Page 48 of Villainess's Redemption
I bit back a snort. Oh please, as if you didn’t help her escape yourself. Didn’t matter how capable and smart Rosalind was she couldn’t have escaped those trained soldiers if someone hadn’t interfered. Multiple someones. And all of them were probably seated at this table right now. Instead, I said sweetly, “I might have an idea about that, Your Majesty.”
A choking sound erupted beside me. I caught Noah’s surprised glance from the corner of my eye.Good. Let him stew in confusion.
In a moment of carelessness, I made the mistake of looking at Anderic. His eyes were narrowed, one eyebrow arched in silent challenge.He’s taking this stalking business pretty seriously.Heat crept up my neck, and I quickly averted my gaze, gulping down water to soothe my suddenly parched throat.
When I looked back at the Queen, amusement danced in her eyes as she glanced between her son and me.Please save mefrom your son.“Very well,” she said, a hint of mischief in her tone. “If you can find Rosalind, I will reinstate her title.”
Chapter 13
I stood in the opulent sitting room, facing Noah. The plush carpet beneath my feet felt soft enough to swallow me whole. Fitting, since I was about to dive headfirst into dangerous waters.
“Alright, tell me what you wanted to say,” Noah said, his warm brown eyes searching my face.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. No point in dancing around it.
“I need to meet Rosalind,” I said, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
Noah’s eyes widened, shock etching itself across his handsome features as realization set in. “You knew?”
I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, I knew, you lovesick puppy. I’ve known all along where you’ve been sneaking off to. One of these days my eyes were going to roll off my face. Also,why does he speak like a buffoon? Wow, from prince of my heart to buffoon, I’ve come a long way.
Instead, I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ve known where you’ve been this whole time, Noah.”
That didn’t sound ominous at all.
He paled slightly, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck – a nervous habit I’d noticed in my previous life. “Ilyana, it’s not what it seems. I—I just wanted to help her. She’s a friend, and—”
I held up a hand, cutting off his rambling. “Noah, relax. I know. And I’m glad you stepped up to help her. She is my friend too, remember? I just… couldn’t help her before.”
The tension in Noah’s shoulders eased slightly. He studied me for a moment, wariness still evident in his gaze. “You’re… not angry?”
I let out a dry chuckle. “Angry? No. Impressed that you managed to keep it a secret this long? Absolutely.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “You’re taking this surprisingly well.”
Manipulating was so much fun. If only you knew, dear husband. I’ve had years to come to terms with your heart.
“Life’s too short for pettiness,” I said, waving a hand dismissively. “Besides, Rosalind needs all the allies she can get right now.”
Noah nodded slowly, seeming to relax further. “You’re right. I… I appreciate your understanding, Ilyana. Truly. And, thank you for asking Her Majesty earlier. I never thought of that.”
I offered him a small smile. “So, can I see her?”
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, I suppose that would be alright. Follow me.”
We left the palace grounds, sneaking out through a hidden passage that I pretended not to have known about. The streets of the capital were busy, filled with the usual hustle and bustle of city life. How strange it felt to walk these streets again, knowing what I knew.
Noah led me to a modest house on the outskirts of the city. It was well-maintained but unremarkable – the perfect hiding spot for a disgraced noblewoman.
As we approached the door, Noah turned to me. “Ilyana, before we go in… I need to know. What do you plan to say to her?”
Is he dense or something?
I met his gaze steadily. “The truth, Noah.” With a sprinkle of lies. “That I want to help her clear her father’s name and to convince her to go back to the palace.”
He studied me for a long moment before nodding. “Alright. I trust you.”
Oh, the irony. If only you knew how untrustworthy I truly am.
