Page 2 of Villainess's Redemption
“Are you hurt?” she asked urgently, eyes roving over me.
I forced a smile, giving a little twirl in my tattered dress. “See, I’m fine. You know they don’t have the courage to do anything,” I tried to inject false cheer into my voice. “Come on, let’s start dinner. Seb will be home soon.”
Mother nodded reluctantly. As we began preparing the meager meal, I felt her worried gaze follow my every movement. Even if she didn’t like how I got extra food, she couldn’t do anything about it..
Together, we began preparing a meager stew. I chopped the carrots and potatoes while Mother tended to the fire. The rhythmic thud of the knife soothed me, even as my thoughts drifted. How different this all was from my past life of wealth and privilege. Back then, I’d scarcely lifted a finger, withservants rushing to fulfill my every whim. Now I worked all day just to survive. Funny how exile changes you.
But sometimes I did miss Laurel. I wondered if she was doing alright with Rosalind.
The stew bubbled merrily as I added the vegetables. Not much, but it would have to do. Hunger was our constant companion here on the fringes. As I inhaled the rich aroma, my mouth watered. The simple fare had never tasted so divine.
“Ilyana, I’m getting worried about Seb. He should’ve been home by now,” Mother said, wringing her hands nervously.
It was worrying. Seb worked in the royal gold mines as part of our punishment for exile. We were sentenced to a total of twenty thousand hours of labor in the mines - a lighter sentence than most, since growing up alongside Prince Anderic and Lord Noah, they became pretty close friends. Not to mention he was innocent in all my schemes. Prince Anderic even offered him an escape from banishment but he refused. I cursed his integrity every day for throwing away that chance of escape but I supposed I shouldn’t judge everyone by my standards. Isn’t that what both Anderic and Noah said to me once?
I tried not to let my own concern show on my face as I gave Mother’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sure he just got held up. You know how demanding the overseers can be. I’ll go to the mines and check on him.”
There was a rumor that a new overseer was appointed a few days ago and his cruelty was already known to everyone. The worry was eating me from the inside.
Please, let him be safe.
Donning my worn cloak, I slipped out into the cold night. The village was always deserted at night. I hurried along the dusty road, the chill autumn wind biting through my threadbare dress. In the distance, the silhouette of the mines stood stark against the darkening sky.
As I approached, I could make out the entrance, lit by guttering torches. The occasional echo of pickaxes on stone resonated from within. Two bored-looking guards loitered near the entrance, though they straightened up at my approach.
“State your business,” one challenged gruffly, his spear pointed in my direction.
I lowered my hood so my face was visible. “I’m here to inquire after my brother, Sebastian. He hasn’t returned home.”
The guard’s eyes widened in recognition, but he remained silent as his companion disappeared inside. After several tense minutes, he returned with a squat, barrel-chested man who could only be the new overseer. His lips curled in distaste as his gaze raked over me.
“Well, if it isn’t the little exiled bitch paying a visit,” he sneered. “What do you want?”
I squared my shoulders and met his contemptuous stare. “My brother Sebastian D’Arcane. He hasn’t come home. I’ve come to make sure he’s alright.”
The overseer spat on the ground, narrowly missing my feet. “That noble brat? He’s still inside. Fainted from exhaustion so we left him there. Not our problem if a highborn fool can’t handle honest work.”
Fury rose within me at his callous words, but I bit it back. Making a scene wouldn’t help Seb.
“I’m going in to get him,” I said evenly. Before the overseer could protest, I slipped between the guards and made my way into the dark mines, straining to see in the dim torchlight.
The oppressive darkness pressed in as I descended into the tunnels. I followed the distant sounds of activity, passing shadowy alcoves until I arrived at the main chamber. Squinting in the dim light of the torches, I could make out hunched forms swinging pickaxes rhythmically. The tunnels extended deep underground, the air damp and heavy with the scent of wetearth. My steps echoed eerily as I ventured further, glancing into alcoves and niches carved into the rock walls.
Where was he? Worry clawed at my heart as scenario after terrible scenario played through my mind.
There. In the far corner lay a familiar figure, unmoving. I rushed over, heart pounding. Kneeling, I gently turned Seb over. I couldn’t see properly in the darkness but his skin felt cold and clammy, his eyes closed. My hand hovered over his mouth, relief crashing over me at the faint warmth of his breath. He was alive. That’s more than enough to hope for in this wretched land.
What had they done to him? Rage burned within me, even as I blinked back tears. I should have never agreed with him to take all the burden of punishment alone. Mother was weak and old. So, both of us would have never let her work in the mines but I wanted to help, to take away some burden but Seb refused. I was no weakling by any means but the grueling work in the mines also wasn’t for me. He might hate me for all I did but he never forgot his duty to his family.
“Seb,” I whispered urgently, shaking his shoulder. “Can you hear me? It’s Ilyana.”
He didn’t respond, lifeless as a rag doll. Panic clawed at my throat. No, I couldn’t lose him too. Not after everything we’d endured.
“Sebastian!” I shouted, desperation sharpening my tone.
He stirred sluggishly, eyelids fluttering. “Lya?” he mumbled dazedly.
“Yes, it’s me,” I said, tearful with relief. Gently, I helped prop him up, wincing as he cried out in pain, clutching his side. Definitely broken ribs. “Can you walk if I support you?”
