Realization

She had a truly realistic dream. It was odd, yet she couldn't entirely place where the format for such a nightmare came from.

Rosalia woke feverish, but thankfully Angie had a different doctor check on her. An older woman with a more professional atmosphere surrounding her. The quack was nowhere in sight, but as the fever finally broke, Rosalia realized she had a new guest.

A woman, with waist length light pink hair and soft golden eyes.

She had the appearance of a heroine in a fantasy drama. Her clothing was like silk against her skin, tight yet watery.

She held a noble air, yet no where near as imposing as her...

Rosalia remembered, the soft hands which held her and taught her about the language of flowers.

This was her mother, the woman looking upon her worriedly was the same which caressed her hair when she felt nervous or scared.

Those soft eyes seemed tense, as if she was waiting for some sort of disappointment.

"Mom..." She felt

LI have now turned six years old! I am growing strong and healthy.

My family is now aware of Ricin, who was indifferent to the urgent uproar. Apparently it is that rare to contract a fairy. Especially a unique one like Ricin... I remember the heroine being extremely special as well for contracting a light fairy, or an elemental fairy. I asked Ricin about light fairies but he waved it off saying their power was minimal compared to him. He looked a little angry when I asked too. I remember him scolding me.

"I'm enough to protect you! You don't need some snobby light fairy up your ass" he growled. Ricin has three forms, his child form, his adult form (which he won't show me), and his cat form! Yes! He turns into an adorable white kitten. He was currently in that form, his hair on end to showcase his annoyance.

I calmed him down by petting him and cooing, "you're right... you're the coolest. No one can beat your poison or knowledge. You are more than enough for me" which thankfully calmed him down. For someone so indifferent, he can have quiet the temper!

My father is waiting to inform the royal family until after I have officialized my engagement. The blessing of a fairy is a big deal, and I have to meet the king, receive some special guard, etc...

Oh yes, I have also been informed of my engagement to the Crown Prince, Ceil Von Jaeger De Frare. A mouthful of a name!

He is coming to visit me today, to officialize the engagement between our families, and meet me. That is why I am currently being forced into heels.

"Angie. These will be the death of me! Remove these horrid contraptions!" I tried to command her, but today she was not listening. She was in perfect maid mode! She even tried to put makeup on me. My face looks like a painting without a single flaw, no exaggeration. Why would I need makeup? My inner soul, which is likely older than my own parents, screamed at the injustice of this child's complexion.

I denied all gaudy dresses, and opted for a simple cream and light pink dress that accentuated my innocence. I did not need to be labeled a villain on my first meeting. First impressions are important, and I am more than aware that my oddball behavior could backfire.

In the game, Ceil was a perfect prince on the outside, and a sadistic black bellied man on the inside. He burns me at the stake in one of the bad end routes... literally. Another end I am forced to drink poison... Which is not that bad. Ironically, his executions weren't the worst out of the capture targets.

His trauma? It was boredom! He felt like a block of ice going through the motions of a prince without finding anything to bring him joy, because everything he did, he was perfect at...

What a shame... poor him....

Then the lovely heroine comes along and... makes him laugh? I can't entirely remember anymore. She just does whatever a heroine does, and of course he dances in the palm of her hand. Much like all the other capture targets.

Then he cancels our engagement due to my wicked bullying towards the heroine, a commoner with the blessing of a light fairy, and either exiled, burned at the stake, or forced to drink poison. Those are all the options for me in his route. wonderful...

"Ojou-sama, his Highness is here" Angie informed me. I gave a soft smile, and she warmly smiled back. Not knowing my inner turmoil.

"Hey~ If ya don't wanna meet the shitty prince, we could ditch and go play in the lake~" Ricin, you bastard. Of course I want to go play!

"Sadly, I may not have a home to go back to, if I disgrace my family in such a manner" I sighed. The lake sounds nice... this dress, while supposedly light and simple, was still heavy and warm under all the layers. And these damn heels... I nearly clicked my tongue.

If I could handle corporate gatherings while walking around like a newborn fawn in six inch heels... I could do this.

I took a deep breath before following Angie out of my room to descend the once again, and not for the last time, unnecessarily long stair case. Rich people. Not like I haven't capitalized on it though.

I spotted my parents and our head butler Charles, a man in his late fifties and extremely capable, standing beside an extremely well dressed young noble boy. The prince, speak of the devil and he shall appear.

He was gorgeous of course, blindingly beautiful for a seven year old child. Fluffy and nearly sparkling gold hair, sharp sapphire eyes, and a seemingly permanent fixed smile. He wore a white suit, decorated in silver and gold... maybe I'm underdressed?

Mother and father both smiled warmly at me, so I suppose I'm alright in that regard.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I elegantly moved into a deep curtsy, "Your Highness it is a pleasure to have you in our honored home, my name is Rosalia De Vermillion, I am pleased to meet you" I said with perfect manners!

I could feel Ricin holding back his unnecessary laughter, he currently looked like a normal cat. I suppose it would be strange of me, who acts like the complete opposite of a well bred noble lady in private, to show such elegance. Acting dear Ricin!

The prince's face didn't even blink, as he bowed.

"Rosalia De Vermillion, I am Ceil Von Jaeger De Frare, it is my honor to meet you, and my honor to ask for your acceptance of our engagement" his words were soft, befitting of a child, but also mild and skillful. Damn, he's good... my opponent is not an easy one. I also noted the engagment acceptance... I certainly did not accept little prince.

I smiled softly, "Of course your Highness, I am honored and delighted to accept this proposal" I prayed my smile reached my eyes and I tried to think of cute things so I didn't mess up... yes... cute. Angie.... bunnies... Ricin... kittens....

I think it's working. Everyone looks pleased.

"Well, why don't you serve his Highness some tea while you get to know one another" my mother spoke now, gracefully leading the conversation.

I nodded, still smiling.

"Yes mother, your Highness, would you care for some tea? I have created a lovely strain Chamomile tea that is quiet soothing" I said carefully. Hopefully he wouldn't think I'm trying to poison him or anything.

Once more, this bastard didn't even flinch. New tea doesn't scare you?

My mother's smile twitched.

"Yes Lady Rosalia, I'd be delighted" he said.

Charles, as always, capably leads the way to the parlor. We sat comfortably across from one another as a maid pours the tea.

The inside of the parlor room was neatly decorated in cream furnishings, with large floor to ceiling length windows that allowed a view into the perfectly kept garden.

Odd... I've never seen this maid before. She's young, likely only a little older than Angie which is unusual to have when the crown prince is visiting. Normally an older maid would assist...

I studied her movements for a moment but she never hesitated. The only oddity I could find with her besides her age was the tea set. The one she was using wasn't the usual silver lined tea pot...

"So Lady Rosalia, what are your hobbies?" The prince spoke! I only just realized I had spaced out on the maid...

How unsightly of me...

"I am interested in medicine and herbs your Highness, may I inquire into your hobbies?" I asked back, slightly upset at my etiquette due to the change in staff. Why was I being paranoid?

The prince went to grab his tea... his movement were undeniably perfect and graceful. Damn him.

I followed suit, excited to smell chamomile when another scent hit me. Oh?

"One moment your highness, please place your tea back down." I asked as politely but as forcefully as I could.

I then took a sip. Arsenic~ My throat and blood were burning.

I then glanced at the maid. While her faced seemed stoic, her eyes were shifty. She looked nervous. I then looked directly at her while doing something entirely unladylike. I downed the entire cup at once.

She looked horrified. I could also feel the interested eyes of the prince on me as well.

I set the tea cup down gently, never breaking eye contact with the maid.

"Arsenic and chamomile aren't a very good combination dear servant whom I've never seen in the mansion until today. May I inquire your origins?" My voice was deathly cold. Of course, my throat was burning! My stomach was being hit with waves of nausea... I want to enjoy the rest of that pot later.

She immediately tried to rush to the door but our lovely and capable knights grabbed her.

"What the hell are you?! That pot was FULL of poison and you just drink it?! Are you crazy?! How the hell are you alive?!!!" Her wails were harsh on the ears weren't they?

"Like I said, arsenic and chamomile aren't a good combination. I recommend black tea and arsenic, they fuse together quiet well" I commented calmly as I watched her get dragged away. New maids rushed in, deeply apologizing, and taking away the tea set. I didn't want think about what would happen to the woman that dared to try such a stunt at the Vermillion house...

I turned towards his Highness. "Please forgive me and my family for such a disgrace, I should have realized and said something far sooner once I realized I didn't recognize that maid, I hope our blunder has not offended you" I said honestly, I'd be ticked off if I was in his shoes... well not with the poison.

I raised my head after bowing to apologize to peak at his Highness. His head was down? Oh god no... he's shaking in anger!? This feels nostalgic.

"Y-your Highness...?" My voice was weak and I broke my mask a little, worried now. "P-please don't be frightened, I swear t-this isn't a normal occurrence at our residence" I tried to reassure him, I did not need to get charged with offending the royal family and executed so young. I want a family!

Finally he lifted his head.

His usual smile was back in place, as if nothing had even happened. Did I hallucinate? No. He certainly seemed angry and upset...

"Lady Rosalia... are you alright?" He asked slowly, as if testing me.

"Of course, are you alright your Highness? You didn't drink any did you? I have an antidote to arsenic in my study but it needs to be administered quickly after ingestion" I said worriedly. I didn't NOT need him to die and my entire family to be blamed.

"That is not what I am referring to Lady Rosalia... I am referring to you who drank an entire cup of poisoned tea meant to kill." He said calmly. That does make sense, he doesn't know about my hobby of course.

"I am a fan of poison your Highness, it goes along with my hobby... I am immune to most poisons" I stated, trying to explain the oddity of surviving that.

"I have a slight... interest in trying them, of course to build immunity!" I tried to follow up. I feel like that didn't help though...

Oh, his lip twitched?

"I see... you are certainly a unique lady my dear fiancé" he said smoothly. "Please do be cautious with such a hobby though, I would dislike my fiancé to die due to her interests"

...

Well, technically I have died due to my interest. Not that I needed to inform him.

"Of course your Highness" I said softly, it was cute of him to worry though. Though the phrasing itself was not cute. He certainly was too perfect for a seven year old...

"Please call me Ceil, we are fiancés now, and if I may, might I call you Rosalia?" He inquired. His smiled changed, drastically. A dazzling smile erupted onto his facial features, I could almost see the floral background of the otome game...

"O-of course your highne- Ceil-sama... p-please just called me Rose" I cursed myself for stuttering but his smile was certainly too powerful for any seven year old! His eyes were like the depth of the ocean, sucking me in. I could feel my face heating up.

"Well Rose, sadly I must leave, but I will visit once again soon" he said, returning to his usual and less heart throbbing smile. I'm saved...

I escorted Ceil out, thankful to be done for the day.

Almost done for the day.

I returned to the kitchen where they were testing the teapot and the poisoned tea.

Once they were distracted I swiftly poured myself another cup of the poisoned tea before slipping away, Ricin laughing all the while.

I think today went well! At least the prince and I seem to get along well enough~