Engagement Rejected

"Princess," Misa's voice pierced the air, a persistent reminder of the chaos that had enveloped the Empire. "When are you going to come out?"

I lay on the bed, seemingly deaf to the world around me. The day's announcement had thrown the Empire into turmoil, and it seemed that the temple's representatives were taking it upon themselves to visit me without my consent.

Frustratingly, these unwanted guests kept swarming around, their presence an incessant pest.

Eventually, I glanced at Misa, who was about to leave my room. I got up from the bed and gazed out of the wide window. There, I spotted an old man in temple attire engaged in conversation with the duke.

Our eyes met, and I startled. The temple representatives had evidently caught wind of my refusal to meet with them.

"Here, Princess, please let us meet you," the old man implored, and his words only served to worsen the growing headache that had been plaguing me.

"Father, allow them. I will come to the meeting room shortly," I said, rubbing my temples in an attempt to soothe the throbbing pain.

I directed Misa to prepare me, although I was aware of the irony in doing so. My stance had shifted from being addressed as "lady" to maintaining the persona of a princess. It felt strange, especially given that it was the real Ellanious who had originally instructed Misa to address me as "lady."

"All done, Princess," Misa stated, her demeanor reflecting an unusual level of awareness and care that had not been present before. She never called me "lady" again after our earlier altercation, and it was apparent that she was adjusting to the changes I was introducing.

"Princess, are you sure this is going to be okay?" Misa inquired, her uncertainty palpable.

"Yes, it'll be fine," I reassured her, patting her on the shoulder before heading towards the meeting room. As I made my way, it became evident that the entire temple had gathered outside the room, creating a raucous commotion.

All eyes were on me, and their reactions were far from pleasant. The tension in the air was thick, and I was determined to confront the arrogant Crown Prince and witness his reaction to the changes I had instigated. Would he kneel before me, begging for forgiveness, or would he challenge my newfound authority?

"The Princess Ellanious De Olger Usoro, entering," the guard declared as I walked into the meeting room. I maintained a royal composure, in spite of the insults I had endured in front of the Emperor. I was now eager to observe the Crown Prince's reaction to my transformation.

"Princess," the Chief Priest greeted me, his initial delight upon seeing me swiftly dissipating as he took in my appearance. His smile vanished, leaving him stammering.

"Pri-ncess, w-what are you?" he stammered, his astonishment evident.

"What are you talking about, Chief Priest?" I remarked, feigning ignorance and trying to control my laughter.

"Wh-at, are you?" he continued, clearly taken aback by my attire.

"Have you forgotten the announcement I made a week ago? Or are you pretending to be unaware of the reason for your presence here? Or perhaps you want me to jog your memory?" I leaned forward, maintaining eye contact and asserting my dominance.

"Princess, you have made a grave mistake," he asserted.

With a swift motion, I threw the hand fan I was holding onto the table, creating a loud noise that echoed through the room.

"Chief Priest, you know I'm still trying to show you a high degree of respect, but I don't see you reciprocating. Should I remind you of your place in front of me, or perhaps I should simply remove that impudent tongue of yours that cannot differentiate between the superior and the inferior?" My eyes darkened, and the Chief Priest trembled, silently acknowledging my dominance.

"You can't talk to us like this. We are the servants of the temple, devoted to God. Your actions are an insult to God as well," he protested.

I couldn't help but smirk.

"God? Are you certain this is what God desires?" I challenged him.

"Yes, I'm one hundred percent certain that this is what God wants," he affirmed, clutching his holy beads as if they were a shield.

"Then explain to me why God appointed me as a saintess."

"Why did God appoint me as a saintess when I hold the greatest contempt for God?" I continued.

"Have you received an answer from God, so-called servant of God?" I inquired.

He remained silent, defeated.

Ellanious, we won! I wanted to shout in victory, but then another announcement interrupted my thoughts.

"The Crown Prince Griffin Artemis Asteria is entering."

It was expected, yet it took me by surprise.

I stood up and greeted him with a polite nod.

"May the sun of the Empire bless us!" Bless my foot, I thought.

"You may rise," he said, and I finally had the opportunity to look at him directly.

However, he maintained an arrogant demeanor that infuriated me just by seeing him. His haughtiness was as insufferable as ever.

"So, Ella, do you know why I'm here?" he asked, a tone of condescension in his voice.

"Cough," I feigned a throat clearing.

"Your Highness, I think you need to retake your etiquette classes again." I reveled in my newfound authority.

I noticed him grip the couch handle in anger, although he concealed it well.

"What do you mean?" he inquired, a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Your Highness, we are not that close for you to address me by my nickname. It would be prudent to choose your words carefully, unless you wish for me to correct you each time you speak. What do you say?" I asked, taking a sip of the tea that had been placed in front of me.

"Ahem, Ella, we are engaged, so why do you think we are not close," he said.

Engaged, my foot. Was this guy delusional or something? From the moment he entered, he kept spouting nonsense, testing the limits of my patience and rapidly depleting my remaining brain cells. Had he been a bloodsucker in a past life or something?

I placed the teacup on the table and responded, "No, Your Highness, you are mistaken."

"What is wrong?" he inquired.

"You seem to have forgotten that we are no longer engaged. Therefore, we are not close anymore. Please do remember this, as I would prefer not to be the subject of ridicule due to your actions." Gosh, it was ridiculously funny.

I felt an overwhelming urge to burst into laughter.