She looked like she wanted to say something, but her tightly bitten mouth didnāt open and she turned red.
āAre you upset? Are you angry?ā
āHow⦠in such a moment⦠just for that reasonā¦.ā
āYou can change your mind. I have the right and the power to do that.ā
Now I rinsed my mouth with the cold tea and looked up at Helena with a smile on my face. Iām not sure, but it looked very arrogant.
It was also intentional. I think Helenaās desire to become the crown princess instead of me will go up in flames if she acts as a villain.
āIf you feel wronged, you learn. Iāll help you gain strength by raising your status.ā
I got up and pushed Helena back onto the couch, then went behind Helena and tucked her hair behind her ears.
The two of us were reflected in the opposite mirror. placed my hand on the shoulder of a confused Helena and whispered in her ear.
āKeep in mind that once you have power, you can carry out your will, whether you want to take revenge on me or renounce your situation.ā
I patted Helenaās shoulder a couple of times, staring in the mirror, and then I reached out to her to teach her how to dance again. Even if Iām mean, we still have business to do, right?
āIf you understand, letās resume class. Iām not going to hear you cry anymore.ā
*
*
*
Teaching someone was quite tiring. Itās because I didnāt know it properly myself and I had to be careful not to make a mistake in what I taught.
It was getting dark outside the window and I was about to finish class today, when someone knocked on the door.
āAnyway, I was just about to call it a day. Lady Antebellum, class isnāt over, please review what youāve learned today.ā
Leaving Helena alone, I followed the servant chief. As he was walking through the spacious corridors of the empressās palace, he knocked on the biggest and most gorgeous door.
The empress had a tearfully noble face again today. Sheās noble and elegant because sheās left all the hard and troublesome work to me. I folded my twisted heart and laughed. Imagine you have a boss. Be patient. Be patient.
āWhat did you teach her?ā
āI taught her basic greetings, dining etiquette, how to have a conversation according to the dances and the dance tunes of a ball, also an eye for choosing clothes and accessories.ā
āItās a long way from becoming a crown princess, but youāve managed to teach the most basic things.ā
The empress glanced at the maid next to her to pour tea. I didnāt want to drink a lot of it because I got sick of drinking tea while teaching Helena. When I refused, the empress sent the maid out and said,
āIām going to introduce Helena at Kazarās debutante ball, what do you think?ā
āā¦I think itās the right time.ā
It was good to send her out as soon as possible, to a party with as many nobles as possible in order to make sure everyone had a good look.
There were few families that could host a party of that size, and my coming-of-age ceremony was over, so if you missed Young Lady Kazarās debutante ball, you might have to wait a long time.
There was a reason for the rush. Anyway, it had nothing to do with me. Because the empress was highly likely to entrust me with her education after that. It was also for a similar reason that I did not kill Helena yet, although Iām with her.
I have to say that there are still parts of the original novel left. Helenaās beautifully decorated first appearance and being admired by people were the prelude to her love affair and marriage with the crown prince.
Itās been a long time coming, but now I remember. In the novel, Eris was not broken up with. It was only Helena who, with the permission of the emperor, became the crown princess.
Eris could not even break her engagement, and she had to watch Helena marry her prince in her stead. So Eris in the original story went crazy and hid in Helenaās room.
Eris, who reassured Helena by saying that she was leaving to a foreign country, lured Helena by saying that she wanted to apologize for her misdeeds before going. Eris presented Helena with a poisoned teacup, and Helena was served tea with that teacup and drank it with Eris.
Eris, who prompted Helena to pick the poisoned teacup, laughed frantically when Helena drank the poison and collapsed.
How great it would be if the far-distant end could be moved a bit forward with this. I secretly sighed and spoke to the empress.
āIf you have nothing more to say, Iāll be leaving.ā
āCall Madame and choose Helenaās clothes yourself.ā
āā¦ā¦All right.ā
No matter how much Eris said she gave up, the empress was also cruel for making her choose clothes for her ārivalā. Well, if Helena chose a childish dress, was in trouble, so I ended up saying yes.
If I had seen my horoscope, my luck today would have been the 12th. I made eye contact with the crown prince on the way back. It was tiring to yell and get annoyed, so I tried to ignore him.
Alecto held my wrist and turned me around.
āYouāre determined to ignore people now, arenāt
you?ā
āā¦I guess Iām tired and my vision has narrowed, Forgive my rudeness.ā
As I bowed my head gently, I could see the crown prince panicking. He paused for a moment to see if there was anything to pick on.
Either way, I havenāt eaten properly all day and Iām tired from teaching Helena. No matter how young Eris was, her nerves were tattered and she wasnāt particularly healthy.
In a moment, I was dizzy and staggered, and my body went out of balance. I could see Alecto reaching out
towards me, but it was quicker for someone to grab me from behind.
āAre you okay?ā
Ah, this voice again. Why do you keep showing up? I angrily slapped Jasonās hand off my shoulder. Alecto wrinkled his eyebrows and looked at the two of us.
Alecto and Jason spoke at the same time. We looked at each otherās faces as if we were surprised by the contradiction, but to be honest, I was just annoyed at both of them.
Even if the two draw swords and fight a duel right now due to a difference of opinion, itās not my business, so Iād like you to let me go.
āAnakin, come here.ā
After a while, Anakin appeared around the dark corner as if rising from a shadow.
Come to think of it, Anakin has seen both of them before. He must have seen Alecto at the inauguration ceremony and Jason in the Rundol region, but the former looked at Anakin as if he was wary of strangers. He was almost like a beast that had invaded his territory. Well anyway, Iām going home.
āDid you call?ā
āHold me, Anakin. Your Highness, you donāt want to see me so Iāll go back first.ā
The crown prince tried to say something, but I didnāt want to listen so I started first. Originally, winning first is an eternal truth.
Anakin gently hugged me as usual and turned around, nodding silently to the two men who looked somehow dissatisfied.
Leaning on Anakinās chest as we left the Imperial Palace, the gazes of the servants poured in. Change happens very quickly and naturally. At first, they showed a look of bewilderment, but after a while they displayed clear hostility on their faces.
Even if you think sheās not good enough to be with the crown prince, it seems you donāt like Eris being in the presence of another man. I really donāt know which rhythm to keep up with, but I decided to withdraw from the marriage with the crown prince.
āIf you think youāre going to hate me, say it as soon as you feel that way. Try to understand at least.ā
Being hated is not a very pleasant feeling. Still, wanted to show off in front of Anakin. I didnāt want to show him a weak side.
Anakin just walked forward without looking at my face. He replied quietly when a carriage was seen in the distance.
āHave you forgotten? I have already sworn allegiance and obedience to you. I said that no temptation or hardship would yield me.ā
He put me in the carriageās seat and knelt down. Just like when he first took the oath of knighthood. A purple necklace shone from his neck.
āIf you wish, I will add one more oath now. Even if the day comes when I hate you⦠I will not let go of you.ā
Iāve never had a single āmineā. It was the same with things and people. There wasnāt anything I could do with ease. Because I didnāt have anything handed to me, so I had to save and save.
Now I know. Others might point their fingers at this thought, but⦠I needed someone to treat me carelessly. A person who doesnāt have to worry about discovering this twisted me.