A Sweet Girl Won't Be Fooled By The Villainess - [Vol. 3] Chapter 77

[Vol. 3] Chapter 77: Illusory Realm (5) – Hesitation Only Leads to Defeat

Jessica’s warning didn’t register with Ifia. She heard and forgot, focusing most of her attention on the maid, Amelia. Ifia observed covertly, behaving like a stalking enthusiast, stealing glances every day.

If someone had told Ifia a few days ago that she would be infatuated with a maid, she would have scoffed at the idea. How could the dignified young lady possibly engage in such behavior?

However, in reality, it happened!

Even Ifia couldn’t understand it herself. Every time she saw Amelia, a familiar sense of dependency would arise, causing her heart to beat irregularly. She only wanted to be closer to Amelia, even closer. Maybe some hugs and kisses…

However, unlike Ifia, who found herself gradually losing control, Amelia remained indifferent. Her purple eyes were consistently as cold as the hardest iceberg. Any attempt to approach her seemed destined to shatter against her icy demeanor.

Yet, the young lady refused to be deterred. An iceberg, huh?

Then she would be a pot of hot water, watering it every day. There would come a time when drops of water would penetrate the stone.

If that failed, she would play the role of a tyrant seizing a commoner, launching a nighttime raid, turning raw rice into cooked rice…

After all, Amelia was just a commoner without the ability to resist.

Sigh, the feeling of unfulfilled desire is truly tormenting. Ifia has already imagined numerous unspeakable scenarios. Fortunately, her rationality is still functioning, preventing her from acting impulsively.

At most, she ventures into daring actions like discreetly touching hands, but she dares not go any further—a display of wanting to but lacking the courage.

Ifia shared her frustrations with her friend Jessica, and Jessica, hating to see Ifia so indecisive, promptly advised her not to hesitate but to go for it. Amelia’s stunning beauty surpasses that of any other maid, and if she’s caught Ifia’s eye, she should seize the opportunity. Hesitation only leads to defeat.

Feeling shy and embarrassed, Ifia insisted that it wasn’t for herself but for her friend. Nevertheless, she reluctantly accepted a potent love potion from Jessica, who cheekily offered various effective concoctions.

Blushing at the mere thought, Ifia, with a stubborn tone, claimed that it wasn’t for her but for her friend who needed it. With a mind filled with wicked plans for the right moment to put the plan into action, an unexpected event occurred at home – something directly related to Ifia.

“Father, in the Empire, marriage requires both parties to be of legal age! I’m only sixteen this year, not meeting the standards.”

Upon hearing the disappointing news, Ifia was furious. She stormed into her father, Count Henry’s, study and presented her reasons for being unsuitable for marriage. Ifia always thought of herself as just a decorative piece at home, but now they wanted to auction her off as if she were an item!

However, Ifia’s reasons were swiftly dismissed by the heartless Count Henry. He argued that it was only an engagement and there were no age restrictions. Ifia was told to prepare herself and not disgrace the family in public.

Ifia was on the verge of exploding with anger. To hell with the family’s reputation!

The conversation didn’t go well, so she decided to leave the room without further discussion.

Later, in her room, Ifia took stock of her belongings. She still had a considerable amount of saved pocket money, along with some gemstones and gold jewelry that could fetch a good price. If she managed her expenses wisely, she could live a stable life.

The condition was that she could secure Amelia with her current maid salary. Compared to managing busy affairs in the Count’s house, sticking with Amelia alone seemed much easier.

With a caring master like her, Amelia wouldn’t refuse, right? Ifia conveniently chose to forget her previous thoughts of using potions for some questionable plans. After all, she hadn’t taken any real action!

However, before Ifia could locate Amelia and attempt some coercion or persuasion, she was unexpectedly rendered unconscious by a person sent by Count Henry.

When she woke up again, she found herself sitting inside a carriage.

With the carriage door tightly locked from the outside, Ifia felt like a caged bird, struggling in vain to break free.

Damn it!

Although Ifia has long known that her father was not a good person, she didn’t expect him to resort to such underhanded methods, directly delivering her to the household of the intended spouse.

Frustrated, Ifia raised her hand to check the small pocket on her waist, realizing that the potion given by Jessica hadn’t been discovered during the search. This discovery immediately reassured her.

She planned to seize an opportunity to slip away, take some gold and silver, and then escape with Amelia! If Amelia refused to go with her, she would use the potion to make things easier.

Thinking about this, Ifia motivated herself. The carriage quickly arrived at its destination. After stopping, the coachman, full of apologies, opened the carriage door, indicating that everything was according to Count Henry’s orders. He couldn’t defy the count’s commands.

Ifia snorted in annoyance without a word of thanks. Before she could carefully observe the luxurious building in front of her, she was ushered inside by the maids who came out to greet her.

“How can it be you!”

Seeing the elegant man seated on the sofa, Ifia widened her almond-shaped eyes in shock. Despite her reaction, the man didn’t perceive any offense. He offered a gentle smile towards Ifia, and his blue eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. Politely, he greeted her, “Miss Ifia, pleasure to meet you.”

“Prince Carloy, seeing you, however, brings me no joy at all.”

Just like the aversion Ifia felt towards her fellow classmate Irene, the inexplicable aversion intensified in the presence of Prince Carloy. Ifia found it extremely irritating, almost wanting to give him a good beating.

Despite Ifia’s uncooperative attitude, Prince Carloy’s polite smile remained intact. He expressed goodwill towards Ifia and instructed the maids to take good care of her, emphasizing not to neglect any details.

Under the guise of care, it was, in reality, captivity and surveillance. Not only the maids but also guards were assigned to watch over her. However, Ifia wasn’t daunted by this situation. Opening a vial of potion, with a swift movement of her small hand, everyone overseeing her fell into a deep slumber.

Credit to Jessica’s potion.

After changing into more practical attire, Ifia quietly left the courtyard where she was confined. Later, she stole a seemingly gentle white horse, officially beginning her escape!

Hmph! Want her, Ifia, to contribute to the family through an arranged marriage? Maybe in the next life! Only a fool would agree!

Luckily, Ifia’s riding skills were decent enough. The journey went relatively smoothly, but Prince Carloy’s pursuit was not to be underestimated. Ifia had barely been on the run for a few minutes when she was immediately discovered, and pursuers were dispatched.

Ifia didn’t even have time to evade, she was surrounded by a dozen black horses midway. Prince Carloy was among them, his usual smiling face now replaced with a stern expression. It seemed he hadn’t anticipated that a noble like Ifia would dare to escape.

“Miss Ifia, please remain calm. Your family has gained considerable benefits through the arranged marriage. You cannot escape from this.”

“If those benefits were taken by Count Henry, let him arrange the marriage himself! What does it have to do with me? I can immediately sever ties with the family, and I will never obediently follow their arrangements!”

Even in fear, Ifia remained defiant as ever. Prince Carloy frowned, realizing that verbal communication with Ifia was futile. He gestured to his subordinates to capture Ifia and take her back.

If it weren’t for something Count Henry possessed that could help Carloy ascend the throne, a mere count’s daughter wouldn’t even have the qualification to stand beside him. Since she refused to cooperate, she would be confined.

However, unlike the previous comfortable arrangements, this time, she was directly thrown into an underground cell. She would be released only when she learned to behave.

Uncertain about Carloy’s intentions, Ifia knew she couldn’t allow herself to be taken back. Amelia was still waiting for her at home!

However, Ifia couldn’t afford to think about anything else, the surrounding guards were already approaching on horseback. In such close proximity, she couldn’t even use the knockout drug, as it would affect her as well. The detestable Prince Carloy kept his distance, if she fell unconscious, he would undoubtedly take her away directly.

Trapped and with no good solutions in haste, Ifia had no choice but to take a desperate gamble. She couldn’t believe this group of people would continue to approach even in the face of a frenzied horse.

With these thoughts in mind, Ifia raised her hand to her waist, preparing to draw the dining knife she had taken earlier. A well-placed stab on the horse’s hindquarters would result in a frenzied and unruly horse. Although there was a chance she might be thrown off, Ifia bet on herself to firmly grasp the reins.

However, before Ifia could implement her daring plan, the guards approaching her suddenly showed signs of pain. The horses they were riding became agitated, and in the next moment, they hastily retreated.

An opening appeared in the encirclement. Ifia, puzzled but not one to miss an opportunity, rode the horse directly out of the encirclement. Just as she was about to urge the white horse to run faster, the persistent Prince Carloy intercepted her. Unable to surpass him, Ifia had to pull the reins and bring the horse to a stop.

If only she had a whip in her hand, Ifia would have loved to give him a lash.

“Ifia, you can’t escape!”

Prince Carloy’s eyes flashed with a malicious expression. Just as he was about to reach out and grab Ifia, his body stiffened. His once rosy complexion quickly turned pallid, and he seemed weakened, nearly falling off his horse.

“Miss Ifia, I’ve come to escort you.”

Simultaneously, Amelia’s voice echoed, causing Ifia’s dark eyes to instantly light up. Quickly looking around, she saw Amelia standing directly in front of her, next to a carriage from the Count’s mansion, patiently waiting to take her home.

At this moment, Ifia could no longer care about anything else. She directly rode her horse, making a turn, and joyfully headed towards Amelia, who was not far away.

“Amelia, you came to pick me up!!!”

After the danger of Prince Carloy’s orchestrated attack, Ifia was no longer stubborn. Once she reached Amelia’s side, she immediately jumped off the horse.

Unlike the tall and long-legged Amelia, the one-meter-sixty Ifia’s act of dismounting was quite precarious. However, Ifia wasn’t worried because she knew Amelia would undoubtedly catch her.

And indeed, she did.

As Ifia rushed towards Amelia like a small projectile, Amelia’s slender arm lifted, and without moving her feet, she effortlessly caught Ifia in her arms. Amelia looked ahead, and behind Ifia, Prince Carloy and the others each had a demon perched on their shoulders.

The concealed demons were rampant, laughing maniacally as they reached out to grab nearby souls, devouring them recklessly. Their unrestrained actions rapidly weakened humans, and some gluttonous demons couldn’t resist breaking fingers and chewing them like snacks.

The attacked humans could only watch in silent terror, unable to utter a sound. Prince Carloy, especially, received special attention from multiple demons surrounding him.

Their sharp nails tore through flesh, blood splattering, but he remained suspended in a state of agony without being able to die.

Amelia watched coldly, a hint of amusement flashing in her red eyes. Despite this, she gently patted Ifia’s back to provide comfort.

Disturbing her dessert would only mark the beginning of death.