I'm Emperor's Fake Daughter Forgiveness is overrated

The cold air of the dungeon clung to her skin as Liana sat on the stone floor, chains binding her wrists. She didn’t weep or beg. She sat in silence,

Just then the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Liana Ardin/ FL

*Her lips curled into a faint smirk* Finally, the heroine arrives.

The door creaked open, and Althea, dressed in a pristine white gown, stepped inside.

? ? ? ?

*Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the cell bars* Liana... sister. Please. Please ask for forgiveness. Father might spare you if you repent.

Liana tilted her head, her expression unreadable at first. Then, a soft chuckle escaped her lips, growing louder until it echoed in the small, suffocating cell.

Liana Ardin/ FL

FORGIVENESS? *she said, her voice laced with mockery* Do you think forgiveness would change anything, Althea?

Liana Ardin/ FL

Liana Ardin/ FL

*she stood, the chains rattling with every movement* Let me remind you, sister, I was invisible long before you arrived. Ignored. Forgotten.

Althea Venyor/OG Princess

*her tears fell faster* I don’t understand! Why won’t you try? Why are you acting like this?

Althea Venyor/OG Princess

Liana Ardin/ FL

Acting? *she stepped closer to the bars, her chains scraping against the floor. Oh, Althea, this isn’t an act. This is survival.

Liana Ardin/ FL

You wouldn’t understand because you received loved the momen you arrived and I craved for that love in shadows.

Liana Ardin/ FL

Forgiveness is for people with choices. I didn’t have any.

Althea Venyor/OG Princess

*sobbing* I never wanted this—

Liana Ardin/ FL

*cutting her off* But you have it *a vicious grin spreading across her face* The crown. The emperor’s love. The perfect fairytale.

Liana Ardin/ FL

Every fairytale needs a villainess, doesn’t it? Congratulations, Althea. You got me.

[THE EXECUTION GROUND]

Liana was dragged through the palace corridors, the chains biting into her wrists as guards hauled her forward. The sunlight blinded her as they stepped onto the execution platform, but she kept her head high. She refused to look defeated.

The crowd roared with excitement, their bloodlust palpable.

THE FAKE PRINCESS!

THE IMPOSTER! they chanted, spitting venom with every word

Liana’s gaze swept across the sea of faces until it landed on the emperor, Kaelion. He sat on his gilded throne, his expression as cold and unyielding.

Liana Ardin/ FL

*She stopped walking. Turning to face him, she called out, her voice cutting through the crowd’s noise*

Liana Ardin/ FL

*The word felt foreign on her tongue, bitter and raw* FATHER!

Liana Ardin/ FL

Did you ever loved me? Even once?

Kaelion’s icy gaze met hers. For a moment, the crowd fell silent, waiting for his answer.

Kaelion Venyor/Emperor

*he repeated* LOVE YOU?

Kaelion Venyor/Emperor

*then continued* I couldn’t even look at you without being reminded of what I lost ❄️❄️

Liana’s breath hitched, the words cutting deeper than she anticipated. But instead of breaking, she let out a sharp, bitter laugh that silenced even the most vicious hecklers in the crowd.

Liana Ardin/ FL

*she said, her voice dripping with venom* You couldn’t look at me? Oh, how convenient.

Liana Ardin/ FL

So you let me play the role of your forgotten doll, ignored and discarded, while I carried the weight of your grief. What a kind, loving father you were.

Kaelion Venyor/Emperor

*his expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened, and he motioned to the executioner*

Kaelion Venyor/Emperor

She talks too much, Start the execution ❄️❄️

Liana was forced to her knees as the executioner stepped forward, his blade gleaming in the sunlight. She lifted her face to the sky

Liana Ardin/ FL

*Her voice trembling as she whispered to herself* I did all of this for survival. Every choice, every sacrifice... just to stay alive. But who could ever understand that?

Liana Ardin/ FL

*A tear slipped down her cheek as her lips quirked into a faint smile* I still don’t want to die... but I suppose this is what fate looks like.

As the executioner raised his blade, Liana closed her eyes. Her defiance, her bitterness, her pain—all of it etched into the memory of the crowd as the girl who refused to bow.

----

A small girl bolted upright, gasping for breath. Her tiny hands clutched at the blanket as her chest heaved.

AT LIA'S ROOM

Liana [Venyor] Ardin/ Fl

NO!!!! *huffing*

Celina Venyor/ Empress

*Her mother’s soft voice broke through the haze of panic*

Celina Venyor/ Empress

Lia, baby, are you okay?

Liana [Venyor] Ardin/ Fl

*her voice trembling* Lia had a horrible nightmare

Celina Venyor/ Empress

*she sat beside her, stroking her hair* It was just a dream, sweetheart. You're safe.

Lia nodded, but her mind lingered on the vivid images. Could she really have been that person in the dream? The coldness, the despair—it felt too real. But then she glanced at her mother’s loving face and shook her head.

Liana [Venyor] Ardin/ Fl

*she whispered to herself* How could I be fake? Mama loves me, and Dada will be here in a few days. What a ridiculous dream.