Beyond Love and Hate

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590 SP? Aren't you a bit stingy?

Stabbing the little piggy through his tight waist belt to not cause any bleeding or pain is a brilliant idea no matter how I think about it. I would give myself 1000 SPs.

I know the game would give so many points for just any quest and I wouldn't really know how much a killing reward was worth as there was no killing in the game. The Quests were mostly 'Hunt', 'Help' or 'Score' quests and they were the main source of SP.

The other source, of course, is the micro transactions by buying Magic Crystals with real money.

From Nadia's memories, Magic Crystals were the premium game currency but from Vivian's, they are a source of Magic Energy used by the Knights, Mages, and Alchemists.

"So if I bring Magic Crystals to the System, will I get more SP?"

If that's the case then it is indeed a good idea to acquire magic crystals.

But that's not all, in this world exists Magic and it is a miraculous power to destroy, manipulate, and even conjure illusions.

Sadly, the Noble traditions state that women must carry no weapons and study no magic. The only weapons they carry are daggers and its purpose is to stab themselves in case they get assaulted to not bring shame to the family.

The women who grow muscles as a result of training are considered unsightly and the women who practice magic are seen as witches. No one in this place argues with that logic but that doesn't mean not all women undergo the same treatment. The ones born with peerless talents are accepted to train in combat and practice magic.

An example of that is the heroine, Matilda, who practices Holy Arts; the second Villainess who practices Martial Arts; and the third Villainess who practices Dark Arts.

Such practices have been divided to levels of mastery which are four levels, starting with Apprentice, Graduate (or Adept), Expert, and Master. And so for example, a 17 year old runt like my brother Robert is an Apprentice Knight, whereas a 19 years old genius like Edmond Black is a Graduate Knight.

The training methods are secret in each Noble household. Nobles become Nobles because of their talents in Magic throughout history and vice versa for commoners. Mostly, the major factor that manifests the Magic talent has to do much with genes.

Now, I have one goal and it is to "Avoid Destruction". No matter what, the old Vivian's grudges are now mine and the ones after her happy ending are the ones after me. Also, the game is not over with the main route villainess destruction.

For that, I must secure a survival method to keep this pretty head on those pretty shoulders. The System doesn't appear to be forcing me to do combat but it has recorded my trait as an Assassin. With its unique functions, I will have a good edge at embedding my old skills in this body.

I am not sure where to start but in the memories of the old Vivian, Knights would do physical training to the point where they can no longer stand, while the Mages train in secrecy, study the laws of the natural world, and refine their spells nonstop.

It is all still mysterious to me but if I search the family's library, I'm sure I'll find some books around the topic.

While I was figuring out my dilemma, a voice called for me from outside my room.

"My Lady." A maid called.

"What is it?"

"The Master is inviting you to the Study, my Lady."

"I understand, you're dismissed."

It seems that I am being summoned at last. I was waiting for pops to call me ever since it all ended.

Fixing my appearance hastily, I took the way down to the study and knocked on the door to be allowed in.

"Father."

"Come, Vivian. Sit." He said pointing at the chair in front of his desk.

In the study, the lofty seven-meter ceiling was adorned with elaborate decor, and books and bookshelves elegantly filled every nook. In the center of this lavish room, Father's desk, a small and unassuming piece, took its place. Beside it, a petite tower of books stood sentinel, while on the desktop itself, an expansive ledger lay open alongside an array of exquisite writing tools that spoke of refinement and scholarly pursuits.

My father himself is an interesting man. Nadia's only father figure was her Mentor، and the old Vivian was stiff around her father for some old family secrets but in my opinion, I see him as a very interesting individual and potentially a valuable ally.

As for the fact that I, despite being only half Vivian, accept myself easily as his daughter, it is because Nadia didn't know her real father and Vivian was obsessed with her family and deeply respected her calculative and meticulous father.

His appearance reflected his value of interest. His age should be around 45 but he looked like he was in his early mid 30s. Black hair, violet eyes, a van dyke goatee, and a well-built body.

Sitting in front of him and facing his gaze gave a lot of pressure. He kept looking at me and I found no response but to stare back at him briefly until he decided to put down his glasses.

"How are you faring so far?" He asked.

"I am fine, father. I hope you are doing well too and thank you for asking."

Boy, I feel like a robot!

He rested his back to the chair and narrowed his eyes.

"What has changed?" He asked.

"A lot." I gave a vague answer to his vague question.

"Is that so? I have to admit I almost thought you had given up. It reminded me of… nothing… I am glad you look well again." He said.

He seemed to be trying to convey something that I failed to understand.

"Thank you, father. But you thought I had given up?" I asked.

His gaze became suddenly disturbed.

"I mean the look on your face those past three days, you barely ate anything or left your room."

"Oh, I see... It was nothing serious." I said as I remembered how the old Vivian felt these past three days.

The sorrow and the shame that led to suicide. The humiliation, the insults, the look in their eyes. I know I am only half Vivian but the sorrow she felt made the other half of Nadia burn with anger.

How could he do that to her? This is beyond what a simple game is, beyond forgiveness, beyond love and hate.

It is a matter of pride and dignity. Crushing my… crushing Vivan's pride like that... No, it is my pride too. I inherited all she is, past and future.

I won't forgive that Prince or his entourage. No matter what, revenge is the best medicine and I intend to take it.

"... Vivian."

"Father? Sorry, I spaced out."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I… may be a bit mentally exhausted but I'll manage after a good night's rest."

"We can talk tomorrow if you are tired."

"I think if it is something important, we should talk while we have time, father." I said, trying to get to him as his daughter before somebody else poisons his ears.

"Very well." Father stood up and faced the window behind him.

"Seeing you silent the past three days was heavy on me. If the Royal Family has given a blessing on such a disgraceful wedding, there is very little I can do if you don't talk your mind first. I didn't talk today so no word can be held against us."

He said and continued.

"As the Prince wants to humiliate us and your younger brother is being led like a dog, it is making the situation worse. After seeing you talk back to them today, I realized that there is still a chance."

"A chance?" I questioned what he meant.

"Do you think a mere Crown Prince can act as wild as he wants without backing? He just lost the support of our house. He can't take you as a bargaining chip against me anymore and as long as you don't play the tragic girl and talk the talk like you did today, then I can imagine ourselves getting rid of that disgraceful engagement soon." He said.

"I am beginning to understand that you can take action as long as I retort at the wedding..."

"You are right."

"... But what do you mean by a bargaining chip?" I asked.

Father turned and pointed at the world map hanging on the wall.

"As you know, our Country has massive colonies all across the old world from the Niban Peninsula in the Longdi Continent in the east all the way to the Black Sahara in Sauran Continent in the south. Right now, there is a new world in the continent of Avalon, that large island to the West, filled to the brim with mystery and hidden wealth."

"The Empire on which the sun never sets." I said.

"A beautiful way to put it. Indeed, our Great Elgard is such an Empire. Now, where were we? Yes, the Kingdom has a massive colony there and our House has funded the expedition to the New World giving us a share of 35% of the Colonies, if not more." He said.

"So…"

"In the New World in the territory of Elgard, House Moore is the second most powerful force after the Crown. Do you understand your situation now?" He asked.

Honestly, I was speechless and fell silent looking at the map. There are many things to take note of here.

Elgard is in the west of the northern continent, Albion, and the nearest country to Avalon, a continent the size of my past world's Australia. It was only discovered 15 years ago.

From the old Vivan's memories, I know I got engaged to Prince Liam so that the Kingdom rope House Moore closer but we grew too fast and too powerful. The Kingdom is now threatened and they didn't know how to use me, who was going to be a future Queen, so they let Prince Liam destroy me instead to shame the family and lower its standing.

Add Nadia's memories to that, things started to go messy.

As I know, the Game Events are not over by destroying the Main Route Villainess, the Heroine can still interact with the other six targets as secret affairs.

Yes, she gets to make a Reverse Harem out of the Kingdom's most powerful seven young men, who are the future ringleaders of an entire Empire.

The Route that concerns House Moore the most is Robert's Route.

During the Prince's Route, where Vivian and the Heroine clash, Vivian's father interferes in one scene and offers the Heroine money if she stops getting between his Daughter and the Prince. Of course he is portrayed as the father of the Villainess who is also a Villain. After Vivian's death, Robert will face the wrath of his father and gets kicked out of the mansion. The Heroine, the Prince, and their entourage move against Lord Julian Moore who "fell to evil" and excommunicate him from the Noble Society then exile him from the country by a royal decree.

A lot of Drama happens along Robert's Route but in the end, he ends as the Lord of House Moore succeeding his father.

To round things up, if they can't use me as a bargaining chip, they are going directly after my father.

If anything happens to my father, I am a goner as well. Hell, they may try to kill me to push my father into a tight situation.

In a way, this perspective is more annoying and complicated than before.

"What's with the dangerous face?" Father asked.

"... No, nothing. Just an idea crossed my mind."

"Share it."

"Do I really have to?"

Father looked at me with eyes trying to see through me.

"The reason I called you in my office today is to see if you are a chick or a hawk. I want to know whether I can rely on you from now on and that you won't bring shame to our family, or will you cower in your room mourning your first setback. Tell me, what can I expect from you?" He asked.

I stood up in front of him and looked him in the eyes.

"You can expect me to smile at them while they grind their teeth, you can expect me to shoot them not afraid of their bullets, you can expect me to sabotage each and every plan they hatch and turn it on them. You can expect a Hawk, Father."

The Hawk, the symbol of House Moore, is a flying hawk carrying a sword and a musket. A Symbol of Pride and Power. Funny thing is... Nadia's codename was Nighthawk.

"Good! Well said. I was used to the prideful look in your eyes before the break up of your engagement but seeing you broken was a bit of a disappointment. Now this fire in your eyes is giving you a better appearance than before." He said and patted my shoulders, "Now, what was that on your mind?"

"Very well... I was thinking that those who we are up against may go as far as targeting you." I said.

"If that's all, then there is nothing to say here." Father brushed it off and turned around.

"What I was saying is that they will target you through me, father." I said it.

At that moment, he paused.

"Go on." He said.

"If I am not usable as a bargaining chip, that doesn't mean I am not a weakness to you. Tell me, dear Father. What would you do if I died to their schemes?"

Maybe I got too comfortable with him and forgot how a Knight can be scary. His change of mood made the place cold in an instant and his eyes turned scary.

It was all for a second before he got a hold of himself again. I was right, I am his weakness and he will slip up if something happens to me.

"See what I meant... Father?"

"I- I see..." He thought for a while before speaking again, "I will be pulling back that Knight of the Price family, your friend… What's his name?"

My mind blanked out for a second, not sure why but the name appeared in a flash.

"Logan?" I muttered.

"Right, Knight Logan. I'll pull him from where he is stationed and assign him to your protection."

My head went numb, blacked out, and rebooted all in a few seconds.

Logan... Why now?

This is not what I was planning for… frankly speaking, Logan was not in any plan. It doesn't mean he is not a welcome addition but… Logan… of all people.

But my plans…

"Thank you very deeply, Father… but I have a request regarding my security thing." I said.

"Speak."

"I was really hoping to get a handgun."

"No! Too dangerous. Logan will be an excellent protection rather than a firearm."

"Father, I understand but I'll prefer to have Knight Logan as well as a handgun… and a Knight Training Manual too."

"V... Vivian, what are you saying?" Father seemed displeased with my request.

"Father, you know very well who we are up against right now. Even though Knight Logan is an excellent Knight, he is just one Knight. If someone was able to distract Logan, I will be done for. Knights and Mages always say that Guns are the weapons of the weak and I am well aware of my weaknesses. A new model gun will be less dangerous and smaller than a usual model while the Knight Manual is for me to gain some power in my grip to handle a gun and enough speed to escape from danger, right?"

"But..." Father wanted to retort.

"Don't worry father, I won't grow into some manish muscle woman. I may as well lose weight in the process." I reassured him from whatever he was thinking.

"Okay, okay. I get it!" He said and picked a small book from his desk's drawer.

"Here, copy the first chapter about agility and return it. Don't you think of training any unnecessary things."

"Of course, Father." I smiled while pulling the manual away from my father.

Sorry, pops. I lied. I'll train the s**t out of that manual. I'll be Margie Marvelous if I can… maybe not that much but I'll train every necessary thing there is to train.

"You can find Mr. Harry, our gunsmith, in the gun range tomorrow morning. Ask him for a suitable gun."

"Thank you... daddy."

"Girl! Ehem... Don't say that in public, okay? Just between us."

"Understood, daddy."

With that, I secured my first and most important ally in the world. The road to regaining my social image with him will be smooth and easy.

"You may go no..."

"VIVIAAAAAAAN!"

As my father was dismissing me, a certain voice came rushing in the mansion.

I was wondering what took the little bastard so long!

"Robert, wait! She is meeting with your father!" And my stepmother seemed to be trying to hold his reins.

"With father? Those two!" Robert seemed frustrated as his footsteps sounded nearing the study.

Father and I looked at each other and I decided to stand aside for now. Robert stormed in the study without knocking with blood shot eyes.

"You! You have done it. How could you?"

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Please show some Love ❤️, Comment 💬, and Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You can also read the early chapters on P🅰️treon & Join Discord! 🔗 https://linktr.ee/donovel