"You! You have done it. How could you?"
Whoa there!
What's up with this Mr. Shit for Brain over here pointing fingers at me?
"What is it, Robert?" Father said with an annoyed face.
"Robert, don't go in... Oh, no. I am sorry, I tried to stop him." Saskia appeared too.
Now the whole circus is present.
"What is wrong, little brother? Why aren't you in bed this late?" I asked.
"Don't say 'little brother', you wretched person! I know what you have done. Admit it at once!" Robert said with absolute anger.
"Robert! No..." Stepmother acted concerned.
"Robert! Behave yourself at once." Father was genuinely angry now.
"... Father, please listen. This wretched daughter of our house has caused a mishap this night and I have evidence." Robert said as he put a piece of wrapped candy on Father's desk.
"Oh! How nice of you, brother, bringing candy to us. Sadly, little boys shouldn't eat candy at night or candy will eat their teeth, it will give them a toothache, ouch ouch." I said an embarrassing thing I saw on a children's program while acting all cute.
"SHUT UP!" Robert lost to his anger and pushed me away.
I wasn't sure how such a kid possessed such power but I was launched from my place and crashed into the bookshelf behind me.
It was painful but nothing serious.
"YOU BASTARD!"
Father roared at Robert and a thick book flew from his desk right to Robert's face.
The scene was comical from every angle as Robert flew with the book through the door.
"No! Stop! Don't hit him!" Stepmother kept screaming and ran to protect Robert.
"Saskia, step aside." Father spoke coldly to her as he marched against them.
"No, please wait!" She desperately tried to protect Robert but I had to end it here.
"Father, it's alright. I am not hurt." I stepped beside Father even though it was painful as hell and clung to him.
Hurting Robert will be the first step in Father's destruction. In the game, Robert runs to the Academy after being beaten by Father and the Heroine steps up for him with a series of accusations about the things Robert has on Father.
"I'll teach that ungrateful son how to act in front of me." Father was hell-bent on teaching Robert a lesson.
"Now is not the right time, Father. Trust me." I whispered to him and he somehow listened.
He kept glaring at Robert who averted his eyes from Father's. Once Father looked away and returned to his seat, I was the one receiving Robert's and Saskia's glares.
Good grief! This house is messed up.
At least my father is my only Ally.
I calmly collected the heavy book Father threw at Robert and returned it to the desk. It was titled "500 Tactics for Crushing Your Enemies". I guess they are 501 now… if you catch my drift.
"So, little brother. What is the horrible deed I committed this time? Did I perhaps bully another pretty maiden?" I asked Robert who was being helped up by his mother.
His face looked swollen but his eyes were still glaring.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"You have given this poisoned candy to the Baron's son." He said while pointing at me.
"I did?" I tilted my head innocently.
"This insolence..." Father slapped the desk once again.
Robert and Saskia flenched, she tried to hold Robert back but his ego was driving him now.
"Yes, you did. But when your plan to poison him failed, you sent an Assassin to finish the job for you."
"An Assassin?!" Father became more grumpy now.
Simply accusing me of sending an assassin is unthinkable, a little lady can't send an assassin but a Lord can. Robert was accusing our father by accusing me as he didn't dare to direct such charges to Father.
"That's right. An assassin broke into the Baron's residence, killed the Baron's son, and vanished." Robert said.
""What?"" Father and I were shocked. I was acting, of course.
We both became silent for a while until Robert rudely interrupted.
"There is no point in denying it. His Highness has inspected the scene himself and will pass judgment on you." Robert said.
This idiot is still trying to scare me.
"To be honest, little brother. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Poison Candy, Assassins, Evil Schemes... I enjoy a good murder mystery as much as the next young lady but that is too far-fetched. First of all, I was merely bullying the poor little piggy when I gave him candy, I am no killer. And as a sign of good faith, here goes nothing."
I took the piece of candy, unwrapped it, and ate it in one go.
"Vivian, wait!" Father tried to stop me but it was too late.
"If there is poison in this then… it is intoxicatingly delicious!" I said while keeping an eye on my Common Mithridatism at the System's Profile.
Thankfully, nothing happened.
I made a confident face looking down on Robert.
"And you said it yourself, little brother, the Assassin vanished from the scene. I doubt that such a capable assassin will leave a trace behind in whatever bunker His Highness kept Baron Hewes and his son in. Now, what makes you think that His Highness will even think of confronting me?" I said.
"Hmph! Who else other than you would want him dead?" Robert retorted.
"Is that so? I can think of a million people who would want him dead just off the top of my head." I said with extreme arrogance.
"How so?"
"Simple! As my little brother, I am pretty much offended that you haven't figured that one out on your own."
"Just say it."
"Fufufu! Little brother, you disappoint me. Don't you see, little brother? I, your Big Sister, am angelically beautiful." I said while shaking my long black hair.
""Huh?""
Even Saskia was having trouble understanding my point. Father, on the other hand, scratched his chin and then made an understanding nod.
"If not for being engaged to His Highness in the past, Vivian's suitors would have blocked out the mansion's gate on every social occasion." Father said.
Robert and Saskia made funny faces hearing the assist from Pops.
"True. Also, what Father doesn't know is how many knights have approached me lately willing to swear loyalty to me. Also, many Young Lords in the Academy took the chance to ask me for a dance in the past Winter Festival when Prince Liam accompanied the commoner girl instead of me."
"Her name is Lady Matilda."
"Whatever. The point is, little brother, how many young lords from these big families would be willing to take down an opponent like the little piggy? Simply all of them. It was just surprising how fast and skillful it happened."
I said my piece and stood beside my father.
"Indeed. Vivian is right… You, get out of my sight at once." Father agreed with me and then kicked out Robert.
I could see the envious look in Robert's eyes. Me standing beside my father like that was something only one person could do before.
Robert never got Father's recognition despite being the most likely heir at the moment. However, Father clearly showed me his favor. I doubt Saskia or Robert will stand still and keep that going on.
Robert left the room and his mother followed him. Father then let out a tired sigh and looked at me.
"I'm only giving you enough backing in what you can't face alone."
"Thank you, Father."
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes."
"Now that you are no longer going to be Princess Consort, what are your plans for the future?" He asked.
Frankly speaking, I am concerned about that too. Neither I as Nadia nor I as Vivian had any knowledge on how to proceed in a Professional Life from now on. Still, I have a System and some otherworldly futuristic knowledge I can exploit, add the industrial era to the mix, and things may actually turn interesting in any professional field I pick. There is even a new continent that is fully undiscovered yet. The chances are everywhere.
"I am still sorting many things out, Father. For a starter, I may be able to help in the Family Business or I may find my own way. I am still under the pressure of the situation at hand but I'll make my head by the coming Spring Festival."
"Good, I'll wait for your answer. Go now."
"Yes, Father."
I walked out of the study and closed the door behind me.
Today was a victory for Team Vivian. Barely 6 hours after transmigration and I am making this my bitch.
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Now that's just some bad shit!