Thanks to Millie actually carrying cash and renting a carriage, Dante and I were able to go back home without having to walk. I was brought straight to the Imperial Palace where everyone was waiting. Before I could even step completely outside of the carriage, my mother attacked me with a hug.

"SERI! You're alive?!"

"Uhh... Yes?"

It felt strange to be hugged so tightly by this woman.

My father rushed over and pulled me into a bear hug, "BABY GIRL! You're alive!?"

I muttered to myself, "Why does everyone keep asking that..."

My parents eventually released me and looked at me with tearful eyes. My father glanced at my neck, "What are those?..."

I covered up the kiss marks and looked away in embarrassment, "Mosquito bites."

My mother glanced at Dante who stood behind me. She spoke in a low tone, "Looks like those mosquitos are getting too ahead of themselves."

My father furrowed his brow in confusion. Although he didn't really think they were mosquito bites, since his wife said they were he would believe her. Dante glanced away from my mother with an excellent poker face.

I rubbed my neck, then smiled happily. I nudged my father, "Daddy... Dante saved my life. Don't you have anything to say to him?"

My father glanced at Dante who immediately stood up straighter. My father frowned, "Bah... It's his job."

I looked at him with a stern expression, "Daddy."

My father sighed and spoke in a strained voice, "Thank you for saving my daughter."

Dante glanced at my father and gave a nod. Then he paused and spoke in a low voice, "...Can I marry your daughter?"

I snorted in surprise.

My mother sighed and shook her head.

My father's face turned red with anger, "What did you just say, you little punk!?!"

Dante quickly stepped out of his reach before he could be attacked. Dante began to run from my father as my father shouted and chased after him raising a fist. My mother and I watched with blank faces. I turned to her, "By the way, where is Oliver?"

My mother smiled, "He's at Lona's."

I nodded, "Ah... Lona must be due any day now."

"Yes. I think it ought to be soon. Wait." My mother turned to me with a frown, "You were kidnapped and that is the first thing you bring up?! Shouldn't you be crying?! Leaning on my shoulder?"

"... Uh... Do you want me to lean on your shoulder?"

My mother opened her mouth, but didn't speak. She glanced away, "If you need it, it's there."

I smirked as I watched her childish reaction. I put my head on her shoulder, "Very well."

Even though my mother put on an impassive expression, I could tell she was quite excited. I'm not sure why I am humoring her. Perhaps I just feel sympathy for what she had to endure. Or maybe... Just maybe... I've come to accept her as my real mother.

Nah. We are technically the same age. Wouldn't it be weird to think of her as a mother?

Either way, I have to admit it feels rather nice to have someone worrying about you while you are missing. I'm sure no one else is worried about me missing in my previous world. Hell, I'm sure they don't realize I am even missing.

William came rushing out of the palace, "Seri!" I pulled away from my mother to face him. He quickly ran over to me and hugged me tightly. He sighed, "Thank goodness you are safe."

Dante rushed over and pulled him off of me. He growled, "No hugging."

My father rushed over to us, "That's right! I ought to cut off your hands for touching my daughter!"

William's face turned pale at his threat. Queen Luna soon walked out, "Kane. Stop threatening my son. Do I have to keep reminding you that you can be hanged for threatening anyone in the royal family?"

My father huffed in irritation, "Then tell your son to stop touching my daughter."

Queen Luna looked over to William and gave him a thumbs up, "Keep going."

Dante and my father both looked like they would cough up blood from anger. I sighed, "Why do I feel like I'm being kidnapped again?"

My mother grabbed my shoulders, "That's right. My daughter is deeply traumatized and needs her space. You all are making it worse." I glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. She looked at me and added, "She also needs a few snacks."

I nodded quickly, "That's right. Preferably those cute little tea cakes if you have any."

Queen Luna chuckled, "Right away. Come inside and I will bring you some sweets."

I followed her inside and was led to a room where servants brought me several plates of cake. I quickly shoveled them into my mouth. Queen Luna looked at me pitifully, "Oh my... They must have starved you... My poor dear..."

I paused with my mouth full of cake. I recalled that the kidnappers had also brought me as many sweets as I wanted. I swallowed, "Yup. They starved me."

Queen Luna sighed and held my hand to comfort me, "Do you know who kidnapped you?"

"..."

I didn't think I would get asked this question right away. Of course I knew who was behind the kidnapping, but I didn't want him to get caught... Just yet.

I sniffled and pretended to cry, "It was just so awful... I have no idea why they wanted to kidnap me... If it hadn't been for Dante rushing in to save me, I probably would have been killed."

Queen Luna frowned and looked over to Dante, "Did any survive?" He shook his head. She sighed, "Simon."

Simon walked in the room with an eerie smile on his face. My face twitched as he looked at me with a humored expression. He knew I was acting, but he didn't call me out on it. Instead, he spoke to the Queen. "Yes your majesty?"

"Find out who is behind this."

He bowed, "Right away."

Simon cast me a glance and I snarled at him before quickly turning away to resume my 'woe is me' act. He snickered as he walked away to do his so called investigation. I made a mental note to find him later and cash in a favor.

I looked to Queen Luna, "By the way, I heard that you would give a very sizable reward to whomever rescued me. Since Dante saved me, you should give him the money."

Everyone: "..."

Queen Luna sighed in exasperation, "Of course Dante will be rewarded for his efforts to save you. Furthermore, I've spoken with your parents and we think it is better if you stay at the Imperial Palace until we can figure out who is behind your kidnapping."

I glanced at my parents who nodded their heads vigorously. I know it's to protect me, but why do I feel like I am becoming a prisoner?!

I sighed relenting to them, "That's fine."

Queen Luna continued, "Dante and Prince William will be staying by your side in order to ensure your safety."

I should have seen that coming.

Great. Now that makes things a bit more difficult. I guess I will have to use Millie as a messenger to put the rest of things in order.

I changed the subject, "By the way, isn't the graduation ceremony occurring soon?"

Queen Luna was surprised to hear me bring it up, "Oh, yes. The graduation ball will be next week."

"Then I shall attend." Before anyone could disagree, I turned to my parents, "You will both come, right?"

My mother shifted uncomfortably as my father crossed his arms. My mother spoke hesitantly, "Oh... No... I think we will have to pass."

I frowned, "Why is that?" I looked at Queen Luna, "Are they not welcome?"

She shook her head quickly, "No. All nobles are able to attend the graduation ball and ceremony regardless of if they know someone who is graduating."

I furrowed my brow, "Then why won't you come?"

My father opened his mouth, but when he glanced at my mother he closed it. She looked to the ground with a pained expression. She forced herself to speak, "It's just that... Certain elite nobles will be there... And I... Well I don't want to be around them."

Of course I knew exactly who she was referring to. However, it was exactly because that man was supposed to come which is why I wanted her to be there. I stood up and rushed to her side. I held her hand, "Mother, you have to come. You must."

She bit her lip then shook her head slowly, "I'm sorry Seri... I can't..."

My lower lip stuck out in a pout, "But if you aren't there I won't feel comfortable... Won't you please attend? For me?"

My mother looked at me with wide eyes after hearing my question. I had never asked her to do something for me before, so she looked slightly moved by this. She felt as though this was a chance for her to get closer to me so she reluctantly agreed.

"Alright... I will go. However, I will stand off to the side and not mingle with anyone."

I threw my arms around her, "Excellent! I was worried you would miss the show!"

She hugged me back in confusion, "The show?"

"Fufu. You will see soon."

______

The day of the Graduation Ceremony and Ball arrived.

While everyone is welcomed to attend the Graduation Ceremony, only the nobles and those graduating could attend the Graduation Ball which came after. Mary would be the only one not able to attend the ball, but surprisingly William had invited her.

Apparently the two had gotten closer somehow.

I checked and made sure everyone was in position, whether they realized it or not. The Queen and King were sitting in their throne chairs on the stage to the left. My mother and father were in the corner near them, trying to hide. Marquis Blythe and the rest of the elite idiots were standing off to the side. Even Simon was lurking in the halls where he was supposed to be.

Everything was perfect.

Prince William took the stage as the guest of honor. As everyone cheered and clapped, he accepted the honors without looking smug. I clapped as well as Dante and Millie stood next to me. After everyone ceased their clapping, one brave soul decided to speak loudly.

"Your majesties. I humbly ask for you to listen to my grievance concerning a classmate of ours and Prince William. I fear she might be tarnishing Prince William's prestige and reputation as well as making a mockery of nobility." We all turned to the voice and I was surprised to see that it had been Penelope who had spoken up.

Holy sh*t. I completely forgot about her.

I have been too busy with getting revenge and being kidnapped that I completely forgot about my burning hatred for her.

Queen Luna instantly frowned. The King knew that although she was just the daughter of a duke, he had to hear her out. The King nodded, "Then speak."

She nodded, "Thank you, your majesty. Our classmate constantly acts vulgar and bullies her peers. We are terrified that if we make her angry, we may suffer greatly as so many others have. Since she has such high profile people on her side, she feels like she can make a mockery of nobility and get away with it. I demand that your majesty takes action against her today and strips her of her nobility."

My eyes lit up.

F*ck! I know what this is!!! This is a condemnation event! No f*cking way! I can't believe I get to witness such an important plot point in the story.

I almost forgot that there was such an event in the original novel. Mary had been bullied and most of the nobles couldn't stand her at first. However, once they all saw her pure heart, they began to take her side. Ilene, who was the cause of all the ruthless bullying, was popular at first due to her influential family. However, everyone started hating her because she would cruelly throw them under the bus to save her own skin.

William had refused to escort Ilene to the ball, and instead brought Mary. Ilene was then condemned during the Graduation Ball. During the condemnation event, everyone turned on Ilene because they had been wronged by her. William found her guilty of harassing and attempting to murder Mary, so he stripped Ilene of her nobility and kicked her to the curb. His engagement with Ilene was annulled as a result. At the same time, he announced his intention to get married to Mary. This all happened in one day.

However.... That was about Ilene... And since Ilene is gone now -murdered by Millie- just who are they planning to condemn?

"I demand that your majesty gives us justice for the pain we had to endure from her-" Penelope turned to me with malicious eyes and pointed straight at me, "Seri."