XIV ※ Survival of the Fittest: How to Outwit a Maniacal Family and Make Them Regret Underestimating You

If Daisuke truly believes he can manipulate me, he doesn't know me at all. The idea is almost laughable, but the reality of it is far from amusing. He's playing a game he thinks he's already won, assuming his every move will keep me caged in fear or desperation. But that's where he's wrong. I won't let him see me falter. Instead, I'll unbalance him in his own twisted game. I'll make him regret thinking I was an easy pawn. It's not just about survival—it's about proving I'm more than he can handle, a force he should have never underestimated. Let him thrive on chaos and control; I'll make sure his every calculated step backfires spectacularly. It's only fair.

Before I could delve too deep into my plans to outmaneuver him, Aeneas's presence pulled me back to reality. He stepped closer, his sharp, calculating eyes locking onto mine. The sudden proximity caught me off guard, and my instincts flared, warning me to tread carefully. "What do you want from me?" I snapped, my voice cold and cutting, though I couldn't entirely hide the wariness that crept into my tone. With Aeneas, caution was always necessary.

Unbothered by my hostility, he squared his shoulders, exuding that arrogant D'Arcy demeanor that seemed to come so naturally to him. "I don't need to tell you this, but I will anyway," he began, his tone clipped yet deliberate. "Because while I may hate you—and believe me, I do—you still carry the D'Arcy name. And that, whether you like it or not, means something."

I frowned, his words dripping with condescension but laced with an undertone of urgency I couldn't ignore. "What are you talking about? Be straightforward, Aeneas," I demanded, my patience already wearing thin.

He rolled his eyes dramatically, a gesture that made me want to slap him. "Fine," he sighed. "You need to find a way to throw the Crown Prince off his feet. He's planning to mess with you—psychologically, of course. And as much as I wouldn't mind watching him break you, if you embarrass yourself, it'll taint our family's reputation." His words were casual, as though he were discussing the weather, but the weight of their implication wasn't lost on me.

Ah, now it makes sense. "So this is about the family name," I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms. "And you have a plan, dear brother? Enlighten me."

"I do," he replied, barely restraining his smirk. "They're all probably expecting you to purposely fail. Miserably, at that. They think you'll crack under the pressure or make a fool of yourself just to spite them. But what if you didn't? What if you outperformed every single candidate and became the greatest contender of them all? Think about it: if you excel where they expect you to fail, it'll not only humiliate them but give you the power to turn him down when it's all over. That's how you get your revenge for his humiliations—by being untouchable."

As much as I hated to admit it, his suggestion had merit. The idea of outshining everyone, of being the very thing Daisuke least expects, sent a jolt of satisfaction through me. He'd be livid—utterly unhinged—if I, out of all his candidates, was the best. "I don't like you either, brother," I said quietly, though the corner of my mouth twitched in reluctant acknowledgment. "But thank you for this. I'll think about your idea."

He smirked, clearly pleased with himself, and leaned back as if his job here was done. Typical Aeneas. Still, I couldn't deny the seed of determination he'd planted in my mind.

The conversation lingered in my thoughts as we boarded the carriage, heading toward the Soleil Keeper. The air inside the carriage was heavy, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on me. Anxiety churned in my stomach, making me feel sick. I knew nothing good would come from this ordeal; it was a trap, plain and simple. But that didn't mean I'd walk into it unprepared.

To make the ride even more unbearable, Rai's insufferable best friend, Elodie Aoife Branwen, decided to join us. The so-called "white crow" was always lingering around, like some unofficial member of the D'Arcy family. Her family's wealth and status gave her a permanent invitation to our lives, but I found her presence grating. She was too perfect, too polished, too untouchable—except when she was around me.

Elodie smelled like fear. It clung to her like perfume, sour and sharp. She sat beside me, her every movement betraying her discomfort. I could hear her foot tapping anxiously against the floor of the carriage, a constant, irritating rhythm that set my teeth on edge.

"Could you stop your damn foot, Branwen girl?" I hissed, turning my head toward her. She startled, her wide, fearful eyes meeting mine for a split second before she looked away. Her breathing quickened, loud and uneven, as though she thought I might lash out at her.

"If you don't," I added, my voice low and laced with menace, "I'll take this blindfold off and look at you."

Her foot stopped instantly. The silence that followed was deafening, save for her ragged breathing. I smirked to myself, pleased by her reaction. Of all the people in the Kingdom, Elodie was the only one genuinely afraid of me. It was pathetic, really, but I couldn't deny the satisfaction it brought me.

"Stop scaring her, Nsomi!" Rai snapped, his voice cutting through the tension.

"I'm not scaring her," I retorted, shooting him a glare.

"The girl is shivering, dumbass," Aeneas chimed in from across the carriage. He leaned forward, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. "If that's not fear, I don't know what is."

"You wouldn't know because you're stupid," I snapped back. "Why would she be scared of me?" Turning back toward Elodie, I let my smirk widen. "Are you scared of me, Branwen girl?"

"I... I... I..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Oh, she is.

A laugh escaped me, sharp and mocking, but before I could savor the moment, one of my brothers lunged forward. His hand closed around my throat, shoving me against the wall of the carriage with enough force to make the wood creak.

The impact didn't faze me. Knowing exactly when I'm going to die has a way of dulling the edge of fear, even in moments like this. I stared up at him, unflinching, my smirk still intact. Let him think he had the upper hand. Let them all think they did.

This was going to be a long ride.