NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Trouble
As Conrad finished his speech, his smug grin spread as he scanned the room for approval. A few nobles nodded in agreement, murmuring among themselves, while others appeared indifferent or bored. The tension in the hall lingered, all eyes shifting back to Iris Midgar, waiting to see how she'd respond.
Vivienne leaned back slightly in her chair, observing the interplay. She could feel the subtle pull of politics at work—the unspoken challenge Conrad had issued to Iris, questioning her ideals in front of the entire room. He's baiting her, trying to make her look weak or naïve, Vivienne thought. But he doesn't realize she's probably two steps ahead of him.
Iris rose from her seat gracefully, her expression calm and composed as she met Conrad's gaze. The room quieted, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.
"Strength alone doesn't determine victory," Iris said, her voice steady. "But it's the foundation upon which strategy and legacy are built. A pack may overpower a lone wolf, but only if its members are united and strong. Without strength, influence crumbles. Without trust, a legacy dies."
Her red eyes sharpened. "Midgar Academy teaches us to cultivate all these traits—not just strength, not just status. Those who rely on one without the others are doomed to fall."
The room remained silent for a beat, and Vivienne's passive skill hummed faintly in the back of her mind. Every word she said is true. No hesitation, no doubt.
Conrad's smirk faltered for a moment before he quickly recovered. "An admirable sentiment, Princess Iris. But idealism alone doesn't win wars."
Iris didn't flinch. "You're right—it doesn't. But neither does arrogance disguised as strategy."
The hall broke into scattered murmurs, some students and nobles stifling grins at Conrad's visible discomfort.
Vivienne couldn't suppress a small, satisfied smirk. Nice move, Iris.
Amadeus, perched invisibly on her shoulder, whispered, "She's good. Put him right back in his place without breaking a sweat."
Claire leaned toward Vivienne, speaking low. "Iris is skilled at these exchanges. She knows how to strike without overplaying her hand."
Vivienne hummed in agreement, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her glass. "She makes it look easy."
Conrad, visibly flustered, cleared his throat and sat back down, his attempt at regaining control thoroughly deflected. Iris, unfazed, resumed her seat as well, the tension in the room easing slightly.
Just as Vivienne thought the drama might settle, Alexia, Iris's younger sister, stood abruptly. Her silver hair gleamed under the chandelier's light, and her crimson eyes scanned the room with a lazy, half-interested expression. She slowly raised her glass, her voice breaking the silence.
"Well," Alexia drawled, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "that was thrilling. Truly, the highlight of the evening." She sipped her drink leisurely, ignoring the subtle glares from several nobles. "Can we go back to eating now, or should we prepare for another round of noble posturing?"
The room tensed again, a few hushed chuckles breaking out among the students. Iris shot her sister a warning glance, but Alexia simply smirked and took another sip.
Vivienne couldn't help but laugh softly, earning a surprised look from Claire.
"Something funny?" Claire asked.
"Just appreciating someone else's appreciation for not mincing words," Vivienne replied, her smirk widening. "Alexia's the wildcard, isn't she?"
Claire sighed. "You could say that. She doesn't care for politics—or propriety. Which makes her dangerous in her own way."
Amadeus snickered. "I like her already."
The banquet continued, though the energy in the room remained charged. Vivienne kept an eye on both princesses, her passive skill quietly picking up the subtle dynamics of their interactions.
Iris was the strategist, deliberate and precise. Alexia, on the other hand, was the wildcard, unpredictable and sharp-tongued. Together, they created a balance of power that kept the room—and perhaps the kingdom—on edge.
As Vivienne sipped her drink, her thoughts turned inward. This place is more complicated than I thought. And if I'm not careful, I'll end up caught in the crossfire.
Vivienne froze mid-sip as her system lit up like a fireworks display, text flashing before her eyes faster than she could process.
---
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Social Combat]
You've developed a knack for navigating tense and competitive social interactions. Increases awareness of verbal strategies and reduces the impact of hostile remarks.
---
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Sweet Talk]
Your charm and wit make it easier to persuade or influence others in casual or light-hearted interactions. Effectiveness doubles when speaking honestly.
---
[Error: Social Curse Detected!]
Skill: Social Maneuvering—Unable to fully unlock due to active curse.
Effects of skill severely limited. Increased likelihood of verbal missteps in high-pressure situations.
---
Vivienne set her glass down with a sharp clink, her irritation barely concealed. Of course. The curse strikes again. She mentally groaned, knowing full well how it had sabotaged her countless times before.
"Something wrong?" Claire asked, noticing the faint crease in Vivienne's brow.
Vivienne forced a smile. "Nothing. Just tired of all the... noble posturing."
Amadeus snickered quietly, lounging on her shoulder. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. You're not that cursed. Besides, these new skills are perfect for this environment. And that Social Combat one? It's going to make you unstoppable in these little games."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly as she muttered under her breath, "by the way, could I say no to a skill? There are a few I wished I didn't get." Thinking of a few right now.
The bunny confirmed that yes she could say no to a skill. That annoyed Vivienne. "Why didn't you say so before!"
Amadeus smirked, "because you never asked. By the way, you can just talk to me in your head. People are starting to think you enjoy talking to yourself.
Vivienne froze, her crimson eyes narrowing as she glared at the rabbit lounging smugly on her shoulder. "Wait. You're telling me I could've rejected some of these skills?"
Amadeus, still invisible to everyone else, grinned in that infuriating way of his. "Oh, absolutely. All you had to do was decline when the system offered it."
Vivienne's jaw tightened as she resisted the urge to swat him off her shoulder. "And you didn't think to mention this earlier? Like, before I ended up with half these cursed or completely useless skills?"
The rabbit's grin widened. "Well, you didn't ask, did you? Besides, watching you stumble your way through awkward situations has been highly entertaining."
Vivienne let out a frustrated groan, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're unbelievable."
Claire, seated next to her, glanced over curiously. "Something wrong?"
Vivienne forced a tight-lipped smile. "Nope. Just realizing I've been making some... suboptimal choices lately."
Claire gave her a wary look but didn't press further.
Meanwhile, Amadeus leaned closer to Vivienne's ear, his voice dripping with amusement. "You know, you could also just talk to me in your head. Saves you from looking like you've completely lost it."
Vivienne shot him a side-eye glare. "You couldn't have told me that sooner, either?"
Amadeus shrugged. "I figured you'd figure it out eventually. You're smart—most of the time."
Vivienne's fingers twitched, and she imagined throttling the tiny creature. Fine. I'll start doing that, she thought bitterly, testing the mental connection. Can you hear me now?
Loud and clear, Amadeus responded with a smug mental chuckle. And here I thought you'd never get the hang of it.
Vivienne took a deep breath, doing her best to ignore him as she turned her attention back to the banquet. But the knowledge that she could have avoided some of the more troublesome skills she'd unlocked gnawed at her.
Note to self, she thought. Next time the system offers me something, I'm thinking long and hard before I accept. And if this rabbit ever withholds important information again...
Amadeus interrupted her thoughts, his tone playful. What, you'll toss me into the sun? Good luck with that.
Vivienne smirked faintly, sipping her drink. Keep pushing your luck, bunny. We'll see who's laughing then.
As the banquet progressed, Vivienne found herself drifting toward the edge of the room, trying to avoid the prying eyes of nobles and students who seemed far too curious about her. Claire had excused herself to speak with an instructor, leaving Vivienne momentarily alone—well, except for the ever-present, infuriating Amadeus.
"You're awfully quiet for someone who just unlocked three new skills," Amadeus teased, still lounging invisibly on her shoulder.
I'm trying to avoid attention, Vivienne shot back mentally, not wanting to risk looking like she was talking to herself. Unlike someone, I don't thrive on being the center of chaos.
Amadeus snickered. Suit yourself. Though I'd say attention is inevitable for someone like you.
Vivienne ignored him, picking up another drink from a passing waiter and turning back toward the center of the hall. That's when she spotted them—the Midgar sisters, Iris and Alexia, weaving through the crowd with an effortless grace that only royalty could pull off.
And they were headed straight for her.
Vivienne stiffened slightly, glancing around for an escape route, but it was too late. Iris had already noticed her and offered a small, polite smile as she approached. Why, why, why!
"Princess Vivienne de Vermillion, isn't it?" Iris's voice was smooth and composed, her red eyes studying Vivienne with a quiet intensity. In her mind she was screaming, 'she's so cuuuute!'