Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Nine: Meeting The Crown Prince

The memory of the past Viviene showed obsession and desperation toward the Crown Prince which Faye Anne never understood. The prince is well-known for being a tyrant and intimidating man.

‘But hell! He’s so gorgeous! Maybe that’s the reason why Viviene was so attached to this man.’

She wondered.

“Well, well, what have we got here? The crazy b***h Lady Viviene Cruel.”

He spoke in glacial tone. At that moment, Viviene thought that maybe hell is not hot but cold.

‘Of all, why the prince of hell? Am I going to die now?’

She thought nervously as she force a smile in her face.

“G-Goodnight Your Highness—”

The Crown Prince suddenly grip her shoulder which made her nervous even more. She swallowed her saliva as her trembling eyes glance at the frightening yet handsome face of the royalty in front of her.

“You seemed in a hurry? Perhaps, because of me?”

His eyes were cold and spiking while his face darken. The corner of his lips lift into a smirk which make her stop breathing.

“O-Of course not Your Highness. As you can see, I’m drench and my body is not in a good condition.”

She explained as she tried herself to be brave in front of him. The prince’s eyes examine her. Her dress was covered in mud and foot was swollen with bluish color.

“Did someone try to kill you?”

He asked as he stare closely at her face. Viviene press her lips and move her face a little to have space between them.

“No, Your Highness.”

His gaze became intense making her uncomfortable. Seeing her unease expression made him want to tease her more but he notice that she’s quivering due to coldness. He raise his hand and snap his fingers. Glitters appeared around Viviene and the mud in her dress disappeared. She felt comfortable and warm because she’s not wearing wet clothes anymore.

‘Instant dry-clean service! I guess I’m lucky a little bit?’

She wondered still amazed by the Crown Prince’s magic. She felt a gentle and firm hand hold her sprained foot. She flinch in pain and saw the prince’s looking at her with a smirk on his face.

‘Ha. He’s satisfy seeing me in pain. What an evil bastard.’

She thought feeling herself burning up in anger. A warm light from the prince’s hand covered her injured foot. It’s a pure and comforting light which gave her a concept of her being in good hands.

‘No! Snap out of it Vivi! He is the infamous crown prince and he is a tyrant!’

She recall. The pain in her foot suddenly disappeared. She tried to move it and expect an extreme pain but it did not happen.

“Wow. You’re very talented Your Highness. Thank you so much.”

She said sincerely as she put a smile on her face.

“That’s it?”

Viviene notice his unsatisfied expression. She felt goosebumps all over her body and her face paled looking at him.

“P-pardon?”

“My skills are extraordinary, Lady Cruel. I used Healing Magic, the highest type of magic and the one who treated you is a person of high importance in this empire. Don’t you think I deserve more than just thanking me?”

His high-and-mighty face made her blood boil.

‘This arrogant demon prince! I never asked him to help me!’

She thought while gritting her teeth. She force herself to calm down and look at him with a fake smile.

“So how can I thank an important person like the Crown Prince?”

His lips curve into a smile as his eyes glint staring at her. Her body stiffen and her heartbeat increase.

“Hm, lets have tea tomorrow and tell me how you ended up swimming in that puddle.”

Her eyebrow raise as she look at the prince dumbfounded.

‘Do I look like I swam in that puddle? What am I, a pig?’

“You misunderstood it Your Highness. I did not swim, I fell in there.”

She explained as she try to burry her irritation towards the prince.

“Really? Someone pushed you or its just you’re stupidity?”

‘Man he’s rude!’

Viviene force a smile while strangling the prince mentally with her bare hands.

“Thank you for your concern Your Majesty, I’m really touched of your SWEET words.” She said in sarcasm.

“Simple things.”

He answered with a mocking smile. Viviene felt like she’s about to explode any minute.

“Don’t forget our tea tomorrow.”

“I’m afraid I cant come Your Majesty.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“I’m under probation.”

The prince stopped for a while and thought for a second before speaking again with an insulting glare.

“Oh. Regarding to that incident. Okay, suffer for now.”

Her mental self exploded like a nuclear bomb. Her dark aura spread around her while her eyes were blazing with anger. She breathe deeply to settle down her monstrous side.

“Yeah. Thanks for the comforting words Your Highness.”

She answered in plainly. Her phony gratitude reach his ear and he cant help but insulted yet thrilled by her attitude. What can he do? She’s the crazy b***h of the empire.

“You seemed lax. Perhaps you don’t know me very well?”

She glance at him and saw his eyes filled with killing intent.

“O-Of course I am aware Your Majesty. A-Anyway you’re so handsome tonight.”

She complimented, trying to change the heavy atmosphere between them. He cant help but felt the fun seeing her desperate face. A creepy smile formed his lips as he glare at her which make Viviene breathless due to anxiety.

“Is that so?”

His unsatisfied look make her more nervous. She can feel her heart is about to explode and she will loss her life soon. She’s sweating a lot and her throat is unexpectedly dry.

“Do you like me, Lady Cruel?”

She blink several times while analyzing his sudden question.

“Pardon?..”

“You planned that insane things just because my dance partner is Lady Walmeir. So I thought that perhaps you fancied me?”

His proud expression makes her want to scratch him passionately. She remembered Viviene’s feelings toward him and she cant help but sigh. No matter how annoyed she is, she cant deny the fact that its true.

‘Vivi was indeed obsessed to him.’

She laugh nervously as she look at him.

“Can we change the subject Your Majesty?”

“No. Answer me right now.”

Her ambiance become gloomier as she realized that she cant escape the question from the prince.

“W-Who wouldn’t like you Your Highness? You’re dangerously handsome who possess great power and has a..”

She look at the Prince from head to toe then back to his face. The prince raise an eyebrow as he stare at her with a puzzled look.

“Never mind.”

“Speak.”

“I’m afraid I—”

“Speak.”

The prince’s eyes become deadly and his face obscure.

“T-That you, Your Majesty has..”

“Has?”

He asked impatiently while looking at her. Her face reddened in embarrassment as she prayed for her poor self-image that will shatter any minute.

“Has an e-e-e—”

“Should I cut your tongue—”

“Erogenous body! Your Majesty has an erogenous body!”

She blurted. She wants the earth to swallow her right this instance and bid farewell to her dead self-image. She’s mourning when she heard the prince’s laughter. Every women would be enchanted by the sound of his laughter but for Viviene, who became his entertainment, felt even more embarrassed.

“I see. So my whole existence can make you erotic?”

His straightforwardness made her scream mentally. She can feel her face burning and her existence melting in embarrassment.

“No! I mean, Your Majesty’s whole existence is certainly gorgeous but I’m trying to live as a pure and good lady now who’s sanity is tightly intact.”

She explained desperately in front of him but his playful smile remained in his handsome face.

“Ha! Pure and good? Considering your personality I’m afraid it will be tough for you, Lady Cruel.”

His insult fueled her anger yet she tried to smile with all her might.

“I believe that if there’s a will, there’s a way Your Majesty.”

“Ha. You’re quite positive.”

“Of course Your Majesty. Anyway, can I go now?”

He’s thinking of she would let her go or not. Unconsciously, Viviene trespassed a private property owned by the Crown Prince. The forest is called ‘Enchanted Forest’ which was located just behind the Prince’s castle. But because the prince had fun talking with her, he’s planning to let her leave with her life still intact.

“Yes.”

His answered brought tremendous joy toward Viviene. She felt glad for herself without missing limbs and her life still in her.

“Goodbye Your Majesty.”

She mumble the McGregor’s mansion and she disappeared in front of him. Her silly words marked inside his mind and he cant help but to chuckle. A playful smile remained in his face as he thought of an idea to meet her again.

“Yes. That would be great.”

He mumbled as the thrilled inside of him burned with anticipation. He cant wait for tomorrow to come.

Meanwhile, Viviene arrived at the McGregor’s mansion. She walk towards the carriage and met Rowellius who’s sweating and breathing heavily. She look at him with confusion in her face.

“M-Milady! Where have you been? The Young Master was looking for you.”

He informed her. Her face frown as she stare at him. She cant forget what happened between them and Lady Eliza.

‘Silly me, I’m the evil lady of course he’ll side to the nice princess.’

She smiled at Rowellius and pass through him. As she approach the carriage, she saw a familiar image pacing back and forth outside. Arthur’s gaze raise and meet her eyes. He immediately walk towards her with a furious expression. He stop right in front of her and scold her.

“Where have you been? Don’t you know that I’m searching for you this whole time? What if something bad happened to you?”

He’s continuous questions made her irritated but she cant displayed an unpleasant expression to him. She calm her mind and glance at him.

“I apologize big brother. I just cooled my head for a while. Its very wrong for me to talk back to you.”

She muttered in a gentle manner. Arthur’s anger died down and replaced by guilt. He sighed as his face return to being impassive.

“Lets return.”

They went inside the carriage without speaking a word. Viviene is still having a heavy heart of what happened. She pushed that unpleasant feeling and tried to understand the situation. She peek ay Arthur’s direction and saw him staring at the view outside. She pulled her gaze away and look at the dark sky outside.

“I heard you had a conversation with Sir Timothy?”

His sudden question surprise her a little. She glance at him and tried to remember the man he’s talking about.

‘It must be the guy I talked with in the party.’ She recalled.

“Yes.” She answered.

“What do you think of him?”

His question gives her a weird thought but she still answered him truthfully.

“He’s a man who doesn’t like social gatherings and likes to be acknowledged by his achievements.”

She recall his surprised and happy eyes while conversing at him. There’s no envy in his eyes like what she saw in the Marquis’. Instead, it was the emptiness and dryness which, to her guess, the fruit of his struggles which many people didn’t notice.

“He told me you are a nice person. If by any chance, he wants to visit you in our estate.”

“That’s his own impression, yet you knew that I am not like that. As you said, I’m a heartless one.”

She said without a single emotion. Her eyes were unexpectedly lifeless and it doesn’t have that pretty glow like the last time. The guilt inside of him grew even more and becomes heavier that it will crush his heart.

“However, you don’t need to feel bad, big brother.”

She added with a little smile. Her eyes were piteous and the image of her broken self was displayed indirectly to him. She doesn’t wished to make him feel bad to himself because she doesn’t have the right to do that. In the first place, she’s just a stranger in this odd world. A stranger that’s about to leave soon.

“I told you, you can think of me whatever and however you like. So, erase that guilt in your eyes, big brother.”

His eyes widen due to her comforting words. The sense of curiosity spring inside of him. A new feeling that didn’t occur to him before towards his own flesh and blood. The person who’s evil enough maybe isn’t that evil at all. Maybe its just his own selfish assumptions toward her. He felt even worse than before. The ride is long and suffocating between the two. Viviene close her eyes and force herself to sleep, not wanting to see Arthur’s pitiable face wrecked by guilt.

‘I already told him what I want to tell him. Its his choice to feel that way.’

That thought stayed in her head until she fell asleep.

The sun greeted Viviene’s gloomy face proudly. She’s having troubles in sleeping due to the dramas and stresses around her. She decided to read a good book while drinking tea, enjoying her punishment which was an advantage for her part since then. Someone suddenly knock the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Finnian entered with two envelopes in his hand. Her give him a puzzled look as she close the book she’s reading.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Two letters had arrived address to you Milady.”

“From whom?”

“From the son of Marquis McGregor and, from His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Finnian’s face was confused as well. His searching every reasons to answer the question of why the crown prince send a letter towards Viviene. She calmed herself and opened the letters that Finnian handed to her. She read Sir McGregor’s letter first. Finnian who’s looking at her cant tell if the letters contain good or bad news for the lady. Her face hardly give a reaction of joy and disappointment.

‘Dear Lady Cruel,

I am sad that you need to went home early due to your sprained foot. The little duke told me that you force yourself in going to my humble event just to congratulate me. You are indeed a kind and nice person. I hope a lot of people can see your good side. If you don’t mind, can I be your friend?

- Timothy Russel McGregor’

As she read his letter she cant help but think of the possibilities of this friendship. She has the task of fixing Viviene’s reputation while searching for a way to go back to her own body.

‘Maybe its not that bad to have at least two or three friends?’

She thought positively. She put the letter aside and took the letter from the crown prince. As she touch the paper, a feeling of anxiety appeared inside of her. Her eyes trembled as she open the letter and started reading it. Her face paled and her hands turned cold after reading the letter. She felt fainting due to the bad omen straightly pointing at her. Just as she thought, adversity will always follow after meeting those death flags.