Poison Princess

When a desire grips your heart, there's an instinctive pull, an unspoken command compelling you to reach out and seize it. That's how I've always felt about things I coveted. Tangible or intangible, I'd extend my hand, and it would simply materialize, effortlessly.

I've been aware of my own beauty from a very young age. Comments on my appearance have been a constant hum, so much so that I never considered it anything out of the ordinary. My parents, with their seemingly limitless wealth, could easily manifest anything I desired with a mere snap of their fingers. Objects I glanced at in passing would later find a place in my room, or be delivered by diligent servants. It felt normal, expected. When you're never shown an alternative, your concept of normal is based on what you have.

Yet, I discovered that my family, and by extension, myself, were a cut above the rest. Born with a platinum, not just golden, spoon, I became the coveted target of envy and desire. Others masked their greed behind smiles, but I could discern their true intentions.

Trash, that's what they were—all those outside my family. If they desired what I possessed, they could work for it.

There was no need to fake it all when it was so obvious. Why couldn't they comprehend such basic notions? I wondered if it was a lack of intelligence.

In my pursuit of new entertainment, I adopted the façade of an amiable, gentle person, secretly reveling in the misery I orchestrated for outsiders. Reveling even more when they came to complain, ripe for the revelation of my influence over their miseries.

"I was actually the one who got your father fired. I did not like his face."

Uttering these words with a sweet smile, watching their expressions shift from disbelief to rage, was a source of amusement. Guarded by a phalanx of protectors, any attempt at retaliation would result in swift execution. It was a game of power and control that I played effortlessly, and to my delight, I was praised for it.

As adolescence unfolded, I continued this pattern until a new order was issueed to me by my Father.

"Make Lord Kioshi fall for you. After that, either destroy his reputation or kill him. I don't care how. Just bring him down."

My father's typically gentle tone held an unprecedented edge. It wasn't a request he was making as a father of his daughter, but from the family head from his kin.

'Sounds fun.'

I was unfazed by the gravity of the order. If it could alleviate some of my boredom, it was acceptable.

'Let's see how long it takes for that man to grovel at my feet.'

Based on my previous experience with men, either they were interested in my wealth, or in my beauty. As long as one of these two conditions is met, then they are nothing more than dogs willing to please its master as long as you give them some carrot.

---

However, my beauty, a weapon that had always served me well, faltered.

"Thou heart is as black as the void itself. I do not wish to speak with you a second further."

With those words, Lord Kioshi departed the restaurant before I could reply.

I stood there, unable to utter a single word. My face betrayed me, painted in a crimson mess. This level of public disrespect was foreign to me. Even those who harbored disdain for me had always veiled it, steering clear of direct confrontation to avoid invoking my ire. It had inadvertently fueled a sense of superiority within me.

Yet, this encounter stirred an unsatisfied desire, an insatiable need to make him pay for the humiliating spectacle he'd orchestrated. I craved him as my personal plaything, a pawn to be manipulated until my satisfaction was met. Yet, beneath the desire, a subtle intrigue lingered. How could he be so indifferent to me?

There has been no man so far to glance at me like I was... nothing. I have already snared people's hearts with beauty alone.

This uncharted territory of indifference fascinated me, prompting a decision to persist in pursuing this man. The fact that it was also a direct order from my father provided an additional incentive.

Was he bluffing, hoping I'd deem it a failure and move on, or was his disinterest in beauty genuine? Could he be one of those men devoid of the capacity to appreciate such things...?

My mind ventured into peculiar thoughts which were too unlikely to be true. After all, if that was the case, wouldn't he be immediately thrown away from his family?

The eldest has the crucial role to one day inherit the position and, more importantly, produce heirs. If you couldn't do that, then you were useless.

...But now wasn't the time for such musings.

"Merille."

I summoned my maid, her eyes avoiding mine as she bowed. Yes, that is how you should act around me.

"Yes, Lady Sakura?"

Her respectful tone was met by my raspy voice. I made it clear I was extremely angry, and I would not tolerate failure.

"Find any useful information you can about this Kioshi. Report to my father that my approach will be courtship, for now. If his goal can be achieved this way, so be it. Should I fail to ensnare him, we'll proceed to plan B."

Will his own stubbornness lead to his demise, or will he succumb and become my obedient pet? Only time will unveil the answer.