Chapter 13: The Schemer's Time (4)

("Lady Tania, I'm sorry…")

("Lady Tania please don't you love me?")

("My Lady please don't ignore me…")

("You're the only lady in my eyes")

("Please forgive me, Lady Tania")

("Lady Tania…")

("Lady Tania…")

("…dy Tania…")

"AHHH! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I sat up while huffing

'…a nightmare…?'

Brightness welcomed me. I thought I'm finally dead. Hell! That was hell! Worst nightmare ever… Whaaa! Fucking Hell! Fucking Nightmare!

I felt my energy was depleting again, my bed was wet from sweat and also my body. That wasn't an ordinary nightmare, it was so vivid that I thought I was under a curse… and never in my life have I dreamed of something regarding a fictional character unless it was cast on me. There was only one person here who could do that. Of course, it was done by someone who can use magic, and guess who...

"KEATON!! DON'T YOU APPEAR IN FRONT OF ME! I'LL KILL YOU! BRAT!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

*Shakeeee!*

I don't want to be exaggerated but I think my yell caused an earthquake. Ugh! This is a fairytale so it is possible.

"Miss! Please duck! There's an earthquake." Lora came running and pulled me on the floor to duck.

Is it not because of my yelling? It's just a coincidence, there really is an earthquake. 30 seconds had passed before the earthquake stopped. Vega then came running to me, she looked scared.

"Sis! What is happening?" She hugged my arms while trembling.

"It's just an earthquake, we're safe here." I pat her head, "You don't have to be afraid."

We headed down to the dining room to have our breakfast. As expected there was also a commotion in the dining hall but when it was settled down, my shity stomach suddenly turned over after I met the face of someone I want to curse sitting on one of the chairs. I had enough of his face this morning, thanks to Keaton.

"…what do you think was happening?"

"Ugh… that was a massive earthquake…"

"I'll have to check that capitol later for damages…"

"Oh, Good mor-"

"Good morning my dear brother" I said sarcastically and presented my sweetest and gentle smile. "Thank you for ruining my sleep, and thanks to you all of my energy depleted first thing in the morning. So prepare to be hunted tonight hehe~" He flinched and continued to eat.

"Lady Tania, did you got sca-"

"Oh, Vega, did you hear a dog barking somewhere?" I nonchalantly asked. "I think I'm hearing things…"

"Tania, watch your manners!" The Marquess glared at me, just like Keaton. But that didn't scare me. Though that can't stop me, still I don't want to let Vega see how I do not respect my father. For now, it's up to them how I will react from their nonsense.

"Tch. Someone uninvited just appeared, I should report this to the King." I pulled a chair faaaar~ from them then I immediately shifted my gaze on the attention seeker, Prince Megastar, "He raised a dog, instead of a Prince." I coldly added. Vega, who sat next to me flinched. Right, she also hates the Prince. Keaton sat beside the Marquess who's in the lead, next to him was the Prince, all three of them were taken aback by what I've said.

My words are considered a crime. It is according to the law that any person who defames or insults the king, the queen, their ancestors or their descendants can be imprisoned for up to two years.

*Articles 490 and 491 of the criminal code govern lèse-majesté.*

"TANIA!" The Marquess who warned me was greatly shocked, I mean EVERYONE in this room are. I saw Megastar's hands shaking with his trembling wide eyes.

"Do you even know what the consequence of your words?!" Keaton stood up and yelled at me, his eyes are full of rage like he was to snap me into two.

-----

*smirked*

"So what? Try me then." I smiled gently before opening my lips for an attack, "…But if you do that, I'll have no choice but to spread your crimes all over this continent." I shrugged my shoulders while sounding like I'm regretful, "You all are treating me like an idiot that you didn't even bother knowing my capabilities… Right, MARQUESS?" I said with an all knowing gaze and smirked devilishly.

"…However, you there, PRINCE, are you even aware of your reputation once I spread the filmed recordings of you making out with other ladies while in front of your fiancée?" I mockingly placed my hand on my lips like a villainess in action, and shifted my gaze on Keaton.

"Ahh… How about the deaths of the nobles, and the mysterious disappearance of the royalties from other kingdoms? Oh my gosh… because of my DEAR BROTHER, those Kingdoms will wage wars against Cartania, how sad."

All three of them had wide eyes and gritted their teeths as they stared at me with furious gazes. Oh my, I'm. So. Scared.

-----

…Is what I wanted to say. But those are from the book, I do have Megastar's filmed recordings but not the evidence from Keaton's mission as a Shadow Knight. I ignored Keaton's disrespectful behavior and continued munching my food.

"My lady, so how are we going to announce our engagement? Do you want to hold an official party? I'll prepare for it if you want it to be grand." He talked as if no one on this table would dare to stop him, the Marquess and Keaton were just listening and Vega was gripping her fork in irritation.

I looked at the Marquess and Keaton, did they think with the presence of the Prince, all that I said yesterday turned into a joke? Or did they think I would jump in delight to see the Prince who came to visit me early in the morning? They really want me out of this family, huh.

I took a deep breath. I need to calm down, otherwise, I will no longer have control over myself and hurt a royal. Let him be, let him be… I have plans for today and I won't let him ruin it.

I ignored him, even when the Marquess warned me through eye contact. I did not listen and just glared at them every moment- They can't resist my intimidation and can't say anything about it. The look on the Prince's face was like asking them for help… Give it up Megastar, they can't fight me. After I finished eating, Vega also finished hers and left with me.

"Sis~ you looked awesome back there!" Vega exclaimed in amazement, "Never in my life I thought you would ignore the Prince like that. For a moment I got scared when you saw the Prince and thought you would come to him running in happiness because he visited you for the first time. But you DID otherwise! So cool!"

I shook my head in disbelief. Just how much does she hate the Prince? More than how I hate him? Unbelievable. We went to the garden to relax, I don't want to see the Prince any longer.

"Lora, please prepare us tea."

Vega and I sat on one of the chairs to watch the scenery, fresh air is really the best! After coming to this world, this is the first time I felt relaxed. It's 8 in the morning and the weather is fine- not too hot and not too cold. We're in the middle of Autumn.

"Are you going to Lady Nathalie's house today? How was Ricca?" I suddenly asked Vega. She smiled excitedly, it looks like they became really close to each other.

"We promised to visit the capitol today, then to the park to play! Ricca and Mara are with us so don't worry. Ricca is good at everything as much as Mara, after all, they were picked by you so I know we can trust them with our lives." She happily inquired.

Ricca Retinosa and Mara Racana are warrior refugees from the fallen kingdom because of the demon attacks. I have read of how loyal they are to their former kingdom and ready to give their lives to protect it, but they failed to do so when their commander ordered them to escape to another kingdom and hone their blades for another attack. They left the Kingdom of Derrevia and swore to protect the next Kingdom they'll go to, and that is this Kingdom of Cartania. Later in the story, the two of them fought side by side with the 10 legendary heroes but died as heroes.

It is a right decision to give them another reason to live aside from revenge, for the meantime I'll have them protect Nathalie and Vega. It's not like I'm taking advantage of them for myself, it's because according to the plot in the book, they help people do chores, find lost people, they are like adventurer who work for their sole purpose on this Kingdom, that is honing their blades- in modern world, they are called Freelancers. So I hired them, and promised to provide them anything they need for their purpose.

"I told you, they're easy to interact with, so take care of them for me, Vega." I smiled, talking with Vega is like I'm talking to Alice, without me knowing I already got close to her like a real sibling.

"Why do you talk like you're leaving?" She asked frowning, worry is written on her face.

Hmm… Let's see, I don't know, but I feel like my time here is limited, but looking back… I didn't feel anything like this when I died in the plane crash, but why do I feel like something is going to happen sooner or later. Was it related to the Demons who will attack in the next five years?

"Did I sound like it? Hahaha~ don't take it to heart, I won't leave… not now." I whispered the last words, I don't want her to worry.

Lora came back with the tea and dried persimmons. Wow, I only saw this on dramas- I haven't tried it before.

Compared to Ricca and Mara, Lora is my servant since childhood, whom I considered as a friend (original Tania). She only knows house chores, basic noble etiquette, and cooking. She talks less but she knows Tania the most… So I took the risk pretending to have amnesia or she will doubt my sudden changes. Thank god, my first words coming here was me asking her about the family members only by names. According to the system, Lora has an exceptional memory… wews.

"Alright, after this we'll leave at 10. I'll drop you off at Renascente House, good luck with you two, and please do be careful." I winked at her and finished my tea, then prepared myself.

I need to go find or rent a man who can pretend to be my lover for the upcoming engagement party.

'Just you wait, Prince Megastar, I'll tarnish your image.'