A/N: One more mopey chapter before the good stuff starts. :)
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I watched silently as the all-too-familiar scene from the game progressed like it did… at least until irregularities began.
After Angelica challenged the protagonist and the prince took the protagonist's side, she was going to let one of her strongest followers fight the battle for her. But unfortunately for her, in this iteration of the story, she got no support whatsoever. Marie seemed to have exploited all the plot points thoroughly and gained affection with the entire boyband quickly.
A bit too aggressive, but I could see why she would want to do so.
I also remembered this exact scene from the Manga. And the fact that the previous owner of the body I was currently possessing happened to be the savior that came to Angelica's rescue… and in the process, he made the entire Academy his enemy by antagonizing the legendary boyband.
I gotta admit. The guy had guts. Even though he had Eris—I guess his version was called Luxion— and Arroganz, he was still a fairly average (low-level) human.
Did he not fear someone hurting or assassinating him or did he have some hidden protection that I didn't know of?
I mean, I certainly did. Other than my skills and stats, I had a few interesting items made by Eris. Eris had some really awesome gadgets I had her recreate for me. I had exploited—I mean, made good use of Eris's faculties and features like any sensible person.
That's why I was 99.9999% sure nobody can fuck me up. Though, there's always that tiny percentage of uncertainty left. I wasn't foolish enough to think this world can't hurt or kill me just because I was Level 100+. That would be foolish arrogance.
But I never figured out why Leon from Manga was so daring.
In the manga, his actions caused a shit storm and would have fucked up anyone else's life, but since he was the protagonist and also had enough money to buy his way out of the Royal prison (or assassination) for his insolence and with some support from the Duke, he managed to survive the aftermath. Also, the fact that most people in this world are kinda retarded helped.
Now, I too was planning to interfere with this event. It'd give me decent World Points, after all.
But not like how Leon from the Manga did. Oh, hell no.
I wasn't going to act like a douche and intentionally become the enemy of the entire Academy by openly challenging the bloody prince of the country.
The dude had probably lost his marbles after the constant rejections from the annoying bitches here to do such a thing. Also, he was kinda crazy in general. It was what I found quite amusing in the few chapters that I read, in fact.
Looking in front, I saw Angelica feeling betrayed and lost. A natural reaction, given her current circumstance.
"Well, it's over. Let's go, Livia."
"Eh?"
Olivia looked at me in surprise at my sudden words.
'Why is she surprised?'
"What? Do you want to stay here? The ball is pretty much done after this. There's nothing else to do other than stay and listen to the gossip that'll likely follow. And I'm not interested in that."
We had already checked out all the food items they had to offer, so the important part was done… What? I like food. Bite me!
Also, the scene I was looking out for was now over. So, it was now time to leave.
"I… guess we can. What happened just now was… sad. I wish they solve it without fighting. Miss Angelica seemed quite hurt and pained, but I don't know much about their relationship… It seemed complicated."
Olivia spoke in a soft and pensive voice.
"Yeah, I bet she is feeling like shi—awful right now. She was forsaken by the man she seemed to love and then abandoned by those whom she trusted. But that's her personal problem and it's for her to deal with. Don't let it bother you too much. Everyone has their fair share of problems in this world."
And with those words, I began making my way toward the second exit with Olivia following right behind me silently. I didn't take the main exit because my instincts told me to avoid it. And it was right because I noticed Angelica leaving from there in a rather awful state.
She seemed like she would start crying any moment now but was holding it in with her willpower.
'Now, I'll wait for the right moment.'
If my predictions were correct, her family might try to help her if she couldn't find anyone as her 'champion(s)' by the end of the week. But given her still high pride—I mean, she's still the daughter of a fucking Duke—she would likely refuse any external help. Besides, getting help from her family will both complicate the situation more and ruin her reputation further.
So… what other choice would she have? She would either forfeit. A likely possibility once she gets herself together. Or, she would suck it up and contact her personal connections after all. And from what I'd seen here, I doubted the other first years were likely to accept fighting for her. She couldn't ask the senior years for help because that was just against the rules and the Academy won't allow it even if it was her.
Maybe if she tried to coerce or bribe, things might work out somehow, but Angelica wasn't as much of an antagonistic and heartless bitch as she was portrayed in the game. Or at least, I had thought so based on my knowledge from the manga and our few interactions, but I could be wrong after all.
If she asked me for help, I'll help with some pre-planned excuse and in the process earn some favors. If she doesn't ask for help, then it'll be a small problem. Going to her on my own and telling her I'd help her when no one was going to wouldn't be the best move. I was an unrelated third party. I'll have to find a way to make it seem reasonable.
Well, I could always use that compulsion spell I have on her in secret.
I didn't like using them normally because that's basically bordering on the category of mind rape which I was iffy about using so freely. That being said, I'd used it quite a few times in the past to get what I wanted and when just money and normal conversation wasn't enough for it, so it won't be that big of a deal for me to use it now.
I never believed I was a goody-two-shoes anyway.
After all, I was willing to go to lengths for what I wanted.
Now, as for why I was even thinking about helping her in the first place? Well, why else? It's because this single event would cause a huge impact on the story.
It would, if I remembered correctly from the manga, completely change Angelica's own story. Her life would be completely different.
She was bound to lose if she doesn't get my help. It was written in the plot itself, which was like something of a law here. If not disturbed, the events would follow as they did in the game. Only a special person (or people) could break it. Like the one who was currently taking place of the original protagonist and, of course, someone like little ol' me.
I just needed to wait for a little.
***
-Five days later-
[Angelica's POV]
She sat on her bed, slumping as she finished reading the letter that had arrived from the Redgrave Dukedom. Her father had already gotten wind of the news of the incident five days ago and had sent the letter that contained his thoughts on the matter.
It was quite obvious already, but they were not happy.
This incident was a cause for major concern. The prince and his 'supposed' fiancée fighting openly and the prince declaring his love for another girl had caused a storm in the capital.
This was now the talk of all the tea parties and gathering in the capital and was quickly spreading to the other islands.
The Redgrave family was doing their best to placate this fire, trying to stop it from spreading too far, but it was too late. They couldn't escape from the dirt this incident threw on their name.
If there was one thing the nobility of this nation excelled at, it was gossiping and slandering others' names. And it wasn't every day they got such juicy gossip. So, naturally, the enemies of the Redgraves made full use of it.
She sighed in resignation as she wondered what she ought to do.
'Father is disappointed but at least he's supporting me. Same for brother.'
Much better than her other family members, who seemed to be downright furious with her "foolish actions", demanding a remedy for her relationship with the prince or threatening her with disownment. But she chose to ignore them for the time being. Her father's opinion was the one that truly mattered. The others were not worth her time.
The letter clearly hinted that he was willing to support her in case she needed it. But even he couldn't directly interfere here. This matter was related to the royalty of the kingdom.
In the end, she was to get through this herself.
She sighed again, feeling lost.
'How am I to find my champions? Everyone I've talked to until now seems to avoid me. None have replied to my letters. My own so-called friends are now avoiding me like a plague.'
The entire situation felt hopeless.
She never expected to feel so desperate in her entire life.
She sighed, now feeling foolish and guilty.
'Why did I do it? Why did I do something so foolish? Ugh, if only I had kept my head cool. This was such a big blunder. I brought shame upon my family.'
In the end, she had already lost this battle even before it had begun. This incident tore apart of position in this academy and she was now an outcast.
'Why am I even trying? … Maybe I should just give up. It's pointless anyway. The price doesn't see me as someone worthy of his attention, much less love. My reputation is as good as ruined… I should just move on and leave this place.'
The sensible part of her thought, but another part of her was still furious.
Just once. She wanted to make him feel like how she felt right now. She wanted to make him feel the pain and suffering she was going through.
But those thoughts made her feel even more horrible.
"… I am such a worthless and horrible woman…"
Little did she know that she wasn't the only one feeling like this. There was another who, although different, was going through similar pain.
***
[Clarice's POV]
She was frozen in her seat, looking with hollow eyes as she stared at the letter in her hand.
Specifically, the last part had kept her attention for over 10 minutes now.
{… and that is why, I would like to call off this engagement. I apologize, but I've found a girl I'm madly in love with. It is my greatest desire to be with her for the rest of our lives. I have asked my family to convey this to your house.
I am sorry, Clarice. I wish you find happiness in life as I did.
Sincerely,
Jilk}
A lone tear fell as she felt her entire world being crushed.
For the first time in her life, she had felt so distraught. So… heartbroken.
"Please tell me this is a lie…"
The paper she was holding slowly became wet as tear after tear fell on it, smearing the black ink used to write the letter.
For the first time in her life, that day, she had thought of killing herself. The pain of this news was simply too much for her poor heart.
After everything she had done for the man whom she thought was The One for her, the man in question threw her away so easily.
He didn't even bother saying it in person and instead wrote a letter.
A damned letter!
Was their years of relationship only worth a letter?
"Jilk… why…"
Was she worth so little to that man?
"… how could you, Jilk?"
***