The next morning, I sat cross legged on my soft bed and stared at the ceiling.

I really want to change this sad story into a happy one, I thought while holding my blanket tightly. But... where do I even start?

How was I supposed to help Leon live a normal life? He was the biggest problem in the whole story! And even worse, I had panicked yesterday and left him alone in that dark alley. Now I had no idea where to find him.

While I was lost in my thoughts, the bedroom door opened. The same group of maids from yesterday entered the room.

"Oh! Princess, you're awake already!" the head maid Sera said in surprise. "You should rest more. Your body is still recovering."

"It's just a habit," I replied with a small smile. "At the Dawson estate, I always woke up early to finish my chores."

The room suddenly became silent.

"Oh...!"

The maids gasped.

I could almost see their thoughts.

'Our poor princess!'

'That horrible Dawson family made her work like a servant!'

'They deserve to be punished!'

Cold sweat ran down my back.

Why does everyone look ready to start a war whenever I talk about my past? It's scary!

Before I could explain, Sera gently hugged me.

"Don't worry, Princess," she said softly. "You never have to work like that again. We will take good care of you."

I smiled at her kindness, and the other maids smiled too.

"Since you're already awake," Sera said, clapping her hands, "let's get you ready for today."

I tilted my head.

"Ready for what?"

The maids exchanged excited looks.

"Today, you will meet His Majesty the Emperor."

"Your father."

The Emperor?! My father?!

My eyes widened.

Wait! I completely forgot about him!

.

.

.

One Very Long Makeover Later...

"Finally..."

I let out a tired sigh as the maids stepped back.

I climbed down from the chair and looked at my new dress.

"Wow!"

The maids gasped again.

'She's an angel!'

'So cute!'

'My heart can't handle this!'

My face turned red.

They're doing it again! Why are they acting like I'm some magical creature?!

I quickly focused on something more important.

The Emperor.

In the original novel, he wasn't a bad person. He loved Emily very much and cared about her deeply.

But everyone described him as a cold and frightening ruler.

I swallowed nervously.

What if he thinks I'm a fake princess?

Meeting a character from a novel was one thing.

Meeting an emperor in real life was another.

What if he looked at me and thought:

"How could this little child be my daughter?"

What if he threw me out?

Wait... this is a common fantasy novel situation!

I suddenly had an idea.

If I want to survive, I have to use my strongest weapon.

My cuteness.

I slapped my cheeks lightly.

Come on, Bella! You can do this! Even if it's embarrassing, act like the cutest child in the empire!

*****

The Imperial Audience Chamber

Wow.

I had been sitting alone on a huge sofa for twenty minutes.

The Emperor still hadn't appeared.

I had hoped Emily would come too, but she wasn't here.

I was completely alone in the giant room.

Slowly, my confidence disappeared.

I looked down at my feet, which couldn't even touch the floor.

Don't tell me... he thinks I'm fake and doesn't want to meet me?

A small feeling of sadness appeared in my chest.

I quickly shook my head.

No! Why am I sad? My goal is to survive, save everyone, and create a happy ending. I'm not here to become part of a happy family!

I jumped off the sofa.

Let's go back. He's obviously not coming—

Oof!

The moment I turned around, I crashed into something hard.

"Ah!" I cried, holding my nose.

Tears filled my eyes.

"Why is there a giant pillar in the middle of the room?!"

"A pillar?"

A deep voice spoke above me.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up.

And up.

And up.

A tall man stood in front of me.

He had sharp features, powerful eyes, and an air of authority around him.

He looked down at me with amusement.

"Do you really think I am a pillar, child?"