I'm a Villainess, But So What? Fuck Off.

How to Beguile Mr. Shrewd

I gasped and shivered in terror. Well, getting engaged has a few upsides, too... I mean, it can drive away annoying suitors and will give me more authority as the heir of the dukedom... and... "...I understand. When do I leave and what do I do?"

----

And so here I was. Stuck in an engagement meeting in Anisen, with a very unwilling prince, feeling the pressure of getting grounded for five years and the resentment towards the emperor. This was NOT the way I wanted to spend my summer vacation. Me and that prince both feel the same way, and yet we're stuck in the same spot, and can't leave. I wonder what the emperor did to make him meet me.

We were alone in the garden. Of course there were a few servants following us from far behind, but other than that, we were free to talk about whatever subject to our heart's content.

"Prince... Naska, the weather is truly very pleasant in summer." I made an attempt to strike a conversation with him. I almost forgot his name and had to dig through my memories to find it. All... all for the sake of not being grounded. I can't get grounded. I thought as I smiled gracefully and continued walking.

"Truly beautiful, Lady Novea, is it not?" He replied, a graceful smile also plastered on his face.

"Hahahahaha."

"Hohohohoho."

"..."

"..."

This is so annoying. I don't want to do this. I thought, and veins started popping. I just wanna go home and watch movies and go with Ciar to kill people and go on missions with Ax and mess with Al... Thinking about that, more veins started popping up on my face and I started to radiate a very strong and dense killing intent, still with my graceful smile on my face.

"Prince Naska, may I ask you what your hobbies are?" I tried again.

"My hobbies are hunting, practicing violin, swordsmanship, and taking care of my familiar."

Familiar? Hmmm... "Oh? Is that so? What creature might your familiar be?" I asked in curiosity.

"Why, it is a phoenix, of course." He replied. I momentarily showed a surprised expression before reverting back to my smile. Phoenix? Phoenix is only three ranks below Dragon! He's more powerful than he looks.

"Goodness me, a phoenix! How magnificent. As expected of the pride of the Anisenan Empire, truly impressive." I said.

"Thank you for your praise, Lady Novea. And you? I expect you have a familiar, as you are considered the prodigy of the century and the flower of society in Asar."

"Ahahahahaha. I do not have a familiar, you must be mistaken." I told him. Everyone thinks I don't have a familiar, so they don't touch the subject, yet this second prince dares to ask me? How impudent. He's trying to attack me.

"On another note, Prince, it seems the emperor is very keen on your marriage. What could he have possibly done to get you to agree? I am quite curious to know how he persuaded you, as you are considered very persistent, in some areas."

I could see a very visible vein popping up on his forehead, and I couldn't help but titter childishly. "Why, I have no idea what you might be talking about, Lady Novea. I came here to meet you of my own volition."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes, indeed."

I felt like dropping my front and just rushing at that stupid prince, but I couldn't. Damn Father. If he didn't incite Mother to ground me if I didn't agree, then I...

"Prince, I have heard that you are very skilled in the sword. Would you mind showing me?"

----

It was unconventional to go to the training area during an engagement meeting, but I just wanted to. It was so boring to walk around in the gardens in a poofy dress that I couldn't stand it anymore. I watched as the prince recited his forms and the knights watching him with annoyed eyes. So he's close with the knights, too. The knights must be annoyed by the fact that he left a lady in the dust. Hahahaha! Amusing.

"Prince, if I may." I walked down the stands with my fucking dress and grabbed the sword. "Your form is stiff. You do not have the swiftness that a fully trained knight would. In order to master the sword, you must first practice your wrist and arm movements properly." I snickered quietly as I watched the knights look at me, dumbfounded. Well, we already went to the training grounds, what's the harm in making an embarrassment of my fiance? We are already engaged, so there's no problem.

I pivoted and swung the sword at the target, still in my annoying-as-shit poofy dress. The knights watched my fluid and sophisticated movements and couldn't help but get stars in their eyes. "Forward, back. Forward, back. Then turn. Swordsmanship is similar to ballet. A master must have the ability to dance, glide, twist, and turn, all depending on their opponents movements, of course. Prince, you rely on your own premonitions, however, that is not enough. Please be mindful of your stance and you opponent's mindset." I finished my demonstration and handed over the wooden sword in a dignified manner.

Another vein popped on his forehead. "Fufufufu, thank you, Lady Novea, for your wondrous demonstration."

I smiled exquisitely. "It is no problem, I enjoyed teaching the prince." Another vein. I was losing count!

"If you would not mind, would you care to showcase your talents to me in a sparring match? Of course, just a light and fun one, nothing else." He finally broke! I thought gleefully, watching another toy dance to my tune. The knights flinched and looked at me worriedly. Do they think I can't take this hotheaded prince?

"...Of course, I would love to, however... I am currently wearing a dress that is not very..."

"We can have out seamstresses alter a uniform for you to duel in." He replied immediately. Hahahaha! Mr. Hothead fell for it. So much for the pride of the Anisenan Empire. Pfft!

"If you insist, then I shall duel. I will be back in five minutes. Please wait patiently." I grinned like a cheshire cat and opened the portal to my space. "I forgot I had a uniform in my space. I will be back." I said and slipped into the white round portal smoothly before closing it behind me. The knights were left speechless at my calculating speech and stared at the spot where the portal used to be blankly, while Mr. Hothead's perfect smile was twitching like no tomorrow. All in a day's work.