Chapter 8
Hate, disgust, outrage—these were all strong emotions, and eleven-year-old Angela Sullivan felt them all. She watched her veiled personal maid struggling in the backyard while hanging the laundry from her window. Angela sniffed in disgust. Ever since that girl had arrived in the house, Angela's confidence in her future had faltered. Because of that peasant, the powers she thought she had fully mastered were now so weak; because of her, Angela had appeared insignificant in front of a great creator and earned a first reputation as a meaningless girl.
Sister… Angela didn't have a sister, nor did she want one, but her father had made a mistake—everyone makes mistakes. So she forgave him, since he had promised that the girl would never get anything. But she liked letting the girl call her "big sister." Angela liked feeling bigger, more important.
Angela was superior to her. She had parents who gave her everything she desired, held the status of a Lady, and was destined to marry the prince. After all, she was the protagonist. Even her prodigy brother was nothing compared to her. She would grow up to become the empress admired by all. Angela smiled with satisfaction and turned away from the window.
God, to think she was still thinking badly… Angela did a few calming breaths in front of her mirror.
"No need to get angry over a poor servant," she told herself as she adjusted her blue hair. "She's irrelevant," she laughed.
It was certain, Angela thought again. That girl was beneath her. Angela smiled. She was absolutely magnificent—her large sparkling blue eyes, her small nose that her father always said was so cute, her pouty lips, her angelic face. No, she shouldn't feel insecure; as her mother loved to say, everything came naturally to her. Angela knew the standards of beauty in high society, and most importantly, what pleased the opposite sex.
But above all, an adorable face paired with an equally adorable demeanor could win anyone over.
Angela opened her secret drawer and pulled out a white book with its golden title proudly written in the center of the cover: "Angela's Smile." Angela smiled dreamily—at her smile, everyone rushed to her.
When she discovered this book in the library at the age of five, she hadn't believed it at all—but when the book predicted her downfall two weeks later, then her encounter with an orphan she had helped, and finally the scandal over her powers on her birthday four years ago that she could not circumvent, she had begun to trust it.
Angela stared at the book with manic eyes and a wicked grin, flipping it to the last page. Unlike the other predictions, this page was marked with golden ink. As she always did before reading a prediction, she made sure it ended well—and it always did. Angela read the ending aloud with a smile:
"She looked at her husband, the emperor and most powerful mage, with a tender and loving gaze, which he returned before kissing her gently as if she were the most precious thing in the empire." Angela shivered with delight, then continued: "She was happy; the war was over, and after all they had been through, she was now the empress, loved by the entire empire, a friend and wife cherished by her family… The End." Angela repeated the last part three times.
"Empress," she sighed one last time, rolling on her bed before stopping and catching her breath.
Angela turned to the third page to find the chapter she had been waiting for these past four years. She jumped to her feet, unable to believe her eyes. It was there—the chapter that could be the beginning of her love story and bring her beside the prince! Angela shivered with anticipation, got comfortable, and focused on reading.
Angela's eyes sparkled and a smile spread across her face as she devoured the lines. Her excitement reached a fever pitch, and she couldn't help but shout and jump with joy—fortunately, she was alone.
Finally, she would live the adventure of a Lady.
"The capital?!" Angela shouted. "I'm going to the capital!"
Angela froze as the door opened and her servant entered. She closed her book, put it back in the drawer, and looked at her with nonchalance, while the girl made a small curtsy that drew a smirk from Angela before she quickly erased it.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Father requests you in his office," the girl replied, opening the door for Angela.
Angela checked her reflection in the mirror before stepping out with the girl behind her. She realized she didn't even know her name after five years. She smiled with satisfaction—proof once again that the girl was nothing more than her servant. Knowing her name was useless, yet, Angela thought, she would make an exception for her image as a kind and cute girl.
Angela pouted—she didn't want to be kind to this… girl.
"Oh, little one? No…" Angela paused, thinking. "Why not call her… naughty?" she laughed.
Vidalia tilted her head at her sister's behavior.
Angela abandoned the idea of finding a name for her; maybe she would think of one someday. For now, she needed to focus on how to convince her parents to let her move to the capital.
Arriving at the office, she encountered her brother, who had just arrived, and greeted him enthusiastically.
"Good morning, big brother!"
But her brother didn't return her enthusiasm. Orion squinted, giving a joyless smile, and saluted before entering the office and sitting without paying her any further attention. Angela bit her lip to keep from grimacing but seethed inside.
How dare he?! Angela felt her fury rise as she entered the room. Orion had always been sweet and kind to her, but for the past two years, he had stopped speaking to her for more than three minutes or playing with her. Angela couldn't understand why—she had always been an adorable little sister.
Angela clenched her fists on her pastel pink dress, wrinkling the fabric. She exhaled deeply. She could fix everything. Elemental magic wasn't her strong point, so she could focus on runes. She wasn't pretty enough for the expert eyes of Madame Wisia? Then she'd just charm the blind. But Angela would be empress—nothing would stop her.
Not even her brother, the prodigy who looked down on her.
When he was five, Orion Sullivan had shown signs of great elemental power. He had the power of earth like Angela, but on a completely different level—he was ranked A. Everyone rejoiced; their parents were proud to have such a powerful heir. The Sullivan family's reputation, once fallen, had risen higher than ever.
The Sullivan family had long been known for water elementals, but when Angela's great-grandfather became heir, this specialty disappeared, replaced by earth. Since then, there had never again been a water elemental. Rumors whispered that there were some in the mage tower, but it was an open secret that they were fakes. Even though the mage tower was secret, mysterious, and powerful, they could not hide the fact that water elementals no longer existed.
Angela wanted those powers. If she could control water—even just at level F—she could ascend the throne in a blink. But Angela knew it was impossible; she also knew it was for the best, because even if it were difficult, she would find a way to take her place.
Angela knew she was clever. Her brother might be a prodigy adored by all, but in the end, he would kneel at her feet. Angela smiled, relaxed and satisfied. Yes, no need to get angry.
"I see you're already here," her father's booming voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Orion looked up from his old book to greet their parents. Angela jumped into their arms enthusiastically.
"Mother! Father!" she cried, beaming.
"Hello, my darlings," cooed her mother.
After an exaggerated hug session, they finally sat down, to Orion's relief. Angela nestled against her mother, who wrapped an arm around her. Angela wasted no time talking, diverting the focus of the meeting, which irritated Orion.
"Father, I'd like to ask something very important," she began, giving puppy eyes—before being cut off by her brother.
"Father, what did you want to discuss?" Orion interrupted, deliberately ignoring Angela's dark glare.
"I'm coming, my son," their father said, pulling out an envelope. "I received this letter last night. I was surprised by its late arrival, but it was a pleasant surprise," Erwin said appreciatively.
"And what does the letter say?" Angela asked impatiently.
"Do not interrupt your father, my dear," scolded her mother.
Angela pouted, crossing her arms, making her brother roll his eyes.
"This letter is from the second prince," her father announced, making everyone jump—and Angela raise an eyebrow.
"What!?"
Erwin smiled knowingly. "And he requests you, Orion, as his assistant, recommending you to the mage tower," he finished, his posture and expression full of pride.
Orion's eyes widened. He stammered slightly before regaining his composure.
"Me?" he asked. "Are you sure, Father? Why would the second prince want a second assistant? He already has Seed Alistair. And why me?"
Erwin chuckled at his son's stammer, normally so eloquent. "The eldest son of Marquis Alistair had an accident while performing runic experiments. The prince wanted to wait until the end of your training, but no one can predict an unfortunate accident. So, he requested you," he explained, handing the letter to his son.
"Will you refuse?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Refusing would be like stabbing the Sullivan family's reputation in the back. Refusing a royal request would be insulting and seen as insolence—especially against the kingdom's beloved prodigy. The question was purely rhetorical.
"What?" Orion asked, horrified. "No! Why would I do such a thing?" he said vehemently.
Erwin smiled with satisfaction, nodding. "Good. I'm proud of you."
"Why all the excitement? It's just the second prince, and no one even knows him," Angela sniffed, drawing incredulous looks and a veiled head tilted.
"Are you stupid or what?" Orion couldn't help but ask, eyes fixed on her.
"Excuse me!?" Angela shouted, offended.
"Orion, do not call your sister an idiot," their mother said sternly, then looked at Angela. "Angela, my dear, the second prince is not the heir to the throne but the apprentice of the tower master," she explained.
"So what?"
"So, he may not be the crown prince, but he is on track to become one. Despite his young age, he has all the abilities to make him emperor. Furthermore, the heir to the throne has not yet been designated," her mother finished, unusually calm.
"But the first prince has more responsibilities on his side, right?" she remembered learning. "He remains the first-born—"
"Have you learned nothing from your tutors, dear sister?" Orion sneered, cutting her off.
"I won't allow it, Orion!" Angela protested, face red with shame.
"The empire hasn't crowned the first-arrived heir for nearly a century," the blond ignored. "The imperial family is meritocratic, and so far, the first prince has done nothing extraordinary."
"Watch your words, Orion!" Edwin reprimanded sharply.
Angela's eyes widened. She had harbored high hopes, believing she could easily become empress. All hope had evaporated. She needed to rethink her plans.
"Very well, the second piece of news," her father said, changing the subject. "We are leaving for the capital for an indefinite period. Orion will begin his internship, and it is time for Angela to make her entrance into high society," he said seriously.
Angela's eyes widened. It was happening exactly as the book had written. She smiled joyfully. She would need to change her plans, secure both princes—she needed everyone. After all, she was the protagonist. Everything was possible for the protagonist. She smiled, glancing at her sister, who kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
To be continued