"My Lady...do you want me to bring you, sweets?"
"mm"
Herra nodded as she flipped the book she was reading, It was her fifth book. Herra was sitting with a focused face in the back garden of the House of Vesileios. Tia got worried as her master was acting differently.
Arri doesn't like to study at all, she doesn't like the smell of the books lingering on her because it doesn't suit her appearance. What's more, Arri doesn't like the west side garden of the Vesileios, it's empty and not as grand as the garden on the east side which belongs to her brother. However, Arri is now reading in the same garden she hated before and the pile of books she hates is filling up the space she's in.
That's why when her maid Tia saw everything, she can't believe what the Lady is exhibiting. She was appalled.
'How is she the same master I am serving just weeks ago?'
Little did everyone know, it's not Arri Ares Vesileios anymore. She died not long ago, hence, Herra is now occupying their master's body.
It's been days since Arri changes her stature, and everyone in her quarters was shocked as she obediently attends classes from then on. She participates in every subject she hates before, calculations, history, magic, and even in physical combat classes. She's just sitting quietly, observing her instructors. They also wonder if the lady truly absorbs their teaching as she only sits and leaves once the class is over.
She sometimes brings her notebook and jots down notes as if she's hearing everything from the first time. She pays attention to everything and every little piece of information from each everyone around her.
All of them are happy about the sudden changes in Arri, they thought that it is the best for their Lady even if it is strange. The servants thought that it is better to have a diligent weird master than a narcissistic princess who only knows how to throw tantrums. With this, they have hope that the Grand Duke will finally take a liking to her, yet, even when the news was scattered in the mansion like wildfire about her sudden changes, the Grand Duke didn't show up. The last time he saw Arri is when she was born. Arri longs for her dear father and brother in the game but not Herra.
Everyone assumes that her change of heart is for the attention of the Grand Duke, therefore, when the Grand Duke didn't show up after days, they thought that the princess will get back to her old self, however, Arri continued her weird diligent life.
Still, she often displays a grumpy temper. Arri doesn't torture any more of her servants, however, she becomes foul-mouthed. She cusses a lot that she leaves her servants in awe.
***
'I gotta do this right. It's been days since I became Arri, I even studied everything I can in this world. I need to strengthen myself if I need to face every one of them.'
Herra mumbled in her head.
She picked the quill pen and writes the mini plots she remembered. The events she comes up with are the ones that will lead her to death. Herra keeps biting her nails as she writes a long paragraph in her diary.
'What the actual fuck? This game really is trying to kill Arri in every frame'
Herra laughs sarcastically. She didn't expect that it will be this hard to escape her death route.
'If I play according to the game...then I might really die?'
Herra gripped the quill unconsciously. Her blood boils just thinking about how unfair it is for her to live a shitty life.
'I felt sorry for Arri... This dumb woman! Why didn't she use her fucking name?! Everyone will follow her no matter what wishes she has if she's a Vesileios! Argh! She didn't need to dirty her hands...'
Herra sighed continuously.
Staring for minutes at the list of her expected death scenes, Herra reached a conclusion. She thought that half-assing this game will not do any better for her.
'come to think of it, If I play, I'll die...'
'... then what if I reject the game instead?'
'Arri's still a child. She didn't commit any heavy sins that will lead to her execution... I mean she throws tantrums but it doesn't a big of a deal, right?'
'I keep thinking about how will I survive this fucking game by playing it...'
'It seems that not playing it will be a better choice?'
'Fine. I'll try not to be in the spotlight as much as possible, and I'll live as if I'm not here at all. Not anyone here loves Arri, right? It's easy to be neglected.'
'Keeping my status is a great asset so I will behave accordingly. It's nice to be rich, you know. I'm not going to anger the Grand Duke then'
'If I'll be living in this world, I'll make sure that I'll be living a luxurious life as the daughter of the Grand Duke'
***
"My Lady...do you want another fill?"
Tia looked at Arri as she finishes the whole thing she served, still reading books. She remembered that her Lady didn't eat that much because she was afraid that she will get fat and the Crown prince might find it hideous.
She keeps seeing different sides of Arri.
"No. I got my fill. I just finished it since it was you who served it"
Hearing it from her own master, Tia got surprised. It is the first time that her master said something comforting to anyone.
"Y-Yes, My Lady!"
Stuttering, Tia kept her poise, looking down at the cute child sitting like a lady, her heart was tightening from joy.
Herra got confused by her maid's reaction yet she neglected it. She close the book she was reading and look at her.
"Don't I have any class today?"
"There's none, my lady. The only thing you have today is the meeting with his Highness the Crown Prince"
"Oh, a meeting with the Crown prince. I see.", "Wait...what?"
"A meeting with his highness, the crown prince, my lady"
"What the fuck? Who's meeting who?"
"My lady...y-your wordings"
"Shut it. Who's meeting who?! Who said that I'm going to meet that fucking dog--"
Herra didn't finish what her about to say as Tia blocks her mouth.
"O-Oh my! I deserve death! I committed a grave sin! I didn't mean to touch My Lady...b-but My Lady can't talk to his highness like that!... If someone hears My L-Lady--"
"Yeah, if someone hears you, you might die"
"Gah!..."
The maid screams with a terrified tone. Tia not wasting a second, kneel before his highness the crown prince and his accompanied knight. Several maids are also kneeling outside the gazebo, giving their greetings to the only prince of the Kingdom of Avalor, his highness the crown prince, Euthydemos Ariobarzanes Avalor.
The servants of Arri were trembling to death at the sudden appearance of his highness the crown prince. The quiet gazebo was now filled with a cold atmosphere. It's not as romantic as ever whenever his highness the crown prince will visit their Lady.
Now, everyone's eyes are facing the ground except Herra. The servants were not aware of what the Lady is doing since their heads are shoveled to the ground.
With her unbothered appearance, Herra's golden eyes are directly staring at Euthydemos. Not showing any respect or emotions, she tilts her head leaving the Crown prince and his royal knight surprised. Her sudden movement made the sword that is pointing at her neck slowly reach her skin.
'This dog really shows up even if I don't want to see him'
It's the moment Euthydemos appeared, his knight put his shining blade at Herra's neck immediately. They heard Herra's words. Tia didn't scream in the presence of his highness the crown prince, but, seeing a royal knight suddenly points a sharpened blade at her master is.
Euthydemos didn't expect Arri to react that way. He thought that it would frighten her but seeing her composed face leaves him in awe. Herra immediately felt positively apoplectic with anger when she realized that she was facing one of her doom.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Herra straight up said without any courtesy. The knight gripped his swords more hearing the nonchalant tone of Arri. Euthydemos face shows it all, his angelic face turns sour at Herra's words. When he noticed Herra's stagnant face, he curls his lips to form a smile. It's a bewitching smile. If it's the same Arri, she will melt instantly at the angelic sight of Euthydemos, however, it's Herra.
Herra's brows frowned at their finest. It's a disgusting expression she's having.
"What are you smiling for? I'm asking you what kind of bullshit are you pulling?" Herra said referring to the sword that is still pointing at her neck.
"I don't know why My Lady is upset but...it is true that you utter such words with my name, a Crown Prince of this Kingdom. My knight is just doing his best to protect me."
'Protect my ass. Now you're pulling the power card? You don't fucking know why I'm fucking mad? You just point a sword at me! A child! You dogshit!'
"My...I don't have any idea what you are saying. Did I really utter such words?"
"Are you saying that I'm lying? Me, Euthydemos Ariobarzanes Avalor, the crown prince of this kingdom?"
"Oh... are you not?"
"How dare you!--"
Euthydemos, still processing what Herra displayed, raises his hand to stop his knight. His confused eyes are reaching Herra. 'She's sitting there confidently, openly mocking me, is she not comprehending what's happening because she's afraid? Did the heir of the House of Vesileios change without my knowledge? Is that it?'
"B-But his Highness! This woman runs her mouth with no respect!!"
"Stop it, Nelio. She's still my fiance--"
With a rough tone, Herra once again cut off Euthydemos.
"How dare you call me 'this woman'? Do you fucking wanna die? You, bastard, think you're more bigshot than me? A Vesileios? Not only that, y'all come unannounced to my resting place. Don't you think that's disrespectful, your highness? Even if we have a meeting today, why didn't you call one of my servants to notify me? Goddamn, your highness must be tired, forgetting something like etiquette?"
'Do you think a mere sword will scare me? I live my previous life brawling in the alley with my fist every day. This fucker, you can't kill me yet. You're still a child yourself. How dare you all display such manners? Even if Arri's a timid girl, she's still the daughter of Grand Duke Attalos Ares Vesileios.'
Herra suddenly emits a dark aura around her. She got annoyed by everything that is happening. Her words are cutting through the knight. It doesn't seem like an empty threat as she said it with a firm voice. There's no way that this kind of intensity is coming from a child.
The knight unconsciously withdraws his blade and kneels down before Herra.
"I-I deserve to die--"
"Then die"
"W-What?...please have mercy!"
"You said it yourself, you deserve to die. Then die"
"My Lady...that's--"
"I'm not your fucking lady."
Herra gritted her teeth as she slams the table full of her books. She fixes her sitting position and crosses her arms, staring at the kneeling knight.
'This bitch doesn't know what place he is? Even if he's a royal knight, how dare a mere knight points a sword at me, a Vesileios? and on my own turf?', 'Does Arri get treated like this? She's a high rank noble that even the imperial family can't handle, there's no way these punks are keeping her in her shoes?'
"Your bitch doesn't seem obedient"
Herra uttered with disappointment. Having a small child saying those big and frightening words, Euthydemos, realizing what Herra's implying, bows slightly not losing his poise. 'My bitch? She keeps saying unpleasant words the moment I arrived here.'
"Oh, I'm sorry. Lady, Arri. It seems that my knight is not in his right mind... he's newly appointed that's why he keeps acting out of line"
The crown prince said with a worried smile. 'Wow, he just pushed the wrongdoings to his knight after I point it out?'
'Bullshit. He didn't stop him from pointing that sharp-assed sword at my neck earlier. Did he really think that by smiling, I'll just brush it off? Is he like this to Arri? This cunning jerk...'
"Are you saying that what he did can be erased by a mere apology? Are you taking lightly of me, a Vesileios, your highness?"
'How about that, you fucking monster. I gotta use this name to my advantage, of course. Knowing your psychopathic self, I'm sure you wanted to chop Arri's head for refuting your kind words.'
Euthydemos, despite smiling, envelops by a dark aura. He's softly smiling yet his surrounding is shouting about dangers. His dignified stature is screaming power, he emits royalty just by standing there.
He really looks like a fallen angel. The word angelic is not enough to describe his entirety. His long blonde hair is effortlessly dancing in the breeze that is blowing from the west garden of Vesileios.
Euthydemos calmly looked into Arri's eyes. The faint smile he's giving to Arri disappears as he stands back and draws his own sword and points it to the neck of the kneeling knight.
"y-your highness!..."
The knight calls Euthydemos as he trembles in fear, kneeling for his life to be forgiven. Herra is now looking down at the scenario happening before her eyes.
'See? He's a psychopath. He really draws his sword at anyone no matter who it is. This bloody monster. I can't believe he's the same as the game describes him. He's a child, right? Euthydemos is only two years older than Arri. How can he draw a weapon to someone that easily?'
"Should I end his life, Lady Arri? That way, I can amend the sins he committed."
'This fucker. Do I look like I enjoyed spilling blood? I'll just let him do what he wants so he can fuck off now.'
"Whatever, don't kill him here. You'll mess with my reading spot, just punish him quickly"
"M-My lady!...please--"
"Snikt!"
Herra's jaw dropped as he saw the detached fingers of the knight. The scream echoed in the whole garden. Euthydemos, without any hesitation, cuts his knight's fingers in an instant. The other royal knights rushed to get the person who got injured by his highness.
'This crazy bastard really!'
"You really don't know how to hold back, you dogshit..." Herra unconsciously uttered.
Euthydemos heard it but it didn't stop him from spilling blood on the marble tile of the gazebo.
Herra felt sudden shivers down her spine. The sight of the bloody sword of the crown prince triggers Herra's memories. Her body turns cold and trembles in fear.
'Is this Arri's memories?'
She gasped as she felt the loud throbbing in her chest. It keeps tightening until it suffocates her. Her stance crumbles as she glances at the crown prince. Herra faintly saw the older version of Euthydemos, it is looking at her with such unmoved eyes.
'What the hell?... Is Euthydemos looking at Arri like this in her final moments?... that's why she's more than afraid. Her beloved fiance shows a terrifying image of him. Arri must be crying for help... and... and he's just standing there... waiting for the blade to reach Arri's neck.'
"Did you say something, My lady? You look pale. Are you alright?"
Euthydemos caught up to Herra's words. He immediately draws his sword away, supporting Herra to stand still. The cold hands of Euthydemos reached Arri's little arms. His fingers are sinking into her soft skin. The smiling face of the boy with a heavenly appearance turned into a worried one. Like a behaving sheep, he radiates a soft atmosphere. A thick mask was placed on his true emotions.
'She's shaking. Did I overdo it? Well, it seems she is all just talk. She's still the same old Arri, I see.'
"I said nothing, your highness. You're probably hearing things... I'm fine." Herra said with a tough tone, you can tell that the voice of the crown prince irks her more than anything. Herra got her arms back from the cold hands of Euthydemos.
'This fucker really does no good to me. My stomach hurts just seeing his face. I got a panic attack the moment our eyes met, this body probably remembers what that dogshit of a prince did to it.'
'I don't care what kind of psychopath he is, I'm crazier than him! If he tries that stupid trick on me, I swear light won't shine on him.'
'I will definitely avenge Arri. But I will cut my ties with this fucker first. There's no way I'm keeping him at my side. I'll make him suffer without me being his fiance.'
Herra stood up suddenly, she bows and curtsy to his highness the crown prince. Euthydemos got surprised by the sudden greeting. All of the emotion that had been displayed by Arri vanished in an instant. If anyone saw Arri now, they'd be troubled knowing if she cried or not.
'What happened? She suddenly becomes composed. Did she just greet me?'
"Your greetings were late but I appreciate it."
Even if he's bewildered, Euthydemos didn't show anything on his face, instead, he smiles at Herra warmly.
Herra shrugged as if she was avoiding that smile. The confused prince, still, plastering a kind smile, looks at her with discerning eyes.
'I don't get her. What happened while I was away? Isn't she the only daughter of the Grand Duke? I'm at the right place, right?'
"Are you not letting me sit?" Euthydemos suggested to Herra as he saw the empty chair around the pile of books.
Herra's brows arched as she heard what Euthydemos said.
'Why would I? Fucking retard.'
Herra, not forgetting the sudden emotion that rushed to her system earlier, got annoyed more by Euthydemos's presence.
"Nope. It's not that long, I just need to tell you something."
Surprised by what Herra said, Euthydemos smile it off like usual.
"Oh, are you still not satisfied with the punishment I give to that knight? Don't worry, I'll kill him later at the palace--"
"No. Why the fuck would I want that?"
"...No?"
"Of course, it's not."
"Then what is it that you wanted to say, Lady Arri?"
Euthydemos smiled warmly. His eyes are focused on Arri's face. 'I thought she was still the same Arri that is like an open book to me.'
Herra got the attention of Euthydemos as she curled her lips and smile. That smile seems genuine. A smile with a soft glow that not long ago turns into a sinister one.
"Let's break our engagement off. You're free now. Don't come here anymore, okay?"
As Herra finished saying all of that. She turns her back to Euthydemos who isn't able to reply properly, living him astonished. Herra walks away from the Gazebo with her few servants without looking back.
What happened leaves Euthydemos speechless.
He's standing in the west garden of the Vesileios, unable to understand what just happened.