Day 104

Afternoon

Fresh out of the shower, I put on a simple white dress and began drying my hair. I didn't feel like wearing anything too fancy for the small celebration tonight since it's going to be but a few of us. Though I'm sure I'm going to hear a mouthful from aunt Aline.

Maybe if the prince would be here for sure, I'd dress up a little though. And there I go again with thinking about him.

Accepting my feelings for the prince and getting annoyed about it is really as far as it goes for me. Zero experience in romance, full bar on advocating a concept where women shouldn't feel like they're obligated to marry.

Sigh.

"Romance makes things feel so gloomy." I mutter while hitting the off switch of the hairdryer and put it down. My comb was just in front of me so I reach out for that and comb through the few tangled parts of my hair. Getting ready for gatherings and events always had to put me through the work of doing my hair right. Or my two flowy drills that frame my face would end up like broken springs. I wonder if the prince is fond of broken springs. "I am an idiot." I facepalm.

"Riselle! Riseeelleeee!" Adria was hollering like she caught a runaway bride. The loudmouth sat politely in one of the castle's rooms made for gatherings where a group would talk. Beside her were the two sparingly gorgeous cousins from house Hydrangea. Lucia let out a small "hmph" and turned away upon noticing my presence. Now I really do believe this lady is a bitch. Dante on the other hand smiled.

Or so I think he did.

He looked neutral overall but there was a very, almost unnoticeable grin there.

Among the nobles, he's gained quite the reputation for having the greatest unwavering poker-face. I'm still suprised Adria pulled him.

"Hello, Dante and Lucia." I greet respectfully despite the ashen lady being openly rude.

"Hello." Dante greets in return. "Lucia, you should greet her too."

"Why must I? And where's the Prince? I only came along to see him."

Well isn't someone awfully blunt. I clear my throat. "Rowan is busy and might be unable to attend the gathering."

"This crude...- You can't simply call the prince by his first name!" Lucia gasped.

"It was his orders. That I call him by his first name." A smirk was plastered on my face. "Do you have any problem with that, Lucia of the renowned house Hydrangea?"

"Riselle, just bare with her for a bit. Please?" Adria told me in a low voice.

"Fine." My eyes darted at the ashen lady with warning. "My apologies if I have said anything that might have provoked you."

"Tsk."

"I am extremely sorry for her behavior." Dante said afterwards. His face and tone of voice didn't at all seem sincere but it was Dante after all. And I know for one he's a very nice person.

I decided to leave the room after that, to avoid further aggravating the tension between me and Lucia. Instead I stick my head in each room I think Kace would be in, looking for him.

"Oh there you are!" I find the male brewing tea in the dining area. "For the guests? You should put laxatives in the one for the lady."

"Laxatives? Is she struggling with passing stool?"

"What?"

"Is she stru-"

"No." I sigh. Dense people like him will always take sarcastic humor too seriously.

"Then why?"

"No reason in particular."

"Ah."

I pout. Even though I was clearly eyeing the tea, wanting him to put laxatives in one of the cups, this butler simply shrugged me off by being his usual distant self. When ignoring people he didn't even have to try. In fact he still looks like he's ignoring people even when he pays attention.

"You really aren't going to put the laxatives in?"

"No."

"Aw."

"I'll go take this to our guests now." He finished the tea in the midst of our conversation then left to go deliver it. Until now, when I see Kace doing things like this I always feel some form of pity even if I know he wouldn't want that. I still can't understand why the king would choose to make his first born be a butler in the palace. Was it so hard to accept that he is rightfully the crown prince?

"Riselle dear, you seem deep in thought." I hear a comforting familiar voice. Aunt Aline enters the room I stood in absentmindedly. "You shouldn't think too much at a time like this."

"Aunt Aline!"

"Yes yes. A messenger pigeon just came by. And apparently the prince wants you to head to a certain location."

"That's sudden."

Aunt Aline nods. I wonder what it could be? Maybe he wants to take me to another pastry shop?

Before I knew it, the middle-aged lady had grabbed my hand and started pulling me with her while we ran through the halls, until the entrance to the castles interior, and Aunt Aline had called a carriage. "What's all this about?"

"The place is a little far so you'll have to leave now. Besides, I'm sure you'd rather be away from that crude woman." She winked. I was more than a little confused, but her point was right and I'd leave my own party here without hesitation.

I entered the carriage, and Aunt Aline waved for my departure. I had no idea where I was going, let alone I didn't even know if the handler of this carriage knew but I guess this whole little birthday event of me not knowing if my life is possibly at stake is oddly entertaining. Hurray to another day of me fearing death!

I just have too many dreams in life to pass early.

And I guess I shouldn't worry. I survived slapping the prince, getting kidnapped, almost slipping out the window, and getting my memories wiped by a psychopath. A tiny bit of my internal laughter slipped out. I hope the handler didn't hear that or he might think I'm crazy.

Do you have any favorite psychopath/crazy/yandere characters? (Can be from an anime or book or whatever)