Chapter 37: Hidden Secrets (1)

Rosalia stared aggressively at her copy, jealous for reasons unknown to her.

I looked at her oddly, not understanding her animosity, but I did understand her new infatuation with Kai.

While I felt odd with him, seeing as I had trusted the leopard Xavier with nearly my life and my secrets, and now knowing he had kept such a significant issue away from me...

I was quite obviously betrayed, slandered, and it made my blood boil thinking about how easily he has gotten away with such an act.

I'm not ignorant, I know people have their reasons, but allowing a child to blindly put their trust in another like I did... was truly a harming knife to my heart.

I may be an eccentric, but that did not mean I was without feeling.

Then his issue with proposing.

I deeply considered rejecting. Only an idiot would anger their savior so easily though, and this man clearly had deceived me without guilt for so long. Why should I feel any guilt back?

I simply wanted to return home, the time and dimension I considered home was Frare Kingdom with my family. I could care less about the game and story line now, nor did I give a damn about capture targets.

Illogically, I convinced myself that I was prey towards fate. Turns out it was Demon preying on my fears.

I briefly glanced at Kai's cold and unmoving expression.

He likely merely saw me as an outlet from his childhood which brought him comfort, and has mistaken that bonding as love.

It's not a romantic love. He's severely mistaken without a doubt. Maybe this is an obligational fulfillment to help lessen his guilt or whatever negative feelings he has issues with.

I cleared my expression, sighing in defeat.

Whatever, we have a task to focus on now.

"Alright. Let's follow your plans Ceil, I'll replace this Rosalia at home for the time being.

I'll need a couple of days to concoct a potion which will alter my appearance to copy this Rosalia. Can you cover for me?" I asked seriously.

Ceil nodded.

"Of course.

If I may though, will you also allow me to watch the process of this appearance altering potion?" He asked curiously. I thought seriously for a moment. Naturally I did not want such a hard to make potion, it had come from the Mermaid Queen as a gift... though, it was likely to damage me since this is not my timeline.

Numbly, I nodded my consent.

"So she'll be coming back to the estate with me then?" Vincent asked curiously, still wearily eyeing me.

Ceil nodded, sitting down now and waving at a servant to bring a seat for Katrina who remained quiet but observant.

Vincent sighed, but seemed less tense now.

Rosalia spoke up now, also taking into account the serious atmosphere.

"So... because I played a little harsh with a commoner, not at all illegal or below my station, I'm being sent to an unknown location so this... imposter can take my place?" I will admit, she wasn't as dull as I first accounted for.

I explained for her.

"If It were truly just a commoner, then this would not have occurred. You just didn't take into account who was backing the other party. This is a simple battle of politics and was easily an avoidable fate. The engagement was doomed from the start, in my timeline, I just happened to realize this before the engagement was official. Katrina was blessed with light magic, this is a rarity for Nobility, let alone a commoner. It means she has the possibly of birthing and heir who may also receive the same fairy's blessing. While her fairy is not within a contract with her, it doesn't matter. She is an anomaly, and is now outside the constrictions of status, therefore it's not about harassing a commoner. It's about harassing an entity you couldn't afford to offend.

I don't think you deserve death. Nor do I think the family should be held accountable either, but your every action has consequences, whether it be positive or negative, depends on your planning and accuracy to predict.

Unlike me who has the contract of an elder and Unique Fairy, as well as the support of the Fairy Queen and Mermaid Clan, as well as deep connections with the Karmillia Kingdom through blood and bonds. I'm not an entity anyone can afford to offend- so, if in my timeline, I had indeed done as you and harassed Katrina... the outcome would be nothing on my end. She would be forced to suffer in silence, while those backing her would have to bite their tongues. Do you understand now?

Unlike you, I don't view commoners as filthy beings deserving of being constricted to their social status. They are the pillars which support our Kingdom. Without them, what is the use of Nobility? Our purpose is to protect the commoners, allowing them to live lives with simplicity and freedom unlike what we are born into. Their fate is not caged like our own, instead, they have the ability to rise above their station because that is their right.

This is a game of chess, and you, are the opposing side Queen. Of course it would be the most beneficial to cut your head off first to disable the pawns"

Her eyes widened. My words were serious, and the humorous atmosphere from earlier was no more.

"Be aware Rosalia, I may be an eccentric freak with a few loose screws, but I am not without reason and common sense. The fact that you can't see you are merely a political piece, that is your own short comings. That's what the empire wants, a naive woman without real power in the Queen's seat. So, who do you think better suits the throne then? You, a power hungry Duke's daughter spoiled in all the ways... or a girl blessed by a fairy, and a refined young woman with the capabilities to think critically and capture the hearts of those around her? She's better both socially, physically, mentally, and emotionally. She uses caution and voices ideas which neither reveal her secrets nor hide herself in the shadows. Fact is... you aren't fit to rule.

I'm not slandering you, I'm not fit to rule either. My personality to too brazen, and my mental stability too low for such a position in court. I can acknowledge my short comings first though, before praising the positives. Open your eyes, this is no longer a battle of hearts and romance. It is cold and full of politics and unriddled half truths behind the scenes of a higher source"

Rosalia tried to defend herself, yet her eyes became weaker, and her mouth opened and closed.

"You don't love Ceil. Love is an emotion which is both painful and sweet, where you would rather see the other party happy... even at the expense of your own. You would've corrected yourself long ago, sought knowledge and truth to aid you in your goals. Instead you selfishly blinded yourself with a fascination and fancy which would never allow you to touch it. You know it already right? His personality and interests. He is cold and calculating, even when it comes to his own affairs. No mistakes are allowed. So then, can you still say you have not committed any sins?" My words were like a knife through the air.

Maybe it was my own aching chest which willed me to say such strong and cruel words. I too felt foolish and slightly heart broken, yet it in a different sense.

I felt like I lost a trusted friend. She lost the man she believed she loved... but instead was merely infatuated with.

Obviously I was angry she couldn't pull her head out of her ass and see the bigger picture, to open her eyes and look at what was really in front of her.

Maybe I just didn't want to suffer alone...

The room was enveloped in silence, but my piercing stare never left Rosalia's. Her face paled significantly, before she slowly lowered her head. Defeated I presumed.

I didn't feel satisfied.

"She isn't the only one to blame. Are you not fellow noble? Peers which are to oversee the future of the Kingdom? How can you allowed for such disgrace to enter the kingdom without making a single move to correct it. How easy it would've been to tell her as a child what you all already figured out. Do you feel good? Her future is ruined, not because she is a bad person... no. Bad people don't actually exist. We merely paint black and white when in reality this world is grey. Bad people don't exist, just people with intentions that negatively afflict others.

She was ignorant. In a few sentences, I conveyed what could've reached her years ago. Now a little girl.

Let me emphasis this once more. A little girl, barely old enough to marry who has spent her whole life sheltered and ignored at home, is ruined. You ruined her." My tone was deeper than before, and the weight in which they held, were my own feelings.

She truly didn't deserve this. She is a victim in a sense. Poor managing skills by the parents and nobles around her. Always currying favor and making her believe all her ideals were good.

"You can't place such blame on us Lady Vermillion, I do acknowledge your words hold truth but it is not our responsibility to-"

I cut Maxwell off.

"It is as if you want to be such hypocrites and protect only one woman like a bunch of justified knights. Hovering around a girl who has clearly made her love evident, and holding onto such feelings while still serving his Highness... is that really loyalty as a vassal to the state? Where do you stand Maxwell? Where is your loyalty- if not what was instilled into you at birth, where would you stand? You do realize there is a constant threat to the Throne. Even my own house is a threat, the only reason marriage was proposed in the first place.

You claim it is not your duty, but organizing and stabilizing the nobles... is that not your duty? Is that not what you swore to do when you pledged your loyalty to his majesty? Stop being so childish and grow up! Murdering and throwing away the corpses won't ease anyone's burden. Instead it increases the chances of rebellion and revolt from the nobles due to injustices against their family. How many noble ladies died in Gerald's hands? How many on your hands? How many? Tell me clearly, because all I came to see is a bunch of little boys fighting over a shiny new toy. Katrina is a human being. So is Rosalia. Yes, they are different, but they both have feelings and a heartbeat. They are both under your protection as a knight. You swore, no? Your life to protect the Kingdom. Some protection. I'm sure many feel safe around you" I sneered in disgust, my tone shifting darkly. My small hands were clenched and trembled.

"Truly... you've raised such fine vassals... I pray for your reign Ceil. It is a journey of difficulty you will face. With such loyal men by your side who covet your future bride, truly, I'm amazed. The Ceil in my world is not such man to allow such a ridiculous occurrence. While everyone is allowed their privacy and personal life, they do not allow it to directly effect their ethics and morals and work values. I'm reprimanding everyone in the room besides Katrina. She doesn't have enough inside knowledge to be held responsible. Everyone else? Does. You failed your Kingdom and your people. You do realize this is all a simple test correct?

If you marry Rosalia, you gain the Vermillion backing and loyalty.

If you marry Katrina, you gain the commoner trust and loyalty.

The goal is not who you marry, but if you manage to keep both pieces on your board.

You lost a Queen due to laziness. Sure, you gained a lovely Rook- but it's movements are more limited. It's value not as high.

To keep both pieces is a sigh of a true King with the ability to rule" I leveled my eyes on Ceil now, who for the first time in my own life, looked slightly horrified.

These are the secrets of the world we live in.

It's all about how you plan and how you enact your moves.

How long can you keep the other side from noticing?

I didn't directly involve myself in the messy chaos of the court room within the Kingdom- but it didn't mean I didn't know.

The wind can speak and whisper anything I want to hear, and not once have I allowed any piece to move ahead of me.

Besides the knight- Kai.

Careful planning and playing a fool only lasts so long for someone as lazy as me. I can hardly keep up appearances despite knowing the repercussions.

Yet, this amount of absolute bullshit? Hilarious.

Utterly despicable. I would never allow Ceil to act in such a way, nor would anyone else dare think of doing so.

Pulling your personal life into work, is the same as lighting your desk on fire and trying to fill out a tax revenue.

I knew about Duke Violet, I knew he gambled and drank a lot of money away after his wife passed about nearly 10 years ago. I knew he kept his son hidden to due the abuse he suffered.

I didn't know this was Xavier. If anything I merely thought the leopard was a harmless animal.

Now I wake up to find it is a noble with equal standing and opportunity as myself, proposing a marriage I can not decline if given to my parents.

I also rejected Ceil, another might stain my reputation.

Truly, I hide my head in the ground for a period of time as well. This wasn't a real set back though, I merely made myself even less disposable.

The dirty truth is, if my father, who holds the largest fraction of the military, rebelled... we have an absolute right to fight for the throne.

I knew this concerned the entire Kingdom secretly.