Chapter: 199
Arthur and the others linger around the First Prince, unable to find their words in confusion.
The audience, forgetting to maintain decorum in front of a prominent heir, stares with their mouths agape.
Joy, with a trembling gaze, looks at me, the Villainess with a cracked mask.
As I watched the chilling silence, I let out a scream in my mind.
“Grandpaaaaaa!”
Help me, Grandpa! How do I get through this situation?! I have no idea how to proceed!
[For now, just keep your mouth shut. We need to see how things unfold.]
Doing as Grandpa said and keeping my mouth tightly closed, I observed the expressions of those who had been perplexed starting to shift.
“Preposterous!”
One person breaks the thick silence with his voice.
It was Arthur.
“Do you think this is the Academy!”
He stepped forward, feigning anger.
[Quick to assess the situation.]
“Huh? What does that mean?”
[That guy just seized the initiative by making a noise first.]
Arthur’s shouting was a very strategic move.
I had been rude in front of everyone. Now, it’s impossible to brush this aside.
I can’t ignore the responsibility for the crime I’ve committed.
But how to take responsibility is still undecided.
“Is this a joke?! Do you think your arrogance as Benedict’s daughter will be forgiven?!”
By speaking first, Arthur was trying to gain the upper hand on the severity of the punishment.
After all, he has the justification of being the Prince’s younger brother.
“Enough. Brother.”
However, that justification was only valid if the First Prince remained silent.
Since the dishonored First Prince held a higher status and more solid justification, if he stepped forward, Arthur would have to step back.
“But brother!”
Arthur raised his voice, despite knowing it.
To protect me.
“I said enough.”
But there was a limit to that too.
As the First Prince frowned, Arthur muttered an apology and stepped back.
In the silence created by everyone nervously looking at one person, the First Prince’s footsteps approached me.
His pitch-black eyes were solely focused on me.
At last, the First Prince stopped in front of me, looking down silently before lowering his face.
Then he whispered softly in my ear.
“Don’t you think I’m still scum?”
He still remembers that?!
He’s been holding onto it in his heart?!
Of course he hasn’t forgotten!
Who would forget being called a gloomy piece of trash by a crazy girl?!
Having relayed that one line, the First Prince lifted his head, a smile plastered on his face.
It wasn’t a smile born from happiness.
It didn’t have anything remarkable like Karia, but I could tell.
That was the kind of smile that meant he was determined to take me down himself.
[This should be fine.]
“Is it really fine?!”
[It’s not like he’s going to fly into a rage and punish you or anything.]
That’s true.
But no matter how you look at it, that guy’s got his eyes on me!
You can see him thinking about how to mess with me!
[What kind of trouble can an average prince like him stir up against you? He's already being preyed upon by the Evil God and Jushin, so what's one more to deal with? ]
Grandpa reassured me, saying that losing one’s senses and creating chaos is a problem, but if there’s reason left, things should be fine.
I understood that too.
But the problem is not this situation?!
I’m telling you, I’m getting targeted by one of the final bosses!
And now Jushin and the Evil God are teaming up to torment me, and now there’s one more added to that!
One more opponent who’s trying to “educate” the Mesugaki!
“I’ve heard some rather decent things about you, yet your personality hasn’t changed at all.”
As I was internally screaming, the First Prince continued speaking.
His clear voice drew everyone’s gaze.
“You’re participating in the Partlan Festival, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“How do you know? Stalker Prince of the gloomiest kind?”
Please stop, Mesugaki Skill!
Show some restraint and stay back!
Can’t you hear these gasps around us?! Huh!?
“Hah. Yeah. It’s more fun if you remain the same as before.”
I thought the tension would rise, but it didn’t.
The First Prince scoffed and turned his back.
Instead, it was the guards beside him who were the more flustered ones.
“Prince, are you really going to let this disrespect slide?”
“That’s just how he is. Raising my voice would only tire me out.”
“But…”
“Let me remind you, that person is Lady Benedict Allen’s daughter. Considering the contributions of her father, isn’t this manageable?”
The First Prince said he’d let it go for Benedict’s sake, but his true intention was different.
Mentioning Benedict’s name was certainly a reminder that he was lurking behind me.
The guards, as well as those behind the First Prince, had no choice but to hold their tongues in front of Benedict’s name.
Confirming that everyone had gone silent, the First Prince led his entourage back the way they came.
Huhhhh.
I thought I was going to suffocate and die.
What on earth was Past Lucy like!?
Running around insulting royals, princes, and nobles like this in such a tense atmosphere?!
Even with Benedict in the background, didn’t she feel some pressure?!
Does that Mesugaki truly not care about others’ perceptions?
Of course, if she did care, she wouldn’t be prancing around in a dress more extravagant than a princess!
As I was marveling at Past Lucy for a different reason, someone tugged at my sleeve.
It was Joy.
“Honestly, Lady Allen remains consistent as ever.”
Hearing her voice filled with a mix of sighs and worries made a wave of guilt rush over me.
I’m sorry, Joy. You’ve had a hard time because of me and my terrible friend.
I have a present prepared for you, so please accept it and relax your heart.
Unable to express my apologies out loud, I offered silent apologies as she chuckled softly.
“Come on, Arthur wants to talk to you.”
Huh? Arthur?
*
Joy took me to an upscale restaurant aimed at wealthy patrons.
As soon as the staff saw Joy’s face, they escorted us to a room.
“Finally made it.”
Inside the room, Arthur was waiting for us.
“First, sit down. We just made a massive spectacle of our greetings.”
Following his words, as soon as I sat at the table, Arthur sighed and called out my name.
“Lucy Allen.”
“Yup!”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry.”
I was left dazed by the sudden apology.
Why is he apologizing? Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing?
“My crime is not being able to stop my brother from meeting you, knowing what kind of person you are.”
From what Arthur says, it seems the reclusive First Prince has come to the Partlan Territory mainly because of him.
Normally, Arthur wouldn’t be here at such a festival, but when he expressed his intention to visit, the First Prince became curious, and through their conversation, he ended up participating in the festival.
No.
So…
Putting it all together, you’re the root cause of this?!
Arthur!
You idiot!
Forget thanking you for trying to protect me!
Knowing what kind of person Lucy is, you should have stopped the First Prince at all costs!
Why is a guy like you drawing the boss’s aggro and ruining everything?!
“I’ve heard you’ve become quite the capable person, but your personality remains unchanged.”
As I let out a nearly screaming internal shout, the First Prince continued.
His voice was clear enough to draw everyone’s attention.
“You’re participating in the Partlan Festival, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“How do you know? Stalker Prince of the gloomiest kind?”
Please stop, Mesugaki Skill!
Show some restraint and stay back!
Can’t you hear these gasps around us?! Huh!?
“Hah. Yeah. It’s more fun if you remain the same as before.”
I thought the tension would rise, but it didn’t.
The First Prince scoffed and turned his back.
Instead, it was the guards beside him who were the more flustered ones.
“Prince, are you really going to let this disrespect slide?”
“That’s just how he is. Raising my voice would only tire me out.”
“But…”
“Let me remind you, that person is Lady Benedict Allen’s daughter. Considering the contributions of her father, isn’t this manageable?”
The First Prince said he’d let it go for Benedict’s sake, but his true intention was different.
Mentioning Benedict’s name was certainly a reminder that he was lurking behind me.
The guards, as well as those behind the First Prince, had no choice but to hold their tongues in front of Benedict’s name.
Confirming that everyone had gone silent, the First Prince led his entourage back the way they came.
Huhhhh.
I thought I was going to suffocate and die.
What on earth was Past Lucy like!?
Running around insulting royals, princes, and nobles like this in such a tense atmosphere?!
Even with Benedict in the background, didn’t she feel some pressure?!
Does that Mesugaki truly not care about others’ perceptions?
Of course, if she did care, she wouldn’t be prancing around in a dress more extravagant than a princess!
As I was marveling at Past Lucy for a different reason, someone tugged at my sleeve.
It was Joy.
“Honestly, Lady Allen remains consistent as ever.”
Hearing her voice filled with a mix of sighs and worries made a wave of guilt rush over me.
I’m sorry, Joy. You’ve had a hard time because of me and my terrible friend.
I have a present prepared for you, so please accept it and relax your heart.
Unable to express my apologies out loud, I offered silent apologies as she chuckled softly.
“Come on, Arthur wants to talk to you.”
Huh? Arthur?
*
Joy took me to an upscale restaurant aimed at wealthy patrons.
As soon as the staff saw Joy’s face, they escorted us to a room.
“Finally made it.”
Inside the room, Arthur was waiting for us.
“First, sit down. We just made a massive spectacle of our greetings.”
Following his words, as soon as I sat at the table, Arthur sighed and called out my name.
“Lucy Allen.”
“Yup!”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry.”
I was left dazed by the sudden apology.
Why is he apologizing? Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing?
“My crime is not being able to stop my brother from meeting you, knowing what kind of person you are.”
From what Arthur says, it seems the reclusive First Prince has come to the Partlan Territory mainly because of him.
Normally, Arthur wouldn’t be here at such a festival, but when he expressed his intention to visit, the First Prince became curious, and through their conversation, he ended up participating in the festival.
No.
So…
Putting it all together, you’re the root cause of this?!
Arthur!
You idiot!
Forget thanking you for trying to protect me!
Knowing what kind of person Lucy is, you should have stopped the First Prince at all costs!
Why is a guy like you drawing the boss’s aggro and ruining everything?!
“Don’t tell me you can’t even deny that, can you? You seriously are the pathetic Prince, huh? What exactly do you excel at? Ah, I know! Shouting after losing the game!”
“I tried my best! But my brother was stubborn, and there was nothing I could do! And, what’s more, if you hadn’t said such weird things, wouldn’t this have been avoidable? What are you thinking insulting the current strongest candidate for the throne in front of everyone?!”
Yeah, when it comes to the scale of faults, I’m sure mine is pretty high. Maybe a solid 9?
But you brought the source of chaos here, so you’ve got at least a 1% blame, right?
So take the insults I hit you with to relieve my stress.
Let that absolve your guilt.
As Arthur raised his voice in protest, he eventually cleared his throat and regained his composure.
“At least the fortunate thing is that my brother doesn’t seem to have any intention of punishing you.”
Even after the First Prince left, he didn’t mention my name.
Even if the guards or attendants brought it up, he brushed it aside, seeming disinterested.
It seems he has no desire to resolve this matter.
I bet Benedict’s name played a significant role in that.
After all, who would want to antagonize someone who can take the Evil God’s attacks head-on?
“But I cannot say how long this will continue to be handled lightly. If my brother makes up his mind, it will be troublesome for Lord Benedict as well. So please, be careful.”
“Yeah.”
“Why should I?”
“I’m saying this because I’m worried for you! At least pretend to listen!”
As Arthur tightened his throat again, I had no way to help.
As long as the Mesugaki Skill corrects my tone and behavior, I’ll have to keep calling the First Prince gloomy.
“Um. Third Prince…”
Joy, who had been watching our banter, spoke softly, drawing Arthur’s gaze toward her.
“What is it?”
“Is the First Prince also participating in the festival?”
“Yeah. He said he would become the Festival Massacre.”
It’s surprising that he even came out of his territory, but now he’s participating in a festival?!
Why?!
What kind of change of heart could lead to this?
As I was horrified, I recalled what the Prince had mentioned as he was leaving.
Is this because of me?!
Is it because of me?!
Since he can’t directly impose sanctions due to Benedict, is this his way of getting back at me?
Isn’t that too petty for a final boss?!
No, wait. That’s not the point.
The point is, if the First Prince is joining the festival, I might run into him on the road.
“If my brother really puts his heart into it, that title would belong to him. It’s quite unfortunate. He had been intent on claiming it himself.”
“Are you aiming for that too?”
“Yeah. I give my all in whatever I do.”
Oh, God. Why are you doing this to me?
I might have to ask Grandpa if he can sense the First Prince’s energy.
If our eyes meet, it’ll be chaos again.
– Ding.
What now, Shoddy God? I didn’t call for you.
I’m already loaded with stress over here!
If you brought something to ease the Apostles’ heartaches, I’d welcome it, but if not, I might get a bit nasty.
[The quest is changing!]
[Festival Massacre]
[Compete and win at over 14 stalls!]
Huh?
Huhhh?!
Why did the number change?
Why has the part that said “10” turned into “14”?
Shoddy God! You piece of trash!!!
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