The Romantic Trials Of A Transmigrated Empress

The Thorin estate had unexpected guests and Sigrid did not count as one of those guests. Unexpected in this case meant guests whose presence could not have been foreseen by anyone ever.

Nobody could have anticipated that Alexander Ridley would someday bring some of the members of his family to Eldoria and knock on the gates of the Thorin estate.

The Ridley’s arrived ten minutes before Sigrid did. Duke Thorin nearly fainted on seeing Alexander Ridley again. He wondered if this was one of those literal speak of the devil instances because not long ago, he had talked about the man and suddenly he was on his doorstep.

The shock doubled when Alexander gave him a bear hug and called him an old friend. Then, he audaciously invited himself into their home and asked the servants to prepare rooms for his family as they were staying over for at least a fortnight.

By the time Sigrid arrived, maids were serving refreshments and her grandfather was glaring daggers at Lord Ridley. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Sigrid sauntered into the living room, walking gracefully with her hands folded together and resting on her lower abdomen. She joined everyone and sat down. "I do hope that I am not interrupting. I had no idea that we had guests."

Even though Sigrid had told her family members many times not to curtsy or bow before her, they still did. This was especially so when they were around people that were not considered family.

Their actions prompted the Ridley’s to stand up and greet her.

"I heard the good news about your granddaughter’s wedding old friend." Lord Ridley bellowed in a delighted voice. "I must say that I was sad not to receive an invitation. I have always considered us family Thorin."

Lady Iryne, Duchess Mila, Deanne and Annabelle Givenchy looked at the duke. Their puzzled eyes were truly seeking for an explanation.

The duke that was truly lost just sighed. Was he supposed to tell them that he met Alexander only once when he was on a secret spying mission? But, as Alexander was not the self appointed king of Northern Medoris, Duke Thorin decided to indulge the man for bit.

Maybe someday he would be the Eldorian emperor. It would not hurt to be on good terms with him.

"If we are such good friends than why have I not received and free nuts from you in all of these years?"

Alexander made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort.

Sigrid was intrigued and she could not hold herself back from jumping into the conversation. "So you are the nut king of Medoris. I must admit that you are not what I expected."

Lord Ridley picked up a cup of coffee and leaned back in the chair. "Really! Do tell crown princess, what did you think the nut king looked like?"

"Shorter, with a sharp nose and chubby cheeks like the little figure on your packaged nuts." She looked at the dozens of nuts that were being unpacked and taken to the pantry.

Lord Ridley had brought a variety and so many nuts that they could feast on them for a year or open their very own shop selling nuts.

He laughed, as did the other Ridley’s.

"I think your coffee could use something nutty." Lord Ridley said, placing the cup back and the small saucer back on the table.

Duke Thorin was surprised by Lord Ridley’s words. "You know coffee?"

Lord Ridley frowned. "Of course I know coffee. We drink coffee in Medoris, there is a Starbucks coffee house on every street all over the empire."

Sigrid rolled her eyes. Was she really the only transmigrator trying to be original?

"You are copying and pasting as well!" Cosmos’s laughing voice came to her ears.

"At least I am changing the names, doing some research and making small adjustments. Emmah and this Medorian high priestess.."

"Divine messenger." Cosmos corrected

"Whatever she is, she is not trying. Look at the new names of the Medorian cities. Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, Yokohama....come on!! I can already guess that she was from Asia and ninety nine percent likely to be of Japanese Origin.

And that silly goose Emmah, she wanted to act and produce titanic. She did not even finish shooting the first scene and it all fell apart. You would think that now that she is in a family that owns ships, she would go ahead to shoot her movie but that has not crossed her mind."

"Perhaps I should remind you that you keep ruining all of her plans." Cosmos laughed again.

Sigrid chuckled to herself. It drew the attention of the others and Duchess Mila tapped her arm. "Siggy dear, we are making introductions."

Sigrid sat up straighter, giving them attention, ready to catch up on what she had missed. "I apologize, my mind traveled elsewhere for a moment."

Lord Ridley was eager to reply with a smile, "No need for an apology your highness, you are an accomplished woman with much to think about it. We passed through Nemoris on our way here and the people were singing your praises.

I must admit that you have done such a wonderful job since you took control of it. The roads have changed, you have offered free education to the children. Hospitals are being raised, you even introduced free housing and food for the homeless and hungry. The donation box outside every building idea is a great one. How the money is not stolen is a wonder."

"The money does not sit in the box. It slides to another compartment and the money is collected daily." Sigrid answered. "I missed the introductions, if you don’t mind. Can we begin again?"

"Of course." Lord Ridley replied with pleasure. "This is my oldest son Ethan Ridley and his wife Anatolia Phoenix."

The couple stood up and paid respects to Sigrid again.

"This is third son North Ridley and his wife Greta Spicer."

Like the first couple, they repeated the same action.

"And last is my fifth son, East Ridley. He is your age so you two will be very good friends. I hope so anyway." Lord Ridley laughed, forgetting to introduce his wife.

She had to cough to remind him that she too had come along for the trip.

Lord Ridley took her hand and smiled at her, very apologetic. Then he looked at Sigrid and said with pride in his voice, "This is my wife Isolde, my heart and joy."

Sigrid gasped.

The small cup of tea in Duke Thorin’s hands fell to the ground.

Both of them wondered how the Isolde that should have been dead was alive and kicking. Was the story they heard false?