Reason #25: it would be the beginning to my doom (7) B

Before the Ceremonial of Manhood

The Royal Guest #2

Sigh~

I got a feeling that it's going to be a tough day today.

"Are you feeling alright, Miss Ivy? About what the Princesses said earlier..."

Sir Jacob tried to comfort her, but he couldn't find the right words to say as he was inexperienced in a maiden's battle.

"I'm fine, Sir Jacob. It is not something that I've never experienced before. It's actually quite a common thing to happen between the ladies. I've even heard harsher slanders than that, so please don't mind me. Let's just focus our energy and greet our next guest!"

Though she tries to change the subject casually, she couldn't stop herself from recalling all the years of irritable voices in the background.

She never thought of fighting back either because she knew it would be a waste of her time and energy since it's never going to stop when you are the girlfriend of the most popular male lead.

Things like

"not fitted to be" or

"plain-looking" or

"not good enough,"

she probably heard it all.

"but it's ok," she silently tells herself, "it's going to be over soon."

Because she knows, the one who he is meant to be, the one who is just as beautiful and the one who is perfect for him, will be here today. Then all of this will be over.

Ivy felt her heartbreaking again when she thought about Princess Sophia. Though she didn't know how the Princess would look like, she must be as beautiful or even more than she imagines.

She knows where she belongs, and she didn't need any more reminders from people about how she didn't fit the part.

"because once she's here," she mumbles, "and once they meet, I will leave according to plan, just like how every one of you wants me to be."

Soon after, the second guest arrived, and when the sound of the horns woke her from her thoughts, she asked.

"Who is here this time?"

"Ah, Ms.Ivy. You may want to stay behind me for this one."

Sir Jacob said as he moves one step forward in front of her.

"Huh?"

she was curious as to why Sir Jacob said that, but before she could ask further, someone started to yell, "Muahahahahahahaha!"

"My son, My daughter! we are back for another sweet victory!"

An oversized masculine man looking like a ruffian steps out from the carriage while laughing his lungs out like nobody's business.

"Father! Behave yourself. You know what mother would say if she sees you like this."

Then an elegant looking young lady followed from behind, and she tugged the large man's shoulders, trying her best to get him to calm down.

Everyone was in a daze when they saw the man suddenly made a row, but Sir Jacob stayed calmed and quickly ordered them to get back into positions.

So the messenger continues to shout,

"Welcoming the arrival of King Gautzelin, Ruler of the West,

Her highness, Princess Seraphina and His highness, Prince Edgard!"

While King Gautzelin was still laughing out loud and making a commotion outside the carriage, Ivy whispered to Sir Jacob and asked.

"Is King Gautzelin always like this?"

"Uhh, yes... You could say that King Gautzelin is a very passionate man. Sometimes maybe even a little bit too overly passionate."

"Huh? What do you mean.."

Suddenly they heard a loud metal sound crashing to the ground, and it stopped Ivy from her speech.

King Gautzelin started waving his sword around, yelling, "Where's the Arena?! We should head over there right now. I can't wait to see that man's face in defeat."

"Edgard! Do something!" Princess Seraphina yelled towards the inside of the carriage while her father was losing control over himself.

"Seriously, just let him do what he wants. There is no point in stopping him when he is like this."

When Ivy saw Prince Edgard appeared, that was the very first time ever in her reincarnated life that she felt, "Finally, you did something right."

She wanted to confirm that her eyes were not deceiving her, so she asked Sir Jacob.

"Sir Jacob, is that black hair, rugged face, slightly hairy, large muscular physique, which looks really manly and really really strong - Prince Edgard?"

"Huh? Yes, that's right."

Sir Jacob just answered truthfully while he felt unusual with her overly detailed description.

"Finally, I found my type."

Ivy cried as she clasped her hands together.

"What?!" Sir Jacob shouts as he is shocked by what she just said.

"You mean to say that boorish, beast-like, with a mean gaze and voted the scariest prince in the country is your type?"

"Yes," with hearts in her eyes.

In Ivy's mind, she began to shower the author with praise.

<Dear author, I'm so sorry for all the harsh criticism I've given you. Even though sometimes your work can be a bit upsetting but no matter, I forgive you, and commend you having such good taste.>

The reason why I was so happy was that Prince Edgard looks exactly like H*gh J*ckm*an in his character W*lfverine!

He was one of my favourite movie stars in my past life, and I can't believe the author wrote him in this novel!!!! Kyaaa ~

(((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))♡ >

Once King Gautzelin puts down his sword and calms down, they properly walk up towards Sir Jacob and Ivy.

Ivy could see that King Gautzelin, although he was huge and muscular, he was still an older adult with a head of grey hair.

King Gautzelin and Prince Edgard both wore deep V-length clothing that could show off the muscles on their chest.

While both men look rough and tough, Princess Seraphine, on the other hand, was soft and dainty.

She has long, silky black hair that made her skin look fair and white. And the dress she wore was fitting enough that it could show her body proportion of a mature woman that could bewitch a man from afar.

"We would like to apologise for the commotion that we have caused sincerely. We will also repay all the damages at the entrance as well."

Princess Seraphine apologises while she clings her arms tightly around the king so that he won't go berserk again.

"It's alright, Princess Seraphina. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jacob Brown, Son of Earl Brown, and I am also his highness secretary.

And this is Miss Ivy Augustine. She is the ceremonial co-host of the crown prince's events."

"Ah... so you're the Duke's daughter, I see. Tell me, how is the Duke doing?

"Greetings, your majesty, my father, the duke, is well. Thank you for asking."

"Your father is a very honourable man. It's a pity that he chose to work for the emperor instead. If it were for me, I would've given him even more than what he deserves."

"Father!" The princess pulled his arm again, warning him to watch his words

"You shouldn't say things like that here! My deepest apologies again for my father's behaviour. He didn't mean what he said."

The Princess kept bowing at them, hoping they would forget what the king said.

"My daughter, you should be a little bit more aggressive.

Are you not here because you want to win the Crown Prince's favour? And this girl right here is also one of your competitors."

"Father!!!"

While Princess Seraphina buried her embarrass face behind the King's large biceps, Ivy tried to save her by saying.

"Your majesty, you must be tired. The crown prince ceremony will start in the afternoon. Before that, let us escort you to your room."

While the King and the Princesses went ahead, the Prince stayed behind and said

"I'm very sorry for the trouble, Miss Ivy. Our King can sometimes be a handful. My sister and I thank you for your kind hospitality."

When Prince Edgard let out a kind smile inside Ivy's heart, she yelled

<Kyaa!♡ Kyaa! ♡Kyaa!!!!!♡>

In her past life, she never had the chance to meet her favourite superstar before, and now it is as if God had finally rewarded her for all the hardship she had to

endure all this time.

So she thought she would take this chance and asks.

"Prince Edgard, if I may ever so boldly to ask for one favour."

"Hm?" Prince Edgard raise a brow

"yes. I suppose. If it's anything within my power."

"Can I... can I have one handshake with you, please!"

She yelled while she held out both of her hands nervously.

Seeing Ivy act this way made Prince Edgard slightly alarmed as this was the very first time that he has ever met a maiden, other than his sister, who was not afraid of him.

So he curiously asks her,

"Are you not afraid of me?"

"What? Why would I?"

She tilted her head, feeling confused with what he said.

"Well..."

He held his hand to his nape as he felt a little awkward to explain.

"I was told that I have a beastly appearance and many people fear me because of it. That's why."

Then Ivy immediately firmly held one of his hands and yelled

"I would never! In fact, I think that's your best trademark!"

"What? Trademark?"

He looks at her, feeling surprised and confused at the same time.

"Yes!"

She passionately gazes at him and says,

"Prince Edgard, I think your beastly appearance is your most handsome feature, and you should be proud of it!"

While he felt astonished with the girl's reply, he felt the need to confirm his doubts, so he asks.

"You really think I'm handsome?"

And without a moment of hesitation, she happily replied, "Yes!Absolutely!" along with a great big smile.

Her bright expression made his heart skipped a beat, and he would've never thought a young maiden like her would actually confess to someone like him.

So he held back her hands as he asked to confirm,

"Do you really like me?"

And she happily answered.

"Yes, of course! I'm your biggest fan."

"Biggest Fan?"

While his face became confused again by her words, Ivy just realised she shouldn't have mentioned what she had just said.

So she immediately twisted her words and said

"I mean, I'm a big fan of your swordsmanship. After all, I'm a daughter of the Duke, so I have a great appreciation for good swordsmanships. Haha"

"Ah, so that's why."

Luckily he bought her lie.

Then while the prince noticed that their hands were still clasped together, he began to blush and turned his gaze away.

While his ears slowly turned hot red, he said

"All of this may be a little bit too sudden for me. I still need some time to think about it."

"Huh?" She felt confused with what he said, "Uhm, whatever do you mean?"

"Huh?" He turns back his gaze at her. "Didn't you just confess to me?"

"Huh??? I did what? when?"

Then both of them tilted at each other as if they were talking in a different language.

So throughout this whole conversation, where Sir Jacob stood and watched by their side, he felt it's time to cut in and said

"Yes, Miss Ivy. From the way I see it, from the very beginning, it does seem like you just did."

"Hmm?"

Ivy took a pause and gazed at the ground. After a while, her face slowly turned red as she realised she had just made a grave mistake.

Then she quickly let go of her hands and bowed.

"I'm really sorry about the misunderstanding!" She yelled while she tried to bow her head as low as she could.

"I didn't mean what I said. I mean, I do mean it, but not in that way."

While she asks for the Prince forgiveness, Prince Edgard just laughed out loud and said

"Haha. You are such a funny girl. I've never experienced something like this with a woman before. You are really one of a kind."

"Really, please do spare me." She covered her face with her hands, feeling like she could die in embarrassment at any moment.

"Well, putting that aside. Even if it's a misunderstanding, you don't deny the fact that you don't find my appearance scary. Am I right?"

"No, of course not. Not even a little bit. I have a great appreciation for a rougher and muscular physique."

"Haha, you are really, truly interesting. You are not like any other woman I've encountered."

Prince Edgard then suddenly grabs her by the waist and pull her into his arms and said

"Since you don't dislike the way I look, how bout you become my lover?"

"Huh?????"

Her whole body suddenly froze after hearing what he said

"Wait, wait!" She yelled while she tried to push and distance herself away from him.

"How did it even come down to this??"

Before the situation could get any worse, Sir Jacob immediately interjected them and said,

"Prince Edgard, you must not carelessly touch Ms.Ivy. She is the Crown Prince's official royal lover, and they have a written agreement with each other!"

"Hmm..." he paused for a bit, and he doubted Sir Jacob's words as he felt strange hearing such a confusing title.

While Ivy felt embarrassed hearing Sir Jacob's mentioning about the title, she just endured her embarrassment and said, "What he said is true, I have a written agreement with the crown prince, and so I cannot be your lover."

"Hmm... I see," he squinches his eyes, and while he still has some disbelief, in the end, he let her go and said,

"What a pity, to think I've just been confessed and dumped, all within the same day."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness Prince Edgard. I didn't mean to cause such a misunderstanding. It's entirely my fault."

She held her head down while she fidgeted with her fingers, feeling remorse with what terrible thing she had done.

"No, It's ok. I got carried away, as well. You are not entirely at fault. But this doesn't mean I'm giving up."

Then he took her hand and kissed it while he smiled back at her and said,

"If you ever change your mind, I will always welcome you with open arms."

After that, he politely bowed and thanked her for a wonderful time, then went into the palace.

Once Sir Jacob and Miss Ivy was left alone, Sir Jacob suddenly called out her name in a serious tone.

"Miss Ivy"

"Yes!"

She flinched as she could feel something scary coming her way.

Then when she turns and look at Sir Jacob, to her surprise, she could only see him smiling as he says,

"You have to be extra careful with your words and actions. We wouldn't want to violate his highness's agreement and ruin his reputation, do we? Miss Ivy?"

Suddenly his tired eyes turned cold, as cold as the blizzards and her whole body instantly froze like a popsicle.

Without any further objections, she cowered herself on the ground as she cried and said, "Yes... I will be more careful next time."

************

Next Chapter

Before the Ceremonial of Manhood

The Final Royal Guest #3