Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Sixteen: Getting Along Together?

They entered a café, the scent of brewed coffee and baked pastries and desserts filled the air. Viviene cant help but to drool at the delicious desserts displayed. Arthur seemed to notice her expression and asked her.

“Do you like desserts?”

She glance at him and smiled.

“Everyone loves dessert. What dessert do you like, brother?”

“Me?.. I like any type of desserts.”

“I’m not good at guessing, you know?”

“Its alright. I don’t expect at you good at it anyway.” He joked and displayed a mocking smile at his face.

She frown at his answer but she’s not angry. They both take their sit in front of the crown prince and Eliza. She can still see the irritation and disappointment in Arthur’s face so she decided to take action.

“Brother, do you like riddles?”

“Riddles?”

“Yes! I’ve read a book about riddles and its surprisingly fun!”

He knew that she’s not the type of person who talked first to form a conversation yet she took the privilege to do so.

“I’m almost finish reading that book. I bet I can answer all the riddles you’ll ask me this instance.” She muttered with confidence but deep inside her, she’s very nervous for betting her pride once she cant answer a single riddle from him. He smiled at her gesture.

‘Is she doing this because she notice my disappointment earlier?’ He thought as he stare at her smiling face. ‘How thoughtful.’ He added.

“Alright, I’ll ask you a riddle and if you can give me the correct answer, I’ll give you a reward.” He said to her. Her eyes sparkled as she heard the word reward.

‘I think I’ll be the one having fun instead of him.’ She thought.

“Alright. Get ready brother, I’ll get that reward no matter what.” She spoke with confidence.

Viviene knew that Arthur liked challenging topics. He even won different debates when he’s still studying in a prestigious academy. So opening this topic is a good choice! However, she’s starting to pray that she’ll be able to answer all the riddles Arthur would say.

The coffee and pastries arrived at their table delivered by a servant. Viviene and Arthur didn’t notice due to their intense conversation.

“I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”

“Hoho! This is a tricky one but I know the answer, brother. Its echo!”

“Did you memorize the whole book?”

“No. Its easy as breathing.”

“Now you’re being too confident.”

“Not at all. And the reward?”

She asked as her eyes twinkled. Arthur chuckled and patted her head. The crown prince and Eliza were staring at them for a while. The atmosphere that surrounds the two was bright and sparkling that they began to feel curious of their conversation. Viviene heed their gazes and smiled brightly at them.

“Oh, is something wrong?” She asked with pure innocence.

“Nothing at all, Ms. Cruel. I notice that you’re having a good conversation with Mr. Cruel.” Eliza answered while smiling.

“Yes. Its been a long time since we talked a lot of funny things. Right, brother.”

“Well, I agreed to her. I’ve been busy attending the fief these past few days.”

“Oh, was it because of the drought there? To mention that winter is fast approaching.” The prince muttered as he ate his pie. Viviene eats her strawberry cake as she listen to her brother’s response.

“Yes. I am working on a solution for that.”

“As expected from you, Mr. Cruel. You’re very quick in taking action to every problem in front of you.” Eliza complimented.

“Of course. Brother is a responsible and great person.” Viviene mentioned with a very, very bright smile as she glance at Arthur.

“You’re talking a lot lately.” Arthur muttered with a small smile on his lips.

‘But you like my talkative side.’ She thought in her head.

“Well, I wont deny that fact lately. I think I’ve made a good change, don’t you think so, brother?”

Arthur only smiled at her who understood her point. She’s not really a talkative person bur she force herself just to make her feel not lonely despite being with Eliza which Eliza, failed to notice earlier. Honestly, Viviene was a little mad at her ignorance.

‘Why did she let my brother feel that way?’ She thought furiously. Its not that she truly accepted Arthur as a good brother but she’s doing this because she knew what it felt to be lonely despite having friends around you. She mouthed ‘reward’ to Arthur and Arthur chuckled then nodded as an answer. The crown prince had enough of their chummy conversation and started to open his mouth.

“Yes. I agree that you had a very, remarkable change Ms. Cruel. Its nice that you talked a lot here. Will I start talking too?”

His smiling yet his tone is threatening. She knew what he meant with those words. She force a smile at him and talk nervously.

“D-Do you like riddles too? S-Sir?”

The prince’s smile grow wider.

“Riddles? Fortunately, I like solving riddles. Especially those who’re complicated.”

She gulp her saliva as she stared at the crown prince. His eyes were sharp like it can slice faster than the speed of light. She’s not being exaggerated but the word exaggeration is the best word to describe her fear of losing her life in front of the prince.

“O-Oh! That’s very nice to know, Sir.” She muttered as her heart beats louder and faster.

“Viviene, what’s he talking about?” Arthur asked.

“Oh, Sir is just messing with me, brother. No need to worry.”

Arthur looked at her with unsatisfied look. She felt like she’s going to melt with those deep stares from Arthur. She drank her coffee and refuse to open her mouth about what the prince is talking about fearing for another punishment.

“Ms. Cruel, would you like to buy some things? There’s a good shop that sells pretty products.” Eliza suddenly mentioned.

“Some things? I already had enough at my home.”

“But if you come with us, you might like something.”

She lean on the chair and thought for a second. Even if she buy something she wants she might regret buying that kind of thing in this world. She’s just thinking of her position as a strange spirit who possessed Viviene’s body.

“You don’t have to doubt like that. You can buy things you want or not want.” Arthur said as he notice her being muddleheaded for a second. She smiled at him.

“It’s a tempting offer, brother yet there’s nothing I wanted. However, I can accompany you to that shop.” She explained.

“You don’t want anything?” The prince asked at her.

“Yes.”

“Why?” He added still confused of her rejection.

“I just don’t like buying something today, Sir.”

She smiled at him and showed a contented expression. The prince showed a mocking smile and said.

“Is this one of your changes too? Aren’t you a crazy b***h who’s known for causing troubles and expressing extravagance?”

His words were insulting. Arthur’s face darkened as he glare at the crown prince. Eliza became speechless of his hurtful sentences. Viviene did not flinch a bit and stared at him.

“Well, it cant be helped if you think of me like that. I wont deny it, Sir.”

“Ms. Cruel..”

“Everyone is free to think of whatever they like about me. I am not responsible of their minds nor what they say from their mouths.” She explained to them. Everyone can feel the air around them being heavy or is it just their chests that were heavy?

“Viviene..”

She ignore Arthur and drank her coffee. She wants to leave immediately but it seems like she’s slowing down due to unknown reason. She’s not expecting any apology from anyone because she knew she’s at fault in the first place.

‘Its alright.’ She thought shoving away the ideas that played inside her head.

“So, where’s this shop you’re talking about, Ms. Walmeir?” She asked to change the topic.

“Oh, a few blocks from here.”

“Alright.”

After they spend time in the café. They went to the shop Ms. Walmeir suggested. It had many pretty things that ladies and men love to buy. Ms. Walmeir carefully looked at the things she wants while Viviene stared at the store, amazed by how admirable it is. The prince, Aleiandro, walk beside her with his stoic face. Viviene look at her with confusion.

“You’re not angry with me?” He suddenly asked. She chuckle and answered mockingly.

“What answer would you like to hear? The comforting one or the truth?”

The corner of his lips lift into a smirk at her question.

“The truth.” He muttered.

“I’m indeed angry, Your Majesty. You’re an insensitive, heartless bastard and I really want to bald you right at that moment.” She said gravely. He chuckled as he heed how deadly her stares are to him.

“My bad, Ms. Cruel. What can I do to appease your hurt feelings?”

“Nothing.”

He’s eyes widen in her sudden answer. There’s no single trace of doubt in her tone as she said that word to him.

“Nothing?” He asked again.

“Yes. There’s nothing you can reconcile.”

He cant accept such answer and asked Ms. Cruel to reconsider his generous offer but she refused politely.

“Your Majesty, I told you there’s none.”

He’s not satisfied of her answers. He highly expect that Ms. Cruel would not refuse his generosity. Not in his life that a lady refuse his kindness in fact, they desperately wanted not just his kindness, even his heart, mind, body and soul. Those selfish desires were so clear in his eyes that he wants to eradicate it as soon as possible.

“Why are you refusing?”

Viviene had enough of his questions. She took a deep breathe and glance at him.

“Your Majesty, please don’t asked questions that I am not able to answer. I am not so intelligent as to answer all the questions in the world like prodigy.” She muttered in sarcasm and irritation.

“Your Majesty.” Ms. Walmeir called.

Aleiandro glance at her direction.

“The things over there are pretty, would you like to come with me?” She asked politely.

The prince’s face was emotionless while looking at her. He felt bored all of a sudden. He glance at his side and find no one. His felt his anger slowly rising.

“She dared to leave me alone, that naughty rabbit.” He mumble under his breath while gritting his teeth.

“Your Majesty?” Eliza called nervously while sensing his foul mood.

“.. Alright.” He answered, trying his best to calm himself down. Both of them left the spot and went to the place Eliza mentioned.

Viviene went to Arthur’s side who’s standing near the quills and papers displayed. Beside him was Sir Valor and Sir Rowellius. He glance at her and stopped to face her.

“Do you like pens?” She asked.

“Yes. I always write documents and letters in the office.”

“I see… Are you not feeling lonely anymore?” She asked directly.

He’s silent for a while before speaking again.

“They say that a person who’s always with himself can sense someone’s loneliness. Are you, perhaps, lonely too?”

She stand beside him but her eyes were on the people inside the store. The two, Sir Valor and Sir Rowellius were listening to their conversation secretly. They’re intrigued of their words especially to Viviene.

“No.”

“No?”

“I may be alone, but I’m not lonely.”

Her words shut his mouth. He always saw her alone before, no one to talk to and no one can rely to. He heard her complaints but he decided to ignore it thus, adding loneliness to her. Maybe, just maybe, that she’s used to being alone because that’s what she always get from everyone around her. His guilt is increasing rapidly.

The two knights who are standing not far from them felt the same thing as Arthur did. Deep inside they had faults directed at Viviene too but they never heard her plead nor complained from her after she woke up. Sir Valor’s hand clench as his guilt slowly eating him.

“Don’t let yourself feel lonely, brother. Thank goodness you have me.” She said brightly as she chuckled. His lips formed a small smile as he pat her head.

“What reward do you want from me?” He asked.

“Money.” She answered without second thoughts. Her answered change the whole mood around them. Arthur stare at her dumfounded of her response.

“Money? Is your monthly allowance not enough?”

Her allowance is one hundred pieces of gold which is a huge amount already.

“No, I just want money as a reward. I’ll think of things to buy with the amount you’re going to give.” She answered earnestly.

“Alright. I’ll give you one hundred pieces of gold—”

“Make it one hundred and fifty pieces of gold.”

He’s speechless. His face darkened as he heard her.

“F-For my effort at least!” She explained nervously. He sighed and agreed, defeated of her persuading expression.

“.. Alright.”

She celebrate inside her head. Of course she’s happy hearing the reward as money. She’s thinking of using that money in case she needs to run away if things were going against her plan.

The two knights were relieved when they changed the topic. Hearing her, its as if their hearts were ripped inside their chests. Her tone as she muttered those kind of words were heartbreaking and nerve wrecking. On the contrary, those words were nothing for her. She just had the feeling to spill those out to refrain them from knowing too much from her. She moved away from Arthur’s side and gave Sir Rowellius that she will be fine with her own. The people inside the store suddenly increased.

‘This store is pretty popular.’ She thought as she move away from their paths. She hit someone from the back so she halt from moving. She’s about to apologize when a black smoke appeared in her face and she fell unconscious on the floor. Men wearing black cloaks carried her away from the store and put her in a carriage without windows but a single door. They locked it and started moving away.

She can feel that she’s moving away to another place. She’s lying on a cold wooden floor and the road was rough and bumpy. She open her eyes and saw her pitiful self tied with ropes. They covered her mouth to stop her from making noise and her head is aching like hell. In front of her is a familiar person who’s still unconscious lying on the floor. Its Ms. Walmeir.

‘So, were kidn*pped. Great. Why am I always in trouble!?’ She thought furiously. She tried to remove the cloth covering her face but its no use. She wriggle but the rope around her was tight. She rolled her eyes and glance at the sleeping Ms. Walmeir.

‘I should wake her up.’ She move towards her and hit her shoulder with her shoulder.

‘Hey! Wake up! Its not the right time to sleep!’ She furiously scream. However, the carriage suddenly stopped. The door of the carriage open and a man covered with tattoos in his arms entered.

“Oh? One of the hostages is awake.” He muttered as he smile wickedly showing his crooked teeth. She rolled her eyes and wiggle with all her might.

“Its no use, lady. Save your energy.”

She stopped and glare at the man in front of her. The man remove the cloth covering her mouth. He thought she would plead for her life but he heard unexpected words from her.

“Who the hell are you and why did you kidnap us?”

Her demeanor is deadly yet they ignore her. The man who’s standing in front of her slap her hard.

“Learn to know your place, bitch.”

He muttered gravely as he glared at her with the same intensity as Viviene. She’s speechless due to the pain in her neck and cheek but that didn’t scare her a bit. Instead, she’s regretting why she’s hanging out with the death flags. Thankfully, Ms. Walmeir started to regain her consciousness.

“Where.. Where am I?” She immediately asked as she notice the unfamiliar surroundings. “W-Who are you? M-Ms. Cruel?! A-Are you alright?” She asked as she notice Viviene.

“Not really at the moment. I got slapped by this ugly pig.” She answered. Her mocking tone snapped the man’s patience and grab her hair. She hissed in pain.

"M-Ms. Cruel! Release her!”

“Of course. After I teach her a lesson.” The man said.

“I-If you touch her, the Duke Cruel’s knights will hunt you!”

She rolled her eyes of her ignorance. Its clear that she’s not insignificant to her own brother thus, they’re cold relationship was old news to the public. Even the duke himself wasn’t interested for her well-being. The man laugh at her and did not hesitate to slap Viviene again.

‘Great! I’ll make sure you will pay for this!’ she screamed angrily inside her head.

“Really? I’ll be waiting for him then.” He muttered in a challenging tone as he stare at Eliza’s green eyes.