---
The saintess looked at me in fear as her arms trembled.
Her eyes began to swell up before saying, "It's my fault I-I didn't mean to"
"I'm sorry Lady Ivanna, please forgive me"
What a joke.
If you want to fake an apology at least make it believable.
I can't believe high society was tricked by such mediocre acting.
"Don't apologize to her Athena, you did nothing wrong"
"It's Ivanna who needs to apologize," the second prince said as he caressed the saintess's shoulders before facing me as if to defend the saintess from evil.
"IVANNA, I'M SICK OF YOUR BEHAVIOR"
"WHO ARE YOU TO BULLY THE SAINTESS JUST BECAUSE I WON'T GIVE YOU ATTENTION?"
"I UNDERSTAND YOU DON'T LIKE HER BUT AT LEAST ACT YOUR AGE"
"FOR GOODNESS SAKE, ACT LIKE SOMEONE WORTHY TO BE IN HIGH SOCIETY"
"WHO ARE YOU TO ACT IN SUCH A WAY?"
"YOU'RE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE SAINTESS"
"He's right, she's nothing compared to the savior of our Empire" one aristocrat stated.
"Honestly, why won't she just die already?"
"Right, nobody wants her here anyway"
"Not to mention, she's always bullying the saintess for no reason" another aristocrat added.
Breathe, this world isn't real.
You were brought to this world to complete a mission.
Restoring Ivanna's reputation and avenging her death.
"Are you satisfied?" I asked.
"What?" the second prince responded.
"Are you all done attacking me to make yourselves feel better?" I said as I slowly turned around facing the aristocrats swarmed around us.
The aristocrats widened their eyes as if surprised to see such a sight.
Ivanna never defended herself because she thought there was no point.
"I admit, I spilled my drink on the saintess, and I apologize for doing so"
"However, you all clearly saw the saintess bump into me"
"SO WHAT? AFTER SHE BUMPED INTO YOU YOU COULD HAVE JUST LET HER BE" one aristocrat inserted.
"RIGHT," another added.
"Was I supposed to just let the saintess trip and fall?" I responded.
"Or maybe that's what you wanted so you all could blame me for the saintess's sprained ankle instead?"
"And second prince-"
"You're sick of my behavior?" I laughed.
"I'm sick of yours"
"Your mere existence is revolting"
"IVANN-" the prince yelled before I cut him off.
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you this before you get it through your thick skull"
"I don't want you, nor do I seek approval from you or the other nobles anymore"
"To be honest, I think the saintess is a much better fit for you and I'm sure high society thinks the same"
"In fact, let us take a vote"
"Who here thinks the crown prince should break off the engagement with me and be engaged to the 'virtuous' saintess instead"
"All those in favor raise your hand"
Slowly the room was filled with angry aristocrats eager to show their support for the saintess.
Why didn't I think of doing something like this sooner, who cares about the approval of the Emperor and Empress?
High society will do the work for me and I'll barely have to lift a finger.
"I'm also in favor of breaking the engagement however, I alone cannot break such a long-standing agreement between families" I added.
"However, I'm sure if the crown prince puts his mind to it he'll be able to find a way"
"Well then, it seems the prince has his work cut out for him," I said as I took off my damp gloves wet from the spilled champagne.
"Come at me if you can," I mentioned before tossing my gloves to the ground and walking out of the ballroom.
This is my official declaration of war
---
After leaving the ballroom, I walked out into the garden for some fresh air.
As I walked through the garden, I noticed an all white gazebo in the distance and decided to sit inside while examining the full moon surrounded by the stars.
I never had time for stargazing in my past life,
I never saw the appeal before but it's quite relaxing...
Did I take it too far?
I'm going to get an earful as soon as I get home.
Ugh, I'm dreading it already.
After that stunt, I wouldn't be surprised if they removed me from the family register.
In the distance, I heard the sound of a twig snapping.
"Who's there?" I asked.
"It's me"
"Me?"
It sounds like a man,
But who does this voice belong to?
Suddenly, a man showed up with white hair and grey eyes.
The third prince?
"Can I sit here?"
"Who am I to stop the third prince?" I replied while motioning for him to take a seat.
"You own this place after all" I murmured.
The third prince nodded and sat directly across from me.
"To what do I owe the displeasure?"
The prince lifted his eyebrows before quickly lowering them in response as if someone had never been so blatantly disrespectful to him in his entire life.
"Did you mean what you said?"
"What? To what do I owe the displeasure?"
"You know what I meant,"
"Do you truly wish to have nothing more to do with my brother?"
"Of all the things I said, I meant that with the utmost sincerity"
"I see, I apologize for my brother's foolishness"
"I also apologize on behalf of the nobles today"
"I saw what happened, you were right, the saintess was the one who ran into you"
"Thank you for the apologies third prince but I don't need them"
"I understand"
"I know how difficult high society can be, if you ever need help-"
"Help? I don't think so"
I know better than to get involved with the royal family again.
The third prince might not have been as bad compared to his brother but he's still part of the royal family.
I can't trust them.
No, I simply want nothing more to do with them.
"Thank you for the offer though Your Highness"
Why is he trying to act like some sort of lifeline when he never involved himself with Ivanna in the past?
"I've never met so many conniving people in my life" I spoke under my breath as leaves crunched in the background.
Who is it now?
Suddenly, another man with maroon-colored hair showed up.
The Viscount?
"Am I interrupting?"
"No, in fact, I think we're just about done here," I said before standing up.
"Isn't that right Your Highness?"
"Right,"
"Do you two know each other?" the third prince asked as he got up.
"We're..."
"Acquaintances" I replied finishing my sentence.
Can I even call us that?
More like I'm his dog that he can kill off whenever he feels like it.
"I have some matters to discuss with you,"
"I'll be waiting near the garden entrance" the Viscount said to me before walking away
"What's your relationship with the Viscount?" the third prince inserted.
"Define relationship" I sarcastically replied.
"This isn't a joke, the Viscount is dangerous"
"So I've heard"
"If this is because of my brother"
"Please, just stay out of it third prince"
"Whatever you're thinking, I guarantee you're nowhere close" I added before leaving the gazebo.
As I arrived at the garden entrance, I noticed the Viscount waiting for me.
He was wearing an all-black tuxedo with a few buttons undone.
His hair was gelled back with a few strands that brushed against his forehead.
He's practically a walking thirst trap.
My heart probably would have skipped a beat if he hadn't pulled a knife on me earlier, I thought as I caressed my neck.
"Let's talk while walking," I said.
This world has eyes and ears everywhere.
"About what I asked you to do," the Viscount started.
Gathering information on my father?
"Yes, what about it?" I asked.
"There's something I'm looking for"
...