Page 18 of Villainess's Redemption
A soft knock interrupted my scheming. “My lady?” Laurel’s voice drifted through the door.
“Come in,” I called, hastily tucking the journal away.
Laurel entered, and I was struck by the change in her demeanor. Gone was the cowering, downcast girl of yesterday. Instead, she met my eyes with a small smile, her posture more relaxed.
It’s like all she needed was a nudge. She was incredibly forgiving, even I wouldn’t forgive myself so easily if I were in her place.I guess that’s the difference between me and her.
“Good morning, my lady,” she greeted, her voice carrying a warmth I’d never heard before. “I’ve brought your morning tea. I hope you slept well?”
I blinked, momentarily thrown off by this new, cheerful version of Laurel. Wow, I didn’t know Laurel could be a chatterbox. “Uh, yes. Like a baby. Or more accurately, like someone who’s been sleeping on rocks for the past year and suddenly finds herself on a cloud.”
Laurel’s eyebrows shot up, but her smile widened. “I’m glad to hear it, my lady. Shall we get you ready for the day?”
I nodded. “Thank you, Laurel. And please, call me Ilyana when we’re alone.”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “As you wish… Ilyana.”
As she helped me into the least ostentatious gown I could find—which, let’s be honest, was still more elaborate than anything I’d worn in the past year—I found myself actually enjoying our conversation. Who knew Laurel had opinions on everything from the palace gossip to the head chef’s questionable taste in hats?
“Lord Noah hasn’t returned yet,” Laurel mentioned, her tone carefully neutral.
I snorted. “I don’t expect him until later today.”
Laurel’s hands stilled as she laced up my corset. “You’re not… concerned?”
“Should I be?” I raised an eyebrow. “Noah’s a grown man. He can take care of himself.”
“Of course, my la– Ilyana,” Laurel stammered, clearly taken aback by my nonchalance. “It’s just… well, most new brides would be worried.” She meant I would’ve been worried in the past.
I sighed, turning to face her. “Laurel, can you keep a secret?”
She nodded, eyes wide.
“This marriage,” I gestured vaguely, no need to tell her everything, and end up in an asylum “It’s not… it’s complicated. Noah and I, we’re not in love. We probably never will be.”
“Oh,” Laurel breathed, probably confused since I was obsessed with Noah in the past. Then, to my surprise, she squared her shoulders. “Well, then. I suppose we’ll just have to make the best of it, won’t we?”
I grinned, a genuine laugh bubbling up. “That we will.”
Once I was suitably attired for a day of royal schmoozing, I stood before the full-length mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me. Gone was the dirt-smeared, hollowed-cheek exile. In her place stood Lady Ilyana D’Arcane not Stormbourne, resplendent in a gown of pale blue silk, ready to take on the world.
Or at least ready to face breakfast with the king and queen.
I outlined my plans for the day: “I need to greet the king and queen and have breakfast with them.”
Laurel paused, surprise evident in her voice. “But my lady, you’ve never…”
“In my… well, let’s just say I’ve been remiss in my duties before. Time to change that.”
“That’s very wise,” Laurel agreed, securing a final pin in my hair. “Shall we go?”
I nodded, steeling myself. “Let’s go charm some royalty.”
As we made our way through the winding corridors of the palace, I couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the white marble floors. White and gold, the colors of the Voltaire royal family can clearly be seen in the colors and architecture of the palace.
We arrived at the ornate doors of the royal dining hall. I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “Wish me luck, Laurel.”
She squeezed my hand briefly. “You don’t need it, my lady. You’ll be brilliant.”
