Chapter 97 - The Breaking Point

Today was the day of our annual end of the year school trip.

After Ilene gave me poisoned cookies, her family lost even more influence as a result. She didn't attempt to give me poison again, but she became more obvious in glaring at me with hatred. Surprisingly, she didn't try anything with me, so I decided to let it go.

Don't get me wrong, I still despise her more than anything. However, seeing her suffer like this is a bit nice. I am still determined to ruin her completely and take away everything from her, but I unfortunately had to play the waiting game. If I presumptively attacked, then I might risk not being able to take her out completely.

So, I just decided to ignore her hateful stares.

I stepped out of the carriage and took a deep breath. I exhaled and smiled, "Ahh~ The mountain air is so healing."

Dante, William, and Millie climbed out behind me. William gave me an indifferent stare, "Why are you so excited?"

I twirled to him, "Why AREN'T you excited? Don't you find this scenery to be pleasant to the eye?"

He glanced around with a frown. He didn't find it pleasant at all. There was much too many trees and bushes around. That could only mean one thing. Bugs.

I chuckled and gave him a pat on the back. I knew exactly why he was so uncomfortable with the greenery. "Don't worry, William. I will protect you from those scary bugs."

He looked at me as if he didn't believe me. "I doubt that. I bet you're going to be the one who puts them in my bed."

I gasped, "What?! Me? No way! That would be too mean."

Sh*t. Looks like I will have to abandon my plan. It's no fun if he knows I was going to do it.

Millie smiled at William, "Don't worry, Prince William. The girls campsite is far from the boys. There's no way she would be able to sneak in undetected."

I glanced at her with a frown, "Are you challenging my ability?"

William's face paled, "She isn't! She really isn't! Isn't that right Millie?"

She let out a soft giggle, "No. I am challenging her."

William wanted to cry and I shook my head proudly, "Just you wait Millie. Tonight I will successfully infiltrate the boys campsite!"

William looked to me in a panic, "No seriously. Please don't." He looked at Dante, "Tell her she can't do it! If you say no then she will definitely listen to you!"

The three of us looked at Dante who just blinked in boredom. Since when did he become my responsible adult?!

Dante shrugged, "I'm curious to see if she can."

I clapped excitedly, "Woohoo! You just wait. I will surprise all of you with my skills."

William hung his head in defeat. The teacher called for everyone to come together and we began to start our hike. I had a skip in my step as I walked along the trail.

William was instantly irritated by my joyfulness. "Why are you so happy? You've always complained before when we had to hike."

I chuckled, "That was different. I'm not sure why, but this just feels so nostalgic." I took another deep breath, "Something about a forest just rejuvenates me."

Millie smiled warmly, "I'm happy you are having fun." Her smile then turned to a somber expression, "It's just sad that this is our last trip together. The four of us won't be able to be together in school again for another three years."

Dante and William both gave her a look of disbelief. Neither of them believed that she was truly saddened by this. In fact, Millie's face had a trace of pure bliss.

I didn't notice this because I was happily skipping ahead in front of them. I spoke freely, "Oh yeah! You two are going to the academy next year, right?"

William nodded, "Yes. But you don't have to worry about not be able to see each other. We will still visit you. Although we will be in the Imperial City, we will still have the opportunity to see each other occasionally."

I muttered, "Who said I was worried I wouldn't be able to see you?"

William flushed in embarrassment, "W-What? You don't want to see us?!"

I gave a big smile, "Nope~ I'm going to relax these next three years. I won't have to worry about having my a** kicked in training by Dante. And I will be able to skip class because you won't be there to drag me back!"

His eyebrows twitched in irritation, "W-Whatever! It's not like I will miss you either."

I gave him a coy smile, "Fufu~ Really? You won't?"

He turned away from me in irritation. He didn't bother saying anything more because he knew I would just tease him more. I felt a bit disappointed knowing that he wouldn't let me bully him.

My little Prince was starting to grow up. It's bittersweet.

We arrived to the top and everyone walked over to the fence and looked down with sparkling eyes. I rushed over and hugged the fence.

"Woow~ So pretty."

The view at the top of the mountain took my breath away. Far below, you could see a river which led out to a large lake. There were so many different shaped trees decorating the landscape. If you looked really hard, you could even see the village where we stopped at.

One could get used to a sight like this.

Millie moved over slowly, "Oh wow. We are really high up."

I looked over and noticed she was frowning slightly. She looked as if she was terrified to even come close to the fence. I stepped away and wrapped my arms around her.

"Aww~ Millie. Don't be scared. I won't let you fall down."

She relaxed in my arms and hugged me back. She rubbed her head against my chin, "Seri. You always make me feel safe."

William and Dante watched us with a scowl. William clicked his tongue, "They are at it again."

"Mhm." Dante responded in an icy tone.

Millie looked into the distance after finally gaining enough courage. She squinted, "Oh look! There's some birds flying in the distance. Hmm? Did they just change direction? It looks like they are coming towards us now."

"Hmm?" I took my eyes away from her and noticed some ravens heading straight for us. When they looked at me their eyes turned red. "Eek!"

I jumped out of Millie's arms and started running away. The birds began to caw and swoop down at me. I screamed as I ran around in circles trying to protect my head with my arms. The birds attacked me with ferocity as everyone else just gawked at the show.

Millie watched feeling a bit surprised, "Huh. I guess she wasn't lying when she said birds would attack her for no reason."

I screamed, "WOULD SOMEONE HELP ME?"

I fell to the ground and started rolling around to avoid their pecking beaks. Dante calmly walked over and attempted to shoo them off with his hands. But the birds didn't even pay him any attention. William broke out into boisterous laughter once he realized the birds wouldn't attack him because they were too preoccupied with me.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! They seriously hate her!!!"

"OI! Motherf*cker!!!" I shouted will rolling around, "Stop laughing and help me!"

Dante was finally able to shoo the birds away. Before the birds flew away, they gave me one last glare vowing to come back to finish the job. I gulped anxiously.

"Why the hell are there birds here?!"

William wiped away his tears, "Because it's the forest. Of course there would be birds."

I frowned at him and Millie, "You know. You two didn't help at all. You just watched me suffer. I won't forget that."

Millie pouted, "I'm sorry Seri..."

My body shook from mental distress. I jumped up and hugged her tightly, "Aww! Millie... I just can't stay mad at you."

She giggled as I stroked her hair. William frowned, "Oi. That's favoritism. Why won't you forgive me that easily?"

I glared at him, "Because you're not adorable like my little Millie."

He blushed, "W-What?? I'm adorable!! I'm super adorable!"

I ignored his cries for attention. The sun was starting to set, so we headed back to our tents to call it a night. The rest of the students were in front of us and the four of us were bringing up the rear. We paused at a split in the road.

William glanced at me, "Well. Our campsite is to the right."

I nodded, "And the girl's tents are to the left. So I guess we will see each other tomorrow." I smirked slightly at this.

William frowned, "Stay at your campsite tonight. Don't cause trouble."

I nodded, "Yeah, yeah."

Me and Millie started walking towards the girl's campsite. I noticed that the rest of the students had already disappeared in front of us since we were hanging back talking to the boys.

When we rounded a corner, three annoying girls came into view. It appeared as if they were waiting for us. I frowned, "What do you want?"

Ilene smirked at me, "I think we should have a private chat. Just the two of us."

I frowned, "And just why would I want to do that? Come on Millie."

We attempted to walk around them, but Ilene pulled on my wrist causing me to stumble. I glared at her, "Let go you f*cking b*tch."

I expected her to be scared like she usually was after I beat her up, but surprisingly there was no fear in her eyes. Only unbridled hatred.

She spat at me, "Shut up. I'm sick of that annoying personality of yours. You think you're so cool because you spend time with both Dante and Prince William? Hah! What a joke."

I too, wouldn't back down. "The only joke I see is the one in front of me."

She snapped her head to her henchmen, "Sel. Mel. Go take Millie back. I'm going to stay here and have a word with this poor excuse for a human."

Sel and Mel grabbed onto Millie and started dragging her away. She fought against them, "Let me go! Seri!!"

I glanced at her, "It's fine Millie. I also would like to hear what this b*tch has to say."

Millie looked at me with concerned eyes, "But-"

I gave her a reassuring smile, "I will be fine. Really."

Millie closed her mouth and stopped resisting. As she was pulled away, she kept glancing at me with a worried expression. Once they were out of sight, I looked at Ilene.

"Now what exactly do you want to say? I don't have all day. I have things planned for tonight."

She gave a twisted smile, "I bet you do." She clenched my wrist and started dragging me away, "Let's go somewhere more private."

I didn't bother resisting. I was a bit curious as to what gave her the courage to try to mess with me again. If anything, I could probably give her another beating to put her in her place. This time there would be no one to stop me.

She took me to a side trail that twisted down the side of the mountain. It was steep and narrow. Once she determined it was far enough, she stopped and turned to me. She didn't even try to conceal the hatred in her eyes.

"You are a f*cking b*tch."

I smiled, "Hoho. The pious Ilene learned some swear words."

She tightened her hands into fists and scoffed at me, "It wasn't very hard to learn when you are shouting obscenities all the time."

I tossed my hair over my shoulder, "I don't say it all the time. Only like half of the time."

"How can the Prince even associate with you?! You must be tricking him somehow, you slut!"

"I'm not tricking him at all. I act like this around him too."

"Hah! Yeah right. I know you must have done something to him for him to fall in love with you."

For some reason, this seemed to piss me off more than usual. I glared at her, "He's not so simpleminded that he could be tricked by me."

She tossed her head and gave an irritated laugh, "He must be! Why else would he choose you over me?"

"Maybe because I'm not a crazy b*tch like you?"

Suddenly, her face grew twisted as if she had reached her breaking point. She shoved me and I stumbled backwards slightly. "YOU F*CKING B*TCH! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU DESERVE TO LOOK DOWN ON ME?!"

"Uh, maybe because you're a psycho?!"

"I'M NOT A PSYCHO! YOU ARE!" She gave me another shove, "YOU STOLE EVERYTHING FROM ME! You got my father kicked out of my family! You tarnished my reputation! You stole my fiancé! THEN YOU KILLED MY FATHER!"

She gave me a hard shove and I felt myself fall backwards. My arms flung in attempt to catch myself, but it was in vain. As I fell backwards, I looked behind me. My eyes widened in a panic. Behind me was nothing.

I looked back and felt my body falling down. My hair covered my face, blowing wildly in the wind. I only saw the livid face of Ilene as she watched me fall down the hill.

My back hit the side and bounced off. I attempted to grab a tree, but the limb broke off. I tumbled down the hill before finally coming to a stop. I squinted from the pain and gasped for breath. I could barely move.

My entire body screamed from the pain.

I gasped for breath as I attempted to blink away the black dots filling my vision.

Ilene smirked at me from above, "Serves you right."

She turned away and disappeared from my vision. Once I finally was able to breath, I moved my fingers and toes. I grimaced from the pain, but was relieved to know I could still move them.

I forced myself to sit up while I ignored the stinging pain. I looked at my twisted ankle and frowned. I went to touch it and a sharp pain shot up through my leg, causing me to gasp for breath.

F*ck! It's broken or sprained.

I checked the rest of my body for other injuries. I had several cuts and bruises, but nothing else terribly wrong. My dress was ripped and torn, but that wasn't really an issue either. The issue was this ankle. It was completely useless.

I glanced up the side of the mountain. It's possible I could climb back up it...

I laid back down and groaned. God d*mmit. If only I would have ignored Lona and brought PoonPoon along with me. Then I could have had him go get help.

I sighed and looked at the side of the mountain. I went to open my mouth to shout for help, but something stopped me. It was as if there was a voice in the back of my head telling me not to bother. It filled me with a strange sense of despair.

Why does this feel so... So familiar?

F*ck it! I can climb back up! It can't be too hard right? I just won't use one of my legs.

I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the pain. I hopped over and started to climb up. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to ignore the stabbing pain in my foot. I went to reach for a tree and felt my foot slip.

I tumbled back down and felt my head smack into the ground with a large thud.