Chapter 23: The Imperial Ball (4)

The cliche scene of the prince's total disregard and disgust toward the villainess through bringing up her past temper tantrums and her overly clingy self. Cecilia felt every face-slapping novel had such a scene.

It didn't come as a surprise when she found out the Levin household would be attending. She could vaguely guess since it was something the first princes briefly mentioned while shaming her in the novel. Apparently, she had made a very big scene at some point, having people pointing fingers at her for ruining the evening.

'It wouldn't matter much now,' she thoughted while gazing at the guests below.

She was planning to make a scene today, just a different type of scene that might have the people point fingers in the opposite direction.

After the brief entrance with the Grand Duke, it should be enough to leave people confused and curious. No one would dare touch her after being escorted by someone that has such a big status. She was momentarily safe against the common public.

'The troubling ones are those who think they still had power over me.'

Speak of the devil, he shall appear. A familiar figure made its way toward her position. Noticing him, she stayed put, wanting to meet him face to face.

Like a true noble, or someone who likes to disguise themself as a true noble, the garment he had on was flashy, shouting its worth to the crowd. The man had no sense of shame or dignity, fully showing what his fortune would muster up. Each step was left with a small tapping sound, the cane itself had a big jewel as a handle.

He held his top hot in his spare hand and stopped in front of her.

"Greetings, master of the Levin household," she politely bowed, elegantly tipping her head.

"Emberlynn, it has been a while," the man remained stoic.

"It has indeed been a while," she smiled.

She walked closer to him and spoke in a whisper, "Has it been so long since you forgot how to properly greet a lady?"

"A lady?" he scoffed.

He sharpened his gaze, "I have no need to bow to you Emberlynn. You know very well where you stand."

"Do I? If we were on the same page, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Your arrogance has reached far enough."

"Your family seemed to be absent," ignoring his comment.

"My daughter has no need to deal with the likes of you."

"Yet you didn't bring your own wife?"

"Truly a waste of my time. We must settle this once we head back."

"We? I apologize, but I am no longer of the Levin household. I would be returning to the North after the ball."

"Nonsense! Quit the attitude while you are here. This is not the place to be throwing a tantrum."

"Why can't I? If I start to yell, I wonder how it would affect you?"

"You are dragging yourself further down the gutter. You should have never run in the first place. You don't know what's good for you."

"What makes you think you do?"

"What makes ME think?" he louden his voice in irritation.

A few gazes nearby turned toward them.

'Just because I want to make a scene doesn't mean I need to initiate it,' she smirked.

"Hush now. It seems you are far more incompetent than I thought," she sighed.

"Hah! What do you know about incompetence? I don't have time for your silly games."

"What makes you think you have the right to order me around?"

"The right? I'll have you know-"

"I have someone of tremendous power on my side. Getting rid of you would take little effort," she grinned.

"Why you! Who? The Grand Duke? As if you have connections with him!"

"You talk a big game." he snickered.

"Yet he escorted me into the imperial ball and introduced me to the Royal Family. It doesn't take a child to connect the dots."

"Even if you did manage to reach him, what can you offer? Your body? Hah! The Grand Duke would have cut your head right then and there. It's already a miracle he came with you, don't push your luck," he smiled.

"Do you lack something in your brain? Why don't you explain to me how I got him to escort me?"

"A women have many tricks, I get it. Quit trying to show off and shut it. I will make sure you won't eat for a few days if you keep the attitude up."

"A women have many tricks you say. Which means the men who fall for them are the ones who lack grace, correct? I wonder what that makes you? The story of my mother sounds familiar…"

"Are you trying to threaten me? Don't make me laugh. Who would want to believe you anyways? You throw tantrums and everyone despises you. Luckily, you still have some use in our household. Don't resist."

"You are still in the delusion I would be following you home? Why don't you come to beg me and anticipate each and every word?" she laughed, loud enough to draw even more attention.

"You simply have no choice. You would be at a disadvantage if you made a deal with the Grand Duke. Call it off. If you simply want to keep living, there is only ever one option."

"Oh, how terribly underestimated I am. Not only did you slander women, saying how they had many tricks, but you are forcing me to follow you back?" she spoke the words loud and clear.

"What are you-"

"As someone known for being charitable with a kind attitude, you sound almost fake," she chuckled.

Seeing the eyes slowly turn on him, he tried to diffuse the situation.

"What are talking about my dear? We should go back-"

"Or I'll throw another fit? Is this how treat someone you kicked out of your own household?"

Whispers could be heard as they became louder and louder.

"Reserve some dignity, will you? I'm afraid of shredding it all away," she mocked.

"What do you mea-"

"For how many years I was trapped under your household, stripped of my freedom? For the years that I became your toy, smearing my reputation in order to not taint yours, can you even stand to exude the fake sense of justice once more?"

"It's you who-"

"You are beyond saving. Even "God" wouldn't be able to do it."

The 'wisps' sounds vibrate the room. Everyone clearly enthralled with the gossip right before their eyes.

Is it the truth? Is it false? Who cares? Who is clearly the victim standing up for herself? Someone who was against the social norm, who was once ridiculed? If one were to support such a character, on the surface, it would seem stupid. However, it is clear from the exchange they have a complicated past. It could be inferred she threw tantrums for a reason that involved the Levin household. People are simple-minded and would only think so far. Once they reached an incomplete conclusion that satisfied their persona they would act on it. Meaning those who support her would gain attention from being different from the nobles who they assumed wouldn't support her. A sort of false sense of justice would be created from doing so, inflating their ego to think they were doing a good thing.

The underdog would always gain supporters no matter their background. In this scenario, she was not only the villainess but also the victim.

"I, Emberlynn, no longer bear the name of the Levin household. After what has been done, I would like to announce the cutting of ties between us two."

"You!"

"With someone as a backer of my decision, I bid you farewell."

She came closer and whispered, "Begging would have been a better choice, no?"

The man was left confused, stunned, and unmoving. He stood still, very still, not knowing what was happening.

Cecilia looked directly above her to meet the gaze of the Grand Duke. As if asking, 'Well? My business is done.'

The night was young, the ball far from over.

Arisanna grinned at the sight before her.