E

What did he mean she wouldn't refuse! He meant 'couldn't', that conniving little Prince! How could she ever turn down the Crown Prince in front of the whole royal court. Even the King and Queen had turned to look at her with slight curious gazes.

Did all the girls just look at her with daggers in their eyes? Was she dreaming it?

Scarlet wanted to explode right then and there. She had hoped to remain as unscathed as she could in this world and to proceed with her mission as quietly as she could, but no, little Crown Prince had to pick up some scent of it (which he was wrong about it, anyway) and ruin her plans for her by pushing her right into the limelight for what, thinking that she's seducing Sam with her wiles?

Which you are supposed to, the system chimed. Yes, but it was all for the greater good, heavens! Even the system was jiving to the Crown Prince's move. She was beginning to wonder whose side the system is on! Hers or the Crown Prince?

Crown Prince, he's cute, the system chimed again and Scarlet stared angrily at her cup. She placed it down before breaking into a tight smile for Vance.

"Sure, it would be my greatest pleasure," she enunciated her words crisply and Vance froze momentarily before shaking his head.

With that, Scarlet was placed right at the musical instruments room. Her eyes stoically went through each instrument as Vance stood at the door watching her like a hawk.

A string instrument, now, she can't play strings for sure. Her fingers were only meant for food. Something that requires her blowing her lungs out. Nah, she couldn't last a single chord.

"Are you done selecting? It's almost half a candle's worth of time," Vance folded his arms and reminded her for the umpteenth time.

"Are you always this naggy?" Scarlet asked, then realised that she had readily responded to Vance like she would to the system.

Apparently, Vance was unfazed by her blatant lack of disrespect, "Only for the immoral and wanton ones like you," Vance replied, narrowing his eyes at her. She was beginning to think Vance saw himself as a jade, untouched and high above all. He should be called the Jade maiden, not her.

Scarlet sighed and stepped out.

"Your're...done?" Vance arched his brows quizzically before shrugging and folding his arms stoically. Jade maiden stance had returned.

"You wanted a performance, yes? My little Crown Prince," Scarlet turned to look at Vance against the glint of the moonlight against the darkened night, "Then, a performance is what you'll get," Scarlet patted his head before walking back to the banquet hall.

She didn't turn to see that Vance had momentarily froze in his stride. His eyes lingered on her hands. Scarlet also didn't know that no one could ever come close to him as he despised and hated any close proximity with everyone and anyone. He had always enjoyed the space and the unspoken rule that no one could ever draw close to him. His rules and principles were items that governed him.

He blinked, frowned and grimaced/smiled ever so slightly before time resumed.