A Royal Performance

"Princess, are you ready?" Misa asked.

Yes, today is the day of the engagement banquet. I'm not entirely sure why it's happening so soon, but it's been getting on my nerves. That useless Ronan was supposed to discuss this matter with me, but a week has already passed, and he hasn't even had the guts to approach me. Is this how much he loves his sister? Ha, it's all just an act.

"Yes, I'm ready," I replied. I was surrounded by maids. One was doing my hair while the other was working on my makeup. It felt like I was the star of the show, which I was sure I was.

I couldn't stay calm anymore. I had to do something.

"Shall we go?" I asked as I saw someone else entering my room. I gave them a once-over, and then I realized it was Ronan, wearing the royal knight uniform. He looked incredibly handsome like this, but when my eyes fell on his sword, I flinched again.

No, nothing is going to happen to you, Ellanious. He won't do anything to you.

I repeated this to myself.

"I'm your escort for today, Your Royal Highness, the Crown Princess." I felt goosebumps.

He made me feel as though we weren't related by blood at all. So, frustrating.

"Of course, Sir Ronan. I will be in your care," I extended my hand for him to hold, but I could feel his gaze even though he was looking down. I couldn't tell if it was my imagination or if I was compensating for the departed Ellanious, but it felt so real.

He held my hand, and we walked down to the carriage. I sensed a stare from behind, and I knew the duke's eyes were on me.

I couldn't care less.

I held Ronan's hand and entered the carriage. He sat down in front of me, but my eyes were fixed on the outside.

The carriage began to move when he asked, "Ella, why did you call me that just now?"

"What are you talking about, Sir Ronan? And why are you addressing me by my name?" I replied instead.

"Ella!" He gritted his teeth.

"Excuse me, Sir Ronan. I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but right now, the one with me is not me. You are here to look after me, to escort me. So, do your job properly." I spoke with a smile.

"Ella!" He clenched his teeth.

"If you dare to call me by my name, I won't hesitate to rip that tongue of yours out. And I'm not joking. I mean it. So be cautious of the consequences."

"Understood, Sir Ronan?" I asked, my eyes staring deeply into his. My eyes were no longer half-lidded, but wide open.

"I get it, Crown Princess," he understood.

Crown Princess? I doubt anyone will dare to call me that again.

Jessica Atreides, you'll be my prey today. You called me a witch, right? I have to respect your perspective, don't I?

I continued to smirk, gazing out of the carriage window.

"Princess, we have arrived," the carriage stopped.

Ronan once again escorted me.

As we arrived, there was another announcement. It was the royal family's entrance.

Emperor Alexius, Empress Leona, and Crown Prince Griffin Artemis Asteria entered. I couldn't believe their hair—it was all gray. But what surprised me was that their hair was remarkably similar. How had this never been questioned throughout the empire? The empress wasn't from the royal family.

"Princess, you should bow; the emperor is approaching," Ronan advised, pushing my head down.

Ouch, that hurt. He was pressing me down too hard.

As they walked to their seats, I smacked Ronan's hand and raised my head.

"Did you just treat me like one of your fellow knights?" I couldn't stop glaring at him.

What does he even think of himself? First, he terrified me in my childhood, then he disregarded my opinion when he arrived, and now he's treating me like trash again.

"I didn't mean to," he said in a low voice.

"Oh, you didn't mean to? Then what's this mark on my neck? Is this because you didn't mean it, or are you deliberately trying to harm me here and take over the duke?" I couldn't stop shouting.

"Princess, everyone is looking at us," he said in a hushed tone.

"So what?!"

This time, my voice was even louder.

What's happening?

Why am I shouting like this? I was calm just a minute ago. I've never been this emotionally out of control before. It's bursting. I can't control it.

"Here she goes again!"

"Yeah, every time she appears in public, she causes a scene like this."

"Did you see last time how she made Baroness Jessica Atreides

 kneel in front of her, touching her feet?"

"Yeah, I saw."

"I wonder how someone like her can be a saintess when Lady Jessica is more suitable for the position."

"Yeah, I feel the same way. Lady Jessica is better suited for the role of saintess. She would make a great empress, unlike her."

The conversation was getting louder around me. I didn't know how to deal with my feelings anymore. I couldn't keep up with my emotions. I was on the verge of losing control.

"My insides kept telling me, 'Yeah, speak. Lady Jessica would be a better fit for the empress. She will be the perfect saintess you all want.' So the engagement shouldn't be with me, but with her. I desperately wanted to speak, but I couldn't. I couldn't because it felt as if someone was holding my throat tightly, making me choke, and I couldn't say a word. Or maybe it was because of how my brother, Ronan, treated me a while ago, holding my neck and pushing it into the ground as if I were some kind of chicken he wanted to sacrifice. I don't know which is the case, but I can't speak, as if I've been glued to something."