>>Amber

Illaris stood quietly behind Ophelia. Her eyes on me while in the fit of nervousness, I looked around the crowd. Lyal was standing with other noblemen. He, along with all the other people, had their eyes on me.

The moment I saw Lyal. Something seared inside of me.

I remembered what he had done to me and how his actions caused me so much pain. It seems like his sister isn't much different from him. They're both so selfish and self centered. What did I do to deserve this treatment? First I was humiliated by Lyal, and now Ophelia?

I saw Ahin make his way towards me, his hands holding the wine I asked her and Oh! I definitely needed that. I raised my hand towards him to stop him.

But I'll have my fill of alcohol when I'm done dealing with this bratty princess.

Ahin stopped in the crowd, His eyes were on me in shock. I shook my head at him,

'Why!?' He mouthed the words

'Watch me,' I mouthed them back and looked at the princess

I'm gonna handle this bitch in a worse way. She's calling Corvina crazy, well Corvina was crazy. She did things that landed her in more trouble.

But you know what, just because I've learned to tame myself, doesn't mean I've completely forgotten what I used to be.

I remember the past me very well. And how I hated so many things. How fussy I was and how I destroyed stuff too.

I'm just a little wiser now.

So I'm going to use that craziness to my advantage. You want to humiliate me?

Fine

Two can play this game

The room was a whirlpool of whispers and judgmental glances, and I felt the need to clear my name. Summoning all my courage, I stepped forward, my voice trembling yet determined..

"Oh! Princess! I'm so sorry!!" I exclaimed, taking a step toward her. "The glass slipped from my hand by mistake! I never meant to—" My words were cut short as the Princess, ever the master of theatrics, took a step back, her eyes widening in exaggerated fear.

Desperate to show my sincerity, I reached out, "Please, don't be mad! I didn't mean any harm." With that, I moved closer, intending to offer a comforting hug in hopes of defusing the situation. The Princess hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping into my embrace, her posture rigid but seemingly accepting my gesture.

Got you, you little bitch!

As I hugged her, I felt a cold resolve settle within me. In a swift, concealed movement, I drew a small dagger from my sleeve. The blade glinted briefly in the chandelier's light before I plunged it into my own stomach. A sharp, searing pain shot through me, but I kept my expression steady. The Princess gasped, her body stiffening as she realized something was wrong, but as of yet, she wasn't sure what I had done.

Before she could react, I grasped her hand and pressed it against the hilt of the dagger, the blood seeping through my dress and onto her fingers. Then, I screamed—a piercing, anguished cry that cut through the ballroom's chatter and brought the entire room to a standstill.

The Princess recoiled, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. I stumbled backward, clutching my bleeding stomach, and looked at her with feigned dismay

"Princess,... why?" I gasped, my voice filled with mock betrayal. "I was only apologizing."

A murmur rippled through the crowd as they processed the scene before them. Someone from the crowd pointed out, "Look! The Princess is holding the dagger!"

"Please, don't get mad," I whispered, my voice strained but loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I was only apologizing."

All eyes turned to the Princess, who stood frozen, her hand still smeared with my blood and gripping the hilt of the dagger. Her expression was a mix of horror and bewilderment. The realization of what it looked like dawned on her, and she quickly released the weapon, her face draining of color.

The room erupted into chaos. "What has she done?" a voice cried out. "The Princess has stabbed her!"

"No, that's not true!" the Princess protested, her voice breaking with desperation. "I didn't—she—"

But the evidence was damning. I staggered back further, my hand pressed against my wound, blood oozing between my fingers. "Help! Someone, please help me!" I cried out, my voice filled with genuine pain now, the act taking its toll on my strength.

Guards rushed forward, some moving to support me, others surrounding the Princess, their faces a mixture of confusion and concern. The ballroom was a frenzy of movement and noise, the guests shouting and pointing, trying to make sense of the chaos.

"Princess..." I looked at the younger blonde girl in horror, "Why? Just over some spilled wine?" I didn't need to act. The pain was very real, and it was showing very nicely on my face, "I told you it was because I slipped, I would never-" I choked, "But you-"

"Oh! My God! Princess, why would you stab her?" The crowd muttered.

"Was the princess someone like this?"

"I had no idea she was capable of doing something so bad,"

"I heard she's quite spoiled, this must be because she thinks she can get away with anything." The gossipers gossiped.

"W-what! No!" Ophelia shook her head in dismay, "No!"

Ahin, who had been standing in the crowd with a glass of wine in each hand, was frozen in shock as he witnessed the horrific scene unfold. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sure he must know that I stabbed myself.

I glanced at the knife on the floor. He would recognize it right away, but I can't stop my show now.

I yelled out in pain again.

As my scream pierced the air, his eyes widened, and the glasses slipped from his grasp. The sound of shattering crystal echoed through the room, briefly punctuating the chaotic noise. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang into action, his face etched with concern and determination.

He was moving fast, cutting through the crowd with swift, purposeful strides. His long coat billowed behind him as he pushed past stunned guests, his attention solely focused on me.

"Make way!" He shouted, his voice commanding and urgent. The crowd parted, driven by the authority in his tone and the palpable intensity of his presence.

As I collapsed to the floor, my strength waning, Ahin reached my side. He knelt down swiftly, his movements fluid and precise. His eyes scanned the scene, taking in the blood, the dagger, and my rapidly paling face.

"Amber!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern.

He must be so utterly confused as to why I pulled something so outrageous yet still, he gently cradled my head, his other hand pressing against the wound in an attempt to stem the flow of blood. "Stay with me" I looked up at him, my vision blurry but his face clear. His expression was a mix of worry and determination, a steadfast resolve to protect and save. The warmth of his hand against my cold skin was a small comfort amidst the pain and chaos.

Watch me fake cry now.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I turned my face to look at the princess.

"Princess," I addressed her in a weak tone, "Why?" She was shocked, but had nothing to say. Lyal didn't move from his place. He must be confused too.

"Ophelia," The king intervened, "What did you do?" The crowd cleared the way, making a straight line of view from the throne where the King and the Queen sat, all the way to Ophelia.

The Princess, still standing nearby, her dress stained with my blood, stammered, "I... I didn't mean for this to happen. She—she did this to herself!" She looked at the dagger on the ground, then kicked it toward us.

"Is the princess out of her mind?" The crowd gossiped.

"Why would anyone stab themself?"

"Ophelia!" The King roared, "Explain yourself!" All eyes went to the king and I picked up the dagger then.

"D-dad," She was afraid and just like I didn't have anything I could present as an excuse, she was the same.

No, wait

She was in a worse situation. I could see her confidence fading, and I loved the twisted expression of nervousness take over her

My vision blurred and my strength waned further,

Damn

I think I hurt myself a bit too much.

Ahin's concern deepened with each passing second. His patience was wearing thin, and he could see that I needed immediate action.

"She's losing too much blood," Ahin muttered, his frustration evident. The crowd all stared at me and the princess while Ahin made a split-second decision, his protective instincts kicking in.

Without another word, he carefully but swiftly scooped me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest.

"Make way!" He declared, "I'm taking the Saint out of here!" The crowd gasped and parted again, their whispers following us as he adjusted me in his embrace.

He was about to move when Illaris stopped him, "Wait," She moved towards us as Ahin stopped and looked back at her, "I can help her,"

"What?" Ahin looked back at her

"I'm the Saint," She stepped closer, "I can heal her right here, without any problem."

!!

Ah right,

She's a saint too. I only stabbed myself because I knew I could heal myself just fine. I have Holy Power. I can heal myself like I was never wounded to begin with. And I was planning on healing myself after Ahin had taken me out, so that the Princess's situation gets worse.

But damn you, Illaris.

You just have to come in and ruin it all, don't you?