Villainess's Survival Mastery

2. News

Clementine pov

Everything was going splendidly, fantastically well even, until everything came crashing down. My godforsaken family have decided to marry me off to the weak Second Prince in place of my younger sister, Ember.

Emberlyn Aurora Evernight, or simply known as Ember was their favorite. With her warm auburn hair and bright olive green eyes, she has always been their pride and joy. I'm fully aware of their plans – they intend to marry me off to Prince Xavier while Ember will be wed to Duke Adrian, our powerful ally.

My ambitious nature is no secret to them. They know regardless of what situation they place me in, I will always return with the best results.

It's hardly a secret that Prince Xavier Cassius Helios is widely unpopular amongst the aristocracy. Scandal upon scandal, the Second Prince is notorious for his incapability and his questionable behavior with multiple women. Placing me into such an engagement is akin to positioning me in a position of power that seems destined for failure.

It's glaringly obvious that even if he were to ascend to the throne, he lacks the support of the aristocracy and, frankly, the capability to rule effectively. For someone so widely disliked, it would be a simple task for him to be overthrown by someone like Duke Adrian, a figure known and respected for his unwavering commitment to justice and his care for the welfare of the people.

So, this leads me to conclude ; my role was to make the worthless second prince the future emperor, only for my sister dearest and the duke to overthrow him once he's accepted as the new emperor. What will become of me then? An empress of an emperor doomed to fail? A throne, destined to fall under the sword of the Duke's relentless pursuit of retribution and justice, painted in the hues of a bloodbath?

As I received the devastating news that my family intended to place me in such a predicament, a strong feeling simmered within my heart — resentment.

Despite my previous attempts to prove my worth to my family; upholding my family's name, devising multiple schemes to bring my family great wealth, it seems that my effort bore no fruit in their eyes. Their mistreatment knew no bounds, forcing me to play a crucial role in their manipulative plot. I am but a puppet for them. To use and throw out once they have helped my dear sister advance and achieve her dreams and goals. I feel it ever so strongly now. This bitter feeling in my heart. Regardless of what I did, I can never compare to their dear, sweet Ember. My efforts, aimed at achieving greatness for the sake of my family name, have never garnered the recognition that Ember so effortlessly enjoys.

Now, I won't act impulsively, for I am no fool. With the weight of my family's expectations pressed upon me, I realize now that I can no longer bow to their wishes. I now understand that to survive in this treacherous game of power, I have to chart my own path and seize control of my destiny, a destiny that is mine and mine alone.