Choose Me Instead (UNDERGOING RE-PLAN AND REWRITE)

Act 1, Scene 30: Let's restart

Author's pre-notes:

I just need to clarify the speaking and thought differences. That my story will use

Character to character speeches looks like this

Character thoughts looks like this

[Y/N] and Philotes mind communication looks like this

"Important...matters?" Aristia mumbles clearly not expecting [Y/N] to have anything going on. "Oh, I see. Well [Y/n– I mean Lady [Y/N], you should get going then." Carsein says. He seems to be quite alright if I go, [Y/N] notices.

She puts on a fake smile, "Very well, enjoy your time here Sir Carsein. Tia here serves very fragrant tea. I'm sure you would enjoy it. Then till next time." [Y/N] nods before walking away with Mikasa.

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"Mikasa," she calls out. "Yes, my lady?" she answers. Hesitantly, [Y/N] asks the big question that has been troubling her for so long. "Do you think...that Carsein might have a crush on Tia?"

There wasn't a reply and the lack of an answer was killing [Y/N] inside. "Does this mean that Mikasa thinks that Carsein likes Tia too!!" she screams inside her mind. "Lady [Y/N]...do you think Sir Carsein likes Lady Aristia?" Mikasa asks her curiously. Hearing this [Y/N] was slightly surprise, "Hu– huh? What do you– I mean what?" she stutters, unable to compute the sudden reversal in roles. "Do you think Sir Carsein has a crush on Lady Aristia?" Mikasa repeats her question.

" ...Yes. I really think that he has feelings for her. Even though, he might not see it yet but I can tell." her lips quaver and her sight becomes slightly blurry, she could feel the warm liquid trailing down her cheeks. "But even so, I had hope that I could– I could at least make him look at me." [Y/N] sobs.

"Lady [Y/N]..." Mikasa starts sympathetically. "What the heck are you talking about? Are you seriously being depress over this?"

"Urgh– Mikasa...your ability to hurt my feelings never fails." [Y/N] grunts. An arrow shot through her heart by Mikasa's words. "I know. Now is no time to be depressed, the emperor has send you a letter and an invitation." Mikasa tells her, walking much more faster now. At this point, [Y/N] was jogging to keep up with Mikasa. "Wait what? Letter and invitation?? Is there an event going on?" [Y/N] retaliate, she really doesn't want another audience with that old man.

Mikasa sighs at her idiocy, looking at her disappointingly not that it was a look [Y/N] was unfamiliar with. "Lady [Y/N]. The invitation is send to celebrate the crown prince's 18 birthday. As for the letter...you will need to read it yourself m'lady."

" ...I thought the emperor would send Tia the invite instead. Considering she is still the crown prince fiance and all that." [Y/N] mutters. Mikasa once again sighed at her simplicity, "It's not that simple Lady [Y/N]. As you are the future heir of the House of Monique, you are sended the first batch of invite. However, I believe they will send an invite written by the emperor himself for Lady Aristia very soon." Mikasa explains.

[Y/N] was now utterly confused. As one could easily see the neutral expression on her face. "But...the emperor wrote me a letter too?" she confusely says. "I do not know the purpose of the letter but I'm sure it's different from Lady Aristia's'." Mikasa replies. Poor [Y/N] just sighs out loud in frustrations, "This whole party thing is so– so troublesome, I wish I don't have to represent the house of Monique. Well I mean I wouldn't need to if I– urgh snap out of it [Y/N]. You need to inherit the title or you won't be seeing Carsein anytime soon." Just thinking about the party and the necessary needs is making [Y/N] tired already. But for the sake of her nonexistence reputation, [Y/N] sucks it up like a big girl (which she is) and move forward.