Chapter 71: The Play (XV).
"Once the school festival is over… Can we go somewhere?" The villainess's thumb brushed gently across Analissa's knuckles, her gaze unwavering. "Just the two of us?"
…
Just the two of us.
Just the two of us…
Just the two of us?
Analissa's mind was near getting fried, she looked down where the villainess was holding her hand. Would it be possible for the two of them to-
"...!"
She takes her hands away from Lad Evelyn's feeling a little overwhelmed.
'Is she asking me out on a date or am I just reading this too much and she's actually inviting me to hang out as friends?' She needed to think rationally first, it would be embarrassing if she misread her intentions. 'Just to be sure let's ask Lady Evelyn if he wants to have Lord Ein onboard or anyone else like Farrah to be safe!'
"Miss Blanchet?" (Lady Evelyn) awaits her answer.
"I-I mean I'm… just making sure but milady did you just say the two of us? Meaning you and me. No one else, your ladyship? How about Lord Ein or any of our other friends?" (Analissa) even thought about bringing Lady Serene, I mean after hearing out their situation maybe they should talk about a few things first and sort their feelings out.
However, the villainess nods in reply.
She intends to have the heroine alone.
"It is exactly as I have said. It will only be you and me."
They've certainly been having those kinds of moments, just the two of them alone hanging out- like at the time in the cafeteria, the restaurant where she worked, the library or in class and even after walking home… but for some reason this time the invitation seems different than usual.
Could it be- that the villainess-?
"I-I would be delighted to! But where would we go?" She managed to compose herself in time but ignored the upsetting feeling that was squirming in her stomach. It's not possible… even if it was possible she would do nothing with it.
"After our exams we'll have three days of semester break, we can go wherever and do whatever we want."
Exam?
'Oh for the love of- an exam?!' She almost buries her head in her hands, remembering that there's still a few ongoing events that's waiting for her. 'T-That's right! I have forgotten that right after the festival the three day exam arc will be next! We only have two days to study. I have studied all I can ever since coming into this world because I have to keep up my grades if I still want to have the scholarship.'
Every night after work, she does her best to get a few pages read. The Japanese streamer was consistent that at least, no one is blowing her cover when it comes to it academically.
'But in the exam event, there will be etiquette exams too such as ballroom dancing, fine dining manners and many more that the heroine is unable to study on her own in the game considering she came from a common background. That's where we can choose whichever love interest that we want to study with to raise their affinity but…' Now that she doesn't have to choose any prince to raise up their affinity she's just going to make sure her grades don't drop.
She doesn't have a choice but to think over the villainess' invitation.
"My apologies, I'm going to have to think of your invitation over Lady Evelyn because I still have to study first. I can't let my grades slip or I might lose the academy scholarship. I hope you understand-"
The villainess didn't even hesitate to offer another thing, "I-I can study with you."
"Eh?"
"I can help you, I'm free, I'm not doing anything important these days and reviewing the materials over with someone wouldn't be too bad."
Lies.
She definitely had important things to do, those are paperwork regarding their estate and private family business matters but…
"Will it be really okay with you, Lady Evelyn? Don't you have student council duties on top of your plate?" (Analissa) wonders how she will be able to juggle everything if she's out here taking almost every inch of her time.
"Student council matters can be handled by the other members by then, I have a few favors left unpaid and the exams are rather easy, I know you've done well in your written exams so my guess is that you only need help in our practical ones." She easily brushes off the student council load, laughing.
Finally, all of those years negotiating and collecting dirt on the other student council members has paid off.
"Mm, in our etiquette exams. I… have no idea on how to properly do them- ballroom dancing, dining, etc. I can read a few books but that wouldn't be enough I imagine honestly it scares me a little." (Analissa) frowns, imagining that when she takes the exams many nobles will be watching.
In the game it was like that, the other students would come watch.
If you managed to pick a love interest that would help you, each cutscene would be different.
Lord Ein would help with social speech.
Prince Dereck would help with ballroom dancing and courtly conduct.
While the Butler Charles Williams would help with the fine dining parts.
And if you picked none, it would be game over and leads you to a secret ending where you're humiliated by the whole class.
"I would be delighted to help you study for our exams. I don't mind, and you'll be helping me go over my past lessons. It would be a waste if my time with private tutors honing my manners in etiquette became dull." (Lady Evelyn) smiles invitingly and warmly, leaving the Japanese streamer squinting her eyes in pain because of how lovely she's being right now.
"Pfft- I guess that's fair."
Right… the game doesn't mention much of where Lady Evelyn Alarie ranks in the exam because the exam results only highlight the heroine's place and name when it was announced- she was in third place.
"What do you say, Miss Blanchet?"
"If it's an invitation from Lady Evelyn then I don't think I can refuse." The two chuckled, Analissa was looking forward to the days ahead of them.
"Lady Alarie! Please be on standby because you're next after the intermission song. It's getting near its ending." One of their classmates who was holding a clipboard informs Lady Evelyn that it's her time to go back to the stage.
The play was about to end.
Lady Evelyn blinks, forgetting about the play for a moment. She let go of Analissa's hands and nodded in reply. "Is that so? Thank you for reminding me."
She walks over and waves her hand slightly, "I'll see you on the stage later, my prince."
"A-Ahahaha… see you." (Analissa) waves back awkwardly, their classmate sighs and hovers over a warning to Analissa as well.
"You should get ready as well, Miss Blanchet. This is the last part of the play- goodluck out there!" She excuses herself to take care of some other things, now that she is finally alone Analissa can relax and breathe more freely.
Is it just her or the villainess has been rather clingy…
'That was weird but at least I don't have to choose any of the love interests to raise my affinity. Learning from the villainess would be better than that masochistic and betrayer Lord Ein, don't even get me started on the narcissistic prince and obsessed butler.' She gathered her thoughts together and prepared for the last part of the play.
…
Lady Serene was observing as the play caught on smoothly, no problems for now.
"Visual effects team best be ready, orchestra be on standby make sure to keep the melody on track." She barks a few orders here and there, she couldn't help but notice a petite blonde figure looking nervous.
Analissa kept holding her pockets where the last of her vial was empty.
The Lackey with sharp eyes walks over with her hands crossed. "Commoner, I'm guessing from the last part of the play your little trick ran out." she mutters, eyeing her from head to toe.
"Yes… my apologies Lady Serene the potion that I've been using ran out. I'm a little nervous now that I'll be using my real voice." (Analissa) takes a deep breath in and out trying not to shake like a leaf. "But I'll do my best."
Lady Serene eyes her on the side and coughed. "You know… you're not doing too bad for a commoner. It's a shame that you ran out of tricks in your sleeve but your charm is what keeps you going- the crowd is entertained but of course, you'll never compare to-"
"R-Really?!" (Analissa) couldn't help but blurt out looking happy. She knew that this hunk of meanness was actually a real cutie when she's trying her best to convey her feelings.
Ah the classic gap moe!
"D-Don't look at me with that expression on your face! For the record you may have outdone yourself but I still… don't like you." She had the emphasis on the 'don't like' however, Analissa being used to it smiles in reply.
"Mm, I know! But thank you for trying to cheer me up."
Hearing that didn't make Lady Serene happy, definitely not and pointed a finger at the blonde girl. "Shut up- ugh this is what I get. Don't spit such nonsense and just practice your lines, you're on in ten minutes."
She stomped her feet a few times and some poor unfortunate boys were walking innocently when she started tearing them apart. "You- do something productive and get me a cup of cold water!"
===
"Behave and you won't have to suffer much from my hands. Oh princess I assure you this at least I'm not bad in bed so you need not to worry once we have our heir-" In continuation of the play, the Duke of the north was plotting his plans, finally the wedding will continue and the two will be married.
Lady Evelyn, the princess, pushes him away. "Please just stop. You've already turned my father against me, he likes you more than I. The days ahead of us are the beginning of hell that I don't want to endure. So stop talking and just please leave me be."
"Alright, alright. I'll see you in the wedding aisle but this time, no running away."
Clack.
The Duke leaves the princess' room, closing the door behind him.
"Sniff."
A tear escapes from her eye, she presses her back against the wall and slips down. Muffled sounds of crying could be heard, everyone in the theater felt for the princess' situation. Most of them were the women, the men looked away in shame but some cast their eyes down shaking their heads.
Lady Evelyn sees the reflection that was in the mirror.
A beautiful woman to be wedded with someone she doesn't love.
If only Mr. Frog was here to comfort her.
"Where are you Mr. Frog? I hope you're alright- and forgive me for being so weak."
…
The church bells rang, everyone from the last guest's wedding attended and was gossiping how the princess managed to escape.
What a runaway bride.
The King looked anxiously at his own daughter as they stood together on the red carpet, "Please, daughter. Don't run away from your soon to be husband. We need all the help that we can, he's a good man, just give him some time and you'll learn to love each other just like your mother and I did."
"..." The princess says nothing in a moment of silence before finally giving in. "Yes, father, whatever you would like."
Thinking that the princess agreed her father was happy that she accepted on marrying the duke.
The King leaves the two of them in front of the aisle as the priest takes his book. "We are gathered here in the presence of the heavens, family, and friends to unite these two in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly, and the heaven's blessing. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another."
Duke Pierre glances at the princess who was being quiet all this time, "So, princess there's nothing to come between us now. Isn't it nice that we can be wedded at this very moment?"
"..." She looks down at the bouquet of roses, the mere shade of green from the thorn and leaves immediately she misses Mr. Frog ever so.
The priest was finally at the end of the ceremony, finally, the ring bearers ready their place. "Do you, Duke Pierre of the north, take the princess' hand in marriage?"
"I do." He answers with a huge grin on his face.
"And for the princess, do you take this man to be your husband?"
"I… do." The princess answers looking empty.
The priest nods, "If any person can show just cause why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
"I object to this marriage!"
"Gasp!"
A certain voice calls out, everyone gasps in shock seeing Analissa and no longer hearing the deep manly voice that she had before.
"Who is that?!"
"I don't know but- he's the most handsomest man I have ever seen."
"Truly an eye catcher, how come I've never seen him around before?" The guests at the wedding suddenly became curious of the newcomers who objected, in tow with the King of the neighboring kingdom, their relationship at a boiling point.
The King stands before them, "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?! I have invited you to attend my daughter's marriage in hopes for peace and diplomacy but this is how you repay that invitation?"
The prince's brother laughs, "If I'm being honest, your majesty. This has been a long time coming, we may have been invited but I know things are not going so well behind our curtains now isn't it? I've been stressing on how I would deal with you. It's a good thing my brother has come back and helped me with some things."
Analissa takes a deep breath, having her line ready but this time without the help of the potion. "I have… been cursed for a long time now."
Lady Evelyn tries not to smile at how much of a great job the heroine is doing. "Mr. Frog? I-Is that you? You broke the curse?"
Analissa smiles giving the princess a bow, as if reuniting with a long time friend she smiles fondly seeing her again. "Hey, princess. I'm here to get you back, my apologies if it took me a while."
"Huh?! Your majesty, do you know this man?"
Lord Keith nods, placing a hand on his chest. "This man is my elder brother and truthfully, he's supposed to be the rightful ruler and heir to the throne."
Whispers of the crowd began.
"I-I've heard of you!"
"You've been missing all of this time! No wonder we couldn't recognize you at all!"
"But why is he objecting to the princess' marriage and surely by the way they talked they must've somehow met before."
The music becomes deep, Analissa kneels down offering her hand as the rest watches. "I've been cursed for offending a great witch. It wasn't easy to learn my lesson being cursed as a frog, forced to roam and survive on my own. The princess is the only person who has ever shown me kindness, that's why I will be the one who will ask for her hand in marriage."
Lady Evelyn seemed touched by the gesture and almost broke the script once more.
"You! How dare you take what's supposed to be rightfully mine!" (Duke Pierre) shouted, and pushed Analissa down into the ground. "You're nothing but a low life- if you were the same frog I should've stomped on you a few more times to make sure you're dead!"
"It only took me a few days but it was all worth it just to bring you down. Your majesty, this is proof of his plans to take over your kingdom and poison you to death." (Analissa) stands up slowly patting the dust off his shoulders when one of the attendees presents her with a stack of paper.
She throws it up, soon the papers scatter filled with horrible news of the Duke's true reputation.
The curious guests took one and began reading it word for word.
Treason
Sexual Abuse
War Crimes
Corruption
Blasphemy…
The list goes on.
"My word…"
"So all of his promises were lies."
"Are we to believe this paper completely? Surely the Duke has an explanation!"
Duke Pierre grits his teeth, angrily taking one of the thrown paper and reading it briefly before crumpling it. "This is just a bunch of hogwash! Your majesty don't listen to this stranger and remember-! I gave you proper compensation!"
Lady Evelyn turns to her father and pleads, "Father what he's saying is true! I've only wanted to make you happy but since you don't listen I can only vouch for these people they're only trying to help!"
"He really does plan on poisoning you!"
"You dare ruin my plans!" (Owen) the actor unsheathed his sword and began summoning spells just like what they practiced.
A long battle ensued.
The visual effects were stunning, everyone acted as if they were really in a battle.
The parrying of their blades was fast.
"You've got some skill, I'll give you that." (Owen) went off script for a bit, not expecting for their goddess and beauty of the class was managing to keep up with him.
"I'll never ever let you take the princess and her home."
"You really love that woman- commendable but I get what I want and if you stand in my way death is guaranteed."
He glances at where the villainess stood, he grins after testing their conversation it was clear what the prince's weakness was and breaks off their fight only to throw his sword to the princess.
"No-!"
"Heh."
As if time was in slow motion, the visual effects team helped create a magic circle that boosted Analissa's speed on the ground and managed to catch the sword on time but not in the way they would expect.
"Mr. Frog!"
"Ngh!"
Analissa had a sword pierced by her side, she acted hurt and even coughed up blood for effects with the help of a hidden compartment by her suit.
"A-Are you alright, princess?" She asks Lady Evelyn who kneels down, carrying Analissa's head.
The King, seeing his daughter was almost killed, finally came back to his senses and ordered the guards to capture him. "Guards arrest this man! Duke Pierre of the north I hereby banish you from my kingdom and I'll tell your father of this incident! You promised to not hurt my daughter but now that I've seen everything our deal is off!"
"You're no longer welcome in my kingdom!" He shouts.
Duke Pierre laughs maniacally, while being pinned down by the guards. "YOU THINK THAT'S ALL? I'LL BE BACK I SWEAR ON MY LIFE THAT THIS ISN'T OVER! MY PLANS WERE CLOSE BUT IF IT WERENT FOR THIS MAN I WOULDVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT!"
"No… Mr. Frog, please don't close your eyes. I'll have our royal doctors take a look at you and you'll be fine!"
"I… never got to tell you my real name, princess. You always called me Mr. Frog, even though I know it's an adorable nickname, I think we should get to know each other by now right?" (Analissa) coughs up blood, smiling weakly. "I'm afraid it's too late for me."
"No you mustn't say that!"
"Your highness… I'm glad I met you, for once in my life that I was cursed I sought for a woman who would break me out of this curse. The moment I fell in love with you I truly wanted it to be real. The witch only gave me a limited time before I turned back into a frog permanently. I fear that there's a chance that I would no longer be able to think and speak like a human." The witch's curse is truly agonizing, but it was worth it knowing that she won't be married to that horrible man, he can rest easily. "I know it's a selfish wish but perhaps before I die… may I ask for a kiss?"
Analissa remembered what Lord Ein had said before, how he handled the kissing scene…
"So you take your thumb as you hold your partner by the cheek, you place it by their lips and then kiss that instead." The instructions were clear, now to do it-
'Okay so I should carefully caress her cheek before I put my thumb by her lips and kiss that instead so we won't have any lip contact-' But without saying anything the villainess went off the script and proceeded to lean her face forward for a kiss.
"...!"
"What the hell-"
Lady Serene covered her mouth in shock and everyone did so as well. The other actors were obviously stunned, but followed the script as best as they could, hiding their panicked and concerned faces.
Lord Ein stood up in happiness raising his hands, clapping uncontrollably.
Farrah jolts from his sudden movements, the whole play was a whole rollercoaster of emotions the whole time she was watching. At first she was happy after finding out that her dear friend got a better role than a tree, unexpectedly it was the prince's role.
"Miss Analissa…" She mutters out the heroine's name as she watches the kissing scene unfold. For some reason she couldn't take it in and lowered her head down sadly. "..."
===
It was soft- barely there at first, like a brush of warm air against skin. A tiny, sudden pressure, tender and careful, that sent a ripple of heat beneath the surface. For a moment, the world felt quieter, closer. Her skin tingled where his lips had touched, a bloom of warmth spreading outward, as if her body had caught a secret meant only for her.
"Hah… hah… Lady Evelyn?" (Analissa) calls upon Lady Evelyn's name, with her flushed face as she looks at the villainess's eyes that were filled with disappointment.
The lipstick stained and left a mark on Analissa's right cheek.
"..."
She missed.
"I-I mean, princess?" The heroine, noticing that Lady Evelyn was not moving, looks over towards the visual effects group and motions for them to move. "Cough- do something!"
"...?" Lady Serene, who heard the blonde girl's whispers, immediately snapped back to reality and ordered the visual effects team to cover the two of them with roses using wind magic.
The roses danced around them as Analissa slowly floated up and then placed back into the ground with a new backup prince outfit.
"I-I'm cured! Hahaha! I'm cured, princess and it's because of your kiss!"
"Indeed." Her reply was cold and emotionless, the villainess tries to jump for joy as she hugs the heroine as said by the script.
But deep inside-
"Ungh." She was having a horrible mix of emotions, she wanted to explode, run away and hide in a corner where she could be able to place all of her shame.
Analissa hears her groan and gently touches her arm looking concerned. "Lady Evelyn are you alright we're still in the middle of acting? If you want I can make something up to fasten the pace of the play."
"N-No need, my apologies for worrying you."
Meanwhile…
In the parents seating area.
"Bravo! Bravo!" (Lord Ein) was on the verge of crying.
While Farrah stares quietly at the heroine and the villainess looking down at her baked treats, a little solemn. "..."
The play was finally over.
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