«Ah».
Well, of course. Naturally. No event goes without a mishap.
He'd mentioned something on the way here:
«Your appearance is utterly unthinkable. You've embarrassed yourself and your family again.»
«There's something I expect from you — beyond that very thing.»
«When the crowd gathers, you'll apologise to the Archduke in front of everyone — confidently and remorsefully.»
«Perhaps that'll dull his irritation».
He noticed I wasn't exactly rushing. Decided to take the initiative — and shift the burden onto me, as usual.
«Ahem».
Everyone fell silent, turning their gazes to me — including those on the pedestal.
What could I do? Nothing.
Under their intense scrutiny, I stepped forward, eyeing the path ahead.
«…»
I needed to figure out what to say without tying a millstone around my neck. The silence pressed down on me, and I tried to clear my throat.
Cough‑cough.
«Greetings, Your Grace».
I finally lifted my gaze to the man. He watched me without particular interest — yet waited for me to continue.
«Ha…»
My hand found the left side of my chest, resting near my heart.
«As the daughter of the Vanos Countship», — I spoke, feeling a rising disgust at the words, — «I wish to ask for your forgiveness. For the inconvenience my family has caused you through our certain carelessness».
«What?!»
Bernard barked from somewhere behind me — but quickly fell silent, pretending to cough.
«Hmm, is that so?»
«I don't know how such a thing could have happened. I truly regret that our family has marred your impressions of returning to your homeland. Ever dutiful, on behalf of the Vanos Countship, I assure you this will not happen again».
I bowed deeply, putting on a compassionate expression. Murmurs rose from the crowd — but…
Ha… Ha‑ha…
…Ottls only chuckled, saying nothing.
«Your Grace, this…»
Bernard tried to deny something, lest it backfire. But the Archduke waved his hand, covering his mouth with his palm.
«Hah, very well… I accept your apology».
I smiled, catching sight of the Anti‑Princess and Crown Prince's faces from the corner of my eye. They watched me, seeming a bit bewildered.
Maybe they'd noticed my odd response — or perhaps my attire.
«Your garments today, lady, are rather… interesting», Adam chose his words carefully.
«Yes, thank you. I hope they haven't violated tonight's dress code? I'd regret it if they had».
«Not at all, lady», the Emperor gestured to the side, «My niece also likes to stand out. To discriminate against her interests would be somewhat… offensive. Isn't that right, Taylor?»
The girl only gave a brief nod, averting her gaze.
At that moment, my eyes accidentally met Aesk's.
«…»
«…»
Long enough to see each other's eyes. But not long enough for him to understand everything.
«Well, ha, good that no misunderstandings remain. You may go», Adam waved his hand — just as Ottls had done before.
«Family, clearly».
I lost myself in the crowd — lest the Count find me before he cooled off, his emotions still running high.
----
«One task done well, excellent. I won't even touch the second one».
I leaned against the balcony railing, feeling the fabric of my shirt stretch.
A cool, invigorating breeze swept across my face, chasing the flush from my cheeks.
"Spend the night in the prince's chambers, accept his gifts, and steal a valuable item… There's no way out of this".
Mentally, I cursed at the silhouette of the Count that appeared before my eyes.
"Damn bastard, comes up with some nonsense and expects me to carry it out! Right away, no less…"
Then I remembered.
"A letter from someone named 'C'"
Who was it? Who would need to write me a letter?
I never received it, which meant the Count didn't want me to see its contents.
«…»
Why couldn't things just be… simple? Why did someone always have to complicate everything?
And what that old geezer had said…
"…We need a large sum. Urgently, as quickly as possible".
What did he need the money for? And urgently, of all things.
He was definitely planning something — and it was far from certain that it was legal. There was a high chance that, due to my interference in the plot, the Count would take a dark turn, and we'd all end up hanging in the square as criminals.
"The seeds are there, the fruits are in progress".
As I adjusted an errant strand of hair — fragrant from the oils — my gaze caught on a couple down in the garden.
«Oh‑oh‑oh…»
Familiar faces.
Ekaterina and Shiron. The daughter of a poor viscount and a wealthy young orphaned count.
Sweet protagonists of a sweet tale about eternal love, where good always triumphs over evil.
«Of course, they're here at the ball too".
Right now, according to the story, I should spot them from the balcony and go down to meet them.
"Now I'm certain — I'm at the exact point where I stopped reading the novel".
"'Of course I came for you, my lady' — is that what he's saying to her right now? Let me guess?"
Ha…
"Here are the ones who have it all good. They'll get their happy ending, no matter what".
From the spoilers…
On the Count's orders, Ilissa will attempt to frame Ekaterina's family as business rivals. The viscountcy's workshop is developing a machine that produces fabric more efficiently, which will cause demand for the crops grown on the distant Vanos estate to plummet.
The business will collapse. At Ilissa's trial, the Church, Shiron, and a famous guild will gather with evidence and accusations. Terrified, Ilissa will turn to her father — but he'll repent before the court as an innocent father.
As evidence, they'll present a supposed personal diary of the sinner — where she wrote about her feelings and plans against Ekaterina, and how her father wouldn't approve.
But Ilissa never kept diaries.
Regardless, she'll still be sentenced to death. In the dungeon, on the night before her execution, Shiron will come for vigilante justice. He'll slit the villainess's throat, making her suffer and die slowly, forcing her to confront her sins against the heroine.
When I read this, I had questions about the Count… Could he really be considered innocent, given his motives and past?
That's where the Emperor steps in. He enjoys watching the Count's actions like an interactive spectacle.
«What will happen today?» — probably the thought he greeted his morning with.
Even knowing that Bernard is far from innocent, he ordered the death of his daughter, not him. Until there's direct evidence, he won't touch the case.
"Just fucking twisted world rules".
I watched the protagonists and thought.
"These hands will be the death of me…"
Swish!
— «?»
I heard the balcony door open.
«Well, well — the wretched daughter, here too».
The newcomers were faces I'd seen before — but ones I'd never expected to find here…
«Greetings, Your Highnesses».
Aesk and Taylor, brother and sister.
I dipped into a curtsy, though the only thing I truly wanted to do was ask, «What do you want?»
In this case, I wouldn't even have to wait for death by the hero's hand — here they were, come to meet me.
«You and my sister should become friends, lady. It seems your interests aren't so different…» Aesk continued with irony, folding his arms across his chest.
I bit my lip, nodding. The atmosphere was awkward, and I couldn't understand why they didn't just leave.
«Ah, he's rather tactless in many matters. Forgive him, lady», Taylor finally spoke, glancing sideways at her brother.
But if I thought about it…
«It's fine. I consider the beauty standards for high‑society ladies to be nothing more than — forgive me — cheap. I'd like to show girls they don't always have to favour kilometre‑long skirts».
I wasn't actually planning to show or teach anyone anything. But it seemed I could gently influence the princess — if I approached it as a compromise.
And my strategy might have worked. Taylor seemed to relax a little, her posture easing.
«Hmm, I didn't think you, lady, would hold such a view. Until now, you showed quite the opposite…»
The man smirked, poking at a sore spot. Only Taylor — who'd been away from the Empire for several years — didn't fully grasp his words.
«The past is the past, Your Highness. It can't be changed, after all».
A cunning smile curved his fair face.
«Oh, come now, lady — why so distant? We are, after all, quite close, aren't we?» He furrowed his brow, fixing me with a penetrating gaze as he stepped slightly closer.
Is he just throwing darts at random?
"She was never close to you, you crafty fox".
The girl elbowed her brother in the side, and he grunted, rubbing the spot.
«Aesk, enough…»
The prince laughed cheerfully, brushing a tear from the corner of his eye.
So many ladies he'd seduced — he probably couldn't even remember them all. Just throwing darts, searching for the right approach.
"Or maybe he's just amusing himself with the villainess. She's a curiosity, after all".
A jolt ran through me at my own thought.
Annoying. Arrogant, smug — and yet not long ago, I saw him bargaining with God for his soul in delirium.
Sigh. Men.
«It was a pleasure to meet you, lady. We'll be going now…»
Taylor was about to leave, but Aesk raised his hand.
«Go on — I'll chat a bit longer».
"Why? Go. Just go".
I felt a flicker of unease as the princess turned her head toward her brother near the exit.
«Don't stay too long…»
Thud.
«How do you like the festivities?» the man asked.
"The most banal question of all. Why even stay then?"
«Everything is wonderful, Your Highness, thank you».
«The wretched daughter trying to mend her reputation. Amusing…»
The words cut like a knife.
Of course — he'd kept his composure around his tedious little sister. Now he could mock me to his heart's content.
"The wretched daughter…"
My nerves were getting the better of me. Without realising, I began to speak aloud:
«Still better than an imperial skan…»
Thud.
I clapped my hand over my mouth, silencing myself before the unforgivable could happen.
Damn it.
"Shit".
«Cough, cough, cough…»
I pretended to have a violent coughing fit. But there was nowhere to hide from those piercing blue eyes…
«Go on, finish your thought…»
"If I continue now, they'll be calling me the wretched daughter from my grave".
Damn you for pushing me! I'm already on edge — and I've even had a drink!..
Right.
«…It's the alcohol, forgive me, I didn't…»
He moved forward like a predator, seizing his moment to counterattack, resting his hand on his sword. I found myself pressed flush against the balustrade…
I glanced past the prince's broad back, toward the glass door.
"Taylor, you mustn't have gone far. Stop your brother!.."
Suddenly — seemingly growing more irritated that I was avoiding eye contact — Aesk grabbed me by the collar of my satin shirt and pressed in.
«Ah!..»
Now everything was turned upside down. He slammed me against the cold, intricately carved balustrade, then leaned me over it — making my heart race, yet holding me just enough to prevent me from falling.
Thud.
His tone has grown harsher and more demanding, and the curved corners of lips have fallen.
The situation was heating up to the breaking point, and I raised my hand, unsure where to put it. The collar of my shirt stretched and crumpled under the man's firm grip, and his expression no longer resembled that of someone playing a game.
«You don't want to finish your sentence, lady, do you? That was a prince's order. For something like that…»
«Cough… I've had two glasses of wine. I'm feeling…»
My theatrically pained expression and the cough I held back to suppress nausea didn't leave him indifferent. Clearly concerned about keeping his attire and nerves intact, the prince grimaced slightly and, against his own inclination, pulled me closer — then let go.
He stepped back, adjusting his clothing…
I tried to catch my breath as the reality of what had just happened sank in.
Ha… ha…
«This… was a misunderstanding, Your… Highness. Forgive me, I'm drunk. Have a good… evening».
And I hurried to escape before he changed his mind.
«I'll still ask you what you didn't finish saying».
"Yes, of course…"
Thud.
Once the door slammed shut and I'd moved far enough away, I covered my face with my palm — cold sweat beading on my skin.
"I should've left you there!" I mentally yelled at the prince, recalling the incident in the forest.
He'd definitely understood what I meant. And he was going to squeeze every last drop out of this — and out of me — using his sarcastic nature.
Now, leaning on my knees, I noticed a pair of feet in black trousers in front of me.
Looking up, I saw my brother.
"What the hell is going on here — can I get ten minutes' peace?!"
My face must have twisted into such an expression that it was unbearable to look at. Gerald flinched slightly too — either from honest suspicion or from the situation — and asked:
«What's with your face?»
"As if you're the one person I needed right now".
I couldn't decide what I wanted more: to stay here and wait for more surprises, or to go home and face the beatings.
Trying to calm my nerves, I straightened up, glancing around and wiping the sweat from my brow.
«How… how's the evening going?» I asked, surprising both myself and my brother.
«Uh… Decided to grace me with your attention?»
The atmosphere was far from ideal, as you can imagine. My mind was racing at maximum speed as I swayed back and forth, arms crossed over my chest.
It was the most ridiculous look imaginable.
«Well, you know… everything's just… so chaotic…»
Geraldine also felt out of place — it was obvious. So my tactic was almost a sure bet. At least until we both stopped feeling animosity due to our tangled emotions.
I noticed the door to the balcony I'd been on just moments ago swing open.
«!!!»
Deciding not to risk it — or rather, not really deciding anything, as everything was happening too fast — I swiftly stepped behind my brother and hid, hoping the prince wouldn't do anything extreme… or anything at all.
«Hey, what are you…»
«Quiet, quiet, quiet — just stand there, don't move. Blend into the crowd…»
Bewildered, he simply stood still, as I'd asked.
«Is he gone?»
«Who?»
I cautiously peeked over Gerald's vest, and once I confirmed Aesk was heading toward the refreshments and some acquaintances, I exhaled deeply — as if I'd just been acquitted of ten murders.
"What have I done, fool? I've been too careless".
«You were right — I should've kept my tongue in check», I mumbled, stepping away from my brother and glancing sideways at the prince, trying to convince myself I didn't care.
«…How many glasses did you gulp down? Fifteen, maybe?»
The shock had passed, and I realised we'd been speaking like ordinary siblings. No biting sarcasm, no crushing animosity, no insults or threats…
«…»
I felt awkward — I'd directed all my attention elsewhere and behaved like a fool.
I wondered what my brother was feeling. Joy? Awkwardness? Disgust?
He seemed distracted, not yet understanding.
And neither did I, really.
At first subtly, but now more clearly — a crowd of ladies began to separate us.
«?»
I could no longer see Gerald; only young, beautiful women in new, shimmering gowns stood before me.
"What are you all doing here?"
«Lady Ilissa, good evening».
«Lady, hello!»
Each offered a greeting, but it was clear this was the start of typical high‑society chatter.
«We've been watching you since the beginning…»
«Whatever for, lady?» I asked, trying to sound like an ordinary lady making ordinary conversation.
«Well, how could we not? Until now, your gowns have… aroused admiration and envy among both ladies and gentlemen».
«Yes!»
«You're right, Lady Shawv!»
Each girl covered her mouth with a colour‑coordinated fan matching her gown.
"Pleasant to hear — especially considering the gowns the Count provided me".
«Might we ask, lady — why have you chosen to greet this evening in trousers, like any man?»
«Like any man!»
«Why is that?»
«Could it be… you're imitating Her Highness, the Anti‑Princess?»
Seven pairs of female eyes fixed on me, standing alone in the centre — surrounded by predators in sheep's clothing.
Amusing…
«Ladies, might I now ask you something? Are you attempting to accuse me of imitating Her Highness — while simultaneously referring to her by that demeaning nickname, 'Anti‑Princess', am I to understand?»
«Well, lady…»
«No, no, wait. I'm trying to understand the logic behind your question. What if, say…»
"To outright claim friendship with the Princess would be a lie — and even somewhat insulting, given my reputation, even if it were for both her and my benefit".
«…that was our mutual agreement? Would it not upset the Princess if word accidentally reached her ears that dear ladies were assigning her such 'labels' behind her back?»
«That's…»
«Of course, of course…»
«But how might such a rumour — clearly untrue, forgive me — reach Her Highness? Unless, of course, there's a rat among us, you know…»
"There she goes, trying to surface again".
«Things happen… Oh, Your Highness!»
I waved my hand off into the distance, and in that very moment, not a single lady remained beside me — all who'd been questioning me moments ago had vanished.
"Such a delightful day — nothing but verbal duels".
And I would've preferred… oh, a quiet, solitary place.
Somewhere forever still and warm. Soft green grass, like in childhood. A stream of crystal‑clear, cool water. A great thick tree bearing sweet, juicy apples…
Somewhere time doesn't exist. Somewhere always cozy, good, and peaceful. Somewhere with no one but me.
Is it too much to ask — even to dream of such a place? Just to not have to think every day about how to survive.
I'd somehow ended up by the refreshment table. The musicians had been playing for hours; guests had danced countless dances — and still kept going.
I felt calmer now.
Much of that was thanks to this splendid table laden with hearty treats.
My hand impatiently reached for a cupcake in a colourful wrapper — it had been beckoning to me for twenty minutes.
As I took the first bite and nearly wept, ready to pledge my soul to any devil or angel, the hairs on my arms stood on end.
«…»
I scanned the ballroom and fixed my gaze on a girl in the distance — she seemed to be sawing me in half with her stare. Her eyes had darkened since I first saw her.
"Saenna".
Her brows had knitted together almost seamlessly, trembling slightly. Her lip curled, revealing a tiny fang.
«…»
She said nothing, yet her gaze raked me from head to toe with such hostility.
"What's her problem?"
It seemed tears had welled up in her eyes. But by the time she met my gaze, she jerked her head away and fixed her attention on a middle‑aged gentleman in an expensive suit.
"Gods…"
Saenna was only seventeen — described as a fragile girl hungering with every fibre of her soul for male attention. Often from handsome, wealthy men, even if they were twice her age.
She drowned in their embraces, melted under their gazes fixed solely on her.
"This is some next‑level stuff. She's not even of age…"
But apparently, her mother didn't mind.
«…»
The red‑haired woman laughed discreetly with ladies her own age, occasionally scanning the room and glancing at her daughter.
«Ha…»
I leaned against the wall, feeling my legs nearly buckle from fatigue.
Today I'd met so many people. So delightful…
Memories of the balcony incident flashed through my mind.
"Ah, nightmare".
A commotion in the hall caught my attention. I stepped forward, finishing my cupcake.
The prince was hunched over, clutching his stomach.
"Ah, his wound — surely…"
Accompanied by Taylor and a white‑haired man, he left the room.
Had the gods finally decided to stop tormenting me?
I pressed my palms together under my chin.
"Thanks for that, at least".
----
We left not long after that.
What was strange was that the Count remained silent the entire journey. He didn't even glance in our direction.
It was a relief — yet deeply unsettling.
It wasn't like him.
"It seems something… entertaining awaits me".
Everyone's faces were weary, so I hoped they'd all disperse to their rooms — and that tomorrow the Count would be in a good mood, no matter how unlikely that sounded.
I hoped…
Dreaming doesn't hurt, right? That's what they say.
Thud.
«You didn't obey… One strike».
Thud.
«You snapped back… One strike».
Thud.
«You mocked… One strike».
He beat me, leaving bruises and large welts — sometimes drawing blood.
Thud‑thud.
As the chains chafed against my skin, I could only take — and take — the blows.