A few days of chanting my mantra, "I don't want to go" and here I am walking up the stairs of Jupiter's mansion. I've been here twice now, and I just noticed how flamboyant her mansion is. What a waste. I was shown to a different room this time.
"Lady Rose, I am glad you could make it," Jupiter said, still sitting. Aren't you supposed to stand up and courtesy? I just noticed it, but she has never curtsied since we met, so she's already looking down on me, huh? I really admire her confidence, for a Viscount's daughter she is really proud.
"I didn't want to be rude," I said, not bothering to curtsy either. "But it seems like Lady Jupiter enjoys my company, this is my third time visiting in two weeks. I never thought someone like me could be good company," I said. A wide grin appeared on face as she said,
"Of course, I enjoy your company, Lady Rose."
"I see," I said taking my seat, it was then that I noticed Batch was seating on the chair close to mine, talk about zero presence.
"I invited you because I wanted us to talk some more and become friends," she said waiting for a reaction.
For an attention seeker like Rose that would have worked, the kid craved affection, but I have died twice and will not be deceived by childish statements such as this. I feel like I'm talking to my stalker, she does a lot of digging on her prey before striking.
I smiled widely not in amusement or joy but because I was creeped out, she was probably thinking that she had me.
"You know that I just got back, so I want to know what is going on in the capital now," she said.
"I don't think I'd be of any help to you, like I mentioned before I only came here for my débutante and will be returning soon," I said with a fake remorse.
"Oh, that's too bad," Jupiter said.
"Well, I know that the crown prince is looking for a bride," Batch said. Oh, Batch, poor Batch, your foolishness is rivaled by none. Jupiter couldn't hide the smirk that found its way to her face.
"Really? Wow, all the ladies would be interested," she said, feigning surprised. "But I'm sure its just formality, he'd probably pick one of the Percando sisters," she said scanning my expression for a reaction, but I gave her nothing, I learned from the best in the 'no reaction' game: Millie.
"You're lucky to be in the crown prince's list of prospective brides, Rose," she said with a fake sad expression, I can tell where this is going to. Hold on, did this bitch just call me 'Rose'?
"But I've been seeing the crown prince with your sister recently, I think he already made his choice," Batch said, but I ignored her.
"Lady Rose, I'm sure you would be sad that your sister was chosen over you," Jupiter said remembering to use her borrowed manners, the fake sympathy only creeped me out more.
"Not really," I finally spoke.
"Yes, but you must have had your hopes up, right? I could help you become number one like you should be," she replied with an innocent look. She's really cutting to the chase, isn't that a dumb move?
When they say that a demon uses your weakness to get to you, this lady describes that. I don't know where she kept her horns, but she needs to go find it so that we'd stop mistaking her for a human. I smiled and looked at Batch and I could have sworn that she flinched, I turned back to Jupiter still smiling.
"Lady Jupiter," I called quietly. When facing the queen of villains you either go peacefully or do something worse than she ever could. The second isn't an option, but my pride won't let me go with the first. I am a daughter of the Percando family, I shouldn't let a mere viscount's daughter to look down on me, plus I still hold a grudge for what happened before even if it hasn't happened, and won't.
"Lady Jupiter," I called again still smiling, even I could feel the bloodlust emanating from me, I felt like pouncing on her and beating the life out of her. "I feel insulted," I said and took a long pause giving her the opportunity to say,
"I apologize if I said anything disrespectful," with gritted teeth.
"You invited me for tea a few days after the last, and didn't even consider my schedule." Although I am jobless and bored. "You spoke disrespectfully to me, not once, not twice. I walked in, and you didn't even have the courtesy to greet properly," I said standing up. "Now you want to involve me in your gossips and childish conspiracies," I continued, loving the expression on Jupiter's face.
"Lady Jupiter, I appreciate your consideration, but like you said all the ladies are interested in being the next empress. How can I possibly trust you?" Especially a power hungry bitch like you.
"I see now that I came off in an untrustworthy manner, I apologize for that," she said trying to hide her annoyance behind a smile. This is a girl who has never sucked up to anyone, it must be tough for her to say "apologize" over and over.
"I appreciate your sincerity," I said with venom in my tongue. "Lady Batch, Lady Jupiter, enjoy whatever it is this 'gathering' is about, if you'll excuse me," I finished and bolted out of there as fast as was ladylike.
I shouldn't have done that, I know how foolish of me it was to annoy the fairy godmother of evil, but I really wanted to say my piece to that stupid bitch. I should have listened to Millie and stayed at home, then I would have avoided all this, I shouldn't have forced Poppy to stay at home. It's probably a minus degree outside and I'll have to spend long hours on the road before I get home.
…
I was so glad when I walked into my room, my comfortable abode. There is no word that can describe how happy I was to be out of Jupiter's mansion. I know she'd want her revenge for insulting her, but I happen to be in good terms with a handful of male leads and I have the protagonist as my elder sister, we might not be in good terms, but I'm sure our dear protagonist would pity a poor extra, so I'm not that scared. I have my escape money tucked safely in a place I can easily reach, and more to spare with Mr. Bankers. Most importantly, Poppy could be my ride if my life depended on it, I just hope the seal breaks soon.
I dropped on the bed after a long bath to wash away every Jupiter virus, I think her presence in town is the reason for my sickness.
"Poppy, I shouldn't have forced you to stay at home today, it would have been nice if I weren't alone in that mansion. I wanted to run away and not look back," I whined but got no response. "You better get well soon so we can continue our eating adventures, I haven't gone to my favorite spot in a while."