Playing with Fire

IV - Audience with the King

"Your highness," Penelope called, jolting me back into the present moment.

"I apologize for raising my voice, but you appear quite distracted, your highness," she remarked as she poured tea into my cup.

With a sense of eagerness, I closed my eyes, attempting to alleviate the throbbing pain emanating from my forehead. Gently, I set aside the heavy bonnet that Penelope had picked to complement the dress I was wearing, as it felt as though my head might be wrenched off under its weight. The process of getting into the dress had been an arduous one, taking an incredibly long time to complete.

I was clad in an expansive pink off-shoulder dress. I found the size of the skirt to be so immense that walking in a straight line required considerable effort. The strain on every inch of my body left me feeling achy and frustrated. I couldn't help but be annoyed by the challenges I had to endure in this life, but then again, who am I to complain?

While I acknowledged that I should be grateful for being alive and breathing, my current mood was far from pleasant due to another troubling factor. Two guards closely monitored my every move, a clear indication that the crown prince must have appointed them to ensure my safety or, more cynically, to prevent any potential escape attempts. With a heavy heart, I couldn't help but release a deep sigh, feeling the weight of the situation.

Wincing, I expressed my distress, "This corset is absolutely unbearable!" as I shifted my body in an attempt to find some relief.

We found ourselves in the garden, seeking solace as I grappled with the memories of my past life that had resurfaced. Upon recollection, I couldn't help but acknowledge that, after the passing of my parents, I came to the unsettling realization that I had never truly relished the experience of living my life. The weight of this revelation weighed heavily on my mind as I sought some tranquility amidst the surroundings of the garden.

Can I live happily here?

If so, I want to find someone to love…

Gently lifting my teacup, I fixed my gaze on the chrysanthemum gracefully floating atop the tea's surface. In this new life as Melantha, uncertainty loomed over me, unsure if the actions I took yesterday or would take in the future would alter the course of this narrative. Yet, already, I could perceive subtle shifts beginning to emerge, hinting at the possibility of significant changes taking shape.

“You seem to have recovered from what happened to you. Have you received the flowers?” A young man appeared suddenly from seemingly nowhere. His hair was golden and radiant, partially veiling his handsome face. His eyes, a captivating emerald, were narrow, while his lips appeared soft and inviting.

Amidst the tranquility of the peaceful afternoon, an unexpected intrusion disrupted my leisurely moments of relaxation. It was none other than one of the central characters of the novel, Prince Edmund Vaux Rizalden, the crown prince himself. Although I had no desire to encounter any of the story's protagonists, fate had brought him before me. Attempting to gauge his intentions, I stared at him momentarily, but his expression remained inscrutable. Choosing not to dwell on it any longer, I shifted my attention away from his enigmatic eyes and proceeded to enjoy my tea. Delicately dabbing my mouth with a napkin, I carefully secured my bonnet in place. Finally, I stood up, preparing to continue with my day.

Resolute in my decision, I responded firmly, "You needn't trouble yourself with such gestures anymore, Your Highness. I have no use for things that will only wither and die." Without glancing back to gauge his reaction, I turned away, leaving him behind without a second thought.

Despite her status as a prisoner of war, an adopted and disregarded princess, the crown prince had shown her kindness and warmth, which could easily be misconstrued. I could have been swept up in the same delusion, mistaking his kindness for love. Melantha couldn't help but believe that their emotions were mutual, and she allowed herself to envision a potential connection between them. However, it was on the occasion of his birthday that she came to understand the truth: Edmund's gaze held a distinct admiration for the novel's female protagonist, not her. This realization shattered her illusions and brought her face-to-face with the stark contrast between her feelings and his true affections.

The female protagonist, Stella Iris Enfield, possesses a striking appearance, characterized by soft, curly pink hair that her maids always braid with delicate flowers. Her purple gem-like eyes and luscious red lips only add to her ethereal beauty. Many within the narrative envy Stella's exquisite beauty, making her a central figure in the intricate web of events that unfolds in this tale. Stella's delicate and pretty demeanor is undeniable, though it is intriguing that she bears a striking resemblance to her brother, Samuel Ives Enfield. He was the first character I encountered upon entering this world, and he is known as the traitor of the Ythen Empire in the story.

Indeed, despite Samuel's efforts and accomplishments, Stella's radiance seemed to outshine him. Losing their parents at a tender age placed a heavy burden on him as he assumed the responsibility of raising his sister single-handedly. Although he achieved the esteemed title of a count at a young age, he had to prove his worth to his relatives who sought his father's position, enduring a challenging journey to secure his position. Witnessing his struggles, I couldn't help but empathize with his life, as it resonated with my own experiences of facing hardships and adversities in my past life as Lisha Stanford.

Such individuals, who latch onto you solely for their personal gain, are quick to discard you once your value diminishes in their eyes. But Samuel is an astute young man with a shrewd personality. He was capable of securing their trust, which eventually led to his rise to the position of count, navigating the deceitful machinations of those who sought to use him for their benefit.

Upon gaining his title, Samuel made a decisive move to sever all ties with his conniving relatives. He issued a stern decree, forbidding them from ever setting foot on his territory and commanding them not to contact him or his little sister again. Despite his tragic past, it appeared that the allure of power and ambition led him down a different path, eventually betraying the Ythen Empire due to his growing desires for more. His actions marked a significant turning point in his life, indicating a departure from the benevolence and compassion he once exhibited.

Having played a pivotal role in dismantling the Ythen Empire, Samuel's contributions did not go unnoticed. As a reward for his efforts, he managed to secure the prestigious title of Duke within the Rizalden Empire. His significant contributions and achievements garnered unanimous support, leaving no room for anyone to challenge or reject his well-deserved recognition. The title of Duke stood as a testament to his strategic prowess and dedication to the cause, further solidifying his position and influence within the Rizalden Empire.

As I reminisced about my initial experience upon arriving here, my hand involuntarily clenched into a tight fist. The prince's birthday marked the opening chapter of the novel, where the prince and the other main characters received invitations to the grand celebration. During the event, all eyes would be captivated by the enchanting dancer, Stella, known as the dancing flower due to her mesmerizing grace and beauty. It was evident that her presence would cast a spell over everyone, leaving a lasting impact on the unfolding story.

Despite the masquerade theme, which dictates that all attendees mask their identities, Stella's irresistible charm proves to be an indomitable force. Her exceptional talent, combined with her captivating physique, promises to leave the audience breathless once she graces the stage, performing a dance as a gift to the crown prince. The sheer allure of her presence is such that no one can hope to escape the mesmerizing enchantment she casts over the room. Her dance performance stands to be an anticipated highlight of the celebration, a spectacle set to capture the hearts of all who bear witness to it.

In the novel, Melantha arrived at the banquet completely unprepared, which led to her being ridiculed and laughed at by everyone present. However, as I am living as Melantha in this life from now on, I am determined to ensure that I will never subject myself to such a humiliating experience.

As we strolled through the hallways en route to my room, a man appeared unexpectedly, delivering a message, "Princess, the King wishes to see you in the throne room." This was an unusual development since, in the novel, there was never any request from the King for Melantha's presence. In other words, the story seemed to be taking a new direction, and I couldn't help but smirk at this realization.

"Penelope, please prepare the bath. It won't take long," I instructed her, and she nodded with a bow before departing to carry out the task.

"Lead the way," I instructed the man who stood before me, and he promptly complied. The two guards, who seemed to be monitoring my every move, also trailed behind us. As we made our way down the hallway towards the throne room, I couldn't help but notice the presence of numerous palace guards. It appeared as though the king's concern leaned more toward potential assassins rather than the threat of invasion.

Who won’t be?

Having vanquished the most powerful empire in the world, he now faces uncertainty about when his allies or the remaining people will seek revenge or make their moves against him. After a brief walk, we finally arrived at our destination. I took a moment to carefully examine the surroundings, letting my eyes scrutinize every detail of the place.

"Princess Melantha Lovet Deion, your royal highness," the man introduced me formally. My gaze was drawn to the magnificent sight before me—a remarkable porcelain throne placed beneath an intricately decorated baldachin. The throne itself featured elegant yet understated motifs, and on each of its broad arms, a symbolic emblem in the form of an emerald was fixed.

"Greetings, your royal highness, may the Goddess Vydite be with you," I spoke with a respectful tone, offering a curtsy to the man seated before us.

In this novel, the people hold unwavering faith in the Goddess of Life, Vydite. She is revered as their divine deity, protector, and the savior of their world. The decisions made by kings are deeply influenced by the beliefs of the holy church, which is led by the esteemed high priest, Dar 'Lion, along with other priests. All kingdoms, including the holy church itself, show great reverence to Vydite. However, the main holy church, once situated in the Ythen Empire, was tragically obliterated during a surprise attack by the Rizalden Kingdom.

Fortunately, no harm befell anyone in the holy church during the attack, as they had been secretly transferred to the Rizalden Kingdom by traitors beforehand. As a result, the Rizalden Kingdom now possesses the main holy church, with its branches previously situated in other kingdoms. The holy church's authority and operations remain unquestioned and free from interference. Beyond this information, I have no further knowledge about the developments in the novel.

"You may leave us," the King addressed the man who had escorted me to the throne room. The man silently obeyed and departed without uttering a word. I maintained a respectful posture, keeping my head down as I awaited the King's words, anticipating what he had to say.

"Raise your head and come closer, child," the king's words startled me, causing me to flinch. Despite being addressed as a child, I knew I was no longer one. Nevertheless, I complied with the king's request and raised my head, offering a graceful smile as I walked confidently towards him.

Right then, his words caught me by surprise. "You look just like your mother," the king said suddenly.

"But your eyes are from that hideous bastard," he added, causing me to tense up. I chose not to respond to his remark, as there was no point in arguing with him. In this life, I never had the opportunity to properly see my parents, so there was no use in engaging in a discussion about their appearance. All I witnessed was their lifeless and bloodied bodies, cruelly taken from me and reduced to ashes. My hand clenched tightly on my dress, trying to contain the emotions welling up inside me.

Yet, how dare he humiliate them right in front of my face?

He swiftly changed the subject, asking, "How is your stay in this palace?" The sudden shift in conversation caught me off guard, but I composed myself and replied politely.

"It has been quite comfortable, Your Majesty. The accommodations are impressive, and the servants have been attentive to my needs," I responded, bowing respectfully before him.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me. Ah! I also called you here since my son's birthday is coming soon. What dress do you need? Shoes? Pieces of jewelry?" he offered. However, his behavior reminded me of my foster father from my past life, and I couldn't help but feel disgusted by the comparison.

In the novel, Melantha refrained from ever asking the royal family for anything, which resulted in her plain appearance and being perceived as an outsider. This reluctance to seek favors from them also meant she attended Edmund's birthday without much preparation since she didn't dare ask the king or Edmund for anything. However, I am not like her. I am different, and I won't hesitate to make my needs and desires known, even to the royal family.

"Then, your highness, I would be needing more money," I said, smiling confidently.

"Why do you need more money?" he inquired, his expression showing a frown of curiosity or concern.

"As you mentioned, Your Majesty, your son's upcoming birthday requires careful preparation. To ensure everything is splendid, I'll need financial resources. I don't wish to burden the esteemed king with such trivial matters as selecting my dress, shoes, and jewelry. It would only waste your valuable time and possibly bore you. Therefore, I thought it best to handle these arrangements myself," I explained, maintaining a wide smile.

Though I already possess enough money to purchase additional dresses, being here allows me the opportunity to leverage the situation and secure some extra funds for potential future needs. In the novel, the king never had any interaction with Melantha, but in this life, I am determined to seize the chance and utilize this opportunity to my advantage.

"Very well, then. I will have them deliver it to your room tonight," the king replied, leaning back in his seat.

"Thank you, your royal highness. May the Goddess Vydite be with you," I replied, showing respect and gratitude as I bowed before him.

"You may return to your room," he said. I offered him a curtsy once again as a sign of respect and then left the throne hall, heading back to my room. The mere act of standing there made me feel suffocated.