I will not die a Villainess's death

It was finally time for the seasonal hunting festival to start. Everyone was in high spirits but Elysia was feeling rather nervous about it all.

It was not her first seasonal festival but it would be her first time as a member of the high society and the world had different expectations for her.

And that even included the way she dressed and handled herself. Usually, Elysia had no problem keeping up with the guards and even beating them in the races but not today.

Her dress was too heavy and restrictive for her to be able to move comfortably. It was all for show and fashion without any durability. The multiple layers of her dress also made it impossible to walk the property.

But every person Elysia walked by had their jaws dropped as they saw her. It was likely the result of the make-up she was wearing.

Even Lucas looked taken aback to see her. Chrome had a small blush on his cheeks at her brother's side but his eyes were positioned rather respectfully.

"Wow, I never knew she could look so good if she dollar herself up. I can see now how people fell for her. She's rather bewitching."

Enma's words were spoken softly but Elysia easily heard them.

And so did Sorias who elbowed him to make his face go blank. They both were becoming such good friends that it was impossible for Elysia not to be happy for them.

"You look really beautiful Elysia. I almost don't want to take you out today so that no one can see your beauty."

"L-Lord Lucas, don't say that. Lady Elysia needs to be there today since she participated in the pre-ceremony for us. We cannot afford for her to miss this time."

The aid from the temple spoke as soon as she heard Lord Lucas's words. She was not able to catch the playful tone of his words.

Truly, no one knew whether Lucas was joking or not half of the time but Elysia was sure that even he would not try to mess up this ceremony.

But the disappointed look on his face did look real enough to make Elysia uncomfortable.

"Let it go, man. You need to let go of your sister sooner or later. What will you do once she starts getting courtship letters? Will you chase them all away?"

Chrome tried to console the unhappy Duke but it backfired on him as soon as he felt that deadly glare turn toward him.

He flinched as he was dragged down to Lucas's level and Chrome raised his hands to show that he was harmless.

"Elysia is not getting courted right now or ever. Get that foolish thought out of your mind and you might get to live another day."

"Yes, I understand. No talking about courtships or anything related in here."

Chrome gave in way too easily, but he shot Elysia helpless looks, which she also decided to ignore.

He had brought her brother's fury onto himself so he needed to take responsibility.

"A-Anyway, we should start heading out now. The Royal carriage and the temple's carriage are both there already. Everyone is waiting for Lady Dirac to arrive now."

It was customary for the noble family to arrive a day later when the feast started. And once Elysia stepped outside this house, no one was supposed to see her face until the ceremony began.

These were just some of the rules she had to follow and she quickly put her veil up to hide her face.

They all walked toward the two carriages that had been prepared for them and Elysia got into the same one as her brother and Chrome.

The other two took another carriage as was customary and then they were off to the Hunting grounds.

The ceremony would be a long one and the security was even tighter this time around. It was an inter-kingdom alliance thing and Elysia had to make sure nothing goes wrong.

____________________

"Why are you looking so nervous? Don't fidget around and sit down. Otherwise, you will look like a fool in front of Elysia."

Ever wanted to get angry at Adam but she was afraid of what exactly he was saying to her. She knew that Elysia was not a shallow person and would not shun Eve just because she did not look dazzling right now.

But Eve had wanted to dress up and match with her. Customarily, Elysia would have to wear the Dirac black while Eve was stuck with the pain and pure white.

"Don't give me that talk. You are an example of the over-the-top right now. And why did the royal design feel the need to make your clothes match mine? I don't like it."

Just as Eve had said, Adam was dressed in a full white getup as well. But unlike Elysia, he had managed to sneak in a touch of black on his dress.

It was his way of rebelling against the choices and matching with Elysia even if in a small way. She was jealous of him and his freedom to choose while she was stuck in her plain dress.

"Hey, it's not like I wanted to match you. But this was the only thing the council agreed upon. It is all your father's fault in the first place for suggesting for us to match. We are not even engaged and he is trying to control me."

Adam sounded pissed off about that. He had not wanted Head Priest Yohan anywhere near him but his father had made him respect the other man's opinion.

Their king was too blind in his devotion and that was why Adam liked his mother much more than his father. At least she had a brain unlike his father and she knew how to use it as well.

"Yeah, about that. I am sorry about what he is making you go through. I tried talking to him as well but he refuses to listen to me. I am at a loss as well here."

Eve was sad that her father did not even take her words into account when making decisions about her life. It was like he did not trust her or something.

But Eve was not going to give up. Not when she knew that she had a chance with Elysia at least.

The way their bodies had come together the last time they had been together had been amazing and Eve could not help but want more of that.

The only problem had been Adam's presence but that had been tolerable as long as Elysia was there.

"Lady Eve, Lord Adam, you are being called for."

The maid who called for them almost let out a giggle but she did not come in. Eve had no idea what thoughts she was cooking up in her mind but Eve had no intention of feeding her delusion.

She parted the curtains and walked out confidently. Adam followed her with a glare but did not say much to the maid.

That smile on the maid's face looked rather awkward at being dismissed like that. And she did not even have any gossip to feedback to her friends about the royal pair.

They had looked too meticulous to be doing anything indecent and their gazes did not even hold any passion about each other.

It made the maid daring and her brain even cooked up thoughts about herself and the crown prince.

'What if the Crown Prince is not in love with lady Eve like we all thought about? What if he's free to be taken but no one believes this to be true? Does that mean I have a chance with him?'

While the maid was cooking up her delusions, Adam just walked past everything without any care in the world. He was tired of keeping up with everyone and he just wanted to get out.

"Eve, come here. Prince Adam, you as well. You both need to know things before the ceremony and what role you will play."

It was Head Priest Yohan who came personally to escort them both. The royal pair froze as they watched him approach but they did not say anything.

'Shit. Why is he here?'

Adam cursed his mind for thinking like that but he did not show his irritation externally. But Eve did not have the same mindset as him. Her thoughts were showing on her face clearly and so was her annoyance.

"Can we do this later? I am a little busy and…"

"No. We cannot delay this talk anymore because I need you both to succeed this time. If you do then Eve can finally be recognized as the Saintess at the next hoy ceremony at the start of the year."

Head Priest Yohan was insistent and the pair had no other choice but to listen to him.

After all, as much as they did not want this man's favor, they needed it to be able to combat everyone else for Elysia. He was a necessary evil for them.

"Fine. Speak what you want to and hurry up. I don't have time or patience for you since I want to meet Elysia soon."

Head Priest Yohan looked sour but he did not cut the prince off again. He seemed to be accepting that this was a condition he would have to consider.