I will not die a Villainess's death

"Look at her. She thinks she's one of them."

"She's so shameless, walking between the Crown Prince and Sister Eve. Can't she see that she's the third wheel?"

"Of course, she can't see. After all, that monster is blind."

"Shhh, keep your voices down. I heard that the Dirac family took pity on her and took her back in. You can get in trouble if she hears you."

"Well, what do you expect from a monster like her? Only that monstrous Dirac family can handle her. Even the temple gave up on her in the end."

People were unnecessarily cruel when they wanted to be. Elysia heard each and every word that was being spoken about her but she did not react.

These people already thought of her as a monster so any action she took would paint her more black in their eyes.

It was better for Elysia to pretend that she could not hear those words and discreetly try to edge her way out. She already felt uncomfortable standing between the fated pair.

"How noisy. It seems like people don't have manners nowadays. Elysia, do you want me to deal with them?"

Unfortunately, all her efforts to remain calm and unbothered went down the drain as soon as Adam spoke.

Elysia could read his foul mood and knew that the whispers were setting him off.

'Adam would lose face if he does not defend me now. Besides, we are friends so he is obligated to protect me.'

Elysia tried not to take Adam's actions as an indication of interest in her. They were likely made for the sake of his reputation.

Even the action of taking Elysia's hand in his own and asking her this question seemed to be calculated. Adam was growing up to be quite the diplomat after all.

'Just like in my visions, Adam knows how to use a situation to portray himself as the perfect gentleman. Eve would have her hands full trying to keep other girls away from him.'

As the Crown Prince, Adam would be the prime target for every person in the kingdom to get closer.

"Huh, did something happen? Adam, you did not make a move on Elysia, right?"

Eve's annoyed look returned as soon as her eyes fell on Elysia's and Adam's collapsed hands.

As soon as Elysia realized what Eve was looking at, she tried to pull her hand back. But Adam tightened his grip on Elysia's hand, not letting her pull away.

"Even if I make a move on my fiance, what is it with you? People who have no chance with others should back off."

Eve's face went white and then crimson at the jab. It seemed like Adam's words had hurt her a lot.

'Adam likely wanted to make her jealous but can he not use me as the medium? The people are looking at me with a disapproving glance.'

It was true that the people were judging the trio. Despite Elysia being the rightful finance of the Crown Prince, she felt like an outsider.

The glances looking at Elysia were telling her to 'fuck off' and leave the love birds alone.

'Believe me, I would love to leave them alone as well but I don't have a choice in this matter.'

Elysia's one arm was being gripped by Adam and the other by Eve. She felt like a ragdoll being fought over by the lovers.

'Is this some new kind of play I was unaware about? I need to make them let go before they tear my arm out.'

In normal circumstances, Elysia would have used her magic to get out. But she could not risk hurting Eve and her magic did not affect Adam's weird constitution.

"Wow, teenagers are so energetic nowadays. Is this what being young looks like? But you don't seem to be having a good time, Elysia. Want me to whisk you away?"

Elysia's eyes instantly turned toward Sara and Lord Sorias. The speaker of those carefree words could have been no one else but Sara.

The purple-eyes female had an amused smile on her face. She was enjoying Elysia's misery. Elysia felt the grip on her arms loosen at Sara's sudden proclamation.

Everyone looked surprised at the sudden and informal form of address Sara had used in front of the royalty.

"Sara," Elysia was not even aware that her voice was filled with relief when she saw her and Lord Sorias in front of her. And she suddenly had a brilliant idea to get out of this situation.

'Fuck. If I can't defeat her, I may as well use her to my advantage.'

"Sara, thank god you are here now. I know I promised to help you but I got busy and was not able to send you a message till now. Why don't I help you out right now while Lord Adam and Sister Eve enjoy this festival?"

Elysia could feel the approving nods being sent her way. The royal guards seemed happy to see Elysia take the initiative to go away.

They were the biggest supporters of the Adam and Eve coupe after Head Priest Yohan.

"Huh? When did I…..Ah, yes. Now I remember. And I did promise to whisk you away to it works out."

Sara changed her tone as soon as Lord Sorias whispered something into her ear. Her confused face turned into a mischievous grin when she looked toward Elysia.

Any other day, Elysia would have run as far as she could have when she saw that grin. But today she could not run or hide.

"Elysia, you promised to spend the afternoon with me. Are you going back on it now?"

Eve's voice sounded heartbroken and betrayed at the sudden change in events. But Elysia knew she could not let it get to her.

"But I did spend the afternoon with you. We were together for so long and I know you must be getting sick of my company now. So I will take my leave now and wait for you back at the inn. Enjoy your day out."

"Elysia, wait…"

But Elysia was gone before Eve could finish her words.

The Crown Prince had a pinched look on his face as well but he did not protest against Elysia's decision to leave him alone with Eve.

"You know, it's all your fault everyone misunderstands our relationship. Would it kill you to reject Elysia's words once in a while and try holding her back?"

As soon as Elysia was out of hearing range, Eve turned her rage toward the Crown Prince. She hated his carefree attitude when it came to Elysia.

Just because he knew that he would get Elysia in the end due to that damned engagement, he did not even try to win her.

'This bastard is not even afraid that he would lose Elysia by being this inactive. It would serve him right this engagement brakes off.'

But as much as Eve wanted to break Elysia's engagement with the Crown Prince, she also knew that it was safer for Elysia to be with Adam for now.

There was too much danger around Elysia and it was her political situation that was saving her. If this marriage disappears then Elysia would be in danger.

'But then again, she has Lord Dirac now so I think she'll be alright.'

It was still better to be safe than sorry. And this was also why Eve decided to give Adam a final piece of advice.

"You know people are looking for ways to break your engagement with Elysia because they think you are in love with me, right?"

Calm golden eyes broke their mask for the first time and Eve felt her breath stop for a second at the intensity of emotions she saw in the other's eyes.

"That won't happen. Elysia is mine and has been for a long time now. The world can try all it wants to take her away from me but I won't allow it to happen."

Adam's words were dark and not entirely human. It almost seemed like he was trying to hold himself back to get those words out.

Eve knew she should have felt fear looking at such an inhuman display in front of her. But for some reason, all it did was irritate her more.

"Elysia is not an object to be owned. She can and will make her own decisions and we both can't stop her. As much as I want her to be mine, I know that this is something she has the right to decide. I won't be able to force her against her wishes and neither can you. If she chooses to leave you then you are done for as well."

For a second, Eve was convinced that Adam would hurt her. He certainly looked ready to bury her in her current place without any remorse.

Eve even braced herself for that to happen…

…But Adam never made a move. Instead, a brave soldier interrupted the moment, and the privacy spell that Adam had likely cast around them fell.

"Your highness, you need to get back to your room. We will do something about this crazy crowd. Please do not worry about it."

'What happened out here? It feels like a warzone.'

People were running all around the pair in panic. It seemed like they were trying to get away from something and Eve quickly noticed the abnormality.

There was something shadowy in the middle of the crowd and it was heading their way. It felt just like the creature Lord Sorias had crushed last night.

"Oh fuck. We need to do something about these people or this mass panic will spread."

Eve could see the people panicking due to the sudden rush. Many of them might get injured as well so first aid will also be needed.

But the temple's people seemed to be nowhere to be seen. This situation was not looking good.

"Adam, we need to do something."

Eve turned toward the Crown Price who seemed to have gone white in the pace. His face had an expression Elysia saw for the first time in her life.

Fear

"Elysia. I need to find Elysia right now."

The Crown Prince seemed to have lost it. His wide eyes along with a worried aura scratched at Eve and caused her to take a step back.

"Adam, you!!!!!!"

But the other teen did not hear Eve's words as he took off toward a random situation. Eve had an option to stay back but her worry over Elysia caused her to ignore the situation and follow her heart.

"Guards, look after this area and get everyone to safety. Get the sisters to help the people out."

The situation seemed to have escalated enough for the Dirac guards to get involved. Eve could see them taking care of the shadows discreetly and she finally felt relieved enough to leave.

'Things will be alright here. I should hurry and catch up with Adam.'

After all, Adam had a way of finding Elysia no matter what the situation was. And Eve trusted him to lead her to Elysia this time as well.