Alarming memories (2)

\\"...this..." I say as I put both of my hands around the envelope and rip it and Royal Seal. Lillia looked blankly as she watches the envelope in shreds. The Mark of Royalty was also shredded.

"...is the only reason why I took two steps from hell,"//

***

I took the invitation card. It was the Royal Banquet invitation huh? A smirk filled my lips. Lillia stared at me stupidly, her mouth was hanging down. I ignored her and refamiliarized with the invitation card.

If I remember correctly, this was the exact Royal Banquet which will tell the Prophecy. Ho... the Prophecy and my engagement to the Royal Prince of a Bastard would be mentioned in the Prophecy. It will be the same prophecy which would destroy my life...

I gritted my teeth. But...

A nasty smile filled on my face. If I was engaged to that Bastard of a Crown prince... I would get so much power, and all I would have to do is to remain kind and courteous while maintaining order. Perfect. This... is my solution to the Civil War. Why didn't I remember?

And also the solution of Revenge.

To get Revenge I need to stay close to the Crown prince... so I don't act rebellious or brazen as .... Ambassador Lockhart. Ugh... something about that man is kind of uneasy. But why do I care? Whatever...

I kissed the card and smiled brightly at Lillia and said:

"Prepare my dress for the Royal Banquet..." I say, suppressing my smirk- "... and for my engagement party..." I muttered bitterly but put on a smile.

"What party?" Lillia said almost picking up on what I said.

"Never mind, time to prepare my dress..." I say as I stand up and ask her, "Ask for the Tailor to get here, that party is an important date..."

To get one step ahead on my revenge.

"Alright Lady Belle,"

I guess I don't wait under the curtains to find him after all. The chance is right there...

***

The tailor had made measurements around my body, from my waist, hips, and breasts. While everyone fitted the corset on my chest- I wondered about my Revenge Timings.

I may be one step ahead on my Revenge if I accept the engagement with the Crown Prince. I just need to follow my lovesick idiocy plans and I am one step ahead.

I guess I was worried for nothing. But... I kept forgetting one thing.

If I attend this Banquet and do become that Bastard's fiance... even for a little while... I will lose my succession to my father's dukedom. But I have a while till I lose that succession.

That is exactly in two and a half years.

I could lose my succession to my father if my father did not pronounce me as heir before the age of eighteen. That also meant that I have exactly less two years to carry out my revenge and then receive my inheritance to my father's dukedom.

This isn't enough time though. I have to get closer to the castle rules and make enemies and allies. How can I forget that my tittle of a fiance will be also challenged by another woman? Named Cecil?

That also isn't the problem here. She would arrive as soon as one year later. But... I need to hound all of the castle's power to my self. And I need to hound all of the Emperor's attention towards me so that I could gain favors.

That would also mean to go against the Dukedom of Thornburg. This isn't good. But Civil War could pull everyone down. I may be painting a larger problem... but if I could gain access to the Royal Military and also use this to strengthen the Crest Dukedom military...

I could win this!

It seems like a lot of hard work. But I have a lot to learn. I am such an idiot. I lack in so many things. So at first... my mission is to have access to the Royal Military.

But how? With the Civil War coming up, there is no way that Bastard (Crown prince Ares) would let me have control over the army. I need to win this game somehow.

"Miss Belle! We are finished! Do you like this dress?" Lillia pulled me out of my daze. I stayed surprised as I looked down on my dress. I was fascinated by the dress's vibrant lavender violet rich colors. Gemmed crystals encrusted my chest.

I looked... stunning...

I stared into the mirror. Wow. I forced myself to smile. I looked... beautiful. My dimpled cheeks, my curled glossy dark hair matched my outcome.

"..." I just twirled around. Maybe I was ready for Revenge.

"My Lady, when is the party?" Lillia said.

"My, my, it's tomorrow, are you ready?" I say smiling softly.

"Anything you say,"

Tomorrow, the game seems kind of fun. I stared down at the shredded pieces of paper that were on the floor.

The image of the Royal Seal was in different shreds of paper and torn apart into tiny pieces. Using my heeled shoes I stepped onto it and turned my heels on it.

That's right! You're going to crumble.