A hand touched her shoulder—
G6's eyes snapped open.
Before the last fog of sleep cleared, her body moved. Her fingers closed around the nearest weapon—a hair stick—and its sharp end pressed against a soft throat.
Tina's pulse fluttered beneath the metal.
G6's hand had moved before her brain caught up.
A beat of silence.
"My lady…?" Tina whispered, perfectly still.
Oh. Shit.
"Still here, huh?" G6 mumbled, massaging her neck as she tossed the hair stick onto the bedside table.
"You are being strange again, my lady," Tina said, worry slipping into her voice.
"Bad dream," G6 muttered.
A bad dream where I almost stabbed you.
Tina cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses, regaining her composure.
"It is nearly noon, my lady."
G6 sat rigidly on the bed, replaying the last few seconds.
Her eyes drifted toward the hair stick.
You are a disgrace to the profession.
Tina sighed.
"I will fetch your tea."
As the door shut, G6 continued staring at the hair stick.
It seemed to be judging her.
❈.❈.❈
Tina set the tea tray down with silent precision, her eyes flicking toward G6—now Lady Reise—who sat slouched in her chair like a bored mercenary.
The old Reise would have complained about posture like that for an hour.
G6 peered into her teacup.
"Why is it pink?"
"Rosehip, my lady. Your favorite," Tina answered. "And the bath is ready."
G6 took a sip.
"Tastes like potpourri died in here."
She downed the rest in one gulp like a shot of cheap whiskey.
Tina's eyelid twitched.
"I am going to take a bath now. Maybe if I drown myself to death, something will finally make sense."
She said it in the same dry monotone she used for almost everything.
When she flung open the bathroom door, she stopped at the threshold.
"What is with the floral crime scene in the tub?"
She jerked her thumb toward the bath, where crushed rose petals floated across the water.
Tina's smile strained.
"Your rose-petal bath, my lady. For your… complexion."
She is overwhelmed. That is all, Tina thought. Not clinically insane.
G6 stared at the petals, then at her own soft hands.
"Right. Cancel that. From now on, no more flower funerals."
"Pardon?"
"I am done with the petal shit. Next time, water is enough. A bucket works."
Tina stared at her.
"A bucket?"
"Or a hose."
Tina's expression went blank.
What in the holy skies had the Prince's neglect broken? Tina wondered.
"Now, my la—"
G6 pressed two fingers against Tina's mouth.
"Stop. 'My lady' this, 'my lady' that. Call me Reise."
Tina slowly peeled G6's fingers away, her expression strained with patience.
"My lady," she said, her voice dangerously calm, "that is not how this works. The palace has eyes. One whisper of such familiarity and they will say House Worthon has lost all dignity."
She adjusted her glasses.
"They will say you have truly gone mad."
G6 opened her mouth, but Tina was already moving.
"Now," Tina declared as she marched toward the wardrobe, "we are behind. Her Majesty's tea gathering is in two hours. You are neither dressed nor bathed. We must present grace, especially after your… seclusion."
She flung the wardrobe doors open.
A pastel explosion of silk, ruffles, and lace greeted them.
One dress looked as though an entire aviary had been stitched onto its sleeve.
G6 stared.
"You have got to be kidding me."
❈.❈.❈
After her bath, G6 walked straight past the dress Tina had laid neatly on the bed.
She stopped before the wardrobe, crossed her arms, and pointed.
"That one."
Tina ground her teeth.
"That is a nightgown, my lady."
Huh.
What I sleep in is this fancy? Could wear it on a bad date.
"Forget it. You are hopeless."
Tina seized a pink monstrosity from the wardrobe.
G6's face twisted in disgust.
"I am not wearing a—"
Tina grabbed her and began undoing the nightgown ties.
G6's hand shot out and clamped around Tina's wrist.
Stop, or I break it.
Tina went still.
"Please… my lady."
G6's grip softened.
"Fine. On one condition. Drop the possessive determiner."
Tina blinked.
"Posse—what?"
G6 stared at her.
"Are you stupid? I said drop the 'my.'"
Tina's eye twitched.
She is being extra mean today, Tina thought. She is not even yelling, but that cold monotone and those stares are sending chills down my bones.
"All right. Lady Reise."
"Do what you want."
G6 stood there, limp as a doll.
Or so she thought.
"Loosen it—I cannot breathe!" she gasped as Tina pulled the corset strings.
"Please stop moving, then you can breathe."
"That is not how physics works!"
"My point exactly."
G6 glared ahead.
I swear, I will rip every single one of these dresses into pieces.
❈.❈.❈
"Now, look at—"
Tina stopped.
G6's face was a mask of pure discomfort.
Tina sighed.
"Just bear with it for a while, Lady Reise. It will be worth it for His Highness's presence."
She offered a hopeful smile.
G6's expression only soured further.
Nothing? Tina thought. She did not react to His Highness at all.
"What the fuck is this tea party for, anyway?" G6 asked, her expression neutral despite the irritation in her voice.
Tina stared for a moment too long.
"Is spacing out in the middle of conversation part of your training?" G6 asked, looking at her in judgment.
Tina frowned.
"This will be a tea gathering for all residents of the West Villa, Lady Reise."
She ushered G6 toward the vanity.
As G6 sat before the mirror, Tina began brushing her hair.
"As you already know, the West Villa is almost like a designated palace of its own. It is divided into three—the main building and two annexes."
G6 listened attentively.
It was information.
"Annex-Uno is on your right, slightly smaller than the main building. It is where Prince Dio, Lord Earl, and Lord Keith reside."
Tina continued brushing.
"On your left is Annex-Duo, where Miss Eliza lives—the commoner who inherited the kingdom's signature divine blessing, Benedictio. She arrived two nights ago."
G6's eyes narrowed.
When Tina lifted her hair, G6 caught her wrist by reflex.
Tina looked at her through the mirror, startled.
"Leave it down. I feel chilly."
G6 released her.
The tattoo. No one could see it.
Tina merely nodded and let her hair fall.
As she continued brushing, G6's mind raced.
This is Chapter Two territory.
Meeting Eliza. The two other nobles—Earl and Keith. They will be there to watch the drama. Prince Dio will ignore Reise for the commoner.
Three high-ranked heirs live here after graduation.
Reise's two older brothers have been somewhere in the palace for five years.
I am just the 'uncultured dog' here for marriage.
"You are ready, Lady Reise."
Tina had arranged her hair into a deceptively simple, elegant fall.
G6 sighed.
Not nervous. Tactical.
She had no memories.
Only the book's script.
Now, let's see if the script lives up to its name.
She stepped out of her room for the first time.
A servant girl, head lowered, came barreling around the corner and slammed directly into her.
G6 did not stagger.
The girl bounced backward and hit the floor, sending a basket of fruit scattering across the corridor.
Silence fell.
The nearby servants froze, waiting for the storm.
The screaming.
The slap.
G6 looked down at the trembling girl.
"Are you hurt?"
Her voice was flat.
A simple damage assessment.
The girl stared at her.
G6 extended a hand.
"Get up. The floor is dirty."
Still trembling, the servant took it.
G6 pulled her to her feet.
She glanced at the scattered fruit.
"I would help pick those up, but I really could not care less."
Then she walked away.
The servant remained frozen.
The Wicked Rose had helped her.
And then immediately announced that she did not care enough to help further.
Two scullery maids exchanged bewildered looks farther down the hall.
The rumor mill would be spinning by lunch.
Behind G6, Tina watched her leave.
For a moment, a genuine smile touched her lips before she hid it.
This change… perhaps it will not be a disaster, Tina thought.
❈.❈.❈
This place is huge. Of course it is.
G6 walked through seemingly endless halls toward the garden, the stone cold beneath her thin soles.
"How much longer? These heels are a tactical liability."
She hiked her skirts slightly.
"Lady Reise, a lady does not hike her gown."
If this exhausting woman saw my old wardrobe, she would probably die of a heart attack.
"We are here."
Tina nodded toward a distant gazebo.
G6's stomach tightened.
Nerves? No. Adrenaline dump. Standard.
She took a slow, controlled breath and released the tension.
Four people waited inside the gazebo.
Earl, son of the Second Pillar—Nocturne. Earth Magic.
Keith, son of the Third Pillar—De Lune. Water Magic.
Eliza, the commoner who carried Benedictio.
And the man in the striking black suit—
Prince Dio.
Fire.
Her fiancé.
The gazebo fell silent as she approached.
Pink silk gleamed beneath the afternoon light.
Her steps were measured and quiet.
Her grey eyes swept across the scene in assessment, not awe.
Prince Dio's polite smile stiffened.
Since when did Reise walk like that? Prince Dio thought.
G6 stopped at the bottom step.
Eliza looked down, her face carrying polite curiosity.
Three men. All in black. Who is the prince?
G6's fingers twitched for a missing gun.
The book had described Prince Dio as stunning in black with fire in his eyes.
They are all in black.
Is this a funeral or a fashion statement?
Her gaze dropped toward their clothing.
Crest pins. Tina said they always wear them.
She squinted.
How the hell am I supposed to know each family crest?
Her eyes moved over the three men.
Fine.
The most arrogant one is usually in charge.
Gamble.
Her gaze landed on the man beside Eliza.
Bingo.
Silence stretched awkwardly.
Then G6 lifted her chin and ascended as though nothing had happened.
"Pardon me. I was prioritizing."
Her tone was arrogantly flat.
Earl and Keith snickered.
Prince Dio remained unmoved, though his eyes followed her.
G6 scanned the seats.
She passed the empty chair beside Prince Dio and took the one opposite him, next to Earl.
Prince Dio's teacup stopped halfway to his lips.
The droplet of water Keith had been idly floating fell straight into his lap.
Eliza blinked.
What are they staring at?
Don't drag me into your soap opera.
Then G6's attention shifted toward the table.
Oh. Desserts.
Tina did not feed me breakfast. Is this a starvation tactic?
She pointed toward the cupcake in front of Keith.
"You. Hand that over."
Keith blinked.
He looked at the cupcake, then at G6, then at Prince Dio.
A familiar smirk slowly spread across his face.
"Reise, darling. Is that how you greet someone after three years? Forget your place? Or are you saving your energy for your real purpose here?"
He glanced at Earl.
"Swooning? Fainting? The vital work of the strongest pillar."
He is starting. My hand wants a trigger.
G6's eyes locked onto his.
"My purpose is that cupcake," she said, completely devoid of heat. "The magic word is 'now.'"
Silence.
The taunt died where it stood.
Earl snorted and disguised it as a cough.
Keith's grin widened.
New game, Keith thought.
He placed the cupcake in front of her.
"By all means. Would not want to interfere."
G6 took it and bit into it, taking an ungracefully large bite.
Pink frosting smudged against her cheek.
Earl reached toward her with a napkin.
G6 slapped his hand away without looking.
"Keep your hands to yourself. Not everything pretty is meant to be touched."
Her tone carried a final warning.
The silence returned.
Keith, ever the instigator, leaned forward.
"By the way, Reise… notice the lady sitting beside your fiancé?"
He gestured toward Eliza like a ringmaster.
"Miss Eliza. The one with the lost magic."
G6 finally looked at her.
Prince Dio watched in silence.
Eliza offered a strained smile.
"Yo. I am Reise."
G6 wiped the frosting from her cheek.
Eliza blinked.
"Y-yo…?"
Prince Dio slowly lowered his cup.
His bored gaze had sharpened.
Keith immediately continued.
"Are you not going to ask what a commoner is doing here? Or why she is so close to your beloved?"
His smirk widened.
"I would have thought you would be… jealous."
Tina stiffened near the stairs.
He said the J-word, Tina thought. Brace yourself.
Everyone looked toward G6.
This was the moment.
The old Reise would have shattered.
G6 finished chewing.
She wiped her fingers in clean, efficient strokes.
Then she looked at Keith, Eliza, and finally Prince Dio.
"Jealous?" she repeated. "Of what, exactly?"
Keith blinked.
"Her… proximity to your fiancé?"
G6's gaze swept briefly over Prince Dio.
Then she looked back at Keith as though the question itself were stupid.
"If a title and a pretty face were enough to steal him, he would have been stolen a hundred times."
She lifted her tea.
"He is a prince. It is his job to have options."
G6 took a slow sip, the unconscious grace of the gesture clashing with her words.
"Policing his seat is a waste of energy."
A minute shrug.
"If he wants to be stolen, let him. It only proves his poor taste and saves me future annoyance."
Silence swallowed the gazebo.
Earl's biscuit slipped and broke against his plate.
Keith's mouth fell open.
Eliza stared at her.
Prince Dio simply watched.
The sheer pragmatism of the statement left him momentarily without a response.
It was neither love nor hatred.
She had called him a future annoyance and somehow made it sound reasonable.
Nailed it.
G6 took another sip.
Also, this tea tastes like lawn clippings.
Tina remained near the stairs.
…She has a point, Tina reluctantly thought.
Keith leaned toward Earl.
"Earl. My entire purse. She just called the King's son a future annoyance to his face."
Earl did not answer.
He was still studying Reise.
G6 ignored them.
Her attention fell on the teapot.
A delicate, ugly thing.
She picked it up—not by the handle, but by the body—and tested its weight.
Tina's eyes widened.
No. What is she doing now? Tina thought.
"This is a terrible design."
Everyone looked at her.
"The center of gravity is wrong."
G6 turned the teapot slightly.
"One clumsy servant and it tips. Probably on me."
She looked toward Tina.
"Tell them to replace it. Lower. Wider base. Function over form."
A pause.
"Save the servant their head."
She set it down with a soft clink.
Prince Dio finally spoke.
"Reise… what has gotten into you?"
G6 met his eyes.
Her gaze remained calm.
"Fuck of—"
"Ahem!"
Tina cleared her throat loudly.
G6 paused.
"I mean… clarity?"
The gazebo fell silent again.
Prince Dio could not look away.
The woman before him looked exactly like Reise Worthon, yet everything about her manner seemed unfamiliar.
The old Reise burned openly.
This one seemed carved from something colder.
G6, meanwhile, had already returned her attention to the food.
She finished her scone, wiped her fingers, and stood.
"The tea was subpar. And this is boring."
A verdict rather than an insult.
"Tina. We are leaving."
"Leaving?" Earl asked. "You have barely been here ten minutes."
"This gathering was arranged by Her Majesty so the residents of the West Villa could get along," Keith added.
G6 shot them a cold look.
"Then tell Her Majesty I have no time to waste on pleasantries. I would rather count every green thing in this garden than waste another minute with all of you."
Then she walked away.
Without a backward glance, the Wicked Rose turned her back on Prince Dio.
No one spoke.
It took a few seconds for them to realize that G6 had essentially declared the plants and trees in the garden more valuable than them.
In short—
they were insignificant.
A stunned servant, distracted by G6's departure, moved too close to the table.
Her sleeve caught the teapot.
The supposedly terrible design tipped.
It shattered against the gazebo floor.
—CRASH!
The sound broke the silence.
G6 paused.
She looked over her shoulder at the mess.
Then toward Prince Dio.
There was no blame or pity in her expression.
Only quiet validation.
I told you so.
Then she continued walking.
Prince Dio remained seated, staring toward the empty chair she had left behind.
For the first time in years, Reise had barely looked at him.
Yet he had spent most of the gathering watching her.
Somewhere near the garden hedge, a scullery maid hurried away quietly.
The news would spread faster than the broken porcelain could be swept aside:
The Wicked Rose had attended the Queen's tea.
She had not screamed.
She had not cried.
She had barely acknowledged Prince Dio.
And somehow, before leaving—
she had predicted the destruction of a teapot.
—To Be Continued…—