'What a shady bastard...! And father expects me to become that guy's apprentice with no complaints? Dammit, if only uncle knew! He would've never let this happen, tch!'
Lady Marielle de Saivelle was face down on her glorious bed, rolling around and screaming into her pillow in anger.
Piles of clothes and sheets and blankets were scattered around her room like an irregular mountain range.
Her room had been like that for quite a while, and had little relation to her current predicament.
'I don't trust that wizard one bit! I don't even think I saw his eyes once that entire time... so shady! Too shady! But father trusts him? No... was father coerced!? Uncle... please come back!'
Her fit was interrupted by a gentle knocking on her door.
"...Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Sylven? We're not going out for another hour, what are you bothering me for?"
"Oh, um, sorry. It's just—my brother asked me to fetch you. I think he has... something to talk with you about."
'Odrick?"
"I'll be right out!"
"He'll be waiting for you in the tea room."
"Which one?"
"...The one closer to his room."
After a few moments of silence, she heard The Prince's footsteps, and sighed. She walked over to her closet and sifted through the hundreds of clothes she owned, looking for something appropriate for such an occasion.
A private meeting with her fiance, the crown prince.
She quickly made her way through the halls, and found herself standing in front of the door to the tea room.
Her hand moved to grab the doorknob, but the door swung open before she could reach it, and revealed the tall and friendly man standing inside.
It was as if he knew she was there.
"Lady Marielle, what a pleasure," he said, grinning warmly.
"Mhm, of course," she smiled back.
He gestured her to step inside, and then closed the door behind her. They walked over to the tea table, and sat down. They each grabbed a cup filled with the hot liquid, and stared at each other for an awkward few seconds.
"What is your reason for calling me over here?" Marielle finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh, right. The reason...? Do I need a reason to share a cup of tea with my fiancee?"
The steaming liquid flew through the air, splashing against Prince Odrick's face and soaking his golden blonde hair.
Of course, the man didn't even flinch. Something like that couldn't hurt him—in fact, it felt quite refreshing, instead.
Steam rose from his head, and the chiseled man brought his hand to his hair, calmly slicking it back and away from his face, and grabbed a small towel from beside him.
"I thought that would happen," he chuckled. "That's why I came prepared."
He dried his face and hair, all while Marielle sat there, cup still in the air, furious.
"If you knew it would happen, why did you call me over here!? Just to make me angry? To mess with me!?"
"You're leaving, Marielle. After the festival. Your father told me."
"Yeah? And why do you care?"
"Ah, well, I just wanted to make sure of one thing," he said softly. "You... will... be returning for our wedding, when time comes next summer, right?"
Through gritted teeth, she spoke:
"I can't know for certain. It may have to be postponed."
"I see. Well, that's it. You're free to leave, now."
"Tch, I was free to leave the moment I stepped in this room. This is my home, don't forget."
The young lady placed the cup down on the table and sped towards the door, tugging it open and slamming it behind her as she left.
'Sick bastard... wanting to marry me as soon as I become of age. I'll kill him! Die! Die! Die!'
Marielle was stomping through the hall. Completely lost in thought, she didn't even realize the girl who had joined her.
"Grrr! What are we so mad about?" Liora asked, leaning in front of Marielle.
The lady jumped in surprise at the girl appearing so close in front of her out of nowhere.
"It's—it's none of your business! Why do you even care!?"
"I don't know. You just looked really weird stomping around in a circle for so long. I thought you were possessed or something."
"Possessed? Bitch, leave me alone!"
She continued stomping, only, this time, in a straight line away from Liora.
"...'Bitch'?" Liora mumbled, tilting her head. "I'm not a 'bitch,' am I? I just wanted to know why you're so mad, is all. What's wrong with that...?"
Once again, Liora was trailing behind her.
"Why are you still following me?" Marielle asked.
"Oh, I'm just bored, you know? I think Linnie's asleep, and Alwyn's out doing something, and Aliza's also out doing something, and Lady doesn't really like me, so it's not like I can play with her or anything, and—"
Marielle suddenly stopped, turning to look at Liora.
"What? Who's 'Lady'?"
"Huh? That's right, she didn't come with us to eat! You'll love her! She's the cutest thing in the world. She's Linnie's... uh, what was it, again? Oh, she's his familiar! A pretty little black kitty, with these funny ears and big orange eyes. Like oranges. The fruit. You've heard of oranges before, right?"
"A cat?"
"Yup! Do you like cats? I love them, they're—"
"A cat..." her voice trembled.
"Oh, are you scared of cats? Don't worry, Lady's a nice one. Well, except to me. Every time—"
"Shut up!"
She pushed Liora with unexpected strength, knocking her to the floor. The girl frowned.
'They seriously brought a dirty animal into my home? These people... the disrespect... I hate it! I hate them all!'
Marielle began to strut with newfound purpose in the direction of Linnie's room.
"You wanna see her? Wow, you must really love cats!" Liora said, scrambling off the floor.
The two girls sped through the halls, all while Liora was non-stop talking about random things that Marielle didn't care to listen to.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up already? Damn!"
"Wow, you're so mean. I'm only making conversation." Liora frowned.
They eventually arrived at Linnie's door, and Marielle balled her hand into a fist.
'Knock-knock, bastard!'