Chapter 60: Villainess Princess × Slave (23)

Lyra looked up at Cassian for a split second before quickly shifting her gaze away to Julian. She cleared her throat softly to break the heavy silence between them.

"Ahem... Imperial Brother," Lyra said, putting on a calm, refined smile. "I have eaten enough for tonight. I would like to step down and greet the noble ladies."

Julian glanced at her half-empty plate, then nodded with a smooth smile. "Go ahead, my dear sister. But do not wander too far."

"Thank you, Imperial Brother," Lyra murmured, rising gracefully from her seat.

Cassian immediately stepped into place, falling in silent motion half a step behind her as her shadow.

As Lyra walked down the steps into the bustling banquet hall, several noblewomen quickly gathered around her to exchange polite greetings. Lyra nodded along, barely paying attention to their flattering chatter, when a soft, melodic voice broke through the crowd.

"Greetings to Her Imperial Highness, Princess Lyra."

Lyra froze. She turned her head to see the Female Lead standing right before her, accompanied by her father, the Chief Imperial Physician.

"Your Highness," Mabel said warmly, her voice full of genuine affection. "I have been hoping to see you again. I wanted to thank you properly for the incident at the market last week, when you saved me from- "

"Ahem!" Lyra cut her off loudly, her eyes widening in panic!

Saved her in the market?! Lyra screamed internally. No! Don’t bring up my accidental good deeds in front of the Male Lead! He’s standing right behind me! I dont want him to remember it at all!

"There is no need to speak of such minor, trivial matters, Lady Mabel," Lyra said quickly, putting on a cold, aloof expression. "This princess merely did what was necessary. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other guests to attend to."

Without giving Mabel a chance to respond, Lyra turned on her heel and walked away in a hurry.

Cassian followed closely behind Lyra, but his eyes flicked back toward Mabel for a brief second.

The moment Mabel turned around, the tips of her small ears turned bright red. She clutched her hands to her chest, watching Lyra’s retreating back with sparkling, idolizing eyes.

"Her Highness looks way more pretty like this..." Mabel whispered softly to herself, her heart fluttering with admiration for the fierce, protective princess who had helped her in the past.

Meanwhile, the banquet dragged on, and Lyra was growing increasingly desperate.

Every single time she tried to execute a villainous act against the noble ladies- whether it was "accidentally" tripping someone, stepping on a dress, or spilling juice- some absurd string of coincidences kept stopping her! A servant would walk by at the wrong moment, a guard would catch a falling glass, or the target would mistake her deliberate bump as a gentle gesture of kindness.

The more Lyra tried to be evil, the more she failed completely!

Finally, completely exhausted and mentally drained, Lyra gave up for the moment. She slumped into a quiet armchair near the giant pillars at the edge of the hall, letting out a long, pathetic sigh.

Cassian stood near the pillar, watching her every single move with a quiet, observant gaze.

His dark eyebrows narrowed slightly into a thoughtful line. What is the Princess trying to do tonight? Cassian pondered silently. She keeps wandering around the nobles, making strange movements with her hands... Is she trying to frame someone again?

Noticeably tired, Lyra waved her hand weakly at him. "Go... get me a sweet drink. Something cold."

Cassian bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Highness."

The moment Cassian’s tall figure walked away toward the refreshment tables, Lyra leaned her head back against the plush chair, clutching her forehead in utter despair.

System! I am so tired!! Lyra wailed frantically in her mind. This universe keeps saving the FL and every other noble in this room! I can’t even play the villainess properly!

[ Host, please try your best! ] the System urged, its glowing blue screen floating near her shoulder. [ You can do it! If you don’t execute a proper villainous scene tonight, headquarters will slap you with another severe punishment! ]

"Didn’t you see how Cassian was looking at me?!" Lyra complained in a hushed whisper. "He was staring right at my face! He definitely knows what I’m trying to do to his beloved FL! He’s probably planning to slice my head off the moment we get back to the estate!"

[ Host, since he is away getting your drink right now, this is your ultimate chance! ] the System pointed out quickly. [ The Female Lead is standing right over there near the curtain! Go execute the plot while the Male Lead isn’t watching! ]

Lyra took a deep breath, her dark eyes locking onto Mabel who was standing alone by the tall drapes.

"Alright..." Lyra gritted her teeth, getting straight into her villainess character. "It’s time to be bad."

She stood up from her armchair, putting on her absolute most arrogant, sneering expression, and marched straight toward Mabel.

Over at the grand refreshment table on the other side of the hall, Cassian stood quietly before silver trays of crystal glassware.

He reached out, selecting a delicate glass, and carefully poured a sweet, fruit-infused cold drink for Lyra. He knew very well that her body couldn’t handle strong alcoholic wine- she would turn red and fall asleep after just a few sips.

Just as he picked up the filled glass, a sudden, loud commotion broke out across the banquet hall!

GLASS SHATTERING!

GASPS!

The cheerful music instantly died down. Whispers and shocked cries erupted from the crowd of nobles near the marble pillars!

Cassian’s pitch-black eyes sharpened instantly. The commotion was coming directly from the area where Lyra had been sitting!

Without a second thought, Cassian turned around and walked hurriedly toward the crowd, using his shoulders to push past the whispering nobles.

When he broke through the inner circle of the crowd, a bizarre scene met his eyes!

Lyra was standing in the center of the floor. A dark, wet stain of red wine covered the front of her magnificent gown, ruining the expensive fabric. But what caught everyone’s breath was her posture- her small, delicate hand was still raised in the air, right above Mabel’s face!

Mabel was sitting on the floor, her cheek bright red from a sudden slap! A spilled glass of red wine lay shattered beside her.

The entire hall went dead silent as the nobles began to whisper frantically among themselves.

"Goodness... did Her Highness just slap that girl?!"

"Look at her dress! that girl must have accidentally spilled wine on her!"

"Aah, I thought the Princess had changed her temper recently... but she is still the exact same cruel tyrant!"

"To slap the Chief Physician’s innocent daughter over a spilled drink... how utterly ruthless!"

Lyra stood there under the glaring lights, panting slightly as she kept her head held high, putting on her cold villainess smirk.

Finally! Lyra screamed in absolute relief inside her head, her inner soul doing a victory dance. I did it! I actually slapped the FL and ruined my own dress to make it look like a dramatic fight! System, look at me! I am a true evil villainess now!

[ GREAT JOB, HOST! ] the System cheered excitedly in her mind. [ NOW FORCE HER TO BE YOUR PERSONAL MAID TO RAISE CASSIAN’S HATRED EVEN MORE! ]

"You clumsy, foolish girl!" Lyra declared loudly, her clear voice ringing across the silent room as she pointed her finger down at Mabel. "How dare you ruin this princess’s precious gown with your filthy hands?!"

Mabel sat on the cold floor, clutching her red cheek. But instead of crying, trembling, or glaring back with hatred... Mabel looked up at Lyra with wide eyes that were filled with overwhelming awe and adoration!

Her Highness touched my face... Mabel thought internally, her cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red. She even ruined her own gown just to give me an excuse to serve her closer! She is so amazing!

"I-I apologize, Your Highness!" Mabel squeaked out, her voice filled with strange, excited reverence. "It was entirely my fault!"

Lyra blinked in utter confusion for a split second, feeling a weird chill from Mabel’s intense gaze. But she quickly shook it off and put on a heartless sneer.

"Apologies will not save you!" Lyra barked arrogantly. "As punishment for your insolence, you will become my personal maid starting tomorrow! You will clean my estate and serve my every whim until I am satisfied!"

The nobles gasped again at the harsh punishment.

Lyra smirked triumphantly, turning her head around to look for Cassian, fully expecting to see his face filled with murderous rage and hatred over her bullying his beloved Female Lead.

However, when her eyes landed on Cassian standing in the crowd... Lyra’s smirk instantly froze.

Cassian wasn’t looking at Mabel at all.

He was holding the glass of sweet juice in his hand, standing tall amidst the crowd. His pitch-black eyes were locked entirely on Lyra’s face- not with anger, not with hatred, but with an intense, and deeply troubled gaze.

He had noticed the slight tremor in her hands. He had noticed how her eyes flicked around nervously right after giving the command, as if she were desperately putting on an act for an invisible audience.

Why is she forcing herself to act like that again? Cassian thought, Why do you keep making everyone hate you, Princess...?

Ding!

A bright red notification screen popped up right in front of Lyra’s face, but the numbers displayed left her completely speechless!

[ MAIN MISSION EVENT COMPLETED! ]

REWARD: +100 Plot Points Granted!

[ METRIC ERROR DETECTED! ]

Cassian Draven’s Hatred Metric: 41% ➔ 35%

THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT?! Lyra almost lost her mind right then and there! IT WENT DOWN SIX WHOLE POINTS AFTER I SLAPPED HIS FEMALE LEAD?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS MALE LEAD’S BRAIN?!