Queen of the Scalpel - Chapter 8 - The Unfair Bet

Chapter 8: The Unfair Bet

Finally the day came. Elise put on her dress and got ready. She tried to avoid fancy clothes, but that didn’t mean that she spent any less time getting ready. In meetings like this, dressing up was a woman’s weapon. As they were going to discuss something important, she needed to do her best preparing.

“Can you do this?”

“Your makeup seems lighter than normal, but is that okay?”

“Yeah, I think this is better.”

The past Elise had always worn the fanciest clothes and put on the darkest makeup. But she shook her head internally. ‘Vanity aside, it doesn’t look good on me. Just because you dress up a lot doesn’t mean that you look prettier.’ She had experienced the developed makeup of the 21st century. She didn’t enjoy dressing herself up during her life as a doctor, but she knew what fit her the best.

“This brooch and this necklace, and the pearl earrings, can you put it on for me?”

“Yes, miss.”

She looked at herself in the mirror when she was done. ‘Nice. Not bad.’ Next to her, Mary spoke up.

“Wow…so pretty.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yes, it’s not as fancy as before…but….it’s so pretty. You look so elegant…and…I think this look fits you better than before.”Elise smiled lightly.

“Thank you.”

And with the item she had prepared beforehand, she left for the gate of the residence. El was standing there like he was waiting for her.

“Are you read—”

And it was at that moment. Marquis El’s eyes widened at his daughter’s appearance.

“Elise…?”

“Yes? What’s the matter, father?”

Elise blinked her blue eyes. It wasn’t just her father, but it was also her stepmother and her second eldest brother. They were looking at her with wide eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

However, they weren’t able to answer.

“You….”

She was beautiful. She was always pretty, but today she was beautiful like she had just come out of a portrait. And it wasn’t like she had particularly done anything special. Makeup, pearl necklace, handmade, brooch, and a prim white lace dress. That was it.

But her looks stood out even more with her prim and graceful outfit. If her fancy dresses and extreme makeup had covered her face before, now her elegant outfit focused the attention on her doll-like face, and showed off her beauty. Elise tilted her head.

“Do I look weird?”

“N, No.”

Elise stepped towards her dad and grabbed his hand.

“Let’s go, father.”

The Marquis nodded his head in surprise.

“Keum, s-sure, let’s go.”

And after the two got on the carriage, they headed towards the Palace.

***
The carriage finally arrived at the Palace, making wheel noises as it went. The Britia Empire was the most powerful empire that had influence not only on its island, but also on lands beyond its borders, which is why the Palace of the Empire was that colossal and grandiose. Elise looked at the Palace with wistful eyes for a moment.

‘It’s been a while.’ Before she was removed as Empress, she spent 6 years in this place. But they weren’t good memories. ‘I thought this place was everything.’ She looked away since this place made her uncomfortable. ‘The talk with the Emperor has to go well…’

She closed her eyes to prepare herself. The Marquis El spoke up when he saw her in that state.

“Are you alright, Elise?”

“It’s nothing, father.”

“If you’re not feeling well, let me know. Don’t hold back.”

At her father’s concerned words, she let out a smile.

“Father.”

“Hm?”

“What are you going to do if I make a mistake?”

“What are you talking about suddenly?”

“So…if I…make some kind of mistake…”

The Marquis frowned.

“Why? Did you do something wrong?”