Madeline’s Ruby, a stolen magical artifact. The current emperor made efforts to locate this magnificent thing, but still failed.
Everyone in the dining hall dropped their silverware, drunken men suddenly became sober.
Reyner gulped his red wine in one go.“Bethany, were you sure that was the real Madeline’s Ruby?” he asked.
“Your Highness, Duke Klein will answer all of our suspicions.”
They all turned to him. Duke Klein, my father’s best friend, Miuerella’s biological father, most of all, one of the most influential Dukes in the entire empire. I shifted everyone’s attention to him because this guy is an expert with magical artifacts. One of his businesses was selling such things.
He glanced from left to right before we had eye contact. He heaved a sigh before turning to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, please allow me to examine the ring on the statue.”
“Yes, I need your help. However, I want Count Viscar to resolve this misunderstanding first.”
This was the first time that I witnessed a sheeplike Prince turned into a deadly beast whose ready to devour us all. His Pikachu’s thunderbolt like gaze sent chills to my spine.
Count Viscar wiped his cold sweat incessantly. I told you, laugh all the way because I would put you in a hot seat including your wife who just fainted.
Reyner ordered an investigation. He invited all officials to be the jurors. As for us, my mother dragged me to her room.
She massaged her temples in a circular motion and asked for a bottle of wine. This woman must think why did she give birth to such a mischievous girl.
“My dear daughter, do you want a sip of my wine?”
Did I hear those words right? Why would she ask a ridiculous question?
“Mother, we know that my answer to your question is a big no.”
In modern times, there were hard-headed people and Karens existed, but even in this very conservative world, there were types of people who could start a revolution.
“Aye! I thought you wanted to know what this drink tastes like? Why would you wait for 2 years if you can savor it now?”
I already tasted different wine in my world and technically, I’m an adult already.
I crossed my arms. My eyes narrowed too, because of her childish expression. I thought she was strict towards me, but why was she acting rashly tonight?
“Mom, what’s the matter?”
She hugged or should I say squeezed me tightly, like someone would do when they are wringing clothes to remove excess water. I desperately gasped for air and thankfully, she noticed how I struggled.
“You did an excellent job in pestering that rude Count and her narcissistic wife! Where did you learn to trash talk people with class?”
I spent the next 5 minutes of my life listening to my mother’s horror story. Thankfully, the wine in her bloodstream took effect. I ambled away from her bed.
Nora, who waited outside of my Mother’s room, understood what my nods meant. We made sure that no one saw us heading towards the Eastern part of the manor.
I hoped for booby traps or maybe we would meet some guards. Instead, you would have an impression that someone robbed this place, and it was impossible for you to not cough the moment you step your foot on the dusty acetate carpet. This place screamed how obsolete it was.
Finally, I reached the attic. I knocked thrice, hoping that she would immediately open the door for me, yet I didn’t get a response. Was she asleep? There was no way she could sleep in this kind of pigsty jail.
“Hi, I am Lady Bethany Grimaldi. I just want to be friends with you. Please, open the door for me.”
I grinned from ear to ear as I heard the eerie creak of the wooden door.
The fleeting memory of when we lived in the slums came back when the unwelcoming atmosphere of the attic blanketed us. These frail, old wooden planks that already made gaps in between would not be enough to support the weight of two skinny young ladies, so minimal movements were required. I shook my head upon the stacked straws as her bed.
“Nice to meet you Bethany, I’m Miuerella. Why would you want to befriend me?”
I laid the duvet and pillow on the fusty dusty floor. My gosh, why was she wearing a thin dress in this frigid weather? I can’t help but to give her my coat. We didn’t bring that much because it might raise suspicion.
“Why? Is it bad to befriend a girl around my age?”
She shook her head.
“There is nothing bad at all, but I’m an exception. Why would you give your coat to me? You’ll be cold too!”
“Please, just accept my help. As a friend, I was heartbroken seeing your condition. You were the Count’s first born but what kind of hell is this?”
The Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role goes to… Bethany Andalusia Grimaldi for shedding a gallon of tears in her performance as the protagonist’s best friend.
Miuerella rushed to my side to console me. She finally agreed to the friendship that I offered and even narrated the hardships she experienced under the Count’s care ( or should I say abuse).
Well, before we part ways, I reported good news. Her “father” was under investigation for possessing a stolen artifact. Her jaw dropped upon hearing it. Before I bid goodbye, I gave her ointment for her wounds. Though she had healing abilities, if someone constantly beats you into death, of course, it would take time for you to heal your wounds.
“Nora, did someone pass by?” I asked.
“No one, My Lady.”
“I am sorry for bothering you.”
“It is my pleasure to serve you, My lady, ”
We walked back to my solar. I wanted to jump for joy when the system notified me of my completed task however, my attendant would think the screws in my head loosened if I did that.
Those happy moments didn’t last when a certain someone suddenly slammed the wall using his mighty hands and cornered me.
I was on cloud nine after seeing the notification that I received 500 XP and Dynastic points.My throat was getting ready so I could hit the soprano note when someone slapped the wall with all his might, enough for me to flinch.Did this dude kabedoned me?I dreamt of this scene because of my anime addiction. However, I never imagined that a despicable man crushed my dream in an instant.“Thanks for your help, but it’s getting late, and need at least eight hours of sleep.”She nodded and meandered while avoiding the Duke’s ominous stare.When my attendant’s silhouette became smaller as she moved further away from us, it was at this moment that I had to activate my facade.Reyner told that he was sick to the point of skipping the banquet earlier. It turned out that the Crown Prince’s words were a bluff.“Your Grace, what brings you here?” I asked.He shook his head, pr
Hah! So this was what Ms. Heart meant when she bragged about how immersive this game was.Inside this cramped and somber place where the chains on my feet made restrictions to my movements, a chilly air brushed my skin, which made my hair stand up.Even if I could only see my roommate’s back, those silky yet curly silver hair was one of her assets. If I could not recognize my target from afar and even in the dark, what kind of player am I?“I didn’t know that your father has a habit of caging pretty ladies. Did he mistake us for dolls?”The girl with a heart of gold crawled as if she was a six-month-old baby — slowly but surely. With trembling rough hands, she held mine.A beam of moonlight coming from the window with grills shone on her, enabling me to confirm my hunch. Those apologetic eyes were a gateway to her complex inner world.“Do not blame yourself, my dear, especially with the fact that the deran
“Dang! The baby I trained became a ferocious bear!”This opponent of mine gave a triumphant smile as I wiped the blood on my right cheek, so I immediately chanted a spell because it might leave an ugly scar on my fair, blemish-free, seductive face. We should take care of our best assets.“Thanks to you, I got better every day however, this new skill of mine would be only helpful in dire situations.”Every day is a dire situation, my dear cousin! The adrenaline ran through my system now I found a decent sparring candidate.I stood up and thrust the pointed tip of my sword was in his stomach. One wrong move to kiss him goodbye forever.“Wouldn’t you think it is already time for us to head inside the manor unless you thought that the actual battle is just getting started?”In a confident tone, I said, “I’m happy that someone knew myself better than me,”I pulled back my sword, a
The poor turtle stumbled when she bumped into me, so I guess I had another inspiration to be buff.“Your Grace, I apologize for my slowness. Expect me to speed up the pace.”I shook my head when she said that she would speed up her space. What a great joke because if she can, then why would I return?I put my cloak on her because she was as pale as a sheet of paper. Giving fan service and carrying a lady in a bridal style way was never this fun!“Your Grace, you could put me down, the woman and the man ...”How dare you nag me as if you’re my Mom? Wrong response, it should be: “Your Grace, what an incredible strength you have!”“Tell me that fucking rule, and I would not show any mercy to you.”This woman had to know that I’m not the type of person who would resist being put in a box.Did I become too hard on her? Carrying a rock made time slower, but when I glanced, I
Why do people hate darkness? All of my life, darkness fostered me, gave solitude to my wounded soul. Light for me was often short-lived.I am a deformed cub, so my parents only saw me as a competitor for resources. Why not erase my existence in this cruel world? Why would you always hit me with your leather belt when you could have strangled me with it?If the sight of me made you puke, then why not behead me? Please end my suffering now.Yes, I’m an unlovable child, but why am I still longing for warmth that would thaw my frozen heart and let me grow as an individual?Was it because of my dream that an angel would knock on my door on an unexpected day?“I’m Lady Bethany Grimaldi and, I want to be friends with you.”The Almighty God, was she the angel you’ve sent me?I made sure that the sleeves of my dress w
When someone’s life turned a complete 360 degrees, that’s when everything became shaky just like this carriage. I completely understood why Miuerella’s been acting like she lost her mouth.For sure, there were lots of questions inside her head and answers would arrive soon. I’ve been in her shoes before, that’s why I was in this kind of predicament.I held her hand, and that’s when she glanced at me.“I don’t know what would be the right words to say to erase your pain, but I will make sure that everything will be alright, Ella.”A sweet smile lit the spirits of people riding in this carriage that forced me to give one as well.“Thank you, Beth, I didn’t know how would I repay you for all the help you’ve given me.”Words left me. The muscles in my mouth hardened like a block of cement. At first, she meant gratitude for the “real
I got out of the bathroom and bent my body to check if he hid under my bed. My wardrobe creaked, but the figure of the Duke wasn’t there. A shadow resembled a human figure which made me unhinged, turned to be shadows of a coat and hat hanging on the coat rack near vanity table. Heavy tread of someone’s boots outside my room gave me false hope only to find those belonged to the maids.“Your Grace, please tell me where you are!”This endless pursuit needed to stop. I sat on my bed while rubbing a cotton towel onto my damp Rapunzel length hair that would take a lot of time to dry.“I’m still in Larson when I met a mage and told me a secret about the gift. I couldn’t believe it at first because Empire’s archives didn’t have any scripts mentioning the extra perks, so I gave it a shot and Voilà!”“Wow!”Phew! An image of a twisted man hidden in the bushes holding binocul
The dimples molded on my cheeks upon learning the glorious news.No one beats the careful plan paired with great execution! I stepped backwards because if someone might see me eavesdrop, missiles of nags would blast my ears afterwards.I guess sleep was still the best medication for boredom.“Lady Bethany, what a coincidence, I need your help right now!”His disheveled hair, heavy breathing, and unbuttoned wet shirt backed up his statement. What happened to this man?“Of course, this humble lady lends her hand for Your Highness.”Crown Prince Reyner invited me to his colossal VIP room, decorated with crafted furniture and golden embellishments. Whenever I stepped on the Venetian Red woolen carpet, it was like murdering the beauty of this exquisite material which costed half of my eternal soul.“Please wait for me, this won’t take long. I prepared everything on the dessert platter for you.&rdqu