Chapter Ten - My New Life As A Demon Villainess

"..."

"..."

"..."

Huh?

Why is the atmosphere... suddenly like this?

It suddenly becomes quiet.

Wait...

Did they think what I said was a joke?

Strangely looking at them I anticipated their reply.

"..."

Just one please, I just need one person to reply.

"M-My Little Jazaila?"

hm?

My gaze went to father, whom I expected to be surprised.

And Indeed, it's just how I expected it.

"D-Did you just say you decline your highness's offer?"

Without hesitation, I quickly nodded.

"W-Why, sweetheart?"

Why?

Before answering his question, I quickly glanced to the king and the crown prince who both seem to be baffled and waiting for my answer.

The reason is I want to avoid my death and I want to live my new life not following the novel.

But I can't just say that I'm sure they will be confused.

What do I need to say?

"Uhm... It's because"

What do I say...? What do I say?

"Regardless of what she'll say, children don't lie, and I think she's speaking on her grounds"

My jaw dropped as my eyes widened with the king's words.

Am I seriously hearing this, from him?

But... Thank god, the king is on my side!

"Is that right? Lady Jazaila?"

"Ah... y-yes, your highness"

I stuttered in my words, but this feeling... I feel so happy now!

"But lady jazaila would you mind hearing my request?"

Huh? Request?

"I understand your opinion, lady jazaila but I would like to request you to consider being a candidate"

What-?!

"Through the upcoming years I would like you to get to know my son, If you still want to decline that offer when you reach 16, then you may. I understand if you choose that, it's just my request as the king of this kingdom that you'll take part in this important matter to repay all the help the grand duke gave to me, by my name as a king I beg you, lady jazaila"

Wait... Beg?!

And Wait- how is this matter important?

It's just the prince finding for love... How is this important to me?

And repaying the help of my father? Then if that's the matter, don't include me in your business!

Aahhh! My headaches.

Now, how can I deny this if the king is begging me?

I know that the king rarely begs people since well he doesn't need to... He has already everything.

But now... hearing the king himself begging in front of a 5-year-old child just because she declines the offer of being a candidate for the crown prince's fiancée?

Now, who would oppose the king?

Curse this! The novel's finding a way to set the things back to the way it is.

I feel like a puppet.

"P-Please don't, your highness I-I understand, I will think (about) being a candidate"

"A-And I will try (to get) to know, crown prince Nicholas"

"Thank you! Thank you so much, lady jazaila!"

Wah-!

My eyes widened from the king's sudden embrace.

W-Why is he suddenly?

In the king's embrace, looking all confuse I eyed, my father, trying to get him to help me but then my jaw dropped when he showed a satisfying smile.

Father...? You're seriously okay with this?

Well, I'm not! Father... Help me!

"(*cough) Father, I'm sorry to interrupt your moment but I think lady jazaila is uncomfortable"

Yes, your highness like what your son said.

"Oh, am I? Goodness, I'm sorry for my behavior lady jazaila"

Haah, I can finally take a breath after the king breaks the hug. But... I didn't expect Nicholas to say that.

"Ah, no... it's alright your highness"

I'm thankful to Nicholas for this, but just this once.

Now... My plan has failed!

I still didn't get to avoid being a candidate!

My fate... I'm on the road towards my death, how- what will I do now?!

I can't believe I ended up being a candidate for the prince's fiancée!

----

Walking beside the crown prince, I just looked everywhere to not bore myself.

Walking through the mansion's garden wandering all over the place, I can't ignore the awkward atmosphere we have right now.

After that stressful meeting regarding me being a candidate for the prince's future fiancée, my father suggested for me to accompany the crown prince to look around the mansion.

And as expected the king Immediately agrees and I even saw that smile they gave to each other.

Like they think of the same thing.

Argh! Even my father isn't helping me.

And after we went out together, I've been touring him all over the mansion like...

"Here is (the) library, oh and there's (the) ballroom..." and so on.

To be short, I did all the talk.

Like a silent and diligent mouse Nicholas just kept quiet and nodded at everything I said.

Honestly, Is he a mute? Could he just answer my words, like some reactions maybe oh okay? Or something like yes, I indeed heard of it...

But expecting that to this boy? Huh, not a chance.

Known as the Cold Prince, how can I expect that from him.

Aah...

"This is so boring"

"This is so boring"

Hm?

Looking up a little, our eyes met when we heard we both said that in unison.

Hah, it seems like we're on the same boat.

Looking at me surprised, the crown prince bowed at me a little and pointed at a bench somewhere here in the garden.

"Ah, It's (a) pleasure, your highness"

As I bowed, I answered still trying to keep this boring attitude.

Maybe now he'll talk, right? He's inviting me to sit with him on a bench what else would we do than to talk.

If he'll not, then I'll not think twice but to leave him alone I don't care if I'll be rude, but I seriously can't continue with this boring atmosphere where I'll mostly be the one to talk.

What am I, his professor?

We both went silent when we sat on the bench.

"..."

Ahh! Seriously!

"(Cough) ehem, s-so your highness..."

"hm?"

I heard him hum while not even glancing at me. I rolled my eyes in frustration.

Is this the situation jazaila always has with the crown prince?... I can see why she's acting so frustrated with him and just forces herself to cling to him.

I mean... who would not? Sitting beside him right now, he's like a robot... for god damn sake!

Trying to think of a topic I looked at the garden but... shoot! I can't think of any!

N-Now what will I say?

What would boys talk about back in my world?

Hmm... let's see.

Suddenly a memory popped out of my mind, it was during dismissal time, and I was a cleaner that day walking through the hall I was about to return the broom I borrowed from the classroom next to us when I stopped as I heard 5 boys were laughing inside the classroom.

Since I don't want to interfere with their fun conversation, I waited outside their classroom when my ears curved when I heard what they're talking about...

*beep *beep *beepbeepbeep*

NO! no, heck no!

Sitting still I glanced at the crown prince who's sighing and leaning his back on the bench.

Right, he's a kid and not like those bastards in school, this perfect prince is nowhere near that.

His mind is full of what's going on in the palace and the kingdom.

Like how a crown prince will think... R-Right! That!

Clearing my throat, I sat properly on the bench as I gracefully placed my hands on my thighs covered by my dress.

"I heard (the) kingdom (is) currently suffering (from the) lack (of) food stock resulting (from) the war that (recently) ended, right your highness?"

My lips roses as I proudly raised my chin, now... crown prince, compliment me as I know politics well not quite since this is a general problem the kingdom is facing.

"How-?"

Huh?

Raising my eyebrows in confusion, the crown prince looked at me in surprise like I was something that he can't believe existed.

What's with him-? Ah! D-Did I said something wrong?

Suddenly, the crown prince covered his mouth still eyes widened in shock as he quickly avoided my gaze and turned away.

Seriously, what is he-

"I can't believe a 5-year-old is interested in talking about politics."

What?

"It's scary to think that she has that mindset in an early age, I mean who would care about the kingdom when you're in her age whom mostly a child like her will just want to play around in muds and stuff"

My jaw dropped when I can literally hear him mumbling those words. I didn't know he was this talkative when he is quiet.

And honestly though, set aside your thoughts about my brilliant brain, (huh I was not a geek in my past life for nothing) look who's talking! You're still a 7-year-old child put that in mind! and in the novel, you began to read about politics when you just turn three.

I mean who the hell does that at the age of three?

It seems he's not conscious of himself.

"Yes, you're correct lady jazaila, Though the king is hectic about the other problems, this certain problem is concerned by most of the people in the kingdom and father has been tired from all the work needed to do. I wanted to help him, but he declined my offer and told me to just focus on handling the matter about the candidates to be my fiancee"

Wah- I didn't expect him to speak this long!

I see. You have a hidden tongue, your highness.

He's... an otaku for politics! Though still having that poker face of his.

Hmm, I know much about this problem since this was mentioned as also the problem that even in the latter part of the novel it still didn't solve, The king was too prideful that he took all the needed works and spend most of his time on that, eventually forgetting that one very concerning problem.

Thinking about it, I read that there was a board of the noble council where they also take part in the needed works and help in solving the problem.

But knowing the king, working hard in all of that not even giving one task to them, the council can't do anything since the king ordered them to not interfere with him.

Ah... maybe there's still time to change that.

"If that's (the) case, (then) how about talking to (the) board of (the) noble council, your highness?"

Touching my chin, while stating those words I noticed he was not replying to my answer once again.

What's with him now-?

Eckk!

I flinched when I saw his bloodlust eyes shooting daggers at me as his usual poker face darkens.

W-What now?... Did I say something wrong again?

Eyes widened as face filled with horror, I moved backward in my seat as I try to avoid looking at him, but it felt like he'll kill me if I just turned my head slightly away.

Y-Your highness, Please spare my life!

When I saw him raising his right hand, I shivered in fear. His hand moving closer to my face I closed my eyes as I bit my lips in fear.

T-This is it, Sadly, I'll meet my final death here.

Noooooooo-!

Huh?

I opened my eyes when a hand tapped my shoulder, I looked over to it as I averted my gaze slowly at the crown prince.

What's this?

Surprised. My eyes widened when I saw his lips slightly rose.

Not a smile of interest, but a smile of satisfaction.

"Lady Jazaila, Thank you!"

"What?"

I didn't notice I speak that out loud. He then showed me a genuine smile.

W-Why...?

"Your highness! Your highness!"

A sweaty and exhausted maid shouted running to us.

Why is she like that?

"What is it? Ilia?"

I looked at the crown prince in disbelief, did he just called his maid like she's someone his age?

I didn't know the royal crown prince is this impolite.

Can't he call her nanny? Or something referring to an elder?

She seems like she's in her 40's though.

"The king is looking for you, he said that it's time to go back to the palace, your highness"

That's it? Why was she running?

"Woof! Woof!"

Hearing that bark, I leaned to my right as a huge dog came in through my sight.

"Pfft-"

I quickly covered my mouth when the crown prince and the maid looked at me in curiosity I just shook my head. They were back on the conversation once they checked on me.

I forced myself to not laugh. I slowly glanced at the maid and yeah, she is a complete mess, her hair's a mess and sweat all over her face.

Dog...

So that's why she's like that. Pfft-

I was about to laugh when I stopped that from happening as I saw my sight has been blocked. Looking up my eyes widened when I saw the crown prince genuinely smiled down at me.

Quickly, I stood up and bowed my head a little at him.

"Sadly, I was ordered to go back to the palace"

He said once I looked back at up at him, I nodded at his words.

"I understand, your highness please (be) safe in your ride (back), all hail (the) kingdom (of) ernaziya!"

I politely said as I do a curtsey as a goodbye to him. The crown prince just nodded still having that genuine smile on his face.

Though I feel nothing wrong with his smile, It's still strange to see him smile.

Where was that cold, poker face prince nicholas whom I feard just a while ago??

As I stood back up, I raised my eyebrow in confusion when the prince still hasn't left and just stood in front of me.

"Lady Jazaila, Like what my father said a while ago, I'll be visiting you from time to time, at first I am quite opposed to that matter but... I would like to talk to you about politics when we'll meet again, I don't know if it's wrong for me to say this but..."

But?

"I like to be your friend, lady jazaila"

"..."

I flinched when I felt a hand holds mine, I looked over to the crown prince when he took my hand as he placed a quick polite kiss.

A genuine smile, a polite kiss on the hand, and a sincere thanks...

"I'm looking forward to meeting you again, lady jazaila"

Politely saying those words with a genuine smile, I didn't notice I was spacing out by all those happening.

"A-Ah, Yes, your highness, me too"

I do a curtsey again as I bowed my head a little as they slowly walked away.

Before they vanished, the crown prince once again flashed me that smile.

"*sigh"

What in the world just happened?!

______

p.s. a reminder again, the ( ) words are the words jazaila couldn't include saying.