~Morning~

A banquet huh, I totally don't want to go, but after thinking about it for a while I decide thats this is a good thing I can go and advertise for my cafe there! It's a great idea! I was pondering it sitting at my desk as per usual, Harlow sitting at a table enjoying his breakfast. He comes in every morning and doesn't even complain about the price anymore, and I decide to ask him something.

"Hey Harlow?"

"Yeah June?"

"Do you know anyone named Damian Vond?"

Harlow spits his coffee and chokes a little bit.

"*coughcough* Damian Vond? The 3rd prince?! You haven't heard of him? He's super infamous."

"Hey you know I'm not from around here, don't make fun of me." I sass him.

"Yeah yeah, I know, but the prince is famous for not amounting to much in the kingdom, they say he was a genius as a kid but slowed down so much he can barely even sense qi anymore. He's been stuck at Qi Gathering 7th realm for 15 years, and everyone dislikes him because he is always fooling around."

My jaw drops, I was invited to a banquet from such a guy? A fool? I don't believe that from history in my world a lot of strong people usually hide their strengh for some reason, and then he said he didn't want to get me "Involved" but I totally bet something happened. I am suddenly having second thoughts about going to this banquet. Maybe I can see what I can get from the system for self defense.

[Host: June Anabelle]

[Games]

[Items]

[Movies]

[Shop]

Selecting Items I get a list of what I can buy from games.

[Games: Portal, Portal 2]

[Portal 2: ASHPD - 2000 Crystals; Long Fall Boots - 500 Crystals; (New!) Chell's Instincts - 1000 Crystals.]

Selecting the Boots and Instincts gives me a description of the items.

[Long Fall Boots: Boot's designed to reduce fall damage of the user, by use of hydraulics, has been upgraded to support kicking with a hydraulic powered kick, making it 10x as powerful.]

[Chell's Instincts: Chell surviving so many tests in the Aperture Science Enrichment Centre, Caused her to gain a sense of danger approaching and increased dodging power and evasion, 3x increased flexibility and agility overall when in dangerous situations]

[Current Balance = 1580 Crystals; 24 Golds; 6 Silvers; 3 Bronze.]

June had made quite the steal that week, was hopefully saving enough for a portal gun, but she decided that this would be enough for her safety.

[Current Balance = 80 Crystals; 24 Golds; 6 Silvers; 3 Bronze.]

I felt the boots going over my feet, and a new sort of instinct come over me like I knew what was going to happen. I walked upstairs and browsed my wardrobe, looking around for something appropriate to wear to the banquet. I had a few dresses but I wasn't the type to wear them often, but I was glad I bought them as now I had the chance to actually wear them. I ended up decidiing to wear a red and white dress to match my boots and personality. Hanging the dress in the bathroom, I walked back downstairs to tend to the store until it was time to go to the banquet. I had a gut feeling that something was going to happen and Damian would be the worst person to be around, so I planned on staying ways from him and enjoying the atmosphere.

(Sort of like this, for reference)

~Evening~

I closed up shop early and went to the bathroom to prepare for the party.

20 minutes later

I walked out of the bathroom, with a tinge of makeup on my face, not a lot, as I like to only try to enhance my already good looks, wearing the dress I walk down the street and head towards the location mentioned on the back of my letter. As I get closer I see a couple of guards out in the front.

"excuse me miss May we see your invitation?"

I show them my letter and they see the sigil on the wax they part their spears and let me in. I walk in slowly, clicking my boots against the bricked bridge over the lower streets. Coming up to the door, two more guards open the door and I walk in.

Brightly lit lights from golden chandeliers above me, with a bunch of people dressed in big floofy dresses and ball gowns chatting with each other in the hall. Some of them fall silent when they see me, but very soon enough they go back to chatting with their other noble friends and I seem to stand out like a sore thumb. I hear some footsteps approaching me.

"Miss Anabelle what a surprise!" There stands a man in a fabulous suit smiling up at me with a bit of a smirk reflected in his eyes.

"Oh Mr Prince Vond, how do you do." I say curtly and curtsy in front of him with a cold look.

"Ah you seem upset, whatever is the matter?" He says with another smile

I grab him and drag him to the balcony, quite forcefully.

"I am only here for the free food and telling people about my store, I didn't expect you to be waiting for me Mr. Vond." I say looking at him in the eyes

"Oh hehe yeah um about that...I dedicated this party to saving my life hehe, so your the guest of honor?" He says sheepishly

"Dammit I just wanted to let some people know about my cafe not put myself in danger, Mr. Prince." I still give him a cold look. "I dont know what's going on with you but I won't save your life again if you keep pulling these stunts." I knew that the prince was up to something I could feel it.

"Oh fine you caught me." The smile on the Prince's face is gone. "I didn't want you to get involved but you looked like you could handle yourself so I thought I could you know, distract some people."

I grumble and think about leaving immedietly after I hear that.

"You can leave but I can gurrentee that after this talk people will come to find you. Miss Anabelle. We only need you to be some distraction for a night."

"Damn you. You better give me a good reason to not kill you right now."

"Now now Miss Anabelle no need to be aggressive, I'm sure we can compensate you properly"

"3000 Crystals, thats the deal"

The prince takes a deep breath of air.

"Now thats a lot of money Miss Anabelle."

"Consider it payment for what I'll do for you tonight."

"So you've decided?"

"But I'll be pushing my store for all of your rich friends to visit when we're done." I felt the system give me some notifications.

"Fine then we will give you the payment by the time you leave here."

I walk back into the ballroom the scowl on my face gone. The bastard thinks he can mess with me, we'll see about that.

[Host has accepted Mission from the Prince: Distract Spy's of the Party - Reward 3000 Crystals and the Princes Respect -]

I grab a plate of little sandwiches and start snacking on them. I hear a clinking sound of a spoon against the glass, Looking up I see the Prince calling for everyones attention.

"I have an annoucement to make! Can Miss Anabelle please come up to the stage!"

I scowl again but quickly get my barings and walk up to the Prince and stand at his side. I maintain a cold look towards him.

"This kind lady let me into her store when I was wounded and let me rest when I was getting chased down an alley, I would like to honor this party to Miss Ananbelle!"

Everyone started clapping and yelling praise towards me, and to be honest it did feel good, until I remembered what the prince did. Maintaining an apathetic look I waved to the crowd below.

"Would Miss Anabelle grace us with some words?" the prince asked

I felt that the crowd wanted me to speak and the Prince's comment was just a formality as I started speaking. Instead of thanking everyone or doing anything respectful I started to shamelessly advertise my store saying all sorts of praise and exciting things people could find there. the crowd looked so confused as I spoke and when it was finally over only half of the remaining party goers where still here, and I'd say only a couple were still interested in my store. the remaining memebers were all boredmand almost tired from my speech and were probably not here for anything good. I walked down from the stage and talked to the few who were still interested in my cafe, telling them of all the delicious meals and fun games they would find there. until suddenly the lights went out.

I hear a few screams and my insticts tell me someone dangerous is coming from behind me, taking a flip I slam my booted shoe into something behind me hearing a squelch and something wet against my foot, dodging around i continue to kick and spin around until the lights turn back on. On the ground is most of the remaining partiers dead on the gound holding knives and swords. While I knew the prince invited me for something dangerous I didn't know this many people were after him. As soon as the lights turned on all the remaining guests still alive screamed and rushed out the door, leaving only me, the bastard prince and a few guards behind. Althnough I feel sick I hold it in trying to be strong convincing myself its not as bad as it is.

"So you survived as I thought" Said the Prince

"I'm Fucking done with you" I say I hope to never see this prince again.

The Bastard hands me a bag of Crystals, and says "Your Payment" and I walk out of the ball room pissed and covered in blood. Once I am out of sight from the Prince and the Guards I vomit, because I am still not used to killing. I thought this world was peaceful but what the hell.

I have the desire to run my store and never go out ever again, stepping inside my cafe, I change my clothes, shower and jump into bed, totally exhausted and sick from the party.

I hate this place...