Chapter 8
Velvet Pattinson's Point of View
What a place.
The place where the Imperial Family lived for generations.
And the place where meetings and gatherings of the people of the empire are held.
Huge and luxurious...
The Imperial Palace...
" Whoa..."
This is actually Velvet's first time in the palace so I don't have her memories of her being here.
And this is the first time I saw a palace in my whole life.
A lot of people dressed in beautiful outfits are gathered here.
The Pattinson's and the other Portgas' carriages arrived.
The Duke and Duchess of the Throndsen Empire,
Vincent and Emily Portgas.
With their golden hair and fascinating appearances...
Another family with precious genes.
We went straight to the banquet hall where the event is being held.
Our presence itself is stunning so all the people's attention is at us.
" The Portgas and Pattinson Family has arrived..." said the announcer.
So many people.
So many drinks.
So many foods.
" Isn't that Velvet Pattinson? I heard she punched someone (whisper)"
!!!
" I heard the rumor about her, how violent. (whisper)"
" A noble shouldn't act like that, how shameful. (whisper)"
T-the Rumors!
Why are you whispering so loud?! Keep it to yourself!
I feel some dark presence in my back.
!!!
My father, mother, and two brothers(even Red!) are glaring at the people who badmouthed me!
" Eeeek!"-the dumbasses who badmouthed a Pattinson.
Ahhh... I love my family!
" The Zinitriou Family has arrived!" -the announcer.
By the time I heard 'Zinitriou', Mr. Pain penetrates my head again.
The Zinitriou Clan.
The Zinitriou Clan is divided into two groups; the main family, and the branch family.
And the interesting part is...
They're werewolves.
The rumors said that their appearances are hideous and scary. They thirst for blood and instantly kill anyone who stands in their way.
The head of the Zinitriou Clan; Felixus Zinitriou... is my father's rival in terms of strength.
The two strongest men of the Empire...
Felixus Zinitriou and Sebastian Pattinson.
Felixus was given the title of a marquess by the emperor himself because of his strength.
Him, his wife, and his children are the ones in the main family.
He has a younger brother, Fidel Zinitriou.
His wife and children are in the branch family.
Fidel is not as strong as his brother but also has incredible strength. The emperor awarded him the title of the Count.
Werewolves are born with exceptional physical strength, both girls and boys.
And holy grass is eaten by the cow! I can't believe werewolves exist in this world!
I guess they never wanted to go to parties but a lady in the branch family is having her social debut tonight.
By the time I turned my head in the Zinitriou Family's direction...
...
...
...
...
...
...
WHAT PART OF THEM IS HIDEOUS??!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Well-built bodies and flawless skin.
Silky-looking hair and golden eyes.
Fluffy ears on the top of their heads.
Beautiful fangs.
Elegant manners.
Good posture.
And good-looking people.
In short...
ANOTHER FAMILY WITH PRECIOUS GENES!!
..
Okay, I've seen a lot of good-looking people, I guess I can die.
NO NO NO NO! DID'NT YOU WISHED FOR A CHANCE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST?!?! DON'T WASTE THIS CHANCE, DUMBASS JADE!
Caaalmm down...
Calm dow--
!!!
W-w-what a gorgeous creature!
The werewolf who's escorting a female werewolf with light-brown hair is so handsome and all the woman's attention is on him.
Silky shoulder-length red hair
Flawless pale skin
Well-built body
Tall
Perfect jaw-line
Fluffy ears on his head.
A fluffy tail
and thin golden cat eyes.
Werewolves are beautiful.
VERY UNLIKE THE RUMOR THAT THEY'RE HIDEOUS!
" I guess that person is the rumored werewolf. He made the bandits on the forest faint just by his bloodlust and instantly kills anyone who disagrees with his decisions." Red said to me.
" His name is Calixtar Zinitriou, eldest son of Felixus Zinitriou and the heir to his clan. They said that he inherited his father's strength." Ethan said to me.
" I see..."
If I look closely, he's not that scary...
But of course, I can sense that his no ordinary werewolf. His strength is out of a normal human's chart.
His presence is stunning but he's not that terrifying as the rumor says.
There's no need to fear him.
A lot of noble families arrived later and we grabbed some cookies to eat..
Haaa... I can't believe they're allowing 14 years old girls to drink wine. In my past life, I was underaged and can't drink alcohol.
" U-umm hello..." said the werewolf girl to a fellow debutant. She's the one that was being escorted by Calixtar Zinitriou earlier.
The other girl that the werewolf approached is frightened and she immediately avoided her.
The werewolf's expression is very sad
That werewolf wants friends. But because of the rumors, many people are afraid of them.
I approached her, not out of pity, but out of interest.
I have no interest in making friends but I'm curious about their species.
" Yow... what's up?" I said to her.
" H-huh? U-umm,,, the ceiling and the c-chandelier?"
...
Goodness...
They don't even know this way of talking???
" I mean, how are you? Lady...??"
" I-it's Lilian, Lilian Zinitriou, f-from the branch family... I'm h-having my debut today, lady Velvet." she said nervously.
" Oh? You know my name?"
" Huh? E-everyone in the banquet hall knows you... because of the rum-- GASP"
Oh... that rumor. Ha. Ha. Ha.
" I-I'm sorry, Lady Velvet. I didn't mean to--"
" It's fine. You look pretty, Lady Lilian."
I can see a faint blush on her cheeks.
" H-huh? Pretty?"
With her golden eyes and long light brown hair, anyone can tell she's pretty.
They're just afraid of her.
" Of course..."
" Y-you're not scared of me? Even though I'm a werewolf?"
...
"Are there any specific reasons to be scared of you? The rumors?"
" Oh.. y-you're saying that not all rumors aren't true, just like the rumor about you, lady Velvet."
...
I smiled awkwardly.
" A-ahaha, the rumor about me is true though..."
"!!!" -her.
" I'm saying that if you're a werewolf, it doesn't mean that I should be afraid of you. You look harmless and sweet. And besides, this is my first time seeing werewolves and I'm a bit curious."
Her eyes are bright and she smiled sweetly.
" C-c-can you be my friend?"
!!!
What?
That was sudden.
...
But how am I supposed to reject her if she's smiling like that?!
" U-um, okay."
" Wow! You're my first friend besides my family! Come on! Let me introduce you to them. Only my father, uncle, and cousin are here but I think you should meet them!"
T-the Marquess and Count Zinitriou??! And the rumored person?!
W-w-wait!
I'm not prepared!
It's not that I'm scared... I'm just nervous!
" His Majesty, the Emperor and His Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived!" -the announcer.
And there, I saw the Emperor for the first time.
Manuelle de Throndsen...
Silver hair...
Deep blue eyes
Wearing the cape of the Emperor and the crown,
and he's walking with his son...
The Crown Prince Caspian Throndsen.
Silver hair...
Deep ocean blue eyes...
Pale skin...
Tall...
And another carrier of precious genes.
Woaahh...
And thanks to you I was saved in meeting those wolves.
There are short greetings and speeches and minutes later...
The Banquet hall is filled with music.
Ahh... goodness.
There is one thing I really hate...
And I suck at this...
It's the hell of Dancing.
I don't know, my body's supposed to be flexible but it's rock hard when I'm dancing in my past life...
I'm stiff.
Hip hop or traditional dance, I suck at those.
And all the dancing lessons Velvet received will go to waste if I'm the one who's dancing!
Oh please.. please.. don't ask me to dance, anyone... please don't ask my hand for dancing.
" Velvet..."
!!!
I feel a cold sweat running in my neck.
Oh no no no no no....
" Can I have the honor of dancing with you?"
...
...
Grrrrr...
ETHAAAAAAAANN!!!
Why in the world are you asking me to dance when we're no longer getting engaged?
A lot of people are watching, I can't just reject his hand. I can't embarrass Ethan in everyone's eyes. And also, the rumors about me will be worst.
I'm sweating.
My hands are trembling...
But I decided to put my hand on top of his right palm.
" E-ethan..." I whispered.
" Hmm?"
" I-I'm not good at d-dancing(whisper)"
" Pfft!"
" Don't laugh at me!" I whispered.
" It's okay, just follow my lead..."
MUSIC~~
STOMP
" I'm sorry."
STOMP
" S-sorry..."
STOMP
" S-sorry again."
STOMP
" I'm really really sorry..."
" Are you stepping on my foot on purpose?" Ethan said with a serious face.
He's pissed.
But really... I'm not doing it on purpose!
" I'm not doing it on purpose! I just don't know how to dance..."
" Huh? You don't know how? I thought every noble should know how to dance."
He's really confused.
" I-I forgot h-how to dance.."
" And what kind of excuse is that?"
" J-just hurry up and f-finish this dance!"
TRIP!
FALL!
( SLOOOOOW MOOOOOTIOON )
It's the end of me.
I'll die by the hands of embarrassment.
Of all times, I tripped in front of all these people?
I'm about to fall...
I closed my eyes..
But I didn't feel my butt on the floor..
I opened my eyes and saw his golden blonde hair on his blue eyes...
...
I felt his arm around my waist...
And his hand gripping my palm.
It ended up in a beautiful ending pose...
The nobles were unexpectedly amazed and clapped their hands. They didn't notice that I was stepping at his foot the whole time.
And I'm still gathering my thoughts and processing the situation.
" T-thank you..." I said.
" (smirk) What a clumsy woman.."
He smirked!!
His beauty is a crime! Someone, please arrest this man!
We fixed our position and bowed to each other...
Haaa... I need some fresh air..
I went outside the banquet hall.
The hallway's so quiet.
I went to the terrace and saw so many stars and a crescent moon on the pitch-black night sky.
It's been a week since I came to this world.
New family...
New friends...
New environment...
SIGH
" Velvet Pattinson."
" GAH!"
A person popped out of nowhere behind me.
" What kind of person scares people like tha--!!"
I turned my head and saw...
A man with a silver hair..
The Crown Prince Caspian Throndsen.
" Y-your highness!" I said in a panic.
CURTSY
" Lady Pattinson... be my fiancee."
...
...
...
Eh?
WHAT IN THE WORLD?!!!!!!!!!!!!
" P-pardon?! I believe I didn't catch what you're saying, your highness..."
" I said 'be my fiancee', do I really have to repeat myself?"
" Y-y-y-y-your highness!"
Did he get lovestruck at first sight?!
" Watch your tone." He said coldly.
!!!
Ah, that's not it.
Calm yourself down.
You need to be calm.
" What do you mean by me being your fiancee, your highness?"
" Do I have to give you the reason?"
What an assh*le.
(A/N do you want to get executed for treason?)
" Tell me your intentions."
" You must be my fiancee, in exchange, I will give you everything you want."
...
What does he think of me?
" You'll be my future empress, you want that, don't you?"
...
So he thinks that he can persuade me by giving me the title of the empress.
" Dumbass." I said.
...
I really said it.
and look at his reaction.
Wide eyes and..
slightly opened lips...
" Your highness, You can't charm me by your looks and you can't persuade me by using the word 'empress'..."
He became furious.
" What?!"
" I refuse on your proposal, your highness..."
" That's an order!"
!!!
PISSED
" An order, you say?" I glared at him.
THROB
NAUSEOUS
Ugh, I'm getting dizzy.
"Yes...an order." he glared back at me.
" Using your authority to your advantage in owning a lady... very uncool."
"!!!" -him.
" And you call yourself the crown prince? And the future emperor? If you're like that then the empire will be in ruins."
" How rude--!"
" I'm not respecting someone who's not respecting me like a lady. Lady's are also humans. I am human, not a thing you can easily trade with."
" I just wanted the best for the empire!"
The best? Hah? If I'm gonna be his fiancee then the empire will be in the best conditions?
If I'm gonna be the empress, does he think I will be the best and suitable lady to be THE MOTHER OF THE EMPIRE?
???
Ahh... he probably saw me at the town square.
There are no other noble ladies who will act the way I did. He's thinking that I am suitable and perfect for the throne.
But still...
the thought of having so many responsibilities as a class president is giving me a migraine, how much more if I'm ruling the whole country?!
"Hah! Then do it in a good way. If you want me to be your fiancee, then show me that you're worth it, your highness..."
" Fool..."
" What?!"
" You're a fool and an idiot for rejecting my proposal. You just gave up the chance of being powerful and having luxury items. And you think so highly of yourself by asking me to be worthy of you... know your place."
COLD
Okay, I'm a little bit surprised about what he just said.
However...
" If being a fool and an idiot means rejecting that nonsense proposal of yours, I'll gladly accept those as compliments. Thank you, your highness."
"!!!"
Pfft.
Nailed it.
" I excuse myself, your highness. I must go now..."
CURTSY
I walked away from him.
SIGH
I need more fresh air!
???
Huh? What's that?
GASP
A GARDEN!
A perfect place to rest!
But why am I feeling dizzy?
Uhh nevermind.
I went straight to the garden.
There are beautiful trees and different kinds of flowers.
This must be the Imperial Palace's Garden.
...
Huh?
Who's that?
A person is sleeping on the branch of a tree.
It's so dark, I can't see his or her face.
But... sleeping on a tree branch? Seriously?
It's really dangerous you know!
PAST MEMORIES
" Haa... if I'm up here, sister won't be able to find me." I said while lying down on a tree branch.
3 seconds later...
" WAAAAAHH!" I fell.
" There you are, you brat! You should go to school, y'know? Oh my goodness! What happened to you?!"
" S-sis! Uwaaaahhh!"
Urgh... Me being a dumbass back then is so disgusting.
" Excuse me? The tree is tall, you know? It's dangerous! Falling from a tree will hurt!" I shouted.
And...
Holy Moly, he's falling!
" H-hey!"
JUMP
PERFECT LANDING
!!!
That person didn't fall but he jumped?!
And...
!!!
As the moonlight cleared my vision, I can clearly see him.
They said his name was...
"C-Calixtar....Zinitriou?" I hissed.
Why do I keep bumping into handsome men?
First, is the prince, and now him?
Is this my fate?
" Disturbing my slumber... how brave."
!!!
I felt a chill down my spine.
He's the very first person I feared.
No no no no!
Fearing him won't do anything!
" Forgive me for disturbing your slumber, Lord Zinitriou. I was just worried that you might fall."
" You shouldn't care about other people's business. And as you can see, I fell from the tree but it didn't hurt at all, unlike what you said."
...
Of course, it's not painful because it was you.
" Okay, I admit. I'm wrong, milord. I should excuse myself. I shall go back to the hall."
" You're not going anywhere. You disturbed my deep slumber and now you're running away. What a coward."
" It's not cowardly, Sir. It's called instinct."
"!!!" His eyes widened.. Maybe his furious?
Of course, it's instinct. If it's dangerous, then I should avoid him.
" Pfft, pwahahaha!"
?!?!?!
Eh? What?
" What's so funny?"
" That's a good one, because of that, I won't break your limbs anymore."
SWEAT SWEAT
W-whew...
" W-well, thank you, sir."
" Instead, I will just put a bruise on your face.."
Ehhh?!?!
He aimed his right palm at me.
This is bad!
But before he can hit me, I kicked his palm which was about to hit me using my right leg...
The strength of both sides is the same and neither of the two budged.
My shoe on his palm.
And because of that, he can't hit me because I blocked his attack.
" Slapping a girl in an isolated place, seriously? Be thankful I didn't wear high heels, bastard."
...
Somethings off.
Something's definitely up.
Something--
GASP!
I'm wearing a dress!
And here I thought I was acting cool!
Calixtar's face turned red!
My face turned red too!
I immediately bring my leg down after what happened.
" Kyaa! P-Pervert!" I yelled at him.
" P-pervert?!?! It was your fault!"
" No, it was your fault! I j-just protected myself from you!"
" And you kicked my hand while wearing a dress! Idiot!"
I accepted the word 'idiot' as a compliment before but this time, it's not a compliment!
I'm an IDIOT!
To be continued~~