I Don't Need the Prince! 02

Walking quickly in the looming corridors arranged with flowers and precious vases, Avina finally arrived at the study. She knocked twice and slowly opened the door. Peering in, she found a man sitting at the table looking through piles of documents. The bookcases surrounded him like a forest, looming over his downcasted head.

"Come in, sweetheart," the man noticed Avina peering through the door and kindly addressed her. Avina curtsied before coming in sitting herself on the sofa next to the desk.

"Good evening, Father," not disregarding her etiquette training from her world and Ariel's, she greeted the man known as Father.

Father then ordered an attendant waiting outside the door to fetch them some pastries and tea before looking at Ariel warmly.

"The Moon Ball is arriving soon. Is there anything you'd like to order before then Ariel," Father then listed famous gown designers across the kingdom, jewelers in the capital, the latest trends, and various other miscellaneous stuff. He tried his best to provide Ariel with designer attire in order to not ruin the ball for her.

Avina felt the deep love Father had for Ariel and felt it was just. Who wouldn't want to spoil their daughter?

"No, Father. My newly made gowns are arriving today, and I will pick one of them to wear," Avina mildly rejected the offer sipping on the tea. Father did not push more, and the two of them relaxed, conversing together, eating pastries, and drinking tea.

Soon, the peace was broken as the door to the study was slammed open. An energetic young man with the same pale blonde hair as Ariel stepped in. His laughter echoed in the study and Father could only reveal a helpless smile.

Sitting on the sofa next to Ariel, her brother, Hector, sat languidly biting into a cookie. "Didn't even invite me? I'm so tired from sword practice and my dear sister and Father didn't even care for little poor me," Hector exaggeratingly leaned his head onto his palm revealing a sad expression.

Before Father or I could react, Hector shined his smile and said, "Oh well," before munching on another cookie.

The short tea session soon had another guest. The three of us conversed about all sorts of things and echoes of cheery laughter rang in the room.

Avina discovered something from their conversations, her Father and brother loved her very much. And that was even more inconsistent with Ariel's memory of them not caring for her at the last moments. And they both treated her warmly and affectionately!

If Ariel really was such a vicious villain, which she is not, there would be rumors surrounding her. But her family clearly would never allow such a thing to spread in their society. And her family was a Dukedom.

From what she had heard from her Father, he was willing to lavishly pamper his daughter proving his vast wealth. With wealth, there is naturally power. With power, how could someone falsely fabricate evidence against Ariel and hand it to the Royal Family. Of course, the Royal Family could have been the ones to fabricate it.

I need to investigate more on Ariel's relationships.

'5025, do you know something about the people around Ariel,' the quickest way Avina could think of was to rely on her family's system.

'Let me check what the database allows to be shown!' 5025 disappeared but soon appeared a moment later. 'Sorry Host... The database does not allow us any more information other than the plot and memories,' 5025 sulkily replied. It wanted to be of use to its Host, but this proved to be tough.

'It's fine, 5025. I will just have to find out myself,' Avina was prepared for the mission to be challenging even if it was rank F. But she had confidence in herself! She had a fire of confidence blazing in her heart!

This Princess can do anything!

Turning her acting powers on, Avina acted shy, twiddling her fingers as she looked down to her lap. "Father, can I meet Prince George before the ball."

She knew it was inconceivable for a lady to request such a thing, but she could not stop her feelings of love. She loved Prince George with all her heart, and she wanted to meet him to find out what color he was going to wear so she could match their jewelry.

With a mischievous smile, Hector cast a glance at his lovestruck sister. "Hoho, our little lady is stuck in a whirlpool called ~Love~," Hector teasingly jabbed Ariel making her blush to the tips of her ears.

"Stop it, Hector. Your sister is just shy," Father reprimanded Hector before turning his attention to his baby girl, "Of course you can see him, sweetheart."

Interjecting, Hector said, "But remember to return before dusk!" Hector giggled a little while continuing to tease his sister. The banter continued and the study was once more filled with laughter.

After supper, Avina went back to her room organizing her actions for tomorrow, when she will finally meet this unworthy fiance of hers.

'He must not be very good! How could he annul an engagement in front of the whole aristocratic society! Ariel was made a fool that day! What scum!'

Agreeing, 5025 placed its thoughts on the board, 'Exactly, exactly! How does Host plan to execute your plan!'

'I'm going to investigate how good the relationship actually is between the two of them, and whether or not he actually is low enough to fabricate evidence. Then, if he's not that low, I can prepare evidence against that evidence!' Avina shared her grand scheme with 5025. It can't fail! It won't!

'Smart! Very smart! You're the smartest Host!' 5025 was the classic cheerleader, cheering Avina on her master plan. After all, it couldn't possibly fail!

The two of them spent the rest of the night devising out her lines, her actions, and more masterful plans. They were like 2 children finding out how to reach the cookie jar without mom finding out - excited about their own brilliance.