I Don't Need the Prince! 04

After she returned home, Avina shared her thoughts with 5025.

'He seems cold on the outside, but warm on the inside.' Avina nodded strongly, confident in this.

'So did he fabricate the evidence?' 5025 was mainly worried about this. Who cares about cold this or warm that. What about the fabricated evidence!

'I can't tell,' with a straight face, Avina pronounced each word clearly.

Although she verified George had some understanding of how to treat their fiancé, he still kept a cold distance between the two of them. Avina was unsure whether or not the prince would fabricate evidence all to marry another.

'Doesn't that mean that all of this was for nothing,' 5025 was sad that their grand scheme led to nothing in the end. What was the point in eating cookies and drinking tea if you don't know if your fiancé is a scheming scum?

'But I can verify the plot is slowly changing. In Ariel's memories, he never attended the Moon Ball. Now that I managed to trick him into attending, maybe I can build an illusion that we are close lovers.' Avina proved that the plan was still useful. At least it changed the plot a little.

In the original story, on the night of the Moon Ball, the two of them did not dance. In fact, Ariel did not dance with anyone at all. Thus, after the ball, rumors were flying through the aristocratic tea parties that the royal fiances were on bad terms. If it was any other rumor, it would simmer down in 5 days, but strangely this one did not.

Following those rumors, more rumors of Ariel being mean and rude spread. After all, how could the Royal Prince be at fault in the engagement? It is obviously Ariel's fault. To that Avina said, "You can suck a lollipop, you gossip mongers!"

Thus, the start of Ariel's bad reputation started with this single event - not being able to dance at the ball.

Now with her interference, Ariel's reputation should not fall and instead rise. It's perfect!

Avina began her life of indulgence living without a care in the world. In her world, she may have been spoiled but never aristocrat spoiled. While she still had time in this world, she will receive princess treatment until the ball!

On the night of the Moon Ball, when the moon shined the brightest and clearest, the Devera couple sent off their two children.

"You two have fun at the ball. Make sure to mind your manners and not to offend anyone," Father carefully warned. Even if their family was influential, it did not mean they had the right to be disrespectful.

"And if you need anything, look for your sibling, or simply look for an attendant to take a carriage home. I rather have you two safe than to continue dancing," Mother pandered on reminding her children to stay safe. To not follow strangers and eat weird food. To shake hands or curtsy to others and greet everyone respectfully.

After the couple's careful reminders and warnings, the two went on their way to the Moon Ball. The carriage ride was a long way still, but it allowed Avina to sort out her next plan of action.

She would first interact with other nobles to improve other's impression of Ariel. She would make friends with high ranking nobles, and finally, the last one would be to dance with Prince George.

If she was really lucky, she would be able to meet the heroine, who would also appear at the ball at the last moment. From the book and memories, the heroine appeared innocent throughout. How innocent is she really would be what Avina wanted to test.

No good girl would encourage the annulment of an engagement.

At the arrival of their carriage, the Royal carriage was just in front of theirs. Stepping out of the carriage was Prince George in his usual dark blue attire, this time lined with silver and gold detailing.

His hair was swept to the side revealing his deep eyes and his gaze slowly made its way to Ariel.

Ariel felt her cheeks warming and when Prince George made his way towards her, she felt even her ears were tinted pink.

George took Ariel's hand planting a kiss on the back of it, greeting Ariel, "Good evening Lady Ariel."

Ariel, shy from the kiss, replied softly, "Good evening Prince George."

"I came to greet my fiancé, but I have business to deal with. I will make sure to arrive before the last dance to ask for milady's hand," George returned to his straight position towering above the petite Ariel.

"Then I will save my last dance for you," Ariel showed her understanding, and she watched George go back in his carriage.

Avina's brows relaxed as her smile faded and her eyes shown with resolution.

Time to commence the plan!

'5025, check the roster for all the influential nobles attending tonight. This Princess will show you what interacting with interest is like.'

'Yes, Host!'

Avina made her way through the crowds of people listening to the newest trends and gossip. She interacted with many nobles off the list, before finding the person she was looking for - Amanda Friesta.

One of the many known people in high society said to know all of high society's secrets and behind the door fights, AKA nobility's own gossip machine.

Want to know whether the Baron's mistress has finally trumped the wife? Find Amanda.

Want to know if the Marquis's illegitimate child is finally stepping into the household? Amanda knows.

Does anyone have info on the child that was said to be a prophet? Why ask me when Amanda's there.

Of course, how could Avina directly ask about Ariel's rumors. How demeaning would it seem if the Devera's only daughter asked about gossip - her own gossip!

Avina only wandered around Amanda's group making sure they saw her and ask Amanda if she had gossip on Ariel.

Maybe it was Avina's good luck or high society liked gossip a little too much, but they really did ask for gossip on Ariel.

'OK! 5025, maximize the volume on Amanda's conversation. I want to hear what they have to say about Ariel.' Soon enough, Avina heard crystal clear of their conversation. Avina slowly made her way to a desolate corner in order to concentrate.

-'Miss Friesta, I heard you were friends with the Devera family. How are they?'

Ha! We don't even interact at all.

-' They are doing fine. I've heard that Lady Devera had another tea party with Prince George.'

-'Oh my. How sweet the two of them are.'

-'Only the two of them know how sweet honey is. Lady Devera's family spoil their daughter so much, how can the honey not be sweet. She lives a life of pure joy.'

Ensuing giggles erupted from Amanda's gossip, but Avina grasps a clear understanding of what Ariel was like in other people's minds - spoiled and unlikeable.

Avina tried to rake through the memories trying to find instances of times when Ariel was not sweet. She was kind, cheerful, and generous. Nothing seemed wrong. Maybe it was because Ariel rarely appeared at balls? But is that a fitting reason why?

Contemplating on Ariel's reputation while swirling her glass of juice, she did not notice a young gentleman walking towards her corner holding a small plate of treats and a gentle smile lining his face.