I never realized how heavy a dress could be until I tried to walk down the grand staircase of the Lathoria estate in layers of violet silk and gold embroidery, each step dragging like I was pulling the entire family's debt behind me.
[LIVE: 23 Viewers]
[User HolyKnightFan: "She's so pretty đ"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "IS THIS THE BANQUET ARC??"]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "OMG SHE'S GORGEOUS!!"]
The chat window flickered beside the polished marble railing, lighting up every time I turned my head. The crystal chandeliers above made the screen glow like a second aura.
I was supposed to meet Serena in the garden before we left, but the carriage was already waiting at the gates, its crest shining under the moonlight.
Tonight was the Duke's Banquetâthe event where Elvira von Lathoria would publicly humiliate Serena, accuse her of seducing the prince, and seal her fate as a villainess headed for execution.
Not on my watch.
-[Quest Activated: "Survive the Banquet Without Triggering Execution Flags"]
[Reward: 1500 Mana, +15 Popularity, Random Skill Card on Success]
My mana bar pulsed at halfway, donations still holding strong from my previous streams. I adjusted my black lace gloves, feeling the faint warmth of "Charm Aura LV1" still active, calming the panic in my chest.
[User CatEarsSupreme: "DON'T TRIP DON'T TRIP DON'T TRIP"]
[User HolyKnightFan: "She's trying so hard đ"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "TRIP FOR CONTENT"]
[User YandereDragonQueen donated 500 Mana: "You got this, Elvira!"]
The butler opened the carriage door, bowing deeply.
"Milady, the Duke's estate awaits."
I gathered my skirts, stepped into the carriage, and took a deep breath as the door shut, sealing me in with the scent of polished wood and rose perfume.
The carriage jolted forward. Outside, the moon hung like a silver coin, and the cobblestones rattled under the wheels, reminding me I was heading toward an event where nobles would watch my every move.
[User HolyKnightFan: "Is Serena with her?"]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "She'll be at the banquet, right?"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "SLAP THE PRINCE. I DARE YOU."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "NOOOO DON'T LISTEN TO THEM đ"]
I ignored the chat, pressing my gloved hand against the cool glass window as we passed the fountain where Serena and I had walked just days before.
In the original plot, the banquet was where everything went wrong. Elvira would throw wine in Serena's face, Serena would cry, the prince would defend her, and the villainess flag would be triggered.
I wouldn't let it happen.
-[System Tip: "Your choices tonight will heavily impact the route."]
Yeah, I know.
The carriage stopped. My heart pounded as the door opened, and the golden light of the Duke's estate spilled inside.
I stepped down, lifting my skirts, and the crowd of nobles outside turned to look. Their eyes were cold, calculating, curious.
I lifted my chin, letting the "Charm Aura" settle over me like a second perfume.
[User YandereDragonQueen: "She's SLAYING!!"]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Elegant AF."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Punch the prince."]
A servant led me toward the ballroom, the sounds of the orchestra spilling out, the scent of wine and roasted meats thick in the air.
And there, across the ballroom, under the glow of crystal chandeliers, stood Serena, clutching a small fan, her soft pink hair shimmering as she met my eyes.
The chat exploded.
[User YandereDragonQueen: "THEY LOCKED EYES OMG"]
[User HolyKnightFan: "DONT SCREW THIS UP ELVIRA"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "SLAP HER!"]
The ballroom was alive with music, crystal chandeliers scattering light across the nobles in their finest silks. Servants moved with practiced steps, refilling wine glasses and offering trays of glittering desserts.
[LIVE: 34 Viewers]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Bro, this place is fancy."]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "She's gonna survive, right??"]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "AVOID THE FLAG ELVIRA đ"]
I stepped carefully across the marble floor, skirts swaying, the weight of so many eyes on me almost suffocating. Whispers rippled as I passed.
-"That's Elvira von LathoriaâŠ"
"Isn't she the one who hates that commoner girl?"
"She looks so cold."-
-[Quest Reminder: "Survive the Banquet Without Triggering Execution Flags."]
At the far end of the room, I spotted Serena, standing awkwardly near a dessert table, clutching a small plate, her pink hair tucked neatly behind her ear. In the original story, this was where I would storm over and slap the plate from her hands, accusing her of seducing the prince.
Not happening.
"Lady Serena," I called softly, stopping a few steps away.
She jumped, almost dropping her plate. "L-Lady Elvira�"
I let out a slow breath, forcing a neutral smile while the chat flickered.
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Oh no oh no don't do it Elvira."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "DO IT. CAUSE CHAOS."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Be nice, Elvira đ„ș."]
"I see you've found the pastries." I nodded toward her plate, keeping my voice light.
Serena blinked, glancing at the pastries like she wasn't sure they were safe to eat. "Y-yes⊠I⊠I hope you are enjoying the banquet."
She looked terrified, her shoulders stiff, expecting me to snap.
I glanced at the screen:
-[Quest Progress: +5% for Avoiding Conflict.]
"Don't worry, Serena. I didn't come here to cause trouble." I turned to take a small tart from the table, pretending to examine it. "Enjoy yourself. It would be a shame to waste the sweets."
[User YandereDragonQueen: "She's being so gentle đ."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "THIS IS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Boring⊠but also wholesome."]
Serena's eyes widened, confusion and relief flickering across her face. She nodded, gripping her plate like a lifeline.
"Thank you⊠Lady ElviraâŠ"
I stepped away, letting her breathe, taking a bite of the tart to calm my nerves. Sweetness filled my mouth, but I couldn't enjoy it fully. My eyes scanned the ballroom, searching for the real threat.
And there he was.
Prince Damon.
Golden hair, cold blue eyes, dressed in royal blue, leaning against a column while watching Serena like a hawk.
-[Danger Flag: Prince Damon's Suspicion +3]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "THE PRINCE IS HERE."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Oh crap he's gonna come over isn't he?"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Finally, DRAMA."]
His eyes flickered to me, narrowing, as if noticing that Serena was still standing unbothered.
-[System Warning: Prince Damon may engage. Prepare response options.]
I swallowed the last of the tart, dusting crumbs from my gloves, forcing my posture calm.
If he tried to start trouble, I would need to handle it without flipping any death flags.
The music swelled, nobles continued laughing and chatting, and the warmth of mana donations from the chat ticked up quietly.
-[Mana: +2500 from donations.]
[Viewers: 38]
Serena glanced back at me, her eyes soft with confusion. She gave me a hesitant nod before slipping away into the crowd.
-[Quest Progress: 50% Complete â "Survive the Banquet."]
[Reward Pending.]
I exhaled, smoothing down my skirts.
So far, so good.
Until I felt a cold presence stop behind me.
"Well, if it isn't Lady Elvira von Lathoria," a smooth voice drawled.
I turned, meeting the icy blue eyes of Prince Damon, his lips curling into a sharp, fake smile.
[User CatEarsSupreme: "OH NO."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "STAY CALM ELVIRA."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "LET THE GAMES BEGIN."]
Prince Damon's cold blue eyes locked onto mine, and the polite chatter in the ballroom faded like a dying wind.
The orchestra played on, but it felt like a backdrop to a stage I hadn't asked to step onto.
[LIVE: 43 Viewers]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "BRO, HE'S RIGHT THERE đ"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "CONFRONT HIM FOR CONTENT."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Stay calm, ElviraâŠ"]
"Lady Elvira," Damon said, voice calm but sharp as a blade in silk. "Your reputation precedes you."
I dipped into a perfect curtsy, hiding the tension in my shoulders. "Your Highness."
In the original plot, this was where Elvira would begin to throw snide comments at Serena, catching the Prince's attention. Then, when Serena cried, Damon would defend her, turning the crowd against Elvira, marking the beginning of her social destruction.
But I wasn't the Elvira of that plot.
"I saw you speaking with Lady Serena," Damon continued, taking a deliberate step closer, so the scent of expensive cologne filled the space between us. "I trust there was no⊠misunderstanding?"
-[System Warning: Critical Flag Opportunity Detected.]
[Choices: A) Provoke him. B) Deny coldly. C) Deflect calmly.]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "CHOOSE A. PROVOKE HIM."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "NOOOOO CHOOSE C!!!"]
[User HolyKnightFan: "C C C C C C C."]
---
I ignored the chat for once, forcing a calm smile. "Of course not, Your Highness. I merely wished her a pleasant evening."
His eyes narrowed. "How unlike you."
I tilted my head, letting the "Charm Aura LV1" do its quiet work, calming the coldness of the air between us. "We all grow with time, Your Highness. I see no reason to create unnecessary drama at such a beautiful banquet."
[User YandereDragonQueen: "SHE'S SO CALM đ"]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Elvira slaying with social deflection."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "BOOOOORINGâwait, this is actually smart."]
For a moment, Damon's cold mask cracked, replaced by the barest flicker of surprise before settling back into princely indifference.
"Hm." He glanced toward where Serena had disappeared into the crowd, then back to me. "Then I expect you will keep it that way."
-[Quest Update: Avoided Direct Conflict with Prince Damon. Danger Flag Reduced.]
-[Quest Progress: 75% Complete â "Survive the Banquet."]
-[Reward: +750 Mana, Popularity +6.]
I nodded. "Naturally."
He studied me for a heartbeat longer, then gave the faintest nod before turning away, leaving me standing alone, my heartbeat echoing louder than the orchestra.
[LIVE: 49 Viewers]
[User HolyKnightFan: "YOU DID IT đ"]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "NO FLAG. NO EXECUTION. LET'S GOOOO."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "I'm so proud of her."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Fine, I'll donate for that."]
-[User DemonKingLovesDrama donated 800 Mana: "For not screwing up."]
Warmth from the mana donations settled into my body, steadying the nerves I hadn't realized were shaking.
[LIVE: 52 Viewers]
[User I'mRichASFsoYouCan'tReallyIgnoreMe donated 300,000 Mana: "Use more of the system's features, Elvira."]
I nearly choked on the sip of wine I had just taken.
[User HolyKnightFan: "Hes that guy from that one stream!"]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MANA??"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "OH THEY RICH RICH."]
[System Alert: Due to heavy donation, you are encouraged to use additional system features. Unlock opportunity: Random Skill Card Ă15.]
-[Random Skill Card Granted for Stream Milestone.]
A shimmering card appeared in the corner of my vision, rotating slowly, glowing gold.
[Random Skill Card: "Scan LV1" obtained.]
[User I'mRichASFsoYouCan'tReallyIgnoreMe: "Try your new skill. Use it on someone interesting."]
My eyes flicked to the card, then to the swirling crowd of nobles under the chandeliers.
Well, if they wanted content, I'd give them contentâwithout triggering a death flag.