I will not die a Villainess's death

"Well, I don't mind getting a little hurt in the process if it is to help my people. Now, how long are you going to stand outside like this? Are you not coming after us?"

'Adam, don't be a fool and lose your temper. Please don't embarrass us in front of Elysia.'

Eve tried to pass the message on to Adam with her looks but the Crown Prince was not looking at her. His focus was entirely on the Akatsuki heir who stood there with a grin o his face.

Looking at that face, Eve could understand why Adam was getting so triggered. Some people were born with a face asking for a beating and Lord Chrome was one such person.

Despite knowing this, Eve had held her desires in check which was commendable. She should be rewarded for her excellent behavior.

But Adam's actions pushed things a little too far and would force Eve to take a stance she did not want to take.

"Lord Chrome, is it really alright for you to accompany us in our sacred ceremonial grounds? I don't think it's a good idea to take you with us when even the servants are not coming."

Adam forced those words out calmly. All the servants were looking toward this scene with anticipation of a show. They likely wanted to see the two Crown Prince fall apart.

People might hate war but they loved drama. And the higher the person who was involved, the better it was for them in terms of entertainment.

Not that it mattered to Adam even a little bit. The only reason he was able to hold back was that Elysia was looking at him right now as well.

He did not want to show his disgraceful side to Elysia like this. His ugly side should never be seen by his loved ones.

"My lord, maybe you should take Crown Prince Adam's advice. Their traditions seem important to him."

The servant that had accompanied Crown Prince Chrome spoke softly but Adam could hear him. That made Adam's favourability for the servant rise even more than before.

He already had to share Elysia's precious time with Eve, he did not need any more competition. And especially from someone outside their empire and who was in a high enough position to rival his own.

Even the servants looked uncomfortable at the thought of Elysia leaving them for a foreign country. She was too valuable to lose as a potential weapon.

"B-But I was looking ahead to this trip. I know! Elysia, you won't make me go back, right? Lady Eve already has Crown Prince Adam to accompany him. Won't you be lonely all by yourself? I can be your knight since Sorias cannot accompany you inside."

Elysia had a shocked expression on her face. This sudden wave of interest had taken her by surprise and she no longer knew what to say.

She generally made sure to keep her distance from such political talks but now she could no longer take a neutral stance.

"I…do you have to be here Chrome? You should visit Lucas…"

"Nope. I've spent too much time with Lucas already so now there is nothing more to know about him. I would rather spend my time getting to know you since we will be working *very* closely in the future. Aren't you going to visit my home after this festival?"

It was Adam and Eve's time to look shocked at the news. They turned toward Elysia as one, their expressions asking the same thing - when did this happen?

"That has not been decided yet so don't go and run your mouth unnecessarily Chrome. Besides, it is up to Lucas since he's the family head. Whatever business that will be happening will be handled by him in the future."

Elysia confirmed and shot down Chrome's words in a single sentence. This might have been the most she had ever spoken in a noble-like manner and she could see the servants talking and pointing her out.

Elysia could have pretended to be unaware of anything and gotten by but she wanted to avoid the talk that was happening behind her back.

This was the best decision to minimize the damage that would happen to the Akatsuki family. By being a little rude to Chrome, it would only Elysia's name would be affected. Chrome would get away freely.

"Oi, oi oi. This still doesn't solve the issue. Lord Chrome, it will be better if you head back now. I remember that my father was looking for you. Besides, we cannot let an unchecked man on these holy grounds. As the Saintess candidate, I won't be able to overlook it."

Eve interfered in between those talks. She positioned herself between Elysia and Chrome to break their line of contact.

It pushed the Crown Prince but the impact was too light to be noticed.

Elysia wanted to help Chrome but Eve was not making it easy to look at Chrome right now. She was also giving off a vibe that said not to mess with her for now.

It calmed Elysia's enthusiasm to help Chrome and she did not try again.

"Hey, I am not a stranger. Are you ignoring what I am saying? Do you think I won't follow…hey. Don't leave me here alone….and darn. I got left behind."

The servants turned their heads away as soon as they realized what they had seen happen in front of their eyes.

The fear of a war breaking out was real now and the servants did not want to be caught in this discussion.

Only the servant that had accompanied Crown prince Chrome could tell how amused he found it all to be. There was a small grin on Chrome's face that spelled trouble for everyone.

"Crown Prince Chrome, was it necessary to trigger them? We are in no position to face off against the empire. There is too much internal conflict in our territories…"

"Stop worrying so much. How long have you known me? Have I ever been anything but careless? I already asked the magicians to take care of these servants' memories. They won't remember what happened here."

The servant could do nothing but sigh at his Lord's words. This was nothing new to him and Lord Chrome pulled this stunt once in a while. The magicians had been trained specifically for this task.

"You are such a harsh master. Now, are you going to meet Head Priest Yohan right now? You do know that he did not call for you, right?"

Chrome's servant asked as soon as he realized that he was alone with the Crown Prince. The clear annoyance in his voice was music to Chrome's ears.

Since he did not want to harm people, letting lose by irritating his retainers was the only thing Chrome could do. And since it did nothing to harm anyone, no one could complain about his methods.

"Meet Head Priest Yohan? Sure, why not. After all, it was his 'dear' daughter who asked me to so how can I turn this opportunity down? We should also take Lucas with us for now. I am sure he must be getting bored by now."

To say that Lucas was less than thrilled to join Chrome would be an underestimation. He kept on glaring toward both Chrome and the Head Priest.

This was a rare time Chrome had seen Lucas get awkward and not be in control and this made his mood rise.

It would have been an even more hilarious situation if not for the additional forces that had joined them. And the girl sitting beside Elysia's familiar was amusing as well.

She was currently glaring daggers into the six-year-old kid's skull. Her intention was written clearly on her face.

"Hello, there little miss. I am not we have met before. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

Chrome tried to be as gentle as she could with the younger girl. But the girl did not even pay any attention to him and continued to stick to Elysia's familiar.

He could see how this attention was making Elysia's familiar uncomfortable. It was a wonder how the familiar had not thrown this lady's hand away and run out.

'Must be because Sorias can see how that would make the lady lash out. She seems just like the violent type as well.'

"My name is Emma White, daughter of the House, White. This is all your highness needs to know of me."

The lady shot Chrome down even before he could say anything to her. Not that he had any intention of courting a lady this young. Emma White was too young for Chrome to even think of using.

Instead, what he wanted to know was the latest news she might carry with her. Besides, it made that 'famous' Head Priest uncomfortable so it was a plus in Chrome's book.

"My lord, is it really alright to torment them all like this?"

His retainer asked but all Chrome did was smile. He was having fun even in this tense atmosphere so he had nothing to complain about.

On the other hand, the atmosphere was just as tense between Adam, Eve and Elysia. But unlike Chrome, they were not enjoying this in the least.