"Hang her somewhere I won't see. I want her out of my sight... permanently."
There was a long moment of silence after Sunny's orders. All they could do was watch the 'crown prince' pick up her cutleries to resume eating, only for her to pause and raise her little head.
"Did you not hear me?" she asked, batting her eyes at the royal knights. "Or should I need to do it myself?"
"Your Highness!" Lady Julienne slammed her hands on the table as she stood up. Her wide eyes shook at Sunny, in disbelief at the obvious display of power abuse. "Pardon my insolence, however, I believed we have a misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding…?" Sunny blinked twice, tilting her head to the side. "Did I misunderstand that you had disrespected the emperor right in front of me and in his territory you are standing on now?"
"What…?" the lady's breath hitched, feeling her heart race under the icy gaze of the little child.
"I believe it wasn't me who misunderstood, my lady, but you. My intentions were pure, but you took that as an opportunity to lecture me," explained Sunny in the same adorable yet eerily cold tone. "Your actions not only offended me but also, indirectly delineate the emperor didn't raise me well. Shall we bring this to the royal court? If His Majesty heard about this, he will not only hang you but will order you to crush your own head until you remember your place."
"Etiquette… you said you must conform to the palace rules. I wonder why would you make such an elementary mistake, my lady?" she added almost innocently it was unsettling to listen to. "In this place, the crown prince is only the second to the emperor in power. How dare you, a lowly daughter of a duke on a brink of bankruptcy, speak when you're not told to speak?"
Aries's mouth fell as she listened to Sunny's sudden tantrum. Her heart pounded against her chest, even though she wasn't the one who was currently inflicting the little girl's anger. She darted her eyes between Sunny and Lady Julienne, speechless.
"Do not make me repeat myself." A glint flickered across Sunny's eyes as she glanced at the knights. "Drag her out of here. Those are my orders."
"Your Highness!" Lady Julienne gasped, seeing that the knights bowed with their fists across their chests as they accepted the order. Her pupils went wide, setting them at Lady Ivory. The latter had a blank expression plastered on her face, unable to even look at Lady Julienne and Sunny.
"Lady Ivory! Your Highness! Kya — let me go! Your Highness, this is unfair! I did nothing wrong!" Lady Julienne screamed as the knights dragged her by her arms. "Your Highness — please forgive me! I was wrong and stepped out of my bounds! Please!"
"How loud," Sunny mumbled nonchalantly, casting everyone on their respective tables and seats with equal attention. "For you all, this was nothing but a selection to become the most powerful woman on the continent. However, for the Emperor, this was a time he would have to choose his life partner. As for me, this is a matter of who would become my mother."
"Just because I am a bastard child doesn't mean I merely carry an empty title. Before any of you get crowned, do not forget I am above you," she continued, almost sounding like Abel at her lack of hesitation in her confident remarks. "His Majesty had entrusted me with monitoring the candidates. Therefore, do not harm each other. We wished for this competition to be bloodless."
"I hope that is clear to everyone," Sunny added.
The candidates remained silent, listening to Sunny's remarks and memorizing them lest this information would be helpful in the future. Dread still dominated their eyes, but because of years of practice, they were able to force a smile.
Meanwhile, as everyone started eating, Aries caught Lady Ivory slowly raising her eyes at Sunny. The latter was already staring back at the candidate; her eyes were cold as if they bore a warning Sunny didn't have to voice it out for Lady Ivory to understand.
'What did she do?' Aries wondered, furrowing her brows. She cast Veronika, who was sitting beside her, a look. The Princess of Chivisea shrugged, unable to answer the inquiry that was clearly written in Aries's eyes. Suzanne and Sybil didn't seem to know as well as they continued eating with Suzanne carrying a somber mood while Sybil was obviously frightened.
Just moments ago, Lady Julienne was actively gloating like usual, praising Lady Ivory to the heavens. But now, a servant was quietly taking out the vacant chair, as if Sunny didn't order something so cruel.
'What have I been missing?' Aries sighed mentally as she didn't pay attention that much to everyone. She might have fulfilled all the tasks given to them in these past two weeks. Aries didn't pay attention to the little things since she had been distracted by the realization of her every lesson with Marsella.
If only Aries paid more attention… she would realize some of these ladies had considered her a threat. And thus, like any rational being, Aries would be the target of some of these ladies. However, that wasn't the real reason Sunny resorted to such an extreme way.
As the sound of silence enveloped the garden while everyone was eating, Sunny glanced at Lady Ivory. The latter's hand was shaking while slicing her steak weakly. Watching this woman, Sunny's mind drifted to a memory from days ago.
****
Days ago…
"Ivory Norwood."
Sunny looked over the book she was reading when Abel suddenly squatted down in front of her. She was currently in the farthest corner of the library, reading books that she stack up on the side after finishing them.
"Glutton, I needed a son. Will you play the role of my son?" Abel didn't beat around the bush. His lips curled up into a taunting smirk. "And cripple this particular candidate and fill her with nothing but dread."
"Mhm…" Sunny hummed and pondered about. "Alright."
Sunny didn't ask for a reason before accepting, but her lack of interest in the reason brought a wicked smile to Abel's face. For him to ask Sunny to scare someone… she didn't need further details, as that request was enough for an answer.
This Ivory Norwood got into Abel's nasty side.
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