Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Thirty-Five: Jealousy

The rumors about Viviene’s mysterious suitor reach the imperial palace. The crown prince who’s usually pretty occupied about the nation’s affairs became busier than usual due to the rumors that has been spread. In addition, Cedric’s mouth keeps on nagging about it reminding him the fact that Eliza keeps on sending an audience to him.

“The Lady keeps on crying whenever she meet me. Your Highness, at least give the lady some closure before you leave her!”

“Shut up, Cedric Paris. Do I need your nagging right now? And why do I sound like some f*****g playboy? As far as I know I am a grim reaper everyone is scared of. Do your work and stop shitting around or else I’ll kill you in that spot.”

His purple eyes glowed dreadfully as his face darkened. Cedric’s face become pale fearing his might lost his life in a second. He force a nervous smile and bow down slightly.

“As you wish, Your Highness. I’ll shut my mouth and focus on my duties, please spare my life.”

“Good dog.” The prince muttered as he focus on the papers on his table.

‘Dog!?’ He blurted and felt his ego turning into dusts. ‘Every time His Highness insulted me I felt extreme humiliation that no one in this world felt once.’ He added as he mourn at his shattered pride.

“Cedric, send an invitation to Lady Cruel. I want to have tea with her.”

“Alright, Your Highness.”

“Make it urgent so that she’ll come today.”

“P-Pardon? Right now you mean?”

“Didn’t I make myself clear? How can you be so stupid?”

“B-But, isn’t it too soon?”

“Obey me, Cedric Paris.” He said heavily and his dark aura spreading around the room.

“Y-Yes, Your Highness. I’ll do it right now. Please excuse me.”

He hurriedly went out from the room for his life. When he face the crown prince he always walk in a very narrow path between life and death. As he walk in the hallway, he cant help but to pray to the Goddess for protection and longevity. Aside from the problem of his life’s duration, he even worries for the crown prince’s marriage.

‘With his scary demeanor, no woman would marry him.’

He concluded and sigh heavily.

“Sir Paris.” Someone called him. He look behind and saw Sir Valor.

“Oh, good day Sir Valor.” He greeted. “How are you today?” He added.

“I am fine Sir. It seems you’re having a hard time.”

“Hah. Its always been like this. Anyway, I have a request for you Sir.”

“What is it Sir?”

“Can you please fetch Lady Cruel from her home? His Majesty the crown prince want to have tea with her.”

He seemed a little shock but it immediately vanish.

“Alright, Sir.”

“Thank you so much Sir. I’ll make the official letter immediately.”

Sir Valor only smiled at him as an answer of his gratitude. He seemed calm outside but deep inside he is nervous. He knows that the lady has grudges at him for a reasonable reason.

‘I cant avoid her forever. I’ll just face it and accept every insults she’ll say to me.’ He muttered to himself firmly.

Viviene received the imperial order of the crown prince. By the virtue of no choice, she accepted the letter. She sighed in frustration.

“Merriam, help me dress up.”

“Yes, Miss.”

She glance at Finnian.

“Tell Sir Valor to wait for a while.”

“Yes Miss.”

The butler said and left the room. Wearing a white high neck poet long sleeves with a dark navy blue ribbon and a long navy blue skirt. Her hair was braided adorned with a navy blue rose hair clip on the left side of her hair and applied her signature red lipstick on her lips. She went downstairs and met Sir Valor who was waiting for her. Sir Valor looked at her with slightly shaking eyes and greeted.

“Good day, Milady. I’ll escort you to the imperial palace.”

“Thank you for your kindness Sir.”

Despite the gratitude, he can still feel the indifference of the woman to him. She smiled but her eyes show no emotions at all. They went inside the carriage and they immediately left the mansion. Silence took place between them but Viviene doesn’t feel bothered at all. Not until the man who’s inside the carriage with her opened his mouth.

“How are you, Milady?” He inquired.

“I am fine Sir.” She replied without glancing at him.

“If you’re not feeling well, we can turn around the carriage and return in the Duke’s manor immediately. I can explain everything to the crown prince.”

This time, Viviene glance at him and their eyes met. She can see how his hazel eyes tremble holding her amber ones. She smiled at him with dead eyes.

“I told you, I’m alright Sir. Everything is fine.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m sorry for not helping you back then. Because of my cowardice you’ve experienced something traumatizing.”

She didn’t utter a single word. She couldn’t believe that the mightiest knight of the empire apologized in front of her. She sighed and coldly look at him again.

“Sir, you know I cant forgive you right?”

“I know. But still, I’m sorry.”

She press her lips tightly and look away. She cant say a single word at him. She doesn’t have the authority to forgive a sin that was never meant for her. She’s just a total stranger in this odd world.

‘But, I don’t even have the right to make them suffer mentally and emotionally.’ She added and stare the view outside. Her face was hit by the sunlight making it look whiter. Thankfully, she applied red lipstick or else she would definitely look like a corpse or worse a ghost.

They arrived at the imperial palace. Sir Valor escort her towards the crown prince’s castle. While walking in the hallway, the servants kept on glancing at her direction followed by the annoying whispers of the people around her.

‘How irritating..’ She muttered inwardly.

“She’s so white. Is it true that she’s really sick?”

“I don’t know, but she deserved it. She’s a bad person remember?”

“Well, you’re right.”

The maids gossip at each other while looking at her direction. She breathe deeply and ignore them with all her might.

‘Keep gossiping bitches. I wish you’ll bite your tongues painfully!’ She cursed at them. But she notice how the maids look down in fear as their eyes went to the knight next to her. She glance at him secretly and saw how dreadful his eyes were to them.

‘Woah. What’s this? Isn’t that glare meant for me before?’ She wonder.

“Don’t mind them Miss. They’re narrow-minded people.” He said to her without looking at her. She chuckled at his insult towards them.

“Actually, I don’t really give a damn about them. But I appreciate your words.”

“… I see.”

His cheeks blush as he saw her real smile for the first time. Unfortunately, she didn’t notice it. He look away from her face and concluded that she is prettier when she smiles.

“I heard you like fantasy novels?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps you like fairytales as well?” He asked.

“Why do you think I like fairytales as well?”

“Because its like fantasy?” He answered uncertainly which made her giggle.

“Maybe? Fairytales are also one of the fantasy genre. However, despite that fact, fantasy can never become a fairytale.”

“Why?” He inquired.

“Well, in my own words, unlike fairytales that always have happy endings, fantasy stories can be tragic.” She explained.

“Do you like romantic genre too?”

“Fairytales and romance, I don’t really engage myself to them because they’re not in my personality. However, if fairytales do exist in this world then it would not be too difficult to spot monsters.”

She glance at him then look away. Sir Valor shut his mouth, muddleheaded of her words. Finally, they arrived at the crown prince’s palace. Cedric Paris approach Viviene and escort her towards the garden. She arrived at the familiar place and saw the crown prince already sitting in front of the table.

“Greetings future sun of the empire.” She greeted politely.

“Take a sit.”

She took a sit in front of him but she notice something different from the usual.

“Where’s Lady Walmeir? I thought she is invited too.” She suddenly asked confused of the sudden change around her. The crown prince suddenly frowned at her question which she noticed. “I-Its just that I always see her with Your Majesty whenever I’m invited here.” She explained.

“I did not invited her.”

“Huh?”

“She’s not invited and it will be like that in the future as well.” He said as he drink his tea. Viviene stare at him for a while before answering.

“I see. How are you, Your Highness?” She asked as she sips her tea as well.

“Everything is fine. The Northelle was safely guarded thanks to the duke’s guidance.”

“Of course, father is the best.” She admitted.

“You seemed quite attach to the duke. I’m glad.” He said with a small smile.

“Well, when the father loves his child, the child will also love his father too.” She muttered.

“So are you saying that when a father doesn’t love his child, the child will also not love his father?” He asked confused of her words.

“Perhaps? But a child that is hungry of a fatherly love doesn’t really hate him that much but just wants his attention. I mean, who wouldn’t like to be praised by their own parents right?” She said with a smile.

He stare at her smiling face for a while before nodding.

“I understand your point but there are also children who deeply hated their parents.”

“I see. However, parents are still parents. Whether they’re bad or not they’re still the ones who brought you here. The reason of your existence.” She stated.

Silence took place for a while before the prince open his mouth again.

“How are you?”

“I am fine, Your Highness. I thank you for your kindness towards me whenever I fell ill, His Majesty always help me.”

The crown prince smiled at her.

“Its not a big deal. Healing Magic is my specialty anyway.”

“Your Majesty is very impressive indeed.” She complimented half-heartedly because of his boastfulness. The two continued drinking their teas when Viviene’s eyes went to the lake for a while.

‘It is still so pretty but scary at the same time.’ She muttered on her own not realizing her mind drifting away in reality. Her mind went to a shabby yet comfortable place for her. Its her home back in her own world.

‘I miss my home.’ She thought sadly.

“What are you thinking?” the crown prince asked suddenly as he notice her sad expression.

“A sad story?”

“Why would you think of a sad story when you are with me?” He asked in a somber tone.

“its not like that, Your Highness. You cant just prevent the thoughts going inside my head.” She explained with a stolid expression.

“What kind of sad story are you thinking then?” He inquired. Her eyebrow raise at his sudden question.

“Your Majesty, may I ask why are you asking that kind of question?”

“Because I want to know.” He responded to her question. She swallowed a sigh and glance at him.

“But, why do you want to know a sad story, Your Majesty? Who would want a tragic story that can make a heart feel heavy?” She asked straight-faced.

He shut his mouth for a while as he stare at her. She’s waiting patiently at his words with her expressionless face.

“It is because I am a man with a sad story.” He answered truthfully looking deeply at her unshaking amber eyes.

The crown prince, Aleiandro Damian Valliaña was the first child of the emperor Alejandro and the empress Elena. Lady Elena was from an influential family and because of that, she was engaged to the current emperor. It was only a political marriage and an unrequited love of a woman to a man who loves someone else. Despite of that, Empress Elena and Emperor Alejandro had a child which was Aleiandro. The empress thought that their child would be the bridge between them but that never happened, for the emperor took his real lover as a concubine and had his second child which was the second prince, Ian Lancelot Valliaña. After knowing what happened, the empress became cold to his child and never gave affection and care to him again. She cried and cried all night hoping that the man she love will come for her, but again, that never happened. Because of too much sadness and despair, she killed her heart and stopped breathing leaving the poor Aleiandro alone with a broken heart and a sad childhood.

Viviene can see the sadness in his eyes and pitied him a little.

“Does Your Highness think I’m worthy to hear your story?” He didn’t answer but remain staring at her. “I have a grudge towards Your Majesty for pushing me to that lake. Now I always thought that, that pretty lake brought nothing but fear to me.” She added.

“…I see. What can I do to erase that fear?” He asked in a pleading pattern. She smiled at him smoothly and answered in a languid tone.

“Nothing at all, Your Majesty. Anyway, its been a while since I visited the Enchanted Forest. If His Majesty allows, can I go there?” She requested.

“Yes but I still want to be with you for a while.” He answered.

She glance at him in disbelief. Actually, she doesn’t want to be with him but how can she refuse the crown prince of the empire!?

‘Screw his position.’ She thought and roll her eyes.

“If that is what you want, Your Highness.”

The two of them stood up and started walking to the forest. Sir Valor and Sir Rowellius who were standing in the corner not too close to them started following them as well. Merriam also followed them but she’s with the two knights. They entered the forest and Viviene still cant get used of its enchanting view. Its like she’s in a world where impossible is possible!

‘I am indeed in a world where magic exist but this place is different.’ She thought with a smile. The trees which were hit by the sunlight illuminated a light-green color, there are a lot of wild flowers and butterflies flying freely around. ‘This is very relaxing’ She added to herself.

“You really like this place.”

“I’m sure everyone does.” She answered.

“You’re always like that.”

“Like what, Your Majesty?” She stopped walking and look at him.

“You’re answers were uncertain if you do or you don’t.” He responded to her question. She chuckle at him then speak.

“I told everyone this before, that they are free to do that. I have no hold of their minds including yours, Your Majesty.” She explained with a cheeky smile.

“Alright. I’ll just think that you like this place.”

“Yes you can, Your Majesty. I wont stop you.” She muttered and continue walking.

“I heard you had a suitor? And that bastard is a royalty in another country?” He asked suddenly. She thought for a second that he’s jealous but she push the thought away.

“Bastard? I don’t know since I don’t know him.” She answered calmly.

“Then, should I investigate him? It will be very easy for me to do that.” He suggested proudly.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty but you don’t have to. I can investigate this matter on my own and, I think this is a private one.” She explained awkwardly.

‘So you better stick your nose out of my business mister!’ She added inside her mind.

“…Alright. But what do you think of your mysterious suitor?”

“A bastard.”

The prince laugh at her response. She is a woman of unexpected answers.

“You have a very good point at that.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”

The prince cant help but to smile at her wittedness. After strolling inside the forest, its time for Viviene to go home. As they walk outside the forest, they met a knight with his troubled expression.

‘What happened?’ She wondered as she stared at the knight.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for the intrusion but..”

A lady followed by knights came with swollen red eyes and tears falling from it. Its Eliza with a very sad expression looking at them.

“Your Majesty..” She called in a very sad tone.

“What are you doing here, Lady Walmeir?” The crown prince asked. Viviene glance at his direction as she heard what he called her.

‘When did he started calling her Lady Walmeir? He was supposed to call her by her first name right? Even brother did that before.’ She recalled.

“I, I just want to talk to you, Your Highness.”

“There’s no need for us to talk.” He muttered in a cold tone.

“B-But I need to explain myself. Isn’t it unfair on my side too?” She said between her sobs.

‘Woah. What a scene. But isn’t it the same to Viviene’s past?’ She thought as she stare at the two. Eliza glance at her direction and glared at her dreadfully. ‘Now what did I do?’ She asked herself nervously.

“Lady Cruel, don’t make me look worse in front of the crown prince and the others. If you are indeed a lady of deep understanding then you should comprehend this situation and explain to the crown prince my side.” She whined.

Her mouth gape open as she look at her with incredulity.

‘What the f**k did she just say?’ She blurted inside her head and felt like her brain was hammered multiple times making her stupid. ‘I should give this girl a word of advice.’ She added as she took a deep breath and smile in an awkward way.