1.6

(This chapter is going to be double the length of a normal chapter due to some filler-fluff between side characters in the first half and some spicy drama in the second half. Consider it a special for 1000+ readers. Thank you all for your support!)

"Lady Marzinal!" The woman awkwardly stutters, dipping into an exaggerated curtsy. "What're you doin' in this part o' town?"

Liliana gives a wide grin to the older woman.

"Thank you for having me come your home, Mrs. Florentine," Liliana greets. "You don't have to hold any formalities with me whatsoever, as I am a guest here."

"B-But you employ my daughter!" She stutters, gesturing to Amelia as her daughter removes Liliana's winter cloak.

"She's on a break," Liliana waves off.

"The more you insist on a certain thing, the more My Lady will disregard it," Amelia adds on while laughing lightly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "Besides, I invited My Lady to come after she had nagged me constantly about it."

Mrs. Florentine gapes at Amelia and begins to scold her for saying the Marzinal heiress was a 'nagger,' but Liliana merely laughed. Amelia was quite headstrong and Liliana felt guilty for suppressing any of her sentiments, even if Amelia was only a servant. For example, when Liliana had tried to convince Amelia to not use 'My Lady' anymore, Amelia refused to and said it was the "only appropriate thing left" that she had.

Now that the two are side by side, I can see where Amelia had gained her anxious, yet formal, nature from.

"Anywho, I thank you for allowing me into your abode." Liliana turns to the elder woman and presents her a basket of oranges. Her grey eyes widen in surprise, "I-I don't know if I can accept!"

"Please do," Liliana nods lightly. "Consider it a gift from my family to yours for Amelia's service."

Mrs. Florentine exchanged glances with her daughter before tentatively taking it. "T-Thank you! Do you, er, wish fer a cup of tea?"

"That'd be lovely."

"Alright! Then follow me," she beams, walking towards her kitchen dining room. "I'm sorry it's not as large as yer manor-"

"Don't be, it's quite lovely..." Liliana inhales lightly. She could smell the warm scent of fresh firewood from the hearth mixed with faint traces of lavender from the window sill's decorations. "It feels more like a home than the cold confines of the marble manor..." she murmurs to herself.

"Don't be silly," Mrs. Florentine snorts, finally adjusting to the lady's presence as she turns around and begins to boil the water. "Most of the lot out 'ere would kill a man to live in your manor, or even visit it."

"You should stop by for tea next time, then," Liliana calmly suggests, causing Mrs. Florentine to choke.

Amelia looks at me with arched brows. "Would the Lady of the House permit it?" Amelia asks in hushed whispers as Liliana shrugs. "She's always off at events with other high ladies and is never home during this season. My father is always at the Court.  After that, the two will travel for months until summer's end. Who will know the difference between a rich and a poor woman if they were to hear I had another lady arrive at my house?"

Amelia's face turns red but Liliana ignores it, looking over at the elderly woman as she brings over the hot kettle of water. Mrs. Florentine poured the water into mismatched cups, giving Liliana the least chipped one, then handed small packets of tea in thin bags to soak.

"What tea is this?" Liliana asks and Mrs. Florentine's face glows with pride. "Lavender tea, with chamomile blossoms and spearmint leaves. Made the mix myself," she humbly brags and Liliana takes a sip. The refreshing taste, although still extremely hot, was amazing.

"It's wonderful," Liliana smiles at her softly. "Where do you import the spices from?"

"For the most part, I grow the whole lot meself. During the summer, I have a 'ole garden, out in the back," she gestures out the window of the kitchen. Liliana turns her gaze to it and peers out into the snow-covered backyard. A dinky wooden fence outlined the backyard, just enough to keep invading buggers out. "During the winter months, I'll 'ave stocked up enough to continue selling the loose blend, and for my more popular blends, I 'ave plenty o' livestock plants taking up Katherine's and Amelia's old room."

"Katherine?" Liliana asks and Mrs. Florentine nods. "Of course! My youngest daughter..." she gives Amelia a look while Amelia conspicuously drinks her tea. "Amelia, did you not mention your sister?"

"It never came up."

"Well, I might as well explain," the woman chuckles. "Katherine is ten and nine this year, working in another village far closer to the capitol as she studies the way of being a healer. My knowledge of plants helped out plenty with m'girl."

I see Katherine is about my age...

Liliana knew that Amelia is two years her elder and applied for the job as a maid-servant when the original body was fourteen; yet, nowhere in the past memories of this body was the mention of Amelia having a sister. Yet, the two weren't even close in the past iteration...

"She sounds like a lovely girl," Liliana smiles again, sipping on her tea. Mrs. Florentine nods eagerly. "I'm proud of her, I truly am. She wrote to me a few weeks back, telling me how she was even invited to a royal ball!"

Liliana chokes on her tea and coughs into her sleeve as Mrs. Florentine's eyes filled with worry. Amelia quickly jumps up to pat her master's back. "Are you alright, dearie?" Mrs. Florentine croons.

"Perfectly normal," Liliana coughs out and turns to Amelia. Amelia hesitantly sits back down, still looking warily on. "Sorry, it just hit the back of my throat, sometimes it happens."

Mrs. Florentine's eyes change back to happiness. "Ah, it truly does...what were we talking about again?"

"Katherine," Amelia starts, trailing off with a faint look of annoyance in her eyes. "She was at the ball..."

"Oh! Yes!" Mrs. Florentine nods, grey wisps of hair falling from her bun. "She wrote of a Prince inviting her, mentioning of how they danced before."

"That's romantically lovely," Liliana dreamily sighs and forces a look of content on her face. "Did she mention who it was?"

"No, she didn't, she wishes to keep his privacy in case the letters were intercepted," Mrs. Florentine laughs, eyes growing wary in only a way only a momma-bear can hold. "Why?"

"Because I was at the ball! Maybe I even saw her dancing," Liliana informs with a faint smile barely noticeable over the edge of the cup. "I can probably tell you which Prince she was dancing with if you told me what she dressed like."

"Of course!" Mrs. Florentine's eyes shimmer. "Katherine was given a dress to borrow by the healer. It was a light blue dress embroidered with dark blue flowers at the hem. She wore 'er black dress shoes under the skirts and 'er family locket 'round 'er neck."

"Does she have blonde hair?" Liliana asks and Amelia nods as she tentatively touches her own rusty brown hair.

"Curly as a snake nest," Amelia hisses in disdain.

"Amelia!" Mrs. Florentine hisses at her daughter which causes Liliana to laugh.

Liliana actually happened to remember the girl and how she danced with the Prince. Yet, the Prince's eyes never left Liliana's figure...

"I did see her, actually!" Liliana forces a wide smile onto her face as she leans forward, quickly unclenching tightened teeth. "She was dancing with the Fourth Prince."

Mrs. Florentine leans back in excitement, clapping her hands together. "Oh my! Imagine the night she had! She must've been like a real Princess!" Mrs. Florentine oohs as Amelia's face turns deadly white.

Amelia has been around to hear her Lady rant about her fiancee's stupidity as well.

She gives Liliana a look and Liliana raises her brows, telling Amelia with a single look to remain silent.

"Amelia! Isn't that great?" Her mother asks, and Amelia nods. "Yes, of course it is."

"Imagine all the herbs they have in that garden!" The mother squeals in delight, looking at Liliana. "Do you wish to stay fer dinner?"

"Of course!" Liliana grins, "I'd love to help as well."

"Have you ever cooked before?" Amelia asks as Liliana rolls up her sleeves.

I have in my past life since I lived on my own, but as a spoiled-rotten, aristocratic daughter, she didn't know that.

"I'll be plenty good at it, don't worry," Liliana winks at her and walks over to the mother. "So, tell me more about your family," Liliana prompts. This causes Mrs. Florentine to launch into braggart-mother mode as Liliana internally plans her attack.

After a dinner of plain pasta, the servant and her master left the house, promising to visit again. Upon arriving home, Liliana was handed a letter by the butler, Peterson.

"Thank you." Liliana takes the letter tentatively and looks at the wax seal on it. Rolling her eyes, Liliana walks to her room and throws the letter next to the 4 others from the palace.

"You should really be opening those, my lady," Amelia titters, picking up the letters and examining them as Liliana flops onto the bed.

"I don't feel like it, I bet they all have the same thing, anyway," she grumbles as Amelia sighs, placing them back down on the counter.

"My lady, I know that recently, you've been...against marrying His Majesty," she softly states, sitting down next to Liliana on the bed. "But, it's been arranged, and there's nothing you can do."

"I know, but he is a flirtatious man," Liliana sighs, shaking her head. "He'll spite me in our marriage, and I'll be trapped. As the royal, he can make merry with whoever he pleases. It could be a simple kiss on the back of the hand or a night together. But because I marry in, I won't have the choice to find a side companion as he does."

Her brows furrow. "You worry of my sister, then."

"Not just your sister..." Liliana trails off, looking up at her concerned azure eyes. "I'm sure your sister is a lovely girl and may have captured my fiancee's heart." Liliana pauses for a moment and glances aside. "But, it's not just her I have to worry about. I have to worry about all the beautiful flowers in the garden that he wishes to pluck while hoping that he won't drop me from his grasp."

She nods solemnly. "I see. While I am without high standing, I do believe with all my heart that you will find true happiness." Amelia stands up and places a chaste kiss on her master's forehead.

"It seems that you may need some time alone. Goodnight, my lady," she bows, before leaving the room with the soft closing of the door.  Putting her hands above her head, Liliana looks up at them.

Will these hands be able to reach the goal that 008 has given to me, or have I misstepped my calculations and have failed myself?

=

The next morning, Liliana did her normal lessons before retiring to the library for the afternoon. She was bundled up under blankets and was reading enticing novels of pirates on the high seas when the library door opened. Liliana glanced up to see Amelia walk in with a wheeled cart, briskly walking towards her in a typical Amelia fashion.

"I've brought some refreshments for you," she announces, beginning to set up on the counter beside her master.

"And shall you join me for tea today?" Liliana asks and she shakes her head. "No, my lady, I've agreed to take Bertha's cleaning duties."

Their relationship had grown to become very laid back. She joined Liliana when she pleased and was free to do other work without her master's permission in the manor, something that wasn't common for a person's head maid.

A butler suddenly burst through the doors, breathing slightly ragged. He attempted to compose himself, but he still looked frightened. Liliana throws off her blankets and rushes towards him.

"Is everything alright, Peterson?" she asks, and he licks his chapped lips, giving a quick bow.

"His Fourth Majesty is in the parlor with Sir Aleric Strentheld."

Liliana's eyes widened and she places her hands over her mouth in shock while a nasty grin spread across her lips.

This was bound to be entertaining...

"Tell them I shall arrive in a few minutes," Liliana calmly states as the facade of a soft-hearted woman falls into place. Peterson nods then walks out the door.

"Amelia," Liliana turns to her, "please bring the refreshments with me. It seems like I'll have guests for tea this afternoon."

Amelia nods and begins to pack up. Smoothing her skirts, Liliana walks over to the door and slips her feet in pinchy shoes whose cost equated a commoner family's yearly income.

Adjusting herself once more, Liliana holds open the door as Amelia slips through and Liliana follows behind her. Soon, the two arrive at the parlor doors and Amelia opens them for Liliana.

The two men rise to see the delicate facade of Liliana. Her blue eyes were masked with confusion to hide the malicious contempt beneath the surface. However, she was unable to suppress a smile.

"This is quite a surprise, I didn't know you were coming to visit."

"I wrote to you and said that I was going to visit soon," Reginald comments, blue eyes also masked. Yet, under his facade of seriousness was a growing, itchy feeling. "We need to discuss the state of our engagement."

"Oh? So you're stating our relationship in front of a complete stranger then? Even though I have explicitly stated I believe it is best if it is annulled?" Liliana asks calmly as she sits down in her chair. Amelia quietly set up refreshments on the table, then shuffled out of the room and closed the door behind her.

"I thought it'd be best to discuss it alone but I didn't know you'd be having this man here as well," Reginald accusingly glares at Aleric who looked as cool as a cucumber.

"I came to visit my good friend," Aleric calmly informs. "Is there anything bad about this?"

Reginald turned red in the face and was prepared to retort.

"Boys, please," Liliana softly comments. "Be nicer to one another."

I definitely did not want to see them be nicer. The more drama, the better.

They glared at each other but said nothing. Exhaling through her nose, Liliana recrossed her ankles.

"Regardless of the reasons you are both here for, you are both friends of mine, and I expect nothing but respect from both of you towards each other. Am I clear?"

"I'm quite fine with that, Reginald," Aleric tightly grins as he extends his hand. Liliana arches a brow at the name usage but based off of Reginald's face she wouldn't have to say anything.

"We'll be complete gentlemen in front of the lady, Aleric," he emphasizes his name, both of them shaking each other's hand tightly. Liliana gives a tight smile.

"Good, it is time for tea, then."

She poured everyone a cup, before pouring her own and ladling two cubes of sugar into it.

"Dearest, may you give me some sugar?" Reginald asks and Liliana nods, hiding her distaste at the usage of 'dearest.' "Of course, how many lumps?"

"Two, please," he asks, showing his cup. Liliana stands and gives him two lumps and notices from the corner of her eye Reginald giving Aleric a nasty smile. Aleric glares back as Liliana sits down.

The three drink in tense silence, but Liliana is sure to keep a carefree expression on her face as she blatantly ignoring the tension between Reginald and Aleric. Every few minutes she attempted conversation with both but received only one-word answers.

"I've been reading about tigers lately, I've been thinking about acquiring one as a pet. What do you think, Reginald?" Liliana asks and he nods, clearly not paying attention. "That sounds nice."

Liliana rolls her eyes and turns her gaze to Aleric. "What do you think?"

His dark eyes look back at hers as a smirk forms on his face. "Sounds a bit dangerous, but it sounds like something you'd do." Ah, so he was paying attention. Reginald suddenly perks up. "What is dangerous? Are you safe, dearest?"

"Oh, nothing," Liliana waves off and gives him a sweet smile. "You approved of it anyway, so why should you care?" Reginald's mouth opens to question what he agreed to but a quick motion on Aleric's side caught Liliana's attention.

Aleric had spilled burning hot tea on his chest.

"Oh no..." she stands up, kneeling by his side as she withdraws a handkerchief. "May I?" she asks and he turns his dark gaze to her, eyes showing a bit of pain while his expression remains stoic. "Of course."

Liliana dabs on his chest while attempting to lessen the brown stain that had formed on his crisp white shirt. After Liliana had soaked up as much as possible she sets the handkerchief down.

"I'm afraid that's the best I can do-"

"I think there's some on my skin, and I hope it does not burn and scar," he dramatically groans. "Can you still help?"

Liliana nods and he quickly unbuttons his top buttons, revealing a hardened chest. Ignoring the muscles she picks up the handkerchief once more and quickly wipes up what had soaked through his shirt.

"Stop immediately!" Reginald demands and Liliana glances at him. "Why?"

"This is highly inappropriate, especially since you're my fiancee!"

Looking back at Aleric, Liliana managed to see a little smirk catch on his lips.

So, he did plan this to make Reginald jealous! That sneaky little bugger!

"Do you wish to be the one wiping my chest instead?" Aleric asks with a flirtatious wink in the Fourth Prince's direction. Reginald's face turns crimson at the remark. Liliana stands away from Aleric's side, setting the handkerchief down now.

"I was doing what a good hostess should do and provided for my guests-" Liliana starts, about to apologize.

"So if I asked you to lay with me, would you?" Reginald accuses as Liliana's face pales. Aleric's face hardens in anger and his mouth opened to defend Liliana but she quickly cuts him off.

"How dare you?" Liliana breathes out, shock and anger on her face as she glared at Reginald. "I clearly stated that I do not wish to be your fiancee when you romp with other women so freely, but being kind to a guest in my home automatically makes me appear as a common whore?"

He pales, clearly not used to this treatment from others. Liliana steps closer with a cruel glare. "When you do not adhere to engagement standards I stood idly by. When I adhere to the standards and have something as simple as male friends, you become a jealous glutton and attempt to chain me tighter to you." Liliana pauses to exhale slowly and calm herself, looking down at the man before her through dark lashes.

"I will do what's must, then," she tuts.

What a shame, but I'd rather not have to deal with his idiocy. I'll see if I can marry one of his brothers instead...

"Liliana-" he rises to stop her but she ignores him.

"From this moment on, I am only Lady Liliana Marzinal to you, a mere subject in your Kingdom-"

"Don't-"

"And you are the Fourth Prince. We shall have no ties other than our Kingdom's bonds and our life under the gods-"

"You can't-" he argues.

"I can, actually," Liliana finishes. "I hereby officially annul our engagement."

"You hold no power to do so!" He argues, stepping closer as Liliana holds her ground.

"I do. Although the engagement was made when I was a child, I am 19 now, a full-fledged adult in the eyes of the kingdom. I am the only child and heiress of the Marzinal clan and can make my own decisions for myself," she informs. "Even if you wish to say that I am still beneath my family, my parents have given me full control of any issues arising under the Marzinal roof. This can fit quite nicely into that category, can it not?"

His mouth gaped open like a fish, so Liliana uses this opportunity to step back from his vicinity. Liliana then claps her hands twice and the butler enters the room.

"Yes, my lady?" Peterson asks.

"His Highness does not feel well, can you please send him home in a carriage?"

"Of course," he bows as he the door open for the Prince. Reginald looks at Liliana with disgust.

"You'll regret this."

"I really won't."

He gives one last glare before he begrudgingly follows behind the butler and slams the door behind him.

Liliana gives an annoyed sigh and sits down back in her chair.

"That was quite the show," Aleric chuckles and Liliana raises a brow. "You fully know that you instigated this."

"I merely prodded you closer to the edge, you already wished to break the engagement," he chuckles as he leans back in his chair with his chest still exposed. "Him arriving at the same time was mere coincidence. Or it was fate, who knows the difference?"

"We've already debated the works of the universe," Liliana rolls her eyes. "But you didn't come here to discuss the sciences. Why are you here?"

Aleric smiles dangerously at her question. "Do you recall my proposal to you?"

"Sadly," Liliana scoffs.

"It holds much more meaning now," he chuckles. "You are the most dangerous blade and I am a skilled swordsman."

"You wish to use me to kill, then?" Liliana asks as faint shock comes onto her face.

I knew he was going to use me as a tool if we were to be engaged,  but never to the extent of murder!

"Much better than that. I shall use you to gain power and you will have power as well," he gives her a side glance. "Only if you agree to it. Of course, you are free from your chains to the Fourth Prince, so why would you not accept?"

"What would you use me for?" Liliana asks and he gives a secretive grin. "I cannot tell you quite yet."

"Then I cannot agree," she huffs out. He sighs, standing up. "Alright, I shall not press further. If you think it over and still wish to have an immense amount of power, then you know where to find me."

He leaves the room and closes the doors behind him. After hearing his footsteps leave, Liliana smacks her forehead.

I pushed way too far with the Prince, and now, I have way less of a chance of marrying a royal!

'008, how many points are required to pass this world?' Liliana asks as 008 whirs to life.

'You need at least 1000 points. You are at 100. Title side quests are 100 points each. The main quest is 1000 points.'

'So logically, if I gain 9 more titles, I can get to 1000?'

'Title side quests are rare, as it has to occur within a certain situation. You're just lucky you've gained them. And in this world, there are no given side quests listed, so I cannot form one for you.'

Drats! That means at max I can earn 100 points if I even get the chance to earn a title quest...

Liliana leaned her head back in annoyance and stared up at the ceiling. How could she have failed in her first world? How will she even be able to pass in the future?

Can it get even worse from here?

=

If you like this story, please vote, comment, and add to your library. And thank you for all the support!

Also, someone messaged me about making fanart for the story. I would love to see anything you guys create for the story! Please message me or link me to your art if you make anything <3