Alright, I confess, this is really an awkward situation..
Being, born and reincarnated as Anastasia, the villainous step sister of the precious Cinderella, my life's always filled with awkward situations that were mostly caused by me, to be honest.
Whether be it the time, I tore my step sister's lovely pink dress, jealous of her beauty in my story's first reincarnation [Or] the time, I hastily tried wearing Cinderella's glass slippers and almost ended up hurting the guard who desperately tried to fit them into my HUGE foot in my twentieth reincarnation, [Or] even in this life, when I had shabbily tried to stalk Prince Charming at the ball for weeks.. even though I perfectly knew, I had no chance against a beauty as her, in the current reincarnation..
You must think, I might probably be used to these awkward situations...
But, you know what..?
That awkwardness, does not even compare to the cumbersome feeling I felt now..
"Hehe.."
I stood still stuck in this awkward atmosphere, wearing a plastic smile on my face, before the last few people, I wanted to meet in my entire life time.
Prince Zenon's Family. A. K. A,. The Royal family.
My mortal enemies.
"And, These are the daughters of the Rottenstein family. Anastasia and Drizzella de Rottensteins, I have told you about, Your Highness.. And, You must remember, Lady Anastasia-san too well don't you, big brother Jul.. "
snickered Prince Zeno, as The First Prince shrugged his princely tunic and plastered an emotionless expression on his face. Annoyed. He was utterly annoyed by his brother's stupid gesture, I observed.
"It's a great honor to meet you, your majesty.."
I bowed before the king as my sister does the same. We were thought to do so, by our mother since the time we were still kids.
Diligent, dignified with an aura of a divine elegance. The fitting character of a Nobel.
I must never depart from this custom. I must keep my words in check. And, never drop the fake smile and the perfect posture, I was trained to stay in every single second. I must.. I must not let down the social norms, my mother has preached me.
"It's is a surprise to meet you too, Lady Rottenstein. I am aware that you have lost your mother a few days back..? I-I am sorry for that..? " the king cleared his throat.
"Erm.. No. It's alright, Majesty. It is true that everything happened around us were so pushed and sudden. But, thanks to my mother's perfect functioning and accounts, I am glad that I could somehow manage the household on my own for a few days, with the guidance of my head maid. We do have certain depts made by my late father to resolve, but they are compatible, if I could just find a job on my own in the city.."
"That's very responsible of you, Lady Rottenstein. You seem like a bright young lady. I am surprised to see that you have been thought with the manners of a proper Nobel.."
'Unlike a haughty villainess said in the story' I know, he wanted to add but, I was glad he didn't.
"The death of your mother was very unfortunate. But, we promise that our guards are doing the needy and carrying on the investigation by the details you have given us, Miss Rottenstein.."
"Thank-you so much your highness. I am forever grateful for your kindness.. "
I smiled.
And, then...
"...."
"...."
We were filled with the second round of awkwardness.
.
.
The Emperor was famous for his just and intelligent in running the entire kingdom. Well, ruling the country which is one of the most powerful kingdoms in the entire fictional world definitely a big deal.
Though, he looked kinda old and much mature now, I have heard he used to be complete hot spot when he was young. He wore the same expression of his elder son. But, noting his impressive quality of saying nothing too rude or offensive to the lowly visitors of the Royal palace, who were also the main mortal villain of his fairytale, he was a very kind man, I give him a credit. He looked frightening.
But, his wife was the double times him. She wore a beautiful refreshing smile on her face that was almost impossible for anyone including me to decipher what she was really thinking. She looked extremely gorgeous, had a lovely dark black hair and seemed exactly how a princess must be. Confident, elegant and beautiful. But, her peculiar smile.. That was what I was literally terrified of. I can't even tell what she was thinking, whether she likes me or not!
I looked back at Prince Zenon who wore a similar expression as the queen. A refreshing smile. (I think he must have learnt it from his step mother)
My eye twitched with anger.
Ah, my lovely dear Prince Zeno...I know, you are supposed to be considered as smart and possess a heart of gold but.. I really wonder, why you enjoy making people feel uncomfortable!..
Prince Zeno as though he had understood the glare, I had directed towards him behind that plastic smile of mine, chuckled and gently clapped his hands in excitement.
"So." He looked at the two groups. The royal family and the Rottenstein sisters, ".. now that we all know each other, shall we get along well! "
He chirped wearing a usual his charming, "refreshing" smile not bothered about the intensity of the entire atmosphere at all and grinned.
"I definitely know we are gonna a lot of fun together.."
I smiled gracefully clenching my fists.
Curse you Prince Zeno! How the heck are we supposed to have fun? Just look at their faces will you!? It's only a matter of time until someone or other gets...
"Brother- Prince Zeno.." Prince Julian cleared his throat.
Ah, there it begins..
"I do not comprehend, why we need to accommodate Lady Rottenstein and her sister in our palace. I mean, I know, it's still dangerous for them to stay in their mansion as the real enemy is still out on the lose. But, why can't she just be in some ordinary guest house with our guards guarding their current fortress, for now. Won't it be more reasonable, that way..? "
"Yes, brother. But, it's just, that I don't really trust that kind of security for this family. The enemy is just too powerful to be dealt with simply and the best place to protect them, is the royal palace.. So.. "
"Unacceptable!" The first prince burst in fits of anger.
" I cannot allow anyone who isn't a royal, inside our palace. It is a huge disgrace for royalty to excuse these malicious villainesses.."
You, stupid brute! Are you really a demon and do you really think, "I" wanted to come here!? It is a disgrace that I should even stay polite and bear with your stereotypes just because you are a prince!
I was literally very tempted to spill my hidden thoughts, but I decided to control my temper and continued plastering my fake smile. The corners of my lips are starting to feel a little itchy.
"Oh, brother, ..You were the one who had a person, entirely unrelated to the heroine's kidnapping thrown on the prison based on your wrong assumption. Don't you think your disgraceful injustice, wasn't demon enough?" Prince Zeno smiled as I shuddered.
Ahh, that was a brutal honesty. Just as expected. Prince Zenon is too scary when he gets annoyed.
His brother threw an angry glare at him but it was soon dissolved into a simple smile.
"I-I guess, so.. I just think they are not competent enough to stay in the palace, brother. We mustn't make our guest uncomfortable don't we..? "
"Hmmm.." Prince Zeno suddenly looked at me and asked.
"You have always wanted to be in a castle, haven't you..? "
"Mmmn..Y-Yes..?" I wonder why he asked me that?
"See, they love it here!"
Whaaattt!? That's so unfair! That was a trap question!?!
I mentally continue cursing him.
But, it's alright for now I guess. I mean, I did behave well. And my sister did too. So, we didn't exactly cause anyone trouble. Inside the world of nobility, it's very important to know our place and talk according.
Even though my mother, was born as a villainess, she was also the Viscountess of the Fairytale kingdom. A title which was below the post of an Earl and above the post of a Baron. A position that wasn't too low to not even be allowed inside the Royal palace nor too high to be a close intimacy of a Royal member.
And, it was because of this reason, I wasn't that terrified to stand in the presence of the King. Because the greatest punishment he can give to me a villainess for entering the Royal palace is throwing me out of here. Not more not less.
Fufu.. I am being saved by my mother's post.
Until or unless I and my sister not properly behave before them, that is. But, I am sure there no problem to that cause, I hate to take part in a lengthy execution schedule and there is no way I could even dare to be Rotten before the king. I am not stupid enough to dig my own grave.
That's what I thought, when my petal mouthed cute 6 year old sister, Drizzella suddenly tugged my long dark-red Elizabethan gown.
"Big sister.. " My sister clasped her hands into a wishful posture and leaned closer to me, batting her eyelashes. Her cheeks anxiously blushed bright with curiosity contradicting, her dull blue and brown gown.
"How is the crown still standing on the king's head when he is completely bald?.. "