Page 36 of Villainess's Redemption
“Marriage does that to a person,” I replied smoothly.
With that, I swept out of the study, leaving him to stew in his own paranoia. As I closed the door behind me, I let out a shaky breath. One hurdle down, about a million more to go. But hey, who said saving your family from certain doom would be easy?
I couldn’t help but think about the execution I’d just mentioned. It wasn’t exactly a lie – after all, I had witnessed it firsthand in another life. But the weight of changing the futurepressed down on me, a constant reminder of the delicate balance I was trying to maintain.
One wrong move and everything could come crashing down. Again.
* * *
I peeled open my eyes, momentarily disoriented by the familiar canopy of my childhood bed. For a blissful second, I wondered if I’d managed to time travel yet again, this time landing in my carefree youth. But no, my memories came crashing back like an avalanche of misery. Right. I’d only come to visit my parents’ estate. How disappointingly mundane.
“Laurel,” I called out, my voice still groggy from sleep. My ever-faithful handmaid appeared as if summoned by magic. “Did Noah grace us with his presence last night?”
Laurel shook her head, looking a bit hesitant. “No, my lady. Lord Noah did not arrive.”
Well, wasn’t that interesting? In my past life, he’d shown up before dinner. I suppose I’d managed to alter the timeline more than I’d realized. On one hand, it was good that I could change things which gave me hope to change my fate but on the flip side if I kept changing events, then later on I’d lose my upper hand of future knowledge.
As long as I can change MY future I’m ready to sacrifice anything.
A soft knock on my chamber door made me sit up in bed. “Come in,” I called, expecting mother.
Instead, Sebastian’s dark head poked through the doorway, a familiar grin spreading across his face. “Little sister!”
My heart lurched. I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his broad chest in a fierce hug. His familiar scent of leather enveloped me.
“My, my, someone’s feeling affectionate today,” he patted my head like I was still five years old. “Missing your big brother already? It’s only been three days since your wedding.”
I kicked his shin playfully. “Shut up.”
Sebastian collapsed dramatically onto my bed, clutching his leg. “Ah! The pain! I’m dying! My own sister has mortally wounded me!”
“You’re ridiculous,” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t suppress my smile. “What are you doing here so early anyway?”
He propped himself up on his elbows, his green eyes—so like mine—turning serious. “I have to head back to work soon, but I wanted to see you before I left,” he reached into his coat and pulled out a small velvet pouch. “And I need a favor.”
“I knew it. You only come to me when you need me to do something for you,” I crossed my arms.
“Oh come on. Don’t be like that. Pretty please,” he pouted like a little kid.Ew.
“Whatever,” I replied, gesturing for him to continue.
“Return this to Anderic for me,” he tossed the pouch at me.
I caught it reflexively, then nearly dropped it when his words registered. “What? No! Why me?”
Sebastian looked at me like I was particularly slow. “Because you live in the palace now?”
“But…,” I trailed off, staring at the pouch with trepidation.
“Don’t worry so much. Anderic won’t eat you,” Sebastian’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “He just likes to tease. Think of him as another annoying brother.”
“What’s in here anyway?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Just a dagger with the royal insignia. Needed it for some work.”
Then we sat down and talked for what felt like hours, though it was only a few minutes.
I hugged him again, breathing in his familiar scent one more time. “Be careful, Seb.”
