Empress of My Heart

Hia slowly opened her eyes, and everything around her gleamed with a soft golden light, pouring through the ornate windows in a way she had never seen before. The scent of roses and the luxurious aroma filling the air made her pause her breath for a moment. She lifted her hand to touch her dress and was startled by its texture—soft yet heavy at the same time. “Is this… a dream?” she whispered to herself, trying to calm her racing heart. She sat up on the massive bed, the silk clinging to her hands. It was a luxurious white gown embroidered with gold, its long sleeves and tiny sparkling jewels on her hands adding a sense of grandeur. Hia felt her heart pounding—not because she was in a palace, but because of a strange feeling inside her… something she had never experienced before. She rose and moved toward the large mirror at the end of the room—and froze in place. The face looking back at her wasn’t hers… long silver hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, and her violet eyes shimmered with a mysterious glow that left her staring at herself in astonishment. “Oh my…,” she whispered. “Lianora…?” Hia shivered. Lianora? She didn’t know the name, yet it felt strangely familiar. She glanced around the lavish room, the decorated furniture, the ancient paintings, and the massive doors—everything spoke of a grandeur she had never known in her previous life. She sat back on the bed, trying to make sense of what had happened. Suddenly, she heard footsteps on the polished marble outside. They were quiet yet firm, and with each step, her heart leapt. “Who’s there?” she asked cautiously, trying to steady her trembling voice. The door slowly opened, and a tall man entered, dressed in black clothes adorned with gold. His long black hair barely reached his shoulders, and his dark eyes swept the room quickly before settling on Lianora. “Ah… good morning,” the man said in a calm, deep voice. It wasn’t hostile, but there was a tension in it that made her uneasy. “Good… morning…” Hia stammered, struggling to find words. How should she speak? She wasn’t herself… The man smiled faintly, as if he could sense her confusion, yet he didn’t comment further. “I hope you slept well,” he added, his tone softening. “The morning hours here are short, and the royal rituals await. You need to prepare.” “Rituals…?” Hia whispered to herself, trying to recall anything about her new life. Me?… A princess? I am this girl now? She stood hesitantly, looking around, trying to comprehend the place she had become part of. The room was adorned with golden decorations, chandeliers sparkling above her head, and a red carpet covering the entire floor. She felt as if she were in a dream… a dream she didn’t want to wake from. “Do I… really have to wake up and wear this?” she asked softly, pointing to the luxurious white gown. The imposing man in the room—whose name she did not yet know—smiled faintly but didn’t speak directly. He stepped closer. “This is what is expected of a princess,” he said calmly, then gestured toward the door. “Time does not wait.” Hia exhaled, trying to calm herself. Alright… if I’m going to live here, I must act as a princess… but how? She hurried back to the mirror, trying to control her panic. There was only Lianora’s reflection… yet with every glance, Hia felt a strange power, a sensation that this body had not been given to her in vain. “Good morning, Lianora,” the man said, as if speaking directly to her. Hia shivered, whispering to herself: “I… don’t even know his name yet.” Another voice came from outside, soft yet sharp: “Lianora, are you ready now?” Hia turned toward the door and saw a young maid standing with a friendly smile. “Yes,” Hia replied, unsure if she even wanted to use the name Lianora. Now the preparations for breakfast in the grand hall began. The entire palace was bustling with guests and servants; the tables adorned with exquisite flowers, candles lit everywhere. Hia felt every gaze on her carried a sense of curiosity, but she tried to smile as any practiced princess would. “I can’t believe…,” she whispered to herself. “I really am a princess now.” Suddenly, another man entered the hall, tall, dressed in black, his black hair reaching his shoulders, his dark eyes meeting hers from afar. A shiver ran through her body. Who was this man? He was Emperor Kaelin. He didn’t know that she wasn’t the real Lianora… yet something in her stance, in her nervous smile, made him sense a different spirit within her. The emperor approached the dining table, not too close to Hia, but sat where he could see her directly. “Good morning,” he said in a formal tone, though with a hint of warmth. “Good morning…” Hia responded, trying to steady her quivering voice, attempting to sound natural. The guests began their breakfast, but Hia couldn’t focus on the food. Everything around her was new; every movement in the palace required caution. She felt as if every eye was on her, and every word could be misinterpreted. The emperor noticed her tension, though he showed no sign of suspicion. He sat across from her, offering a brief, gentle smile. “Does this grand hall intimidate you?” Hia smiled shyly, trying to control her expression. “A little… yes. Everything is… so huge.” The emperor smiled faintly but didn’t say more, merely gesturing toward the table. “Please, sit. Everything is fine.” Minutes passed, and Hia began to feel a gradual sense of ease. She learned how to hold the knife and fork, how to sit like a princess, how to look at people with confidence. Every small movement felt strange, yet she knew she couldn’t appear weak in front of the emperor and the other attendees. After breakfast, one of the maids asked her to walk with her to the garden for morning exercise. “Hia, it’s time to get to know the palace gardens,” she said with a smile, carrying a lighter dress for her to wear during the walk. Hia stood on the balcony and saw the emperor standing in the distance, gazing at the garden, unaware that her heart raced every time she saw him. She felt a mixture of awe, fear, and attraction. “This…,” she whispered to herself. “This is my new world, my new life… and the emperor… will never know the truth.”