I Don't Need the Prince! 23

Weirdly enough, Ariel did not attend an academy. She had private tutors coming from the academy to her home every day to personally teach her. Very spoiled, very loved. Just like in her world, money can do anything.

But regardless of whether Ariel attended school personally or not, she graduated with the rest of the students. The graduation party was supposed to be a day filled with congratulations and joy, but for Ariel, it was a day of sadness. Instead of a magnificent graduation, she got a grand annulment. In front of all the future leaders of the kingdom, she was disgraced by her own fiance!

Only she knew the betrayal she felt at the sight of her very own love wrapping his arms around another. At first, she felt anger. An engagement wasn't just something to willy-nilly annul here and there. It was something decided years ago by both families! It wasn't something she just asked for and was given; there was mutual interest. Then she felt sadness. After all, she spent years harboring this love, years of training to be future Queen, and years of devotion, love, and respect. That all crumbled to dust on that very night.

Avina knew tonight was an important night. It was a night when all schemes would surface and where it was the deciding factor whether her mission would succeed or not. Of course, she had utter confidence it would succeed.

On the night of the banquet, Hector offered himself to personally escort Ariel. When Avina asked why, he only laughed and said, "I can't even escort my precious baby sister to her big day?" With nothing left said, Avina had no reason to refuse, and the two went off to the Academy.

During the ride, 5025 was mega excited. Its host said that the mission was almost finished, and it can brag to all its friends about it! Of course, it was excited! The long ride was filled with 5025 constant chatter.

'What do you want to do once we are finished? Should we hang out in the mission world a little longer? I heard that some hosts in the white space gained abilities and would practice them before the next world.' 5025 was flipping through its mini data pad filled with all its system dreams. Ever since it was a small data line, it dreamed of doing so many things with its hosts.

Avina felt 5025's excitement and was influenced too. The mission was nearing completion but she hadn't figured out what to do next. With all of 5025's great ideas, she imagined herself staying and continuing to be pampered or practicing new skills. It was all so exciting!

Hector, sitting across from Ariel, had his eyes closed. However, years of sword and martial arts practice allowed him to feel the change in the air. At first, it was a calm swaying carriage ride, but slowly, he felt Ariel's growing excitement. Every once in a while, she would restlessly move in her seat. He opened a small slit of vision and looked at his sister grinning widely, happy and enthusiastic. The corners of his own lips started to rise as well.

The moment the carriage stopped, Avina knew they were at the academy. When Hector led her out, she stared in awe at the large building. Comparable to the palace, it was massive but with a scholarly aura. Several students were walking in and out of the campus, this time dressed in beautiful attire instead of uniforms. There were students holding hands, carrying flowers, letters, or gifts.

Hand and hand with Hector, the two of them walked to the ballroom. Like any large institution of high-class education for the wealthy, there were various classes available and special rooms for said classes. The ballroom, as it can be inferred, was to help students practice ballroom dancing.

Mandatory, Ariel was well trained in the skills of the crown princess including diplomacy, manners, dancing, etiquette, and so much more. At some point, Avina felt she could never achieve the things Ariel did. Both were the same age, but the difference in skills was immeasurable.

Once they arrived at the ballroom, Hector allowed Ariel to play all she wanted. He would keep her safe no matter what. So Avina did what every girl would do and headed straight for the snack bar. It was filled with beautifully arranged pastries and treats from left to right. At another table were drinks and savory bite-size dishes.

In her memories, Avina did not find a mention of a close friend, so she did not purposefully interact with the other students. Instead, she gorged herself on delicious food while watching the other students talk and dance. Occasionally, there would be a couple of people who would come and greet her. Only then would she put her greedy hands down and greet them back. A small polite conversation would begin before ending, and she would return to enjoying herself.

Finally, it was nearing the end. At the end of every graduation banquet, the Royal Family would arrive and give a little speech. Then the Principal, top student, top teacher, and so on and so forth would too give their speeches. At the very end, the prince and his fiance would dance together.

Trumpets sounded and the whole dance floor was cleared. Walking in slowly, the Royal Family arrived in majestic attire. At the front center was the King, His Royal Majesty, with his red velvet cape flowing behind him. At his left was his wife, Her Royal Majesty, in her exquisitely crafted and glimmering gown. To the left was the one and only Crown Prince, His Royal Highness George.

The King started his kingly speech and Avina's mind started to wander. The speech was nowhere close to ending, so she placed her attention on the monitors. The entire time she was eating, she was watching live entertainment. Obviously, Amanda and Earl John were scheming like foolish rats. Rey and Jane had a night rendezvous in the Academy garden. The boy finally got the courage and confessed his feelings. Jane, embarrassed but happy, accepted and now the two of them were a couple. And Hector stayed at the corner watching the party with uninterested but cautious eyes; he was wonderfully guarding Ariel.

Speeches and more speeches, Avina just focused all her attention on the monitors. Finally, it was the last dance. The crowd of students slowly moved to reveal a path between George and Ariel. George walked slowly towards Ariel and bowed down extending his hands. Avina lifted hers ready to place it into his hands.

However, the sounds of the doors opened harshly sounded. Scaring the students, there were yelps of surprise before everyone turned their gazes towards the doors. Standing there were 2 people drenched in sweat with condescending looks, Amanda and Earl John.