“I Accidentally Became a Threat Again”

Evelina forced herself to take another step.

Then another.

She told herself very firmly:

Do not speak. Do not interact. Do not trigger anything. Just survive the room.

Mochi, curled comfortably in her mind, added:

“Silence is also a tactic.”

“That is not helping.”

“It is always helping.”

A servant passed by and offered her a glass of champagne.

Evelina hesitated.

“…Is this poisoned?”

The servant blinked.

“Pardon, my lady?”

Evelina immediately regretted existing.

“I mean— I mean thank you.”

She took the glass too quickly.

Too stiff.

Too suspicious-looking.

A nearby noble immediately leaned toward another:

“She suspects the drink.”

“…Of what?”

“Everything.”

Evelina heard it.

“I hate my face,” she whispered internally.

Mochi replied:

“Your face is classified as intimidating.”

“I didn’t choose that!”

“Neither did they.”

Across the room, Lilia was still watching her.

Not fearfully.

Curiously.

Like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

That made Evelina more nervous than hostility ever could.

“Why is she still looking at me,” Evelina muttered.

Mochi answered:

“Because you are the main anomaly.”

“I don’t want to be an anomaly!”

“Too late.”

Suddenly—

A noble stepped forward.

A young man in ornate silver attire.

Confident smile.

Too confident.

“Lady Evelina,” he said smoothly, “it is rare to see you attend social events personally.”

Evelina stared at him.

“…I was forced by fate.”

Silence.

The noble blinked.

Then smiled wider.

“Fate?”

Evelina panicked internally.

“No I didn’t mean it like that I just— I meant the carriage— I mean—”

But the noble raised a hand.

“Fascinating.”

He turned slightly toward nearby nobles.

“She claims she is guided by fate itself.”

Evelina froze.

“I did NOT claim that.”

Mochi:

“You did not deny it effectively.”

“I HATE YOU.”

Whispers spread instantly.

“…Guided by fate?”

“…Does she mean royal authority?”

“…Or something higher?”

“…Is she claiming divine approval?”

Evelina’s soul left her body again.

“I just wanted water,” she whispered.

From the distance, the Crown Prince watched carefully.

His expression had changed.

Less casual now.

More focused.

“Interesting phrasing,” he murmured.

A courtier asked, “Your Highness?”

Cedric replied:

“She does not speak like someone participating in society.”

Pause.

“She speaks like someone observing it from above.”

Evelina, overhearing faintly:

“I am literally trying not to faint.”

Mochi:

“Good. Maintain observational aura.”

“THERE IS NO AURA.”

Suddenly, laughter erupted nearby.

A group of noble ladies had begun whispering and giggling.

One of them pointed subtly.

“Is that her? The Vexmoor daughter?”

“She looks… colder in person.”

“She’s not even reacting to anyone.”

Evelina was absolutely reacting.

Internally.

Violently.

At that moment—

Lilia stepped forward again.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Like she was approaching a frightened animal.

“Lady Evelina,” she said softly, “are you alright?”

Evelina stiffened.

“I am functioning at maximum instability,” she replied honestly.

Silence.

Then—

Lilia smiled.

“…I see.”

That was it.

That was the moment everything broke further.

Because instead of fear—

Lilia looked relieved.

“Oh,” she said gently. “So you’re also under pressure.”

Evelina blinked.

“…I am what?”

Mochi:

“Misinterpretation incoming.”

Lilia continued, voice warm.

“You don’t have to hide it. Everyone here is overwhelmed in their own way.”

Evelina stared at her.

“This is not what I intended when I tried to be intimidating,” she whispered.

Mochi replied:

“You were never intimidating.”

“DON’T AGREE WITH THAT!”

And then—

The final push.

The noble who had first spoken earlier raised his voice slightly.

“She claims she is guided by fate… how intriguing.”

Another noble added:

“Perhaps House Vexmoor is declaring alignment with imperial destiny.”

A third whispered:

“That would explain her presence here tonight…”

The idea spread.

Fast.

Too fast.

Evelina felt it happening.

Like something locking into place that she never agreed to.

“I think I accidentally started a political interpretation,” she said faintly.

Mochi purred:

“Successful escalation.”

“I DIDN’T WANT SUCCESS!”

Across the ballroom, the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes slightly.

The heroine Lilia smiled gently.

And the nobles—

The nobles began watching Evelina not like a girl at a banquet…

But like a message.

A signal.

A variable in motion.

Evelina stood in the center of it all, frozen, holding a glass of champagne she forgot to drink.

And the only thought she could form was:

“…I think I’m going to get promoted against my will.”

Mochi replied calmly:

“Correct.”

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