Chapter 10: The world within the game.
Elise was fumbling around my closet seeing the new clothes she bought for me yesterday had come.
Tailored by the finest fashion trends, I ordered something darker colored and it seemed my maid had chosen something perfect for the occasion.
After not liking the color blue on me and I had to act last time that I liked the color in front of Elise so her feelings wouldn't get hurt was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
Anyone who will make my maid cry will certainly be dealt with care.
Even me... I suppose.
"Milady, your new clothes! Are they to your liking?" (Elise) tilts her head over to look at my widening smile.
The outfit she picked for me. I can't believe I'm saying this, but- I love it.
The shade of dark purple mixed with light, the pattern on the side and how comfortable it was. Truly, I couldn't help myself from complimenting Elise.
"You've outdone yourself." I told her and she gave me a satisfied look.
I walked to my jewelry box and pulled out a Ruby crystal placing it into her palms. "Here is a reward for your hard work."
Elise turns to the gemstone and looks at me softly before shaking her head and giving it back to me. "No need for this, milady. I am already getting paid by your family at minimum wage. The rewards from last time were enough as well."
The ruby gemstone was handed back to me and I frown. "You can use this to buy a house far away from here. Away from me where surely you'll be safer when the time comes..."
My right hand couldn't help but shake in memory of the assassination attempt that happened a few days ago.
It was fresh, even the purple mark on my neck was still fresh.
Instinctively my hands traveled to my neck and my hands landed once more into the mirror.
The reflection of my neck made me shudder, feeling someone else's angry presence behind me.
I feel like going insane.
I don't want her to see her again so soon.
The original Scarlett will come over to take her body back- what will happen to me?
The game... If she's in my head and she can hear everything I'm thinking about.
Does she know everything? From the game, the plot, the love interest-
What she really is... a coded programmed pixel whose only purpose is to destroy the life of the Heroine.
No matter... I can't do anything at the moment. I should focus on the now than questions that won't answer themselves and it looks like the original Scarlett only comes out when she wants to.
"Milady."
I felt someone else's hands into mine wrapping them gently into theirs. Elise looks at me with those soft caring eyes of hers before saying, "Serving you by your side is enough. It always has been enough."
I blink a few more several times before looking down at our hands.
Serving me... is enough?
Not only did that make me somehow happy, I felt like I could trust Elise no matter what happens. My body feels so relaxed around her it's like... I can't explain it into words.
'This... lying skunk! How dare she say it's enough?! It's never been ENOUGH! It never has and never will be!'
Scarlett?!
I hurriedly looked in the mirror to see if I could catch a glimpse of the original Scarlett. "!!!"
She was crying.
Her eyes swollen red, and her face seemed to be angry with what Elise had said. I thought I knew everything from the game but there seem to be some missing bits and pieces here.
I wanted to call out to the original Scarlett that seemed to be in pain but once again she disappeared. Leaving me with a disappointed face and a worried Elise looking back and forth at me as well as the mirror.
"Ah... milady no need to be sad. Your neck will heal as good as new in a few weeks or so." she tries to cheer me up but I'm afraid it's not about the scar.
I feel frustrated that I am the only one who can see the real Scarlett. I can't tell anyone about this because I know they won't believe me.
Hell if a horrible person I knew told me she has another half residing on her body I would've told her that she needs help in the psychiatric ward. I played it off and just agreed with Elise, "I suppose you're right. I'll give it a few weeks for it to heal."
I turned back to Elise who was now holding a small little box with a purple ribbon on top of it.
A gift?
I looked around to make sure and realized it was only the two of us in my room. "I-Is that for me?" I asked her, my voice a little nervous.
I don't believe it's Scarlett's birthday or anything. Now that I mention it, I don't even know when her birthday is.
Elise nods at my question and hesitantly gives me the box with the happiest smile on her face, "Yes milady. I thought this might help you hide the marks temporarily and make sure it's of dark color."
I took the box off her hands gently, a little shy but I did my best not to show it. I unwrapped the ribbon and opened the box revealing a dark purple choker with a small golden plated trinket at the front.
My maid excitedly looks at me waiting for my reaction, "D-Do you like it milady?"
I could see her hands fidgeting.
I looked back at her gift again and eyed it softly.
Instead of answering her I took the choker and asked. "Will you help me put it on?" my heart didn't have the strength to tell her I loved it so much that it made my day.
Her mouth couldn't help forming an 'o' before taking back her gift and replies happily, "Yes milady!"
I sat down at the seat of my desk and faced my reflection once more. I expected to see the other Scarlett like before but it seemed like she was no longer in the mood to insult Elise. Those two... what history did they have?
In the game, it was only mentioned that Elise was a loyal maid that stayed by the Villainess' side no matter what she did.
Clearly, there was something more from how Scarlett looked like she was in pain before.
"And done, milady. You can look at yourself in the reflection now. You look beautiful as ever." (Elise) compliments my figure and my eyes lands on her gift. I didn't realize how fast she put it on and how it fit well with the dress she picked for me.
"Thank you, Elise." I stand up and pack all the things that I might need for Lady Clarisse's invitation.
"I will be going out later this afternoon and will not return until tonight. Lady Clarisse has invited me to... her so called shopping spree." I tell my maid who nods in understanding, giving me a small thumbs up as if she was cheering me on.
"I-I support your choices, milady." she says nervously while looking like a nervous mother duck seeing her little duckling finally going out with a friend.
But... What choices?
"I suppose thank you for supporting my... choices?" I confusedly tell her and she nods blushing a little giving me another thumbs up.
I don't understand her sometimes but I suppose I'm missing something important here.
Oh... don't tell me.
"It's not a date or anything like that, Elise. Its a simple matter of friendly gathering between friends." I am not daft enough to let that detail slip by. Just because I defended her that one tea party doesn't mean I'm interested in her suggestive offers.
"I don't have time for such romances." I told her seriously and she frowned.
"It appears I have misunderstood, apologies milady." (Elise) lowers her head guiltily and I roll my eyes walking forward and flicking my finger at her head. "Ow! Milady!" she holds onto the place where I flicked my finger.
I glared at her and crossed my arms angrily. "Never lower your head before me. If it's you Elise I see you as someone who I can trust so... don't do that. Let the other maids do it but not you."
She looks at me in confusion, blinking a few times. "But milady-"
"No buts. No lowering your head, as punishment I decided I won't go alone to Lady Clarisse's invitation. I'm taking you with me." I dragged her arm and quickly told her to follow me into the carriage, perhaps a little too excitedly.
"Milady, be careful please. You might trip." (Elise) warned me as we walked into the halls and outside our home.
The carriage outside seemed to be surrounded by a few guards as well as a familiar dark haired brother of mine that I didn't feel like arguing with early this morning.
"Sawyer. What are you doing here?" I asked him and the other guards turned to me but he just continued to cross his arms. "And where do you think you're going Scarlett?" he asks, looking over at Elise and I.
"Out to Lady Clarisse's invitation. I believe she told you already."
Sawyer scowls before shaking his head, "I have forbidden you to go out. Do you know how dangerous it is for a lady to go out?"
I clench my teeth at him, "You know even if I don't go outside, inside our home seems to be infected by a lot of people that want me dead. Might I remind you- even if you fired someone who has been suspected. New ones will just come!"
"Still I ought to-" (Sawyer) stops before looking over the carriage and over to me. "I'm just worried- alright? I'm your big brother and I just want what's best for you." he tells me looking over my neck and I ignore him.
For a love interest for the Heroine, I might not recommend my brother on this one.
"What do you think that's best for me might not be what I need and I need some fresh air with a new profound friend of mine so I would like it if you move aside." I walk over to my brother, his looming height conquers mine but I don't back down. "Hmph, come Elise."
I go inside the carriage with my maid in tow.
Sawyer could only watch and he motions for two guards to accompany me on my way.
"Are you sure it's alright to say that to your brother milady? This is the first time I've seen the two of you have a fight this badly before." (Elise)
In the game, they had more fights than one could count.
And I think I'm seeing the original Scarlett's reasoning as to why she became a rebellious stubborn person who won't listen to anyone. While it's a sweet thing that Sawyer is looking out for me, it feels suffocating having to be always inside the house.
"Elise, he'll be fine. I don't feel like staying inside that place for very long." I told her and she nodded in understanding what I meant. We sat in comfortable silence as I gave the needed location to the driver and looked out in the window to see from the valley of green.
.-.-.-.-.
Clack, Clack, Clack!
Soon however, I could see concrete stones forming on the ground, it seems we were onto city territory and a thriving one at that. "We've arrived at Montilum city, milady." (Elise) tells me as I lean further into the glass window of our carriage.
"It seems to be a lovely place." I muttered, and couldn't help but admire the city streets filled with many merchants selling their things. I don't recall coming here... there's no memories of the original Scarlett in this place.
I was busy gawking at the sights of many trinkets available.
"???" Until something caught my eye and saw several people with chains on their neck. They were carrying heavy things such as wood and heavy concrete. I raised my eyebrow and pointed at several people walking around almost naked and walking on their bare feet.
"Elise there are slaves..." I told her and she seemed to be surprised at my words. Its as if I've never seen a slave before in my life- I... I actually never did but I know the original Scarlett might have.
"Yes, milady. This city is famous for having slavery at its main trading business. Perhaps why... Lady Clarisse has invited you to such a place. I have told you she purchases slaves often." (Elise) explains and I look down at the invitation in my hand.
Shopping for mentors.
Did she meant buying a slave that would be obeyed on teaching me?
I eyed the slaves once more and realized there was a lot of half-human half-animal characters. They went on carrying heavy things and were whipped on the back with their ears looping down. "Ah right... demi-humans. The ones with the most slave count in the world."
I felt guilty but there's not much I could do.
I decided to close the curtains of my carriage and just looked forward feeling uncomfortable with the things I've seen outside. "Are you alright, milady?"
"Quite frankly, I am not. Did they really have to whip them- and hurt them-" I bite my lip feeling the whole generic- you get transferred to another world- you see the world's problems- you feel like doing something to change it.
But with the power and influence I hold right now. It's not enough.
I am not the heroine, born kind and to serve others.
I am the Villainess. I should not feel this sort of guilt towards others.
"Such as the job of some slave traders, milady. They are cruel and I am fortunate enough to have avoided the same fate as they have." (Elise) explains and I nod, trying not to look back at the scene.
Truly I felt horrible, maybe- perhaps one day when I'm well off I will save as many as I can. I could feel Elise's gaze on me as she patted my head. "You have truly changed milady, you did not think like this before. Your eyes began to look at things tenderly as well." (Elise)
My body relaxes at her touch but I quickly move her hand away gently before looking away. "Don't get ahead of yourself- I... I just got some dust in my eyes. I don't care for them so stop teasing me, Elise."
I could hear her giggle a little, taking back her hand that she used to pat my head with it. "Understood, milady." she sits properly onto her seat and I couldn't help but cross my arms feeling my lips form into a small pout.
I really don't get Elise but I don't really mind it.
Soon we hear the carriage stop and reveal a more dark and secluded area of the city. The carriage came to a halt and the two guards opened the carriage door holding out their hand to accompany me outside.
"Is this... the right place?" I turned to the driver and asked.
So... By the invitation on my hand.
It seems that the address is here but there seems to be something wrong.
"Yes, milady. No doubt about it, the right one from here. Even asked around and they just point there." the driver replied and the dark alleyways gave me the creeps. There were no people around just- no one.
"My~ glad to see you not skipping my invitation to a marvelous date you won't forget." with the moment someone said this. I immediately felt someone's arms snaking in mine.
"You scare the heck out of me." I told Lady Clarisse with her dark red dress that seemed to accompany the color of her hair and eyes. I couldn't help but stare at her abundant chest that she seems to have a thing showing off for.
"You... need to cover up your front." I tell her and she pouts in my direction.
"Not even a compliment? I certainly took a long time picking a dress you might like to see me in." (Lady Clarisse) twirls around showing off her dress and even the young male guards that were accompanying me couldn't help but stare at her in admiration.
I scowled at them, I could see their faces leaning in a little bit closer and I warned them both.
"You two look away or I'll poke both of your eyes out." my voice came out angry and they immediately straightened their back.
Brother has given me two guards of disappointment.
The red haired woman in front of me seemed to be happy that she was fawned over but not for me. "I love your new accessory. I hope your neck is alright now, darling." She turns to look at my new favorite thing to wear and I smile faintly remembering the gift my maid got for me.
Her next expression seemed to be surprised and even squinted her eyes a little leaning in, "You can smile like that? Do you like trinkets like these?" (Lady Clarisse) pushes on and I wipe the smile out of my face feeling Elise's happy stare behind my back even if she wasn't even saying anything.
"Lady Clarisse, you've invited me into the middle of a dark alleyway- I'm regretting my choice on even coming here." I tell her feeling uneasy in this barren looking alleyway.
Lady Clarisse gave me a sad frown before taking something out of thin air before presenting it to me. She hands me a gold mask with my exact size. "It's not my fault that such private events needed to be disclosed like these, darling. You'll find more comfort once we're inside though then our little shopping can begin."
"You mean... slave picking." I corrected her and she shrugged.
"Shopping and slave picking. Same thing in the noble circle. Now, I intend to keep my promise. I'll buy you something you'll certainly love." (Lady Clarisse) holds my arm and drags me into another place.
Something... I'll love.
Another person who views a person as an object like the original Scarlett. I shouldn't be surprised.
The two guards and Elise followed behind. My maid looked so uneasy but still she did her best to look unafraid. I bite my lip cursing to myself.
Maybe... it was a bad idea to bring Elise into this trip.
I looked down at the ground mask in hand, I felt Lady Clarisse's hand hold mine and made me wear the mask completely hiding half of my face. "Don't frown now, darling. I promise you'll have a fun time with me. I practically... own the place." she giggles looking so proud and my eyes widened for a moment being taken by fear.
"I see." I answered shortly and we walked down into a basement with a few other people with silver colored masks.
When they noticed Lady Clarisse and I, they immediately parted their way and let us in first. Even the guards looked nervous and were on the verge of constipation.
Am I really the true Villainess here?!
Lady Clarisse basically would fit all the boxes- except she's not boy crazy about the crown prince!
"M-Mistress! Welcome! I hope you'll be enjoying your stay!" one of the guards greeted Lady Clarisse and the woman who was still clinging on my arms just waved at him. "Thank you, darling~ Keep up the good work for business."
And they call her Mistress?!
She seems to be kind to her staff and Lady Clarisse doesn't act like a brat at least. Original Scarlett on the other hand- no hope for her.
"Come now, darling. It might be a little far but we're close." (Lady Clarisse) assured me and that snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" I asked her and she gave me the same grinning smile like always before turning in to shush me. "My, it's a secret. It won't be that exciting if you knew."
What I hate most of all is secrets.
Anything that I have no knowledge of gives me anxiety and a slight irritation of my skin.
"I'll have you know, if you still don't have it on my background check profile. I hate secrets the most."
"Oh~ don't worry I noted that down as well as the incapability to be patient." (Lady Clarisse) leans her head closer to my shoulders and I push her away with my hand carefully so as not to hurt her.
"I also hate people being too close to me." I glared at her but she didn't even see me as much of a threat.
"That's not a surprise, darling. However, you should make me something of an exception." (Lady Clarisse) persuaded me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
Before I could even answer back.
The moment we turned to the corner I saw a huge fighting ring with a chained exterior with holes. The bright lights that were highlighting the fighting ring was utterly blinding my eyes. When I recovered however I turned to see Lady Clarisse waiting for my reaction.
"That's-"
"A place where we showcase our many talents~ impressed?" (Lady Clarisse) tells me with an awfully excited grin but I ignored her. I inspected the place and noticed the many high private boxes on top.
Many people with silver masks were down below a level holding a stick with a number on them. "This is a slave auction ring." I faced Lady Clarisse who laughed waving her hand off at my words.
"Quite obvious isn't it? Now before you judge or report us to the kingdom officials~ this is actually legal business. May I escort the fine lady into a private box with me?" (Lady Clarisse) offers and I felt like the only choice I have here is to accept so I did.
However I kept looking behind me making sure Elise is safe while on our journey here.
Lady Clarisse leads us to the highest private box with a lot of luxury items inside that seemed to be expensive and some of them were even made of plated gold.
"Welcome~ To [Montilum Slave Auction] event! Don't be shy~ come sit with me, darling." she flops onto a soft looking red leather chair and I swallow the lump on my throat looking onto the glass.
The reflection of my eyes started to glow into a shade of light purple and felt a headache incoming. Not again... what's wrong this time?
All of this I'm seeing- only the game mentioned of such horrible conditions but to actually see it at hand.
[Magical Love Romance] was some pretty dark shit if you explore the world on your own.
Thank you to my patreun!
Platymage