18

Yesterday was the day of the emperor's funeral, it held at the grand palace and buried Blake's body at the cemetery of royal family.

A lot of people are mourning, but at my part, I'm kind of celebrating. Because I don't need to worry about him anymore. I can live freely on my own now.

I looked at the letter that was delivered to me lately, it's from Drivike empire, four letters and has royal seal.

It makes me think if that letters are all from my father, I want to open them now, read it while the preparation, but maybe later. I'm afraid that those letters can change my mood today.

I want to enjoy the event, because I am happy for Kier, he's an emperor now. And I know that he's capable of being a good ruler of this empire.

Even though the late emperor died, I am sad that this is the only solution that I can lean on with, emperor Blake is so cruel.

Sometimes, it makes me wonder if Blake is a good man, he won't die and maybe my relationship with him is better.

But even that I have a good relationship with emperor Blake, my father will become hindrance, because of his evil plan and his uncanny ambitions to his empire.

He's greedy, that's why most of them feared him.

I brush off what I am worrying about, because I must enjoy now, I can finally sense freedom from the responsibilities that my father gave to me.

And today is the day of Kier's coronation for his new title, newest emeperor of Gribe empire.

Lady Critesa is helping me to comb my hair, while I am watching her behind me and I am sitting in front of the vanity mirror.

"The women of nobility is busy at winning the attention of Prince Kier, what do you plan to wear, your majesty?" I smiled and remember the red dress that I picked from Critesa's designer suggestion.

"The red one, I save that for the best event here, and this is the best event for me." Lady Critesa opened all of the jewelry boxes and pick the diamond set of jewelry.

It's perfect to my red dress. It's elegant and calling my attention now. But I also want to wear the black gemstones that the late emperor gave to me, it's also mesmerizing in my eyes.

"You're having a hard time to choose what will be your accessories?" I looked at Critesa and nod slowly.

Every accessories seems great to wear, even the eye silks, all of them are high quality.

"But maybe, this black gemstones is my final choice, I feel bad that the emeperor Blake didn't see me wear his presents." I showed my half smile and close my eyes for a while.

I will definitely have a booze today, and enjoy every moment, before I will choose myself and prioritize my decisions now.

"I'll change my clothes now." I remove my inner dress and they helped me to wear the red gown now.

Make me sit in front of the vanity mirror, and Lady Criseta helped me to put some light make-up, and the other servants are putting the jewelries.

My shoulder is exposed, same as my back and all the servants left when they are done, so I can open my eyes, since Lady Criseta is not affected by my curse.

"Her royal highness, you're so gorgeous, everything that you wore is so perfect." I really looked Iike a decent person now.

"Is this really me? I looked different." I said and still checking out my reflection, who would thought that someone like me is capable to looked like a royal princess, even though that I don't have anything at all, just my title.

"I'm sure that they will love your look today, let's go and show them that you're one of a kind." I smile at the mirror, before they opened the door when I am about to go out of my room.

Lady Critesa is behind me and we when I reached the carriage, the coach man helped me.

"What's your plan, after the coronation? Princess Delaney?" Lady Critesa asked me, and I looked at the tress that is passing by.

"I want to find my real purpose, travel and live to the fullest, explore the world." I said excitedly and she smile to me.

"I'm glad that I become your lady in waiting, I can also enjoy my life while fulfilling my purpose as your lady in waiting." We both smile and watched the trees, we are near at the grand palace.

There's a lot of decorations outside, the carriage is all over the place, and the knights are also all over the ground.

"They are all busy today." I said before the carriage stop at the stairs.

All eyes on me, again. I heard some daughter of other nobles whispering while Lady Criseta is behind me, helping me to walk.

"Isn't she the fiance of emperor Blake, why she's here?"

"She's not needed here, she need to go back to her own country." I just rolled my eyes and keep walking, there's nothing they can do. I am still here and I will stay here as long as I want.

I know that they see me as a threat, eve. i already decline at the offer for being an empress for the second time.

I don't have that ambition, to become an empress and to compete with them.

Peaceful life is all that I need.

The knights open the door, I can see how surprised they are, when they see me. It looks like I am attractive tonight.

My hair is curl tonight, I let it bounce on it's own while walking, still, all eyes on me.

Well, even I, I'll be curious. Because I am a foreigner in this land, and my curse is still unknown, it's just the sage who saw that I am cursed.

I find my designated seat, and Lady Criseta is with me, we have our own table, and there's wine and sweets at the table, all people have their own world, until the door opened, it's Kier. Wearing the crown and his clothes, it's spectacular.

All of people at banquet stands up, bowed our heads while Emeperor Kier is walking.

He face all of the people when he finally reached his throne, and raised his hand, sign that all of us can look at him now.

"Long live, empire of Gribe!" We raised our wine glass and said what Emeperor Kier said.

"Long live, empire of Gribe." A round of applause and the dance floor is open now.

I sit and wait for the food to be serve. I am excited to see what's with the menu.

All people are happy, and it seems that the emeperor Blake didn't die lately. Even I, didn't feel the people mourn for their emperor, but there's nothing we can do about it, but to keep moving forward and accept the fate of this empire.

"Your highness, I will taste the food first." Lady Critesa said, when my food is served.

I smile sweetly and waved my hand, saying that it's not necessary at all.

I trust them, and it's totally fine if I die, my father will be happy, and will feel relief if I die. His failed daughter, who brings disgrace to royal family finally left the picture.

"I know that no one is interested to kill me, I am just nobody." I get the knife and fork. Slicing the steak and watched the people dance at the dance floor, at the other side, the musicians are all busy.

"It's nice to meet the princess of Drivike empire, you're pretty as what the news said." I looked at the man in front of me.

He kneel and I gave my hand to him, it's the oldest son of the Duke Gabriel.

He gently kissed it, while looking at my eye silk.

"You may raise now." I said coldly and withdraw my hand, secretly feel disgusted by his presence.

"I want to ask you to dance, milady." He offer his hand, and I look at it.

It's a big issue if I decline to his offer, but at the same time, I didn't even finish my food, I'm still enjoying the food that is being served.

I'm about to talk, when Emperor Kier is behind him, he automatically kneel and I bowed my head.

"It's my rights to ask the princess to have her first dance tonight, if you excuse?" Emeperor Kier proudly said, and the oldest son of Duke Gabriel just step back.

"Come here," emeperor Kier said, and I gave my hand to him, he get it and helped me to stand up.

"Thank you, you saved me again." I laughed and turn around before he lifted me up and started to dance.

"You look wicked, dangerously gorgeous." His hand went to my waist and the other is holding my hand.

"You look like a father," I joked and he just giggle, he's still the same. The Kier that I know before he became an emperor.

"Please be careful with my father, he's wicked and greedy ruler. I know that in the future, he will trick you." I turn around for the second time, and my body went closer to Kier's body.

"You're finally free now, what's your plan?" He asked me, changing the topic, as if he didn't heard my warning, regarding to my father.

I just shrug my shoulder and look around.

The people are watching us to dance together.

"I don't know, but I am happy now, because I am free from harm and to commitment that I don't want to in the beginning." I answered honestly and Kier lift me up again, before turning around.

It's looks like I'm too light for him, so he can lift me up while dancing.

"That's good to hear, but you know. I also don't want this commitment, if you're not the one who's beside me, to help me through my journey as a emperor." I put me down and the song is almost over, seems like Kier and I are running out of time.

"What do you mean, you're making me feel nervous, emeperor Kier." I said and his eyes are focused to mine.

"I'm happy that I am capable of making you nervous, that means I am affecting you." He said and chuckle sweetly.

Why Kier is acting differently now.

"I don't want other woman to become an empress, because I know how uncanny they are, they will use their position to their own desires, not pure hearted, unlike you." He paused and smile from ear to ear.

"I saw how good hearted you are, that you are dedicated at your position, even that you're not an official empress." His hand separated to mine, and distanced himself to my body.

"I hope, you will change your mind, be my empress." He smile bitterly, before the song ends, he hold my hand again and walk with me, to my table.

"See you soon, my princess Delaney." Emeperor Kier kissed the back of my hand before leaving, now. My heart is beating wildly, I am still nervous.

"I need some fresh air, Lady Criseta." I announced to her and walk to the way of balcony.

He's acting differently, what's wrong with Kier today?

Is that a kind of act, but I don't know why my heart os hoping that he said it genuinely, with all of his heart.

"This is insane, Delaney, calm down." I said to myself and slapped my both cheeks.

"Yes, that's really insane." I look behind me, and Kier was there, he was standing there and looking at me.

I don't know if this is the effect of alcohol or it's just my feelings, but I feel the urge to hug him, secured by those strong arms and feel the heat.

But it's too late, Kier was kissing me, and I gave up in oblivion.