Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Thiry-One

The Pervert

JOZINE/ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

"Mum? Mum's here?" I blurted.

Felicia glanced at me then nods her head, "She returned last night, I was rather surprised by her sudden arrival, nonetheless, since you kept your promise and treated Duke Alerra quite respectfully, I'll let the two of you talk later."

Great! Even though it's pissing me off how I'm being treated like a prisoner, I'm glad Mom's safe. Without saying anything, I continued eating. I can feel Clarence glancing at me from time to time but I paid her no mind. It looks like she wants to say something to me but I paid her no mind. She can open her mind and tell me what she wants but I doubt whatever she wants to say is a good thing. She was angry when she found out that Duke Alerra and I are engaged, urgh, she must like him too. I know, she has tons of men that she likes and I honestly don't care what she does as long as she's not bothering me. The thing is, a jealous Clarence is ten times worse than the normal Clarence. Ten. Times. Worse.

"Mistress Felicia, a letter from House Bellmore," the butler of the house informed while holding a tray with two white envelopes on it.

Felicia's face beamed when she picked up the envelopes then read it out loud. "It's for the two of you."

"Really?!" Clarence is as excited as she will ever be. Ah, she's always like this whenever she receives invitations from other nobles, especially titled ones. "What for mother?"

"Mhm, a tea party hosted by Lady Suri tomorrow. It seems she wants to invite every noble lady to this tea party. No wonder, I heard Lady Suri's mother loves holding tea parties even in the capital." Felicia commented.

"Then! I must prepare! I'll have to visit the seams— "

"— You won't be attending this tea party, Clarence," Felicia stated all of sudden. Clarence stilled then looked at her mother with her eyes widen.

"What? But... why not?!" There, the argument started between the spoiler daughter and the cause of why she's spoiled.

"You cannot! Have you forgotten that you are still the topic of discussion between the noble ladies? You must not attend. Let's have Jozine attend for both of you. If she attends, she will then explain that her sister was forced by that insignificant boy and is still feeling bad for keeping her silence about that boy's true colors before." Felicia then turned to me, "isn't that right, Jozine? Your sister was simply forced by that man to accompany him but she didn't like him. She was forced. Didn't she?" The emphasis and her expression while looking at me dismiss any room for discussion. Having no choice, I just nodded. It's like I'll explain in her stead. She won't be attending so why should I? Still, I should at least do something to show her that I did explain for Clarence and helped cleared her name, although I'll do that just a little bit. Or maybe, it might cross my mind to clear her name completely, who knows. This all depends on my mood. Seriously though, Felicia is not so obvious about how she loves Clarence. She wants me to cover up her mistake, come on!

Just like what Felicia promised, I was allowed to talk to Mom but I wasn't permitted to enter her room. We are required to talk while behind closed doors. Ugh, I don't know what's with her but Felicia is one heck of a scheming b***h. Big time.

"How have you been, Jozine? I'm sorry you had to talk to me like this." Mom's voice sounded apologetic and tired.

"Don't worry about it, Mom. I'm glad you're safe. How was the temple?"

A moment of silence fell upon us before she answered, "It was still the same. I prayed for you Jozine, for your freedom and happiness. However, it seems my prayers are not good enough..." the regret in her voice is painful to hear. She must have been informed about Duke Alerra and I's engagement. Way to go, Felicia.

"That's not true at all, Mom. I also met with Duke Alerra yesterday, he seems like a kind guy, no wonder numerous ladies chase after him but unfortunately for me, he's mine!" I said cheerily while cringing. It's a good thing in front of me is the closed door and no one's around because I'm sure my face is clearly showing extreme distaste upon the mention of my fiancée. Ugh, cringe!

"... are you sure you're okay with this, Jozine? It may not be much but I still hold some authority, I can persuade Felicia to hold the engagement off." She said trying to convince me.

I can't help but smile. Jozine, regardless of how unfair and unreasonable your biological mother is, you're still blessed to have such a kind mother like Kate.

"I'm fine, Mom. I swear, I won't be forced to do something I don't like no matter what it is." I was forced to do things I don't want to do in my previous life, I was powerless then, but that life is over. Now, I have the power to resist, to do what I want so why should I do things I don't want to? There's no way I will. Although I can't do something about Felicia right now, I was forced to yield but this won't last long. I'll make sure that I will have the last laugh of victory.

My talk with Mom ended when Felicia's maid arrived and told me that our time to talk is over. I know right, we're both treated as prisoners.

I returned to my room, waiting for Aya's report about our progress. Progress of our plan for the auction house's opening along with Griselda Konseho's massive change, orchestrated by none other than... me. Heh.

Finally, it's the day for the tea party. Am I excited? Hell yeah, I am! Finally, I am finally free! Even if it's just for a day. Oh well, this day of freedom is still a wonderful day regardless. It was Felicia who prepared for this gown I am wearing. It's a blue and white gown that covers my entire arm but revealing my shoulder blade down to a delicate heart-shaped neckline. The dress shows my curves, thin and sexy curve because of the corset, I can't f*****g breath but okay, I have no choice, I can't attend while I'm naked. The dress is also elegant and beautiful so okay, I can endure for a bit. Yeah, I learned to appreciate dresses a little. I asked Felicia for a flat shoe, good thing she agreed because if not, man, I might as well crawl on the way to the Bellmore's mansion.

We have finally arrived, the coachman, Felicia's personal coachman along with her maid accompanied me. She's very thorough with her preparations, isn't she? During tea parties, ladies are allowed to bring one attendant but they are placed somewhere else, waiting for their lady once she's done with the tea party so it will be fine even though Felicia's maid is with me. Perks of being a noble lady, hoho!

The venue of the tea party is on the greenhouse of House Bellmore, it's on the western part of their residence. As soon as I arrived, I felt the other ladies gaze on me as they whisper amongst themselves. Come on, can't they talk about me discreetly? Oops, that's not their thing. Even if they want to talk about discreetly, they're doing a bad job. Gossip between noble ladies is to be expected, man, they live for the gossip, I mean news.

Suri is in the middle as she is the host, there are other ladies talking to her but I can see boredom on her face. Girl is not even hiding it. It's confirmed, she's forced to host a tea party. Must be her mother's doing.

"Oh, this? My father gave it to me as a gift. It's from the south..."

"You mean about Lady..."

Blah, blah, blah. Their topic is boring. I want to go somewhere, train my magic maybe? Should I just do something? Nah, it'd be rude to ruin this tea party regardless of how boring it is and how bored the host herself is.

"Is it true, Lady Suri? The third prince will attend this upcoming ball along with Duke Alerra?" The mention of Duke Alerra's name got my attention so I unconsciously looked at Suri.

She raised her brows the smiled politely, and formally. A rehearsed smile. "I am unsure whether those two will attend since the third prince hasn't confirmed his attendance and Duke Alerra is quite occupied."

Series of disappointed sighs and whispers followed. They're not even hiding it, lol.

"How unfortunate, I expected the third prince to attend since he is your cousin but it seems the third prince is busy as well." One of the ladies voiced. I caught sight of how Suri raised her brows.

"I agree. I heard rumors that the third prince is staying in your mansion recently, was that true Lady Suri?" Another lady asked.

Whew. That was bold. I mean, if it's a rumor and not confirmed, it means the information might be true but is deliberately being kept as a secret. Isn't it obvious that they don't want other people to know the whereabouts of the third prince? The poor third prince must be having a hard time relaxing because of people who want to know his whereabouts. Especially ladies are fangirling over him.

Suri sighs before she smiled, "please, my cousin is always all over the place. Those rumors are everywhere." She sounds tired! I feel you girl! My ears are about to bleed because the topics of discussion is either about dress, shoes, jewelry, men, and gossip about other people's lives! I'm not interested but I can't shut my sense of hearing. I wish I could. Should I put up a barrier? Maybe I should—

"Lady Jozine?" I slightly flinched when my name is called. I smiled before I responded. The lady who called me is the lady in front of me, she has a curious expression on her face. "Well, I heard about your engagement with Duke Alerra, how lucky you are! Congratulations!" She was the beginning. After she said that, all attention shifted on me and I was bombarded with questions.

Sigh...

This is fricking tiring. I might as well hunt monsters.

Damn.

After I answered their questions, I excused myself from the table and went to the comfort room. I need to be alone. I experience a traumatic human-interaction experience. Noble ladies are scary when it comes to gossip. They're unstoppable! I stayed in the comfort room for about twenty minutes before I decided to leave, the moment I opened the door, someone came rushing and closed the door shut at the same time covering my mouth.

"Shhh... I ask that you remain silent, lady."

I froze. Bruh! What was that sexy voice near my ears!

I calmed myself before I do anything unnecessary. I was about to talk when the knob twisted and a knock sounded.

"May I ask who is inside, please?"

That voice. It's one of the ladies! Damn it!

I look at the man and glared at him. This... this p*****t! Entering the room while I'm inside, if we're caught in here I'll be doomed! I'll be the talk of the town!

Wait... I already am. After all, I am a hunter. No, no, no! This is another thing.

I glared at him gestured his hand through my eyes. His eyebrow quirked, confused before he realized what I meant. He slowly let his hand go.

"Excuse—"

"It's me! I'm inside! I suddenly felt bad, my stomach... my stomach is grumbling so if you want to use this room, could I ask you to move somewhere else?" This is embarrassing as fook but I'd rather she thinks my s**t stinks than let her see me in this compromise situation.

"Ah... I-Is that so? I understand, I'm sorry for disturbing you, Lady!" I can hear shuffling sounds from the other side until I'm engulfed by silence.

I turned to the perverted man, my breathing hitch. I remember hearing this phrase back on Earth before.

To describe this man, this phrase is perfect.

He so fine.

He's handsome. He stands three feet taller than I am, although he's wearing two-layered clothing, his broad shoulders are evident. His physique is similar to a knight who honed his skills through countless training.

I cleared my throat. "What is wrong with you? Are you a p*****t, oh wait, I don't even need to ask. You are a pervert."

"I am not." His forehead creases.

"Then, what are you? Why are you in front of me? Don't tell me you're a thief?!" I exclaimed.

His forehead creases even more before he sighed exasperatedly. "Don't tell me you don't know who I am?"

Huh? "Am I supposed to?" Do I know him? Wait... Don't tell me he's part of the forgotten memories?!

His eye squinted before he sighs, "I guess you're supposed to but..." he looked at my face and smiled, no, is that a smirk? "This is amusing too."

This time, it's my forehead that creases. What the... "for a p*****t you're quite arrogant."

"I told you I am not a pervert."

"And I told you that I think you are. Say, who are you even?"

But he did not answer, instead, he simply chuckles, "You will find out soon enough." With that, he excused himself and left while I remained still.

Wha... What?! Did I just let that man leave without... ugh! What is wrong with me?! Running a hand through my face, I heaved a deep sigh. 

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

The man stared at the view in front of his open window and sighs. "You met her. How was she?"

The man behind him bowed before he answered. "She was well and healthy." 

In response, the man nodded his head. "That is good to hear. How about our preparations?"

"It's been done, Master. We have infiltrated their base of operations and according to the information from our spies, they're planning to move on Moon Break."

The man sipped his wine before he turned to face his most loyal subject, "Oswald, do you think we can still stop this tragedy?"

Oswald flinches before he looks up to his master. "Regardless, isn't this the purpose of our existence, Master?" 

Cedric, upon hearing that smiled before he turned to look at his open window. "Indeed. This is the purpose of our existence."

Cedric glanced at the first page of the book he was reading. The tales passed down from his generation to generation. The story they were told over and over again along with the purpose as to why they exist. Engraved in their minds is their mission.

.... We, the Tartys, guardians of the origin, who bears the story of the first war, we, who received the words of the Goddess Eona, we, who received the last blessing, we, who bears the mark of the firsts, we, whose blood and purpose is for the protection of the first land. We will live and die for our oath. We shall endure until she returns...

The wind blew softly and shifted the book to the first page.

The children of the Supreme God were given the power to create the world they wish to create with a purpose. They must not interfere with their world's affairs. These gods were born through the will of the Supreme God pledge that they will not interfere with their world's affairs and the other gods' world. However, two were unable to stop themselves. From the two of them grew envy and hatred against the other gods until their number grew from two to six. They are the exiled gods. The Supreme God, just like what the gods swore, he too cannot interfere with his children's worlds and lives. Even until the war broke out. 

But, there is something, someone that the gods completely forgot. Someone that the Supreme God created to balance their very existence. 

"We lost countless lives. Still, our blood cannot surrender to the darkness. We must prevail, struggle and fight until she awakens." Cedric smiled, "Oswald, have the third and fourth complete this job. This time too, we will stop them." Cedric turned to Oswald, his face bear the face of a man whose fate has been long accepted. "No matter the cost."

To be continued...