Marked By An Angel

Offending the Prince

"Miss, I am sure that the Duke would be surprised to see you today!" Cui said while carrying her umbrella. Francesca had insisted that there is no need to carry an umbrella but her stepmother, Madam Isabell, insisted that she have one or her skin would get damaged.

The thing is… it was winter!

There was no sun, and it was pretty cold. Why the hell would she bring an umbrella when there's no rain or snow?

Apparently, the previous owner would use an umbrella and fan as if they were accessories. So, now she was forced to walk with her heavy dress, fur coat, umbrella, and fan.

She looked like a clown- a burly clown wrapped in fabrics. While this body wasn't considered short. Wrapping herself in all these fabrics made her look like a ball.

The fact that this woman wears pink dresses only made Francesca more and more irritated. Who wears pink every single day?

"Miss… I heard that there is…"

"Alright stop talking." Francesca stopped walking just a few feet away from the entrance. She looked at the servants walking behind her. "Stop following me."

"But Miss…"

"Cui is the only one allowed to follow me. You — get back inside." She doesn't need ten servants behind her! This is really…

"Miss the madam said that— "

"No." Her stepmother, who had been a little extra, insisted that she needed all these people in case she fainted. And while she didn't want these people to follow her around, her stepmother had been crying as someone died, so she chose not to say a word at that time.

It was just… chaos.

"All of you… go back. I only need one." She said sternly. This tone wasn't a surprise to everyone as this was the arrogant Aren's tone.

"Miss? Is there something wrong?" Cui asked when the others left. "Did the madam upset you?"

"No." There it is again. For some reason, everyone, including her stepmother, is scared that they somehow said something that would make her upset.

"But Miss you always go out with ten servants to carry your things."

Well… screw her previous self. Even on earth, she had seen no one so spoiled! Even the prince and princesses in the UK didn't act like this!

"No. I am just going to visit my grandfather." She walked towards the gate that would direct her towards the military camp and towards the building where her grandfather worked. "Huh?" What's wrong with this camp?

She stilled when people, men in uniforms, welcomed her gaze. Wasn't this a camp? Why were they standing still, in a perfect line, wearing their uniforms?

Wasn't this the place where they practice?

"Miss…" as if sensing her thoughts, Cui whispered, "They must have heard that you are coming so… they immediately did this."

She facepalm as memories of her past actions appeared in her head.

In fact, Francesca would visit her grandfather from time to time. However, she insisted that the military men would wear their uniforms and stop practicing everything she was there. This woman… why does she love to embarrass herself too much? She had some education, but why was she acting so ignorant.

"Who is in charge?" Francesca asked.

"Miss." The man who walked forward was wearing the same black and red uniform. His domineering six feet frame could easily intimidate anyone.

"Name?"

"My name is Captain Reno."

"Good… Tell your people to continue practicing."

"But…"

"Just pretend that I'm not here, captain."

"Miss With all due respect, it was the General who— "

"Nevermind then… " she waved her hand and walked towards the building. She really needed to tell the old man to ignore the previous Aren. That woman was dead.

"Miss? Is there something wrong?"

"Cui… please make some coffee for me."

"Coffee? What… what is that?"

"Ah?" Right… there's actually no coffee in this world. They only drink tea. "I meant… Tea." What a boring world. "I don't want sweet tea. Please make it bitter."

"Ah?"

The previous Aren never drinks anything that is not sweet. This woman… did she want to die from diabetes? "Bring it to my grandfather's study." She walked towards her grandfather's study and ignored Cui's surprised expression. The building was actually just like a house. It had a living room, with a Persian-like carpet, huge framed paintings hung on the walls. On the second floor, there were guest rooms and some offices for the other officials. Trophies and various awards can be seen on the walls near the stairs that led to the second and third floors. This place was cozy and intimidating at the same time.

"Franny? Is that you?" her grandfather's voice echoed after she knocked on the door.

"Grandfather, it's me."

"Come in."

Walking inside her grandfather's study, the first thing that caught her attention was the variety of books on each side of the wall. This place wasn't really big. It was just enough for a fireplace, a couch to receive guests, a rectangular table with piles of papers and books on top.

Aside from the light from the windows, there were also light bulbs that looked like little chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It looked like this place isn't as advanced as earth. Did it look like Europe around the 1700s? Too bad, she wasn't very good at history, she wasn't very sure about the timeline.

However, the only thing that she was sure of is the fact that this place… is not Earth.

"How have you been?" Her grandfather asked. "I heard that you fell during the banquet. I wasn't there…"

"Grandfather, first and foremost, please instruct your men to continue practicing and stop standing outside. " True, these people have different physiques because they are warriors. However, no one would want to stand outside in this cold weather.

"I understand." Her grandfather nodded before he slowly called out a name. Almost immediately, a man suddenly appeared next to her grandfather. The man was wearing a black cloak.

A sorcerer?

This world has various types of affiliations. Sorcery, Warriors, and Elementalist were among the most popular affiliations that one could have. If her guess was right, this man was her grandfather's closest ally, a well-known sorcerer named Alferes. He had been following his grandfather for years now.

"Tell them to practice and stop standing outside."

Alferes disappeared without saying a word.

She looked at the old man's wizened face. Her grandfather should be around sixty this year. However, he still looked like a robust man in his forties. He had strong, sharp brows, a handsome yet cold face. Funny how this old man would bow down to his granddaughter at any time of the day.

Rumor has it that it was because she looked too much like the General's dead wife and daughter or Aren's grandmother and mother.

"I heard about the incident." Her grandfather said. "If you want me to talk to his highness about the engagement, I could— "

"No need." She interrupted him. He was talking about the incident that made her commit suicide by jumping into the lake. Again, a curse escaped her lips. Cliche.

Too Cliche!

This Aren is just the epitome of bad luck and embarrassment. A few nights ago, a week after her birthday, she actually proposed to a prince. Yep, she wanted to marry the prince and proposed to him in public. Of course, the prince rejected her.

Because of her embarrassment, she actually jumped into the lake while thinking that the Prince would save her.

This foolish woman!