"Wow..."
Susan covered her mouth with both hands. Anna, who was standing beside her, did the same. Even the maids whose names I hadn't learned yet were frozen in similar poses of shock and awe.
"My God, Princess... you are so beautiful!" Beth finally whispered, finding the words that Susan couldn't.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at them. "...Is it finally over?"
"Yes! Yes, it’s perfect!"
I felt like a celebrity getting ready for a red carpet event. I suppressed the urge to rub my face in exhaustion. My grandfather had summoned me early this morning, and I’d had to squeeze in this entire transformation during what was supposed to be my morning walk.
'How do other noblewomen do this?' I wondered. I’d heard of some who spent three full days preparing for a single banquet. I’d managed it in a few hours, even after a night of stress-induced insomnia. I supposed I should be grateful for Charlize’s innate, legendary beauty.
I turned to the mirror and finally saw the results for myself.
'Wow.'
I knew Charlize was pretty, but today... today was something else entirely. I finally understood why the maids were looking at me like they’d just seen a goddess descend to earth.
'Clothes really do make the woman,' I thought, remembering Loxdian’s comment.
The dress, crafted by the royal designer Rona, was a masterpiece. It seemed to hold the very essence of light itself. The off-white fabric shimmered with a brilliance that made it seem as if I were glowing from within. The decorations were perfectly balanced, adding to the elegance without being overwhelming.
If there were flashbulbs in this world, they’d be exploding right now. The dress and the jewelry—including the hidden necklace from Loxdian—harmonized perfectly with Charlize’s sharp, striking features.
I walked toward the door, and the escort knights who were waiting for me immediately lowered their heads. They didn't just look away; they stayed that way, their necks turning a deep, embarrassed red.
'None of you are on my side,' I thought, remembering how easily they’d obeyed Loxdian when he’d kidnapped me.
I looked for a familiar face. "Z."
The knight who usually looked me in the eye when I called his name remained silent, his head bowed. His massive shoulders were actually shaking.
I checked my reflection. 'Is the neckline too low?' I wondered. But then I remembered that the old Charlize had worn far more revealing outfits than this. This dress was actually quite modest by her standards.
"Z, look at me."
"...Yes, Princess."
"Will you only listen to me if I make it an official order?"
He finally raised his head. The moment our eyes met, his rugged, manly face turned a bright, unmistakable red. His eyes were wide and filled with a visible, trembling shock.
I couldn't help but laugh. It was a strange feeling. Every other man I’d met since waking up in this body was either a manipulative old man like my grandfather, a grumpy tyrant like Loxdian, or an ice-cold prince like Askin. Seeing such a naive, direct reaction was almost refreshing.
"Can you really protect me when your pupils are shaking that much?" I teased, walking past him.
I heard him swallow hard behind me, and then his voice rang out, full of sudden intensity.
"Princess!"
I turned back to see Z kneeling on the floor, his head bowed low. "...Even if I die, I will protect you."
'Wait, what?' I was caught off guard. 'Where did that come from? Is this what they call "sudden acceleration" in a drama?'
I reached down and pulled him to his feet. "Get up. And for the record, I’d really prefer it if you didn't die."
Z’s eyes widened. "...Yes, Princess."
When he stood up, he was much taller than me again. I looked up at him and saw a light in his eyes I hadn't noticed before. Usually, his gaze was indifferent, even slightly hostile. But now... it was vivid.
He looked at me with a somber, flushed expression. "Even if the Princess doesn't remember her promise... I will definitely protect her."
His voice was so low only I could hear it.
'Promise?' I searched Charlize’s memories, but I found nothing. I’d have to investigate that later.
"We’re late," I said, turning away. "Let’s go."
When I stepped outside, I was greeted by not one, but two massive carriages. I stared at them in disbelief.
'When did the second one get here?'
An assistant explained that the Emperor had sent his own carriage for me. I inspected it—it was a pure white vessel, stamped with the Imperial crest. It was as elegant and imposing as you’d expect a royal carriage to be.
But right next to it was the carriage my grandfather had commissioned. It was deep black with dark blue accents and gold engravings—including my name, "Charlize Altsbeit," in solid gold on the door.
The Altsbeit knights and the Imperial knights were currently locked in a heated argument.
"The Princess is the successor of the Altsbeit family! Of course she should ride in our carriage!"
"This carriage was sent by His Majesty the Emperor himself! Are you questioning his orders?"
I watched them, my disapproval growing by the second. They were so busy fighting each other that they hadn't even noticed me yet. Finally, the captains of both groups turned to me, their expressions full of a desperate, pleading intensity.
"...Princess, the Duke had this made specifically for you. You should ride in it."
"Princess, His Majesty specifically ordered me to bring this carriage for you."
Both men were looking at me as if to say, 'Princess, please. If you don't choose my carriage, I’m dead.'
'Seriously, why do I have to make this choice?'
My grandfather had told me he’d be furious if I didn't use the carriage he gave me. But if I rejected the Imperial carriage... Loxdian was not the kind of man to take a public insult lightly.
I looked at both vehicles. Honestly, the black and gold "villain’s sedan" was more my style—except for the name on the door. It looked like the kind of car a billionaire CEO would arrive in at an awards show.
I made my decision.
I looked at the Imperial knights. The captain looked triumphant, thinking he’d won the game just by my gaze.
"Remove all the Imperial markings from that carriage," I ordered.
"...Yes! I’ll see to it—wait, what?"
I crossed my arms. "I said, remove the crests. Everything that marks it as an Imperial carriage."
I knew the decorations on the royal carriage were detachable—the old Charlize had a memory of ripping them off in a drunken fit once.
The knights looked horrified. My instruction sounded insane, even for someone with my reputation. Some of them couldn't hide their disgust.
"Charlize being Charlize," I could practically hear them thinking.
"Do it now," I said. "I have to pick up my fiancé, and if I’m late, I’m going to be in a very bad mood."
That was the threat that finally moved them. They didn't want to see what a "bad mood" from Charlize Altsbeit looked like on the day of the Imperial banquet. I needed to get to Askin before he had a chance to change his mind about being my partner. If I missed this window, it would be a catastrophe.