I smiled and took another long sip of my crystal glass.
The Countess Rotaria jumped from her seat, unable to hide her fury any longer. She didn't go far; she marched over to her fiancé, Geren Arus, and sat down right next to him, clinging to his arm.
"Master Arus, the wine you gave me was so precious, and now I'm just... I'm so upset," she said, her voice high and performative. "Don't you agree?"
"Oh, my dear. Were you sad?" Geren replied, patting her hand.
I almost choked on my grape juice. It was like watching a bad play where the actors were trying too hard to look like "loving couple #1."
"Do you remember our engagement ceremony, Master Arus?" the Countess continued, her eyes flickering toward me. "I still remember every word of your proposal. It was the happiest moment of my life."
"My lady, that day is engraved in my heart," Geren said, his voice oily enough to fry an egg. "You were more beautiful than anyone in the world. I don't think any man could have stopped himself from confessing his love to you."
The Countess was clearly trying to "protect" her fiancé from me, acting as if they were the ultimate romantic success story. I watched them in silence, feeling a strange sense of detachment.
"It was such a sincere proposal," she added, her voice loud enough for the whole room to hear. "I was moved to tears."
"Haha, I was so nervous you’d say no," Geren chuckled.
"How could I ever say no to you, in such a wonderful setting? I love you so much."
...Wow. Was this really aimed at me? It was such a blatant "sniper" attack. They were trying to shove their "happy" relationship in my face because Askin had publicly rejected me.
I felt a brief flash of pity for the Countess earlier, but I took it back now. This forced display of affection was just pathetic.
If I had actually loved Askin, this might have hurt. But as it was, I was mostly just bitter about my lost "survival coin" and the fact that I was still stuck in this mess.
"Oh, I see," Geren said, finally looking at me. "I was supposed to offer a toast to the Princess, but I completely forgot. I apologize, Your Grace... what should I do?"
He was implicitly bringing up the fact that I was now "single" and unwanted. I stared at him, my mind already calculating how to handle this piece of trash.
'How do you want to play this?' I wondered.
The fire of defiance, which had been half-extinguished by my fever, roared back to life. I wasn't going to let this greasy nobleman mock me in front of the entire Gaemang Club.
I smiled brightly. I uncrossed my legs and leaned forward, ready to start my performance.
'Wait... is he serious?'
I caught Geren staring at me. Even while he was holding the Countess, his eyes were traveling down my body, scanning my legs with a look of pure, unadulterated greed.
He was trash. Worse than trash. He was ogling the Princess of Altsbeit right in front of his own fiancée.
I crossed my legs again, just to test him. His eyes followed the movement like a dog following a bone.
'Disgusting.'
The pity I’d felt for the Countess Rotaria vanished completely. In its place was a cold, sharp contempt. I realized I’d be doing her a favor by exposing him.
I leaned back in my chair. There were plenty of young socialites in the room who were desperate for my attention. I searched my memory, identifying the ones who were the quickest to react and the most desperate to please.
I beckoned them over.
"Drinking alone is so boring, don't you think?" I said, swirling my glass.
The girls practically tripped over themselves to get to me.
"Of course, Princess! It’s much better to share!"
"I have a glass ready, Your Grace!"
"Me too!"
I winked at my knight, who brought out another bottle of the expensive "wine." The girls looked at the label and gasped in admiration.
"My God, I never thought I’d taste this vintage!"
"The bottle is so beautiful!"
"Thank you, Princess!"
As I poured the juice for my selected "clique," I leaned in and whispered in their ears.
"The moment I lean forward, look Master Arus in the eye. Make sure he doesn't see you looking at him."
I made it sound like a light, mischievous game. The girls looked confused for a second, but they quickly agreed. They weren't "comrades" for nothing; they knew how to play along with the Vicious Princess.
"Wow, this is... it’s so fragrant!" one of them shouted, acting for the room.
"I’ve never tasted anything like it!"
"Do you prefer the '34 vintage, Princess?"
I laughed and chatted with them, subtly leaning forward as if I were bored. At the same time, I crossed and uncrossed my legs.
Geren Arus’s gaze snapped to me instantly. He was so sure no one was watching that he actually licked his lips.
My "clique" caught it perfectly. I could see the looks of disgust on their faces—the same look you’d give someone who just stepped in something foul.
'Perfect. The stage is set.'
I stood up. My head was clear, my coordination back to normal. I walked over to where Geren Arus was sitting.
He knew I was coming, but he pretended to be deep in conversation with another noble. I reached out and tapped him on the shoulder.
"You're awake," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Geren looked up, a look of utter bewilderment on his face. He looked halfway between terrified and ecstatic.
"Princess? I... I'm honored, but why...?"
"Are you going to make me say it twice?" I asked, my eyes burning with a bloody intensity. "Get up."
He scrambled to his feet, unable to look away from my gaze.
"You have to look closely to see things correctly," I whispered.
Then, I kicked him as hard as I could right in the shin.
Geren let out a strangled groan and doubled over in pain. His face was now inches from mine. I didn't miss the opportunity—I leaned in, my eyes scanning his trashy face with pure contempt.
"How does it feel? Can you see it now?"
*Smack!*
I slapped him across the cheek with everything I had. I didn't stop there; I pushed him away with my foot, watching him sprawl ungracefully onto the floor.
The room went dead silent. Some people covered their mouths, others watched with wide-eyed interest.
The Countess Rotaria stood frozen for a second, then her face contorted with rage. She screamed—a high, piercing sound—and pointed a finger at me.
"Princess! This is too much!" she shrieked, her voice breathless with fury. "Just because a proud princess was publicly abandoned by the Duke she’d been chasing for years, you think you can just destroy everyone else's happiness?! Are you really that petty?!"