Trust?

"Damn you, Angel!" I screamed at the top of my voice, cursing the status window that appeared in front of me.

[ Summary]

_The world in which I have reincarnated you is Arcadia, one of the six kingdoms ruled by the Empire of Celestia. You will be assigned a mission every six months. Failure to complete these missions will result in a penalty, while successful completion will grant you any reward you desire. Your main mission is to conquer Elian Alexander and gain his trust. Failure to gain his trust within 20 years from the moment you become aware of this will lead to death. I have designed a trust spectrum to show you how much trust anyone has in you. If the character you are to conquer does not trust you, or if your trust level is not as high as your rival's, this will also lead to death. If your trust spectrum gives you a red warning, you will begin to suffer from chest pain until it hits zero, resulting in death. I hope my summary was of use. Enjoy your new life!_

"He has got to be insane. He calls this a summary of Arcadia? This only talks about the ways I can die. He still has the audacity to tell me to Enjoy. It just tells me I have to make Elian Alexander trust me. Can't you find a better mission to give me? You, Angel, are you that jobless, Aishhh!" I complained.

[ Mission]

_Whatsoever instructions Marquese Wycliffe gives you, you are to disobey._

"Ya! Are you crazy? That is still death. Arghh!"

I heard a knock on the door.

"Don't enter. Speak!"

"My lady, your father has asked you to join him for lunch," the maid said.

"Again, it's Arabella or Yura, shish! Also relay to him that I won't be joining, I'm busy."

She replied, "Okay," and her footsteps faded as she left.

What have I done? I'm going to die. I need to think of a way to get out of this. I can simply surround myself with books I've read before. That man can't be easily deceived. I began to scatter my books on the floor and brought out my reading draft. It was on a huge piece of paper. I laid it at the center of my room and sat at the window with another book.

"Good, it's not upside down."

I took my time and scanned through the status window.

"I'm not playing a video game. Why do I have HP and EXP? What now, I have to learn how to fight to survive? Well, the HP seems high, so..."

[ Elements] - blank

[ Store]

[Trust Spectrum]

It's like a scale. From 15% to 0% is red, from 80% to 100% is green, and the rest is blue.

I feel like this could help me filter my enemies and avoid being killed.

*Bang*

My door flew open. I was scared for a second, only to see my father walking towards me.

"Arabella, since when did you start to defy me?" he asked, holding my wrist.

"Your grip is quite tight, and I didn't defy you. I simply told you I was busy; there is a difference," I said, giving a cold expression.

He looked angered, but I have to fulfill the mission. I'll be done for otherwise.

"Your room looks messy. When will you finish reading? Do you have to always be in your room?" he asked, releasing my wrist.

"I know it's messy. I'll finish reading when I feel like it. And yes, I always have to be in my room. If you have nothing else to say, you can see yourself out." After saying that, I continued to stare outside my window. I had just tested the trust spectrum on my father. It's not like I don't know how much he trusts me, but having it proved makes me feel bad.

"Okay, Arabella. Have fun reading," he said sadly, leaving the room.

56%...

******

I started the day feeling a mixture of frustration and determination. This trust spectrum is going to be my lifeline. I glanced at the red zone again, feeling a chill run down my spine. I can't afford to let anyone's trust in me fall that low.

Looking around my room, I sighed. The mess of books and papers was a reflection of the chaos in my mind. The Angel's summary and mission kept replaying in my head, mocking me. I needed a plan, and I needed it fast. Elian Alexander, whosoever he is, gaining his trust would be no small feat.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. This time, it was more urgent.

"My lady, it's urgent," came the voice of another maid.

"Enter," I permitted, bracing myself for more bad news.

"The Marquese is asking for you in the study. He insists it's immediate," she said.

Disobeying Marquese Wycliffe was a part of my mission, but defiance had to be strategic. I couldn't afford to get killed by the Marquese before I even started on Elian. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in my chest.

You all should pity me, this is no walk in the park.

Like I could tell anyone...

"Inform him I'll be there shortly," I replied.

As the maid left, I stood up, smoothing out my dress. My father was a formidable man, one whose temper I knew all too well. Already I messed with it yesterday,today we have to be cautious. The key to this mission would be navigating his commands without outright defiance but enough to fulfill the Angel's directive.

I walked slowly to the study, my head in my cloud of thoughts. Entering the room, I saw him seated at his desk, his eyes piercing through me.

"Arabella, there you are. I need you to handle some documents for me," he said, not looking up from his work.

"I understand, Father. But I have pressing matters to attend to in my studies," I responded, trying to keep my tone respectful yet firm.

His eyes narrowed. "You have been spending too much time in that room. This is an important task."

"My studies are crucial too, Father. They prepare me for the responsibilities you entrust to me," I countered.

His expression softened slightly, but the tension was palpable. "Very well, but remember your duties to this family."

I nodded and turned to leave, feeling a small victory in having deflected his command without direct disobedience. Back in my room, I sank into my chair, exhaustion washing over me. This was just the beginning, and the stakes were life and death.