PERSONAL

Chapter 7: End of Term Banquet

Angelica's POV

"Shall we?" Julius asked with a plastic smile as he dutifully offered his arm.

We were currently in the center of the ballroom during the end-of-term banquet. It was an additional obligation that I loathed, especially with my memories. While not the one that ended my dreams, I remembered how each successive event broke my heart. What was meant to be a festive event was forever marred by Julius snubbing me bi-yearly. I vividly remembered myself withering and how the pain in my chest grew as the prince grew more distant and hateful. I had to watch the love of my life fawn over another. The cruel boy stamped on my feelings until I could bear it no longer.

Now that I was back, I was not met with disdain. Even stranger that he deigned me with his presence at all. Previously, he neglected his duties and refused to do the opening dance with me. The only reason I could come up with this was my reluctance to interact with Julius this time. Was my desire to be with him truly so grating for him? It's funny, this was the most pleasant he was, and all it took was for me to be a stranger. I suppose this was the best my past self could have ever hoped for. I would have been heartbroken to know this before, but now I feel nothing.

But I digress. I was here now and had a duty to perform.

Withholding a sigh, I accepted his arm and began the opening dance. We danced in silence, and I let my training take over. We were going through the motions with the poise expected for our station. To the casual observer, it would appear to be a flawless execution. But that was all there was to it, a hollow performance with no emotion. It was a perfect representation of our engagement.

As we swung around to the other side of the room, I noticed Leon surrounded by women. It was both funny and irritating. At least the honor student was nowhere near him. Small mercies, I suppose.

"Is something the matter, Angelica?"

How odd it was for the prince to initiate a conversation.

"Whatever makes you think that there is something wrong?"

"Your emotions are showing. It must be vexing if you are willing to frown in public."

"It's nothing. Just something unpleasant came into my view."

As we twirled, he saw a glimpse of the scene. His smile twitched in agitation.

"Bartfort. I should have guessed."

There was the subtle edge I was used to, and I was reminded that I was in the arms of a dangerous man. Though for once, his ire was not directed toward me.

"I'm surprised that the mere sight of him has got you so riled up. You're usually unflappable," I said with a clear opening for him to elaborate his thoughts.

"How can I not be?"

How droll, responding without responding.

"I would have thought the sight of him being courted to be a relief for you. After all, if he is taken, he's much less likely to interfere with your love life."

The prince quirked his eyes. Somehow that gesture was baffling to me.

"What's with that look?"

"You just seemed so opposed to those women flocking towards Bartfort, yet you speak as though you have no stake."

"Ah, I think I see where the confusion lies. Leon would find the whole ordeal tiresome as he knows better than to take up any of these women, and while he could stand to be taken down a peg or two, it is irksome to see my friend be abused in such a manner. I merely want him to find a suitable partner."

"I must confess, I am confused. Would his having groups of women coveting him not increase the odds of him finding someone... acceptable?"

"Take another look beyond the extravagant dresses, Julius. Do those girls look acceptable to you?"

Without a second glance, I already knew how those girls were acting. They were on my list of undesirables and (as an unintended consequence of my desire to help the barons) on the boys' list of untouchables for them. The girls only flocked to him due to his recent promotion and the lack of boys degrading themselves for their attention. Despite Leon being the object of their desires, they demanded that he court them. It would bother him, and thus, it irked me.

Looking at Julius's face, I saw him wince. The girls must have been particularly obnoxious with their backward attempts to lure in Leon.

"And now you see why I find the whole affair unpleasant."

"Is there not at least one lady who might be worth matching him with?"

How sly. He wanted to know if someone could secure Leon before he could steal the commoner away from Julius, and he was asking the one person who knew Leon best. If it were not for Julius stiffening in my arms, I wouldn't have noticed the change in his demeanor. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let him in on some information. It might even convince him to help rather than be a thorn.

"Not amongst the first years."

He immediately relaxed.

"Atlee?"

"It only seems natural. Leon came to her rescue."

"I feel that rescue may be too strong of a word, Angelica. While I admit that Jilk was unnecessarily cruel, it was done with the best intentions. Jilk even took it upon himself to step down as heir to protect Atlee from the fallout once he realized what Atlee was going through."

"Pretty words from a coward. Oh, how difficult it must be for Jilk to ignore a woman to frolic with his paramour. Let's dismiss how it must have felt for Clarice to be rebuffed at every turn for no reason other than that she was unworthy. It may not have seemed much to you, but Clarice was about to ruin herself and her family because of Jilk. Leon, a total stranger, took it upon himself to step up for her. He prevented her from giving her body away and shaming herself and her family. Your friend nearly ruined her, and he only made amends because Leon dared to confront you and your friends about the issue. Had he never done so, I see Jilk not attempting to settle the matter," I said coldly.

Julius grimaced and opened his mouth to respond, but his voice fell short as he could not muster up the will to defend his friend.

"Though I suppose he may have tried to do one last favor for Clarice in the end."

Even if I knew that his actions were more to 'hinder' Leon.

"Jilk did something else?"

"He was one of the prominent members to push for Leon's promotion to Viscount, was he not?"

"How did... I suppose it was obvious. He did, but I do not see how this would be a boon for Atlee," Julius said while stiffening again.

"Remind me again, what was Jilk's rank before stepping down as heir?"

A look of realization quickly came across his face.

"That would explain his insistence despite how it would raise unwanted questions. I had thought it odd how his actions seemed to oppose his desires to protect Atlee's dignity."

"There were other reasons, but the results are what matters. Leon, who has proven his desire to ensure Clarice's happiness, now has all the qualifications to replace Jilk. It must be a 'terribly' romantic novel."

The prince chuckled and said, "Ah, yes. I recall reading a novel with a similar plot at one point, and you finding the line I used to be lacking."

"Ah, yes. I can't for the life of me understand your insistence on quoting subpar literature every time we meet."

"And yet it is a legitimate form of art enjoyed by many women over. Although, Mother told me you once enjoyed the novel she gave you. What changed?"

Your cheating on me broke the illusion. I always dreamt of you sweeping me off my feet and riding into the sunset to our happily ever after. When you spoke to me with such venom, I realized I was the villainess of the story despite only acting as I should. It was also when I realized how cruel our role was. In my mourning, I imagined not having fallen from grace. I realized that the part of the heroine was no better. I had done everything expected of me. I was kind to my followers and merciful to the Saintess until the prince threw me away. I did everything a proper heroine should have done.

Then I saw how little agency heroines have, waiting for a dashing knight or prince to save them.

But what if there was no dashing man to save them? What if they sided with the villainess instead? How were the roles any different at that point? Heroine or villainess. It was all the same. We were women with no agency in the end.

Having been put in that very situation, I refused to allow myself to be at the mercy of someone else.

"When I realized how pitiable the young women were," I said blandly as the first dance ended.

As we drew apart, Julius gave a confused look but did not deign to continue the conversation now that we had finished our duties.

I decided to bid him farewell as I had better things to do.

"Well then, Julius. I must be off. I hope you enjoy the rest of the banquet," I said with a curtsy.

"You do not wish to stay?"

"Not for pleasure, I'm afraid."

"That's a shame. Might I ask what it is you will be doing?"

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask," I said before simply walking away to capture my target.

Fortunately for me, she was easy to spot in the crowd surrounding Leon.

"Hello, Carla. How has the evening been treating you?"

.....

Side Story:

I managed to leave the banquet early by feigning illness. Though, it was not much of a stretch. The girls here were unfathomably spoilt.

I thought that Angie was coming to my rescue when I saw her approaching, only for her to whisk away one of the girls. She even discretely stuck her tongue at me.

I could only let out a sigh. This new title was proving more troublesome already. At least the school decided to upgrade my room.

"Leon? Why are you not at the party?" a voice called out.

Standing by the fountain, Livia daintily stood in a dress. It was a captivating sight as the moon gave her an ethereal glow.

"I could ask you the same. You are even dressed up for the occasion."

"Marie insisted that I wear the dress," she mumbled with a blush.

Well, would you look at that? Marie was helping. Livia was sure to find a lover with Marie and my help.

"She has good taste. It looks good on you. I'm sure you'll draw the eyes of many of the boys here."

"Does it? I don't feel like this is something I can wear."

"Hey, ignore the other girls. Most of them aren't worth the time of day. I would know. I'm currently running from them," I said cheekily.

"Oh dear," she said with concern.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just I don't feel comfortable without you there."

"Why would... Oh right. But you are friends with Marie. Wouldn't she and her friends look after you?"

"I wouldn't wish to intrude on them," she said with a vibrant blush.

Dammit, Marie. I'm taking back my compliment. Your harem route was inconveniencing me.

"If you want, I could go back with you," I reluctantly said.

"I couldn't possibly burden you. Besides, I don't know how to dance."

Not being able to dance would throw a wrench in our plans. While most guys would be interested in looks alone, not knowing how to dance would bar her from raising some flags.

"Well, that won't do. Would you like me to teach you?"

AN:

1) It's been a while. I finally got a small break from my Ph.D.

2) I agree with the review saying that I've been focusing too much on Leon. Unfortunately, I feel it was necessary because I'm trying to establish multiple parallel plots. This probably won't be the last time I drift away from Angelica as the focus. I'm thinking of having the story mainly be from her POV, but have a couple of chapters dedicated to other characters when they are introduced. I'll also periodically add side stories for smaller events to keep the other plots moving. That way, the audience will have a broad idea of the characters' goals and can try to guess what they are trying to do.

3) I wanted it to mainly focus on the current relationship between Angelica and Julius, given how much he affected her. I also wanted to introduce the idea that Angelica will take a more proactive approach. A reasonable response since sitting back ruined her family.

4) Side story progresses the little gremlin's plot.