A Villainess' Lawyer - I'll Help You Get The Palimony You Deserve

Prologue: Condemnation Night - Enter the Villainess' Lawyer

As glimmering, bright stars adorned the dark sky, the sounds of joyous laughter and chatter rang throughout the bustling city where people flooded the streets. It was the Night of Constellations – a rare summer night that only came once every three years, and was often commemorated by a large festival. One that was held at the heart of the town square and often lasted till the break of dawn.

It was also the very night that this year's Grand Celestial Ball was held, a highly anticipated social event in the noble's season; even more so this year as it was to celebrate the engagement of the Crown Prince and his bride-to-be one last time before their wedding in the fall.

Or at least it was supposed to be.

"Clarissa Archibald, I hereby declare our engagement annulled!"

Silence settled in the Grand Ballroom as all eyes turned to the centre of the stage where a young dapperly dressed blonde hair, blue eyed man stood. The Kingdom of Orion's Crown Prince, Wilhelm Dale the Third's eyes narrowed as he pointed an accusing finger at the young lady before him.

"I refuse to marry a person who would dare to commit such heinous crimes against others."

Standing before Wilhelm, a gorgeous young brunette stood proudly in a wine dark red dress. Her long wavy hair adorned by the finest emerald and pearled pins that shone under the chandelier lights, which only further signified her prestige as she held her red fan close to her face, obscuring her expression from view. Unfazed by the sudden declaration, Clarissa Archibald raised a single questioning brow.

"Crimes?"

Her tone was calm, as her relative lack of reaction only served to further rile up Wilhelm's rage.

"How dare you feign innocence!"

'I will expose you!'

At that, he turned to address the rest of people in the room; his audience and witnesses to what will be the downfall of that wicked woman.

"I know all about the crimes you had committed against sweet Lisa behind my back! Destroying her personal belongings and tossing them into the school fountain, pushing her down the staircase, and sending your followers to bully her in your place when you cannot."

Whispers broke out amoungst the crowd of aristocrat attendees as their eyes focused in even more attentively at Clarissa, waiting to see the dark-haired lady's next move. But of course, not before criticising the very young lady at hand.

"I always knew she was too perfect."

"Of course, she would take to bullying."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from her."

'I can hear you; you know.'

But yet, she did not speak a word to chastise them.

Instead, Clarissa turned her focus away, choosing to gaze back at the smug face of her idiotic fool of a fiancé.

The blonde was rather pleased with the onset of reactions that his declaration had evoked, but it was not enough. He wanted to see her react further, to witness some sort of emotion at least from that cold expressionless face of hers.

"You still dare to remain there silent? Do I take this as proof of your guilt, Clarissa?"

'Ridiculous.'

With a loud snap of her shutting fan, the young woman captured the attention of the room.

"I remain silent because I have nothing to say, Your Majesty,"

Her dark green eyes stared back at Wilhelm's face, before shifting to the pleased young woman standing behind him – his 'sweet Lisa'. Upon catching Clarissa's sudden gaze, Lisa Silverstone flinched as she moved closer to Wilhelm. Her hands clung to his jacket, as the young lady cowered uncomfortably beneath Clarissa's gaze.