A Princely Guide to not be an Otome Target 2 - or 'Being the Prince in an Otome Game is sure a Drag!' (Mobuseka Prince Julius!SI)
It's been a tiring first week. Not much on the subjects and classes as I found those to be surprisingly easy considering how basic some content was early on, but I was really annoyed when I was introduced to… Marie.
Admittedly, there was effort put in some ambushes, but she clearly had her focus set on my brother and 'best friend' before focusing on me. She was laying 'seeds' left and right, indirectly hurling some of herself at me but… I was keen to dodge her attempts just fine.
Then again, excuses were simple to come up, and I exploited this 'grace period' to just get to know more Angelica. After that stunt at the entrance, I managed to rekindle some of what was lost by mentioning why I had been so upset by her in recent years.
"I-I am not- I actually love you."
"And I wish to believe that. But you are well-meaning enough to know that there's external interest for this wedding to happen, may it be born of love or not."
The thought was unpleasant, but this talk pretty much allowed me to set up 'dates'. It was more like calm hangouts by the courtyard, drinking tea and eating biscuits away from people from our own cliques. And, truth be told, perhaps it was best to say my clique was turning into my own enemy- at least, the 'core members'.
Since most of them were idiots that could be seduced by Marie, I had purposely taken steps to slowly replace these individuals by bringing other members to the 'group'. Some of which were actually women that had no interest in any of the guys and were there for some modest ambition.
The less grip Marie had over my circle of acquaintances and friends, the better it was going to be in the long run. Still, this didn't give me much cover when it came to surprise attacks. Specifically, an attempt by Marie by the end of the week where she tried to give me 'biscuits she made after putting a lot of time in cooking'.
I politely rejected them. And she went to cry to her white knights. The irritating yapping I was subjected to was indeed a very frustrating reminder that I had to give them the boot as fast as possible. But since this meant having to brace myself for further attacks as Marie was getting bolder, I decided to address the matter with my fiance during one of our usual dates.
"She is a 'what'?" Angelica asked, surprised by the term I used to describe Marie.
She had already started to pick up something wasn't right about this girl and, much to her surprise, she had been given confirmation by me as to why she had to be deemed a threat by her.
"A man eater. A woman that has the goal to create herself a stable source of self-appreciation and economic assistance by seducing numerous wealthy individuals to sustain her lifestyle."
Angelica still looked surprised. "She doesn't give off that look upon first glance."
"The fact she has both my brother and my childhood friend under her thumb while also trying her luck with me is proof she is a good actor. Just… do me a favor, Angie."
She perked at the nickname and nodded. "Yes?"
"She will try to get under your skin. She will try her hardest to undermine your position by exploiting how 'weak' she is compared to you."
Curiosity flared within Angelica's red-eyed gaze. "How so?"
"Let me ask you something. A lioness is a proud animal, is it?"
A slow nod. "Yes."
"But that pride is secondary when the scene where she is shown is on the way to slay a white-furred adorable bunny that had done nothing to warrant its own demise. The lioness would have all rights to claim what she deems as food, but people would be more sympathetic to the bunny."
Angelica's eyes glowed at that thought. "If I was to retaliate, people would think I am bullying her and… while I would have the prerogative to do so as a noble, she would be able to twist it as me being cruel."
"That's correct."
"And… what would be the best counter to this, if it is possible to seek guidance from… you?"
"Angie, we agreed that you can call me Jules if you want."
Her blushing cheeks were just wonderful to my soul- the sight warming me due to how adorable she was in those moments of genuine embarrassment.
"S-Sorry, Pri-Jules."
"Good and… Well, the reaction you need to seek is rather simple: you ignore her."
"Just- Just ignoring her?"
"I understand where your concern may be, Angie," I remarked calmly. "You feel like I am telling you to not react to your urge to be protective of our relationship, however it is true to say this individual wants you to do just that. She wants you to react in a way that can paint you in a bad light towards you and…"
"And?"
"And it will not work with me since I am already aware she is a threat."
That's when Angelica realized what I meant. "If she still gets to me, my reputation may be damaged to warrant a potential scrutiny of our status as a couple."
I slowly nodded at this. "Which is why this will be a battle for most of you to face."
She bowed her head at this and- I smiled.
"Which is why I want to give you help in a way that should not show too much of our cards on the matter."
A quizzical look appeared on her face, but as I explained my plan, she looked intrigued by what I was up to. I may have had her a bit perplexed on 'befriending a commoner', but she was definitely interested in the 'she is an ambitionless thus approachable friend material'.
Fast forward to the next day's lunch break, and we have the rest of the student body two heart attacks and… I dodged a bullet as I had underestimated Marie's efforts since she clearly got all her targets but me. She had been steps away to try and Speedrun me too, but I acted just in time with Angie.
I could see Marie seething in pure anger as Angie and I were sitting together at an empty table… with the true heroine of the Otome game: Olivia. The girl was pure Moe. The fact that Angelica was also delighted of making her a friend- her first friend at that. The entire display had a double purpose- it was a fuck you to Marie, and a show of interest from the crown prince and his future wife in befriending people, even commoners.
Ah yes, with duty comes pleasure.
Olivia was clumsy with her words due to the bullying she went through, but mellowed into her soft-spoken self that endeared Angie and I both. By the end of that first contact, I found myself walking back to classes with Angie.
"Do you like her?" I asked, the blonde blinking in brief surprise.
"I do. She is rather… breath-taking."
"She is a darling."
Angie looked at me with barely-veiled curiosity.
"Hm?"
"She has natural charisma as a docile girl. Quite innocent and well-meaning. Which is why I wish for you to keep her close."
"Why so?"
I blinked. "If she had been a boy, then I would have claimed Olivia as my confidant. But since keeping a girl like that close may create unwarranted rumors, she can be yours."
I had seen a hint of jealousy in the girl's gaze as she questioned my reasons to keep her close, so I provided her with reasons and a correction. I didn't want Olivia as a mistress- I wanted her to be a loyal friend to Angelica to preserve her moral purity and keep her under check while facing Marie.
This seemed enough as Angelica eased her posture as I was done talking. Still, it would be true to say I wanted a confidant too and…
I had someone that could act in that role.
