Page 37 of Villainess's Redemption
“Always am, kiddo,” He ruffled my hair as he stood. “Try not to terrorize too many people while I’m gone.”
I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at his retreating back. His laughter echoed down the hallway as he dodged.
I stared at the velvet pouch in my hand. Return it to Anderic? Just the thought made my stomach churn.
I’ll think of some way to return it with minimal contact.
With Laurel’s help, I dressed for the day, donning a gown that was probably worth more than most people’s yearly wages—the joys of being wealthy again.
I descended the grand staircase, each step echoing in the cavernous foyer. The breakfast room beckoned, promising both food for my starving body and, undoubtedly delightful family drama.
As I entered, my mother sprang from her seat as if she’d been spring-loaded. “Ilyana, darling!” she exclaimed, enveloping me in a cloud of expensive perfume and maternal fussing. “How did you sleep? Are you comfortable? Do you need anything?”
“Mother, please,” I said, extricating myself from her clutches. “I’m fine. I’m not made of glass.”
I took my seat at the ornate table, noting the conspicuous absence of my father. “Where’s father this morning?”
Mother waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, he went to court early. Said he had something important to do,” she frowned, her perfectly plucked eyebrows drawing together. “I told him not to go. After all, what could be so important to leave his newlywed daughter and attend court?”
As she prattled on, I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. It seemed Father had actually listened to my advice. Will wonders never cease?
A servant appeared, bearing a message on a silver tray. Mother glanced at it and sighed. “Decline the invitation,” she said, waving the servant away.
My curiosity piqued. “What’s that about?”
“Oh, just some charity event,” Mother said, her tone aiming for nonchalance but missing by a mile. “I’m not going, of course. Not with you here.”
I remembered how much Mother had loved these social events in the past - before our exile had stripped away every shred of her identity. The thought of her missing out on this opportunity to reclaim a piece of her old life didn’t sit well with me.
“Mother,” I said, giving her my brightest smile, “I’m still tired. I’ll probably sleep all day. You should go to the event.”
She looked at me, uncertainty written across her face. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” I insisted. “Go, mingle, gossip about whose husband is sleeping with whose maid. Live a little.”
Mother hesitated for a moment longer before breaking into a radiant smile. “Well, if you insist. But if there’s anything - and I mean anything - you need, call for me, dear.”
“Of course, Mother,” I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I’ll send up a flare if I stub my toe.”
With Mother off to prepare for her social outing, I retreated to the gardens. I settled onto a swing, a book in hand, ready to lose myself in someone else’s problems for a change.
Just as I was getting to a particularly juicy part of the story, a commotion caught my attention. A servant came running towards me, red-faced and panting as if he’d just run a marathon.
“M’lady! M’lady!” he gasped, nearly collapsing at my feet.
I set my book aside, raising an eyebrow. “Yes? Has the sky fallen? Has Noah finally remembered he has a wife?”
The servant shook his head, still struggling to catch his breath. “There’s… there’s some ruckus in the Meadows Inn. Mr. Gareth is in trouble.”
I was on my feet before he finished speaking, my heart racing. Gareth was one of my father’s most loyal accountants, and if he was in trouble, it couldn’t be good for my family.
“Bring the carriage,” I commanded, my voice sharp. “Now.”
As the servant scurried off to follow my orders, I stood there, my mind whirling with possibilities. What could have happened? And more importantly, how would this affect my carefully laid plans? He was pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of events but since the timeline was rapidly changing, I needed to make sure of every small minute detail.
The distant sound of hooves on cobblestone signaled the approach of the carriage. I steeled myself, ready to face whatever new problem awaited me.
Chapter 10
