himself. ‘Will he believe it, though. He is always so suspicious.’

“You’re always busy these days. When are you coming back?”

“Not sure. It’ll be hard to come back here for the time being.”

“The Royal Knights Legion isn’t participating in the Tauric Expedition, right?”

Baron Red nodded his head.

“The Royal Knights Legion will be participating. If only the Francois Republic enters the war, then we Royal Knights will probably also participate.”

“Then it’s not like it’s impossible.”

“Yeah. The Republic also won’t easily give up the chance to control the Black Sea.”

A cold night breeze gently passed by them, its chilly air made them put their coat on.

“Albert, please be good.”

“What?”

“Everything. Take care of your father at home. And don’t stain his name at the administration.”

Albert pouted.

“Stop nagging. You have to be careful since bullets don’t have eyes.”

Nathan laughed.

“Alright, see you next time.”

Upstairs. Catarina was lying on the bed, trapped in her thoughts. ‘What should I do? There are less than 6 months until the Royal Birthday Ball.’ Catarina thought of the Crown Prince. Her marriage with him was too much. If only she had not married him, her first life wouldn’t have ended like that.

‘For him, I must stop this marriage.’ But there was one problem. The engagement with the Crown Prince was set because of her strong urging.

Two years ago, when she was 14, she had fallen for the Crown Prince. It was too intense to say that it was a crush, and with her personality of having to get everything she wanted, she begged her father for this marriage. ‘The problem is that it worked.’

It was because her father, Marquis Nix Eisenberg, was the Empire’s Chancellor, and the best friend of the current Emperor. The Emperor gladly accepted his most loyal subject to be a part of the Royal Family, and that was how the tragedy began.

‘Haa, there’s nothing I can do just because I changed my mind now. It’s an engagement with the Crown Prince. And if it’s announced, the reputation of the Emperor could take a downfall too. What do I do?’ But no matter how much she thought about it over the days, she couldn’t think of a solution. How was she supposed to overturn the Emperor’s decision?

While she was thinking with a concerned face, her maid, Anne entered the room.

“Tea, my lady.”

Anne set a fragrant tea down, soothing his thoughts.

“Thank you, Anne.”

“……”

But Anne didn’t leave right away and slightly hesitated.

“Hm? What’s wrong, Anne?”

“Um, my lady.”

“??”

Anne finally spoke up after a pause.

“I don’t know what the problem is….but don’t worry too much. I’m sure it’ll all be fine.”

The young maid looked down, face red with embarrassment.

“You haven’t looked well since this morning. Sorry if I’m overstepping my boundaries.”

Catarina, who had been looking at her with a blank face, softly smiled at those words.

“Anne, will you come here for a moment?”

As Anne approached, Catarina patted her head like she was proud of her.

“Thank you. My Anne is all grown up now.”

‘My Anne.’ At those words, Anne's heart beat faster. She had never heard those words before at this residence. The new version of the lady was so different. She was only 16, but it was like looking at a much older person. ‘I hope she doesn’t change.’

.....