A Petty Decision

Summary:

If the prince is settling for the daughter of a destitute Viscount, I'll do him one better. I'll go for the son of a Baron.

Character tags: Angelica, Leon

"Your Highness, we need to discuss the details regarding the upcoming tea ceremony. Would this be an opportune moment for you?" I said evenly.

The girls surrounding Julius and Jilk immediately silenced their squealing. My presence reminded them that the crown prince was already spoken for.

"Ah, Angelica. Don't just force your way into the conversation. This is the Academy, you know," Julius bit back. How rude.

Julius was acting far too relaxed since entering the Academy. I initially respected his wishes for a respite from his duties since there next three years would be the freest he could be before our marriage, but he had procrastinated for far too long. He had not made any arrangements for the upcoming tea party event, which needed to be elegant and grand to maintain his image. If he did not start preparing now, accommodations could not be made. He had also forgotten to invite me, though his negligence could be due to assuming I would attend. Regardless, it was a faux pas. As silly as it was, he needed to do the invite publicly.

"I'm aware of that. However, the conversation around Your Highness is rather loud. Do you not think that discussing your plans would be prudent?" I posed as a suggestion to appear nonconfrontational for the sake of our image.

Before Julius could respond, he cut himself off. He saw someone, and his mood instantly brightened.

"Marie! Thank goodness, we were looking for you!"

What the hell? What was with the swift change in attitude? What's more, he dared to do such a thing in public?

Looking back, I saw a small girl with long blonde hair. If I recall correctly, she was the daughter of the Lafan family. I had heard about her recently through rumors. I had initially waved it off as mere rumors, but seeing Julius and Jilk brighten up had conclusively proved the rumors true. How dare he insult me for the daughter of such a low-ranking family?

As I tried to develop a response to control the situation, the situation worsened as the trio continued their conversation and forgot that I was in the middle of a conversation with Julius.

"I'm also planning on holding a tea party soon. I find flashy events distasteful. So I'm only inviting acquaintances. And so, I thought I'd ask you as well."

What was left unsaid was that I was not on that list of acquaintances. I grit my teeth rather than interject. Doing so would have only served to undermine my reputation. I would appear desperate, and given the flow of the conversation, I would be rebuffed without care.

Looking around the crowd, I could already tell the damage was done. I could see all the other girls giving me side glances. Some were of pity, but most were filled with glee. My standing was damaged, and my family's reputation would also suffer. How could Julius be so careless in his dalliances? The least he could do was do this privately or take an interest in someone more respectable. It hurt knowing that Julius thought so little of my situation.

As I stared helplessly into the crowd, I saw a trio of boys sitting under a gazebo. One, in particular, stood out to me. It was the newly promoted Baron Leon Fou Bartfort. He looked surprisingly conflicted. It looked like he wanted to get involved, but I suppose common sense told him not to. As I saw him struggle with a decision, I started to realize a way to salvage the situation.

If the prince is settling for the daughter of a destitute Viscount, I'll do him one better. I'll go for the son of a Baron.

Returning to Julius and Lafan, I noticed the girl giving me a worried look. She likely expected me to object to her attendance, which I did, but I couldn't afford to do that now.

"I suppose this solves my issue regarding what I needed to discuss with you regarding the ceremony," I said with a smile toward Julius.

"Eh?" both Julius and the girl said.

"I wanted to let you know I was thinking of attending another's tea ceremony, but I was troubled about the impropriety. Considering you publicly invited Ms. Lafan, I can assume you take no issue with me doing so?"

"Someone has invited you?" Julius asked with an incredulous tone.

"Of course not. It's public knowledge that I am your fiancee. Anyone with any sense would have known such an endeavor would have led to failure under normal circumstances. No, as much as it goes against conventions, I must be the one to approach the boy."

"Why would you attend another's tea ceremony? You do realize the implication of these events."

"I'm surprised you would take issue since you just invited another woman to yours in front of your fiancee."

At this, Julius looked away nervously. I suppose he just realized what he had done or his hypocrisy. In either case, he was not comfortable with his previous decision. Good.

"I don't have an issue. It's just that the boy in question may have an issue," Julius said to defend himself.

"And I won't twist his arm about it. I realize what this event means for the majority of the boys here. I merely see a convenient time for me, and I hope he will be willing to accommodate my selfish request."

"Might I ask what you need to discuss with him?"

"Your Highness, there are some things you should not disclose so publicly," I said cheekily before walking towards my target.

In a few steps, I stood before the three boys, all of whom seemed shocked. Two of them stared at Mr. Bartfort as they realized they neither had nor done anything worth my attention.

"Leon Fou Bartfort, it may be presumptuous of me, but might I ask for an invite to your tea ceremony?" I ask gently.

Whether it be from the shock or from a genuine desire to gift an invite to me, he pulled out an envelope and stammered out, "It would be my honor."

I noticed that there was a name for another girl on the envelope. I inwardly winced since I was inconveniencing the boy. I would make it up to him later for accommodating my selfish actions. Accepting it graciously, I began to move until he asked me a question.

"Do you have any preferences in tea?"

Not wanting to bankrupt him but not wanting to appear to have cheap taste, I decided to compromise.

"Surprise me."

Julius was excitedly partnering with that girl again. He had not bothered to ask me first. It seems the first lesson did not stick in his mind, and now I needed to do a repeat performance. Looking around, I saw Leon entertaining the scholarship student. I pursed my lips. She could be problematic for my plans.

I wonder if he was interested in her. Unfortunately, I would have to cut into their romance. Perhaps I could aid in that romance at a later point. My father could arrange an adoption for her so she may be of noble rank.

"There you are, Leon. I hope your party isn't full for today," I said audibly enough to capture Julius's attention.

"Angelica. It's just me and Olivia currently."

"I see. I'm looking forward to working with someone as accomplished as you today. I hope to learn much from you."

The scholarship student looked quizzically and asked, "Accomplished?"

"You do not know of his reputation?" I honestly asked.

"We've only just met recently, and we were more concerned about other issues," the girl said nervously.

This was an opportunity if I ever saw one.

"Leon is the rising star of our generation. He successfully explored several dungeons, acquired priceless Lost Items, and discovered and colonized enough new islands to be granted the title of Baron. Additionally, he did it with nothing but a small dinghy."

The scholarship student had a starry-eyed look for Leon and excitedly questioned Leon's life as an adventurer. This caused everyone to start eyeing Leon more seriously. I noticed the Lafan girl giving Leon a contemplative look and Julius gritting his teeth.

Now for the clincher.

"Speaking of promotions, Leon, I believe congratulations are in order. Zola and her children were recently found guilty of treason. In light of the vacancy and your accomplishments, the royal court has seen fit to appoint you the heir of the Bartfort Barony," I said in an audible volume in the atrium of the dungeon.

Leon, who was in the know, looked nervously at me. I had delivered on my end of the bargain. I suppose he realized my family had a reason for our last name.

With that, I saw the Lafan girl counting how many were in Leon's group. With my followers, we had five. After a few moments, it seemed as though the Lafan girl decided to stay with the prince and his friends.

However, Julius made his way toward us. But he was pulled back by the Lafan girl before he could confront us. Pity, I would have loved to drill the lesson into his skull. I suppose it was a task for another time. For now, ruining his outing was enough for me.

AN:

1) I wrote this because I'm currently having trouble writing Marie-less. The current draft for that sucks. As a result, I decided to take a break and write this.

2) The idea was that every time Julius annoyed Angelica, she would try to one-up him. Go on a date in town, and Angelica will bring Leon along. This would ironically show that Angelica has no problems doing commoner things, which convinces Julius to pursue Angelica. But it would be too late by that point.

3) It would be stupid to put yourself in a situation where your fidelity could be questioned, but I feel there are enough examples of toxic relationships where this could happen.

4) I wouldn't know how to continue this since petty decisions can get old.