Eva stood confidently on solid ground, positioned right in front of Aurianna's bed. Clad in a smart button-up shirt paired with a stylish short dress, she sported a pair of glasses that added a touch of intellectual flair. Aurianna couldn't help but notice that Eva was wholeheartedly embracing her role as a teacher, both in her appearance and demeanor.
With a swift motion, Eva pushed up her glasses and assumed her new role with unwavering determination. "As your Pearl, it is my duty to impart my knowledge in every subject I have mastered. We will delve into the knowledge of mathematics, English, business, chemistry, physics, biology, sociology, art, technology, geography, economics, and hey, hey, hey, are you even paying attention??!!!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration.
Aurianna, lost in her own thoughts and wearing a furrowed brow, suddenly snapped back to reality as Eva's voice escalated. She was caught off guard by the intensity of Eva's outburst. "What in the world are these subjects? I've never heard of them before in my entire life," Aurianna grumbled, casting a disdainful glance in Eva's direction.
Eva let out an exasperated sigh, momentarily disregarding Aurianna's lack of familiarity. "Well, it's no wonder you're clueless. In your past life, you were consumed by those frivolous romance stories," she retorted, fixing her gaze firmly upon Aurianna.
Aurianna couldn't help but smile, her mind wandering back to the memories of those enchanting tales. "Hey, those stories were actually quite captivating, and I genuinely enjoyed them," she remarked, a touch of nostalgia coloring her words. She fondly recalled the days when she would lose herself in the library, spending hours reading stories.
"Well, I couldn't care less. In this life, you will learn every subject I possess knowledge in, and I assure you, I will guide you to become a true genius!" Eva declared, a fierce determination igniting her eyes.
"No need to worry since Queen Amber has arranged tutors for me," Aurianna hissed, her voice laced with defiance.
Eva remained unfazed by Aurianna's protest. "I couldn't care less. If you want to lead a church, you need to possess knowledge and financial resources. At the moment, you seem to lack the former. If it were up to me, I wouldn't follow you. You have no understanding of the world, no leadership skills, and you make terrible judgments about people," Eva berated, her annoyance seeping into every word she spoke.
Aurianna's frustration grew, her teeth clenched tightly. She wanted desperately to refute Eva's words, but as the room fell into silence, she realized the futility of it all. Deep down, she knew Eva was right. In her previous life, she had been oblivious to everything—the state of the world, politics, and even discerning trustworthy individuals. That's precisely why she yearned to embark on a journey of learning.
"Fine, you win. I'll study with you and the tutors Queen Amber provides. I just hope my brain doesn't turn to mush," Aurianna grumbled.
Eva's expression softened slightly, sensing Aurianna's resignation. "Your twelfth birthday is in five years, so I'll do my best to prepare you during that time. But ultimately, it's up to how determined you are," Eva remarked, her gaze fixed with a stern yet encouraging look.
"Ahh, geez, this sounds like such a pain. But hey, if it means getting back at every single person in this godforsaken world, why not, right?" Aurianna remarked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and determination as she stood on her bed.
Eva couldn't resist throwing in a comment, a hint of amusement lacing her words. "Well, before we dive headfirst into your grand schemes, we should probably start by sharpening that brain of yours. I wonder if you'd be able to plot any actual schemes with that intelligence of yours?"
Aurianna winced as Eva once again targeted her intelligence. So what if she wasn't a genius? It's not like she was a complete dimwit either! At least she had some intelligence. Trying to boost her confidence, she flashed a self-assured 'Yeah. I'm sure some people are complete brick walls! I mean, back in the dining hall, I was intelligent enough to pick up on Ralph's intimidation. I showed them all too!' she thought, recalling a moment with a triumphant smirk and Eva couldn't help but shake her head knowing what Aurianna was thinking.
Suddenly, a white screen materialized before Aurianna, jolting her out of her musings. The screen was covered in a jumble of letters, immediately signaling that this was the first subject Eva had in mind for her studies. Aurianna couldn't help but shudder at the daunting sight.
Eva's smile widened as she observed Aurianna's reaction. "Well, here's your first task: read through all these books in the next two months before I officially start teaching you," she declared, her eyes fixed on Aurianna, who was already sporting a disgruntled frown as she stared at the screen.
[ New Task ]
[ Finish reading all 20 subjects listed ]
[ Reward: 20 skill points per subject, increased intelligence ]
"Seriously?" Aurianna let out a weary sigh as she stared at the screen that had appeared before her, only to vanish moments later.
"So, where are the books for all these subjects?" Aurianna asked, perplexed.
Eva shook her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "No need for physical books. They'll come alive in your mind while you sleep," she explained. "Just lie down, relax, and let the study session begin!"
Doing as instructed, Aurianna laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. Suddenly, a flurry of vivid videos flooded her mind, with Eva acting as her virtual tutor. It was as if she was attending a classroom right in the depths of her own thoughts. The mental lessons covered various subjects, each one leaving a lasting impression.
[ Let the Math Class Begin ]
The next day, Aurianna finished her breakfast when a maid entered the room, announcing the arrival of the teachers her mother had sent.
"Princess Aurianna, your teachers have arrived," the maid informed, beckoning Aurianna to follow her.
Curiosity piqued, Aurianna was escorted by a maid towards a grand door. As the door swung open, she was greeted by the breathtaking sight of a library adorned with golden shelves, housing a vast collection of books. To her astonishment, small ethereal beings with wings made of books flitted about joyfully, infusing the room with an enchanting ambiance.
"Princess Aurianna, allow me to introduce your new teacher," the maid announced, gesturing towards a brown-skinned man with unkempt hair. He donned loose gray attire and a pair of round glasses perched on his nose. His pale wine-colored eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a nervous smile played on his lips, evident from the faint sheen of sweat on his face.
'Queen Amber couldn't manage to secure a professional teacher. It's likely that Father had a hand in suggesting this person,' Aurianna thought to herself, her gaze fixed on the man before her, analyzing him with a critical eye.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Aurianna. I'm Balsvo, your business teacher. I hope we can tackle our studies together," Balsvo greeted with a warm smile, but Aurianna did not reciprocate, causing him to feel a growing unease.
"The feeling is mutual, sir," Aurianna nodded as she made her way to a large, plush chair positioned in front of a table. Balsvo followed suit and took his seat across from her.
"Let me be upfront. I may not be a seasoned pro, as you may have noticed from my degree badge on my chest. However, I am confident in my ability to teach and guide you. Just bear with me," Balsvo said, scratching his head.
'Ah, an approach grounded in sincerity. Let's see where this leads,' Aurianna mused.
"Alright, sir. I'm fully committed to putting in the effort and becoming exceptionally knowledgeable," Aurianna declared with a cheerful tone, surprising Balsvo. However, a subtle tremor ran through him as he caught a glimpse of the coldness in Aurianna's eyes beneath her radiant smile.
"This journey will demand hard work, and if you ever feel like giving up, you have the freedom to make that choice," Balsvo offered, unaware of the chilling shift in Aurianna's expression.
"Understood, sir. I appreciate your candor," Aurianna replied, her smile now lacking genuineness as she fixed her gaze upon him with an unsettling intensity.
"So it seems I was King Girsal's chosen target to be the 'dumb one' in the family. Well, that's just typical of a man like him," Aurianna thought to herself, reflecting on her father's intentions.
"Oh, and one more thing, Sir Balsvo," Aurianna spoke up, capturing Balsvo's attention.
"If you dare to leave my palace and fail to return next week, consider yourself a dead man!" Aurianna's voice carried a threatening tone. "You should know that as a princess, I command an army of knights who will follow my every order. I don't care what my mother and father may have told you. Teach me with your utmost dedication, and I might spare you. But if you dare to take this lightly, I will be the one to end you. Not even my parents can save you from that fate."
"Yes... Princess," Balsvo rose from his seat and bowed, trembling with fear.
'Why is the princess so different from what the king described?' Balsvo lamented in his thoughts. He recalled Queen Amber showing him a picture of an adorable, laughing girl. 'She seems like an entirely different person. Mummy, I didn't sign up for this as a teacher. Kids these days have such attitudes!'
"Well then, I shall proceed to meet the other teachers. Make sure you prepare my learning materials before our next session," Aurianna informed Balsvo before getting up and leaving the room with a maid by her side.
After spending the better part of the day intimidating her teachers and making sure they understood the consequences of failure, Aurianna found herself standing in front of the last remaining door. Her gaze was icy, and she commanded the two maids beside her to open the door. With an air of authority, Aurianna entered the room, leaving the maids outside.
Before her stood a woman who had an initial air of fairness and elegance. She possessed long blonde hair and captivating hazel eyes. The woman was adorned in a green silk dress, which tastefully exposed her shoulders while providing coverage on the sides. The dress flowed gracefully down to her neckline, hugging her chest enticingly yet maintaining a polished appearance.
Her arms were elegantly covered with long sleeves, adding a touch of modesty to her attire. The dress cinched at the waist, accentuating her slender figure, and a bow adorned the ensemble, slightly off-center. Below the waist, the dress clung to her curves, highlighting her feminine form. It fell just below her knees, maintaining a consistent length all around.
Completing her ensemble, the woman wore a shimmering crystal necklace and delicate jeweled earrings. Her entire appearance exuded beauty, although she knew she couldn't rival the Queen and the concubines in that regard. Nevertheless, she greeted Aurianna with a warm smile.
'Ugh, she arrived sooner than expected. How repulsive,' Aurianna thought, casting a disdainful glance at the woman from head to toe.
The woman approached Aurianna and gracefully curtsied before introducing herself, "Pleasure to meet you, Princess Aurianna. I'm your etiquette teacher, Mavis Chiang."
Aurianna greeted her with a serious expression, saying, "Nice to meet you too, Miss Mavis. I hope we can get along."
"Likewise, Princess. You're just so adorable!" Mavis exclaimed, reaching out to grab Aurianna's cheek with her fair hands.
Aurianna's glare intensified, and she swiftly slapped Mavis's hands away. "I suggest you remove your hands from my cheek."
Mavis chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Aurianna's reaction. A slight itchiness spread through Aurianna's body, which only fueled her irritation.
"Well, here are my rules as your etiquette teacher," Mavis continued, crouching down. She suddenly took hold of Aurianna's hand, which disgusted the princess. "You must unquestioningly follow all my instructions to become a proper lady," Mavis said, her expression peculiarly entranced.
Aurianna forcefully pulled her hand away, slapping Mavis's hands off hers. "I refuse to be touched like that," she stated firmly.
"Haha, no worries. Etiquette classes will begin tomorrow at this time. I hope to see you then," Mavis gave a dry laugh before waving at Aurianna.
The maids opened the doors, and Aurianna was carried back to her room. Upon arrival, several maids bathed and dressed her, meticulously attending to her needs before placing her gently on her bed.
Aurianna wore a pained expression as she endured her meeting with Mavis. Unable to bear it any longer, she rose from her bed and made her way to the bathroom sink, where she vomited. After a few minutes of retching, she brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth. Returning to her bed, she lay down with a troubled expression etched on her face.
"I don't like the woman and I can tell you don't like her as well, and it seems you have some distressing memories associated with her," Eva remarked, appearing above Aurianna.
"That despicable, pedophilic woman... I hate her. Why is she appearing now, when I encountered her when I was just nine years old?" Aurianna pondered, her confusion evident.
"Well, you did ask your mother for tutors, and based on your memories, it seems she was skilled at her job, but..." Eva began, resting her face on her palm.
"Seeing her face makes my stomach churn. At that time, I didn't realize what she was doing was wrong. It wasn't until Concubine Cecilia explained it to me later on," Aurianna mumbled, recalling her experiences with Mavis during her naive past.
During etiquette classes with Mavis, the lady would inexplicably stroke Aurianna's hand, which made her uncomfortable. Whenever Aurianna voiced her discomfort, Mavis dismissed it, insisting there was nothing wrong with holding someone's hand. On another occasion, Aurianna woke up after a class to find Mavis licking her palm, a sight that frightened her. However, Mavis brushed it off as a peculiar habit and placated Aurianna with candy, urging her to keep it a secret.
However, one day things took a horrifying turn when Mavis went too far. She pinned Aurianna to the ground with wild, drooling eyes. Fortunately, Concubine Cecilia stormed into the room, intending to confront Aurianna but instead witnessed the shocking scene. Reacting swiftly, she delivered a powerful slap to Mavis, causing her teeth to scatter on the floor.
Concubine Cecilia fiercely berated Mavis and promptly dismissed her from her duties. Aurianna, still trembling and in tears, sought solace in Concubine Cecilia's comforting embrace. Cecilia tenderly patted her on the head, offering support and reassurance.
The following day, Concubine Cecilia took matters into her own hands. She confronted Queen Amber in the main palace, accusing her of being an irresponsible parent and allowing her child to have classes with a known pedophile like Mavis. Cecilia presented solid evidence to the court, proving Mavis's infamous reputation as a pedophile in her hometown and her disturbing predilection for engaging with children inappropriately.
Queen Amber, however, vehemently denied the accusations against Mavis, dismissing them as baseless. Yet, the evidence presented was irrefutable, leaving many in the court convinced of Queen Amber's negligence.
Although Concubine Cecilia chose not to disclose explicit details, a week later, Mavis met a grim fate. She was executed for attempting to harm a member of the Royal Family. It was later discovered that Mavis had not only taught Aurianna but also instructed other children, including Ralph and Husae, as well as the children of other concubines. Despite receiving complaints from her own children, Queen Amber had negligently brushed them off, refusing to acknowledge the danger posed by Mavis. As a consequence, Queen Amber herself was placed under confinement for a period of five months for her failure to adequately protect and care for her children, as well as for allowing a dangerous individual to come near them.
"She's the reason Husae was afraid of women, and Ralph is becoming a perverted jackass!"
"Well, what would you do?" Eva asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, I definitely won't let her teach me. Killing her isn't an option either, considering her noble rank as a viscount," Aurianna stated, her palm tightly clenched.
"A lady like her achieved a viscount title?" Eva raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Yeah, she may not look the part, but she's got a Thinker class, which makes her incredibly intelligent and solves most of the economic issues in the western side of the kingdom. At least, that's what I remember from my past life," Aurianna explained.
"That's probably why Queen Amber thought Mavis was the perfect choice to educate her children," Aurianna pursed her lips, her trembling hands clenched tightly.
Eva floated towards Aurianna and embraced her gently, providing a sense of calm and security. She patted her on the head, and Aurianna felt a wave of peace wash over her.
"Hmm, if I can't kill her, maybe I can somehow make her meet her own demise," Aurianna pondered aloud.
"If you're referring to Illusory Reality, it won't work because she has a higher level than you," Eva pointed out.
"Ah, fuck," Aurianna cursed, and Eva playfully knocked her head, causing Aurianna to wince in pain.
"If it weren't for Queen Amber, I could have dealt with her myself," Aurianna grumbled, rubbing her sore head with a determined expression.
"Now that I think about it, why do you fear Queen Amber?" Eva couldn't resist asking Aurianna yet another question.
"She didn't become queen for nothing, Eva. She single-handedly destroyed three kingdoms during Sandeph's war conquest in the past," Aurianna explained, a vivid image of Queen Amber casting a devastating spell that obliterated an entire kingdom flashing through her mind.
"Queen Amber is a Chaos human," Aurianna added, her voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension.
"From what I remember, humans have six ranks: Human, High Human, Chaos/Holy Human, Arc Human, Grand Human, and Primordial Human. King Girsal is an Arc Human," Eva recollected, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes as she connected the dots.
Aurianna clenched her fists so tightly that they started to bleed, her teeth gritted with determination.
"No matter how powerful King Girsal is, I would personally make sure he meets his end," Aurianna declared with a resolute expression, her words dripping with conviction. Eva nodded approvingly, proud of Aurianna's fierce determination.
"Since I can't kill Mavis, I'll reveal her true nature to my father or concubine Cecilia. Queen Amber is nothing more than a brainless fool. Or..." Aurianna's voice trailed off, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Perhaps I don't need to kill her myself. There are others who would be quite interested."
Eva's own grin mirrored Aurianna's wicked expression. "I can't wait," she replied eagerly.
"Next week, we shall commence Operation: Death of the Pervert!" Aurianna declared proudly, her eyes glinting with a mix of determination and excitement.
_______________
"Ah, Princess! you're much more beautiful than expected, such a pure cute child, makes my body tingle. I want to dress you in the most adorable of clothing, bathe you and feel your smooth translucent skin, and I want to hear your beautiful voice every single day!" In the opulence of a grand chamber, adorned with exquisite tapestries and shimmering chandeliers, a disturbing scene unfolded.
Within its confines, four children, their youthful innocence betrayed by their captive state, were bound to their chairs. Among them were three girls, each bearing unique features, and a boy, their ages ranging from ten to twelve. One girl possessed the unmistakable traits of a human, while another adorned rabbit ears and feet, and the third girl displayed horns upon her head and an unsettling black iris. The boy, reminiscent of the ethereal grace of an elf, boasted long, elegant ears.
The children trembled in fear, their hearts burdened with despair, as they yearned for release from the nightmarish ordeal that had befallen them. Standing before them was Mavis, a figure whose twisted intentions permeated the air. Clutching a bowl of steaming sustenance, her eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as she relished in the terror she instilled.
Mavis approached the children with deliberate steps, her movements calculated and methodical. The human girl, unable to contain her fear, mustered the courage to plead for mercy. Her voice quivered as she uttered a desperate plea, "Please, let me go."
Mavis's smile widened, revealing her wicked delight. With an unsettling calmness, she responded, "Oh, my dear cutie, I'm afraid that's simply not an option. It is time for dinner." Holding the bowl of fragrant rice, steam curling enticingly from its surface, Mavis drew closer to the children.
Approaching the human girl, Mavis lifted her delicate chin and commanded, "Open wide, my sweet. Say 'ahh'."
Mavis pressed her lips against the girl's, before using the spoon and forcing the food into her mouth. Trembling with fear, the girl held the morsel in her mouth, unable to muster the courage to swallow. Mavis's gaze bore into her, a menacing glint in her eyes, "You better gulp down that food if you know what's good for your family."
Tears streamed down the girl's face as she stared at Mavis's disturbing smile, her heart pounding with terror. Suppressing the urge to vomit, she clung to the knowledge of the severe consequences that awaited her if she dared to reject the food provided by Mavis. A vivid and horrifying image flashed in her mind—another child, identical to herself, being cruelly sliced apart by Mavis, piece by grotesque piece. The child's anguished cries pierced the air, yet Mavis reveled in sadistic pleasure, her twisted grin mirroring the ecstasy she derived from the innocent's suffering.
Seeking refuge from the torment, the girl squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to banish those haunting memories. Deep within her, a seething hatred brewed, directed at the monstrous figure before her. Yet, she dared not reveal her true emotions, silently shedding tears of despair.
"Alright, time to feed the others," Mavis declared, a peculiar blush tinting her cheeks.