I Don't Need the Prince! 06

In her room, Avina and 5025 started their nighty discussion.

'Host! Are you alright! Why did you fall down the stairs too!!' only its data could show how worried 5025 was when Avina fell down the stairs. She had even gotten injured!

'It'll be fine 5025. Plus, this is a master trick,' Avina explained. 'If I didn't fall down along with Jane, then people will speculate that I pushed Jane. Then there will be more gossip for those lollipop lickers.' How could I let them have another lollipop to lick!

Avina paid careful attention to Jane's reaction as she fell. Jane had a shocked face as she fell down, and the only person who could have done such a thing was the man behind them. Although she felt this was planned out by the man, she couldn't help feeling disgusted by the two of them. No matter what, it appeared Jane had some knowledge of what the man's final intentions were; she never revealed who pushed her.

'So the Host also played the victim as well! Smart!' 5025 once again cheered for its Host's brain. She may be the first host it had, but it thought Avina was one smart cookie.

'Do you have any idea of who that man was?' Avina asked 5025 to check the identity of the man and what relationship he had with Jane.

'According to the database, he is the father of Jane. Well, adoptive father.'

Avina felt there was a mystery behind all of this, but she currently did not have enough clues. That was fine as well, with this new injury of hers, she has a legitimate reason to meet the heroine.

And she knew her smart brain would finally figure it out anyway! So she'll invest the time spent worrying into her beauty sleep! Keeping this pretty face looking pretty wasn't something that just happened.

The next morning, Avina was once again pampered with a luxurious wake up with massages and spa-quality care. The moment Avina went down for breakfast, she was surrounded by her family asking about her injury. After a night of good rest, Avina felt it was much better. There was only a dull ache, and she could deal with it perfectly fine limping.

After calming her family and enjoying a hearty breakfast, Avina decided to commence her plan, "May I visit the other lady who fell down the stairs with me?"

"But why?" Father couldn't help but be curious. Is there a reason for Ariel to see her? They don't know each other, do they?

"Just to check up on her. See if she had any injuries," and if she was a mean butt!

Although Father felt worried about Ariel's injury, he couldn't help but grant her every wish. He sent a servant to ready a carriage for her and saw her off to the Mary Estate, the current home to Jane Mary.

'Check what George and Jane are doing. Also, check any rumors or info on Mary Estate,' Avina came to see Jane with a purpose, but she had to be careful of her every move. It appears the database would not be of much use to the body's situation, but anything relating to the world around it, it is more than just useful.

'George is in the palace doing paperwork,' 5025 paused for a moment looking through the database, 'And Jane is out in the garden. The only rumor is the adoption and how great their roses are." That part left 5025 a little puzzled.

Is there really a difference between Mary Roses and other roses?

Around this time after the Moon Ball, George first met and helped Jane at the Town Square. In order to complete the mission, to leave George with a good impression of Ariel, she had to meet George there. But the story never revealed the exact date, just a vague time. Thus, she had to go out with Jane and "coincidentally" meet George.

When Avina arrived at the Mary Estate, she glanced at her surroundings. Compared to the Devera Estate, it was lower by a level, but it was still well off. There were guards patrolling the area and merchants walking in from the back. Every bush and tree were tended for and was pruned to perfection. It showed how meticulous the master of the estate was in keeping with their image.

A maid from the estate came to greet her, but couldn't help stare at Ariel a couple of times. After all, Ariel arrived without prior notice. (Though Avina would think to differ it was because of her beauty~) Regardless, Ariel was a guest and she continued leading her to the lounge.

"Please wait here and enjoy the refreshment. Master will be here shortly," the maid left as soon as Ariel situated herself in the lounge. In a span of one teacup drank, Earl John arrived.

Earl Mary did not like to be addressed as such, deeming such a feminine name was unfit for him. He preferred to be called by his first name, John.

"How may I be of help to Lady Devera this fine morning?" Earl John sat across Ariel sipping on his tea. His leg crossed over his other displaying fine confidence and pride.

Ariel, too, displayed her refined manners and straightened her back. She greeted him with a faint smile before saying what her purpose was for today, "Your daughter and I happened to see each other yesterday, and I noticed her to be kind and considerate. I want to be her friend."

Any other noble would not refuse such a request. In the end, it would be them profiting off of the Duke's reputation. But Earl John paused for a moment before deeply meeting her gaze. He tried to look for answers in her smiling eyes but failed to.

He placed down his teacup and held his hands together, "I'm afraid that Jane is under the weather."

Oh no, you don't! I'm meeting Jane today whether you like it or not!

Ariel's face showed a little sympathy before sending her condolences and shifted the topic, "Then can I see your garden. I've heard the Mary Roses are famed."

His expression loosened a little, probably believing that the Devera lady's other purpose was to see their famed roses. His personal vanity shadowed his judgment for a moment. "Of course. Let me have a maid take you there."

A maid outside the door guided Ariel to the garden. Avina was having 5025 monitor Earl John and Jane at the same time. She could not let Earl John realize that she was meeting with Jane. It did not matter if he discovered it later, but not now.

As they continued walking, Avina slowly began to notice the faint scent of roses.

Personally, she never knew how the smell of roses pleased others. To her, it all smelled like weird water. She didn't have a better way to explain it, but it was never pleasant to her.

But these roses, they were different. It had a sweet smell to them with a faint whiff of spring, whatever that smelled like. Instead of smelling like weird water, it smelled a little refreshing.

The closer they got, the more she realized how enchanting the scent was. Soon, she discovered a vast sea of red. Hedges of roses appeared one after another, creating a dense array of red. Each rose was a vibrant red with flicks of water on its petals. The water shimmered in the sun appearing like diamonds upon layers of red velvet.

The maid wanted to continue guiding her through the garden, but Avina declined. How else was she going to meet Jane uninterrupted if there was a maid following her?

5025 navigated her through the sea of roses before stopping her at a big tree. Its branches and leaves cast a huge shadow on the grass. Underneath the tree, there laid a young girl with her hair softly floating with the wind. Her eyes were closed appearing to be in slumber as her hands laid peacefully atop a book.

Ariel stood a few steps away letting the breeze pick up her dress and hair. Her platinum blonde contrasted the waves of red behind her. Her figure appeared to momentary float as her dress danced with the wind. She gazed softly at Jane, not wanting to disturb the peace, but at the same time wanting to wake up the sleeping girl.

This was the heroine, a small rosebud that would bloom into a Mary Rose - confident and poised.

'Princess Tip #1: If you ever need to wake someone, wake them up with a smile. No more grump.'