Morning came and everyone was busy preparing to beautify the castle because of the sudden visit of the Crown Prince. It was late notice, making everyone work earlier than their regular time.
If the crown prince had already sent them a notice of his appearing, they would've been able to prepare everything. But no, he chose to tell them just the day before he would come. Sounds like an asshole in Felicia's ears.
"Come now, My Lady. There's no time to indulge yourself idling. Everyone is working hard just to please the Crown Prince." Olivia said as she tried to persuade Felicia to stand and let her deal with her.
Felicia was still lying on her bed, not wanting to move at all. Why would she care about that punk? It's not like she'll lose her life—well, she would lose her life and her riches if she keeps acting like this.
Felicia sighed, Everyone was anticipating the arrival of the crown Prince, except her. Why would the idea of having to meet the man who had collaborated with Helena to kill the original Felicia motivate her to get out of her warm bed? She'd rather take a nap through the entirety of his visit. Would it be too late to claim sickness?
If the Goddess allows it, she'd rather take revenge on him, or better yet kill him on the spot. But that would ruin her initial plan of making everyone regret their decisions. She would rather witness them crying and begging for her mercy while kneeling.
Just by the thought of it, Felicia chuckled as she imagined that specific scene wherein everyone would beg for her forgiveness.
"My Lady! Please! If you don't move, I'll be dead this time!" She said, stomping her feet as she glared at Felicia who wasn't moving an inch despite Olivia's persuasion and begging. What a stubborn woman!
"Alright... Alright, calm down." She said as she looked annoyed, still not wanting to move but Olivia kept on yelling at her. She then stood up as Olivia finally sighed in relief, feeling better as Felicia finally decided to heed her words.
"By the way, is there any news about Helena?" Felicia asked, curious about her step-sister's well-being. Last night was a blast that made Felicia laugh as soon as she arrived at her room. If not for Olivia reminding her to sleep already because of the crown prince, she would've stayed late, thinking about Helena's pissed face.
"None. There were no rumours about how Helena was disciplined. All I know is that she was locked in her room, forbidding everyone to check on her since there were stationed knights in front of her door, guarding her." Olivia said as she helped Felicia to step inside the bathtub.
"Hm... That's not fun at all." She muttered and sighed. It would have been better if she were to hear news about her getting much worse punishment other than staying in her room, locked and guarded.
Makes her want to replace Helena instead since this crown prince fiasco is making her head cry for help. Why didn't the Duke hand over this job to the Duchess when she's the lady of the house?
"What about the maid?" She asked, erasing bad thoughts in her head. It would only ruin her mood if she were to think about that scum during her bubble bath time.
"Sold already, My Lady. Just like what you wanted. The Duke personally kept an eye on the maid, ensuring that no one in the Dukedom would buy her." Olivia answered. She was there when she saw the maid getting dragged away.
Plus the rumors that she was already sold immediately have spread since earlier. That's how powerful the Duke can be, especially if he's mad. Olivia couldn't be any more grateful to Felicia for keeping her promise.
"I see. What about the knights?" She asked, curious about what happened to the knights. Although they were only looking at her like she was some sort of a scum, she too expresses her fury about their mad and disgusting stares.
"Since they are nobles, the Duke had only fired them with no service pay." She replied to her question. Felicia then nodded her head, feeling lacking but it's not her fault anymore if they were cut off immediately.
"Shall we drive the crown prince away?" Felicia suddenly asked after a brief moment of silence that caused Olivia to stop applying soap to her body. What did she say?
"Pardon, My lady?" She asked, trying to understand what she meant by driving the crown prince away. Isn't that a bit extreme knowing that their position has a gap? He's still the crown prince!
"Forgive me, I let my thoughts loose." She said, chuckling after noticing how Olivia froze on her spot and had a confused expression all over her face. Was it really too forward for her to speak such things?
—
An hour later after preparing for the trouble that would occur, Felicia was sitting on her balcony, fully equipped with thorns just like what she was when she had taken over this body.
Somehow, it felt like she was too comfortable occupying this body. Like there's a distant yet close connection between her and Felicia. She couldn't describe the feeling inside her, as if they were somehow related to each other.
But that's impossible since this is a book and her identity as Rachel is from a world different from this world.
"My Lady... The carriage is approaching." Olivia said while bowing her head in respect. Felicia's head then turned, looking at the carriage that was approaching their gate. She could feel already getting annoyed as she stood up and sighed, hoping this crown prince wouldn't assume things.
"Let's go, it's time to meet the crown prince," Felicia said as she stepped outside of her room with Olivia behind her and a knight that she didn't know. But who cares about the knight anyway?
Every maid was already in their station, butlers lining up to greet the Crown Prince with the utmost respect. The Duke wasn't here and the Duchess was already waiting with a wide smile across her face.
Alexander on the other hand was beside the Duchess, preparing to greet the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, Felicia slowed down, waiting until the door was open. She was still on the top of the stairs, waiting for her entrance.
The main character should be the last one to shine.
The Duchess was seemingly happy that Felicia hadn't arrived yet when the Crown Prince was already here. She couldn't hide her grin as she could find fault in this rude behaviour of hers.
Even Alexander groaned because the one who was tasked to welcome the Prince was late, not even her shadow was there.
The main door was opened wide as the carriage stopped right in front of their door. The coachman then leapt out from the Driver's seat, running towards the carriage's doors and opened it.
Trumpets started to sing as the Crown Prince stepped out of the carriage with his domineering aura. Everyone felt an intimidating aura coming from the Crown Prince who was looking at them with a smile, but in Felicia's eyes, it was nothing but a fake smile.
The Duchess was prepared to welcome the Crown Prince herself. She was about to open her mouth as the crown prince slowly made his way towards them with an imposed dignity of royal blood.
"Wel—"
"I welcome you, Your Highness, Constantine Cromwell to our humble abode," Felicia said, cutting off Tyren's words before she could even let out a word. All of them stared at Felicia who was walking down the stairs, graceful as ever.
Her yellow dress caught everyone's eye. It was simple yet glamorous, having the look of regal elegance wherein she exuded majestic air as she walked down the stairs. The dress is made of a shiny silk fabric and has a dramatic, floor-length silhouette. It has a sleek neckline and is embellished with a bold gold and pearl belt.
Her hair was tied into an updo that had a neat and sophisticated look to it, with the loose tendrils adding a touch of elegance while still maintaining a neat appearance. Her headpiece was a headband with gems attached to match her look with the dress that Olivia picked.
It gives her a feminine touch, elegance, and a timeless beauty that matches their high standards.
Her dignified persona made everyone's eyes widen as they didn't expect that Felicia would be like this without any educational background in her. In their eyes, Felicia was spreading her grace as she reached the floor with a smile.
"How's your trip, Your Highness?" She asked as she bowed her body, performing a royal curtsy to greet a royal blood. The Crown Prince looked at her with emotionless eyes but his smile didn't fade away.
"It was fine. I apologize for my late notice of visiting the Dukedom. I simply thought of maybe visiting the Dukedom while I head to the academy." The crown Prince said as he looked down, looking at Felicia who never trembled in front of him.
Although it should have been the time wherein he would let Felicia raise her head, he didn't let her raise her head yet as he kept on observing the woman who had a lot of rumours and his prospective fiancee.
"Raise your head." The crown prince said, wanting to have a clear look over her face. Felicia who was still smiling raised her head, meeting the cold gaze of the Crown Prince. But even if his eyes held no emotions for her, she still didn't give a single care for him.
"I've heard a lot of interesting rumours about you." The crown prince said as he too, bowed his head and grabbed her hand, kissing the back of her hand while he never cut his gaze over Felicia who was stunned for a second because of what he did.
His black eyes never backed down as the two of them stared at each other. Felicia was having a tantrum inside her as she didn't like being touched by the man who killed her what's more is that this punk here is a cheating bastard!
Meanwhile, in the eyes of others, it appeared the two were quite smitten with one another. The prince and the lady were simply looking into each other's faces as if something was sparkling in their eyes. Has spring blossomed in the two of them as they stared at each other's charms?
"He shouldn't be with her! He should be with Helena instead!" Alexander and Tyren thought to themselves as they glared at Felicia who was not saying anything other than staring at the Crown Prince.