Page 54 of Villainess's Redemption
The next morning, I steeled myself for the inevitable return to the breakfast hall. I couldn’t avoid everyone forever, after all. As I approached the ornate double doors, my stomach twisted into knots. The thought of facing Anderic and Rosalind made me want to turn tail and flee back to my chambers. Or vomit. Or both.
But Lady Ilyana D’Arcane doesn’t flee. She schemes, she plots, and occasionally, she sneaks away from the problem strategically. But she doesn’t run.
Okay, that was a bit dramatic.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the doors, my eyes immediately scanning the room for potential threats. To my immense relief, there was no sign of Anderic’s golden curls or those infuriatingly perfect dimples—what am I even thinking?
Anyway, thank God for small mercies.
The King and Chancellor Darian were also absent—something big had probably happened. A lead in the retrial? My breath faltered thinking about the possibilities. But there, sitting beside Queen Felicia and chatting away like old friends, was Rosalind. Perfect, angelic Rosalind with her chestnut hair and gentle demeanor effortlessly charming everyone.
I approached my seat, eyeing it warily, my heart thumping against my ribs. My seat was right between Rosalind and Noah.Wonderful. Just wonderful.
What if she’s poisoned my food?I shook my head, chiding myself.Don’t be ridiculous, Ilyana. She’s not you.
Queen Felicia noticed me first, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Lady Ilyana! How are you feeling, my dear? Rosalind was just telling me about your… unfortunate accident.”
I plastered on my best ‘everything is fine’ smile. “I’m quite well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”
She raised an eyebrow at my response which I had come to notice looked rather familiar. As expected, nothing escaped her keen eyes.
“Rosalind was saying that it was her fault that you got hurt and she’s feeling really sorry for her part in it, don’t you dear?” Queen Felicia addressed Rosalind. I couldn’t say what she was thinking about, her emotions firmly in check. Which also seemed very familiar—stop it.
I looked around the table. Everyone was pretending to eat but I knew damn well they were all listening. Lady Penelope didn’t even bother concealing her interest, looking at the display with wide eyes while she stuffed her face with roasted meat.Glad to entertain.
I tried to say it was fine again but Rosalind cut in, her eyes wide with apparent remorse.
“Oh, Ilyana! I’m so terribly sorry about what happened. You must have been so angry with me. That’s why you didn’t speak to me on the way back, isn’t it?”
I blinked, momentarily thrown off balance.When did I say that?I thought, struggling to keep my expression neutral. Her performance was flawless, I had to give her that.
Rosalind truly looked sad the whole time, but the saddest thing was that her acting seemed far more genuine than mine.Sigh.
Her performance was impeccable, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her lower lip quivering ever so slightly. I glanced at Noah, only to find him completely enthralled by her act.Idiot.
Noah must have felt my glare because he turned to look at me, cringing slightly under my gaze. I quickly schooled my features into a sweet smile. “Not at all, Rosalind. I was simply exhausted. Please, don’t trouble yourself over it. I do apologize if I seemed distant.”
Queen Felicia gestured to my seat. “Please, sit down and eat, Ilyana. You’ve gotten so thin lately, you need to regain your strength.”
Yes, of course, nothing like the metaphorical guillotine hanging over my neck to ruin one’s appetite.
I was focusing on eating quietly and ignoring the chatter around me. Sitting between Noah and Rosalind was uncomfortable, to say the least. I was acutely aware of the tension radiating from Noah and Rosalind on either side of me; it thick enough to cut with a knife. Their unresolved feelings for each other radiated off them in waves.
For the love of all that’s holy, just get together and be done with it.
But I was startled out of my thoughts when the queen addressed me.
“Ilyana, dear,” she said, “Rosalind has made the most wonderful suggestion. She proposed we hold a charity event before the spring ball. I also wanted to hold a charity event and since I recall you also mentioned something similar in the past, I think it’s a wonderful time to hold it.”
I looked up, my fork pausing midway to my mouth. “Oh?”
The Queen continued, “I’ve decided to invite all the noble ladies in the palace and from prominent houses to tea in my greenhouse next week. We’ll discuss the details of the charity event then. You’ll join us, won’t you?”
It was true that the Queen often held charity events but in my past life, I was never invited. Our relationship had progressed a lot better in this life. But that would mean I wouldn’t have any prior knowledge to help me with all the interactions with Her Majesty.
I side-eyed Rosalind. What was she thinking of doing now? I was starting to regret bringing her back.
Rosalind turned to me; her smile sickeningly sweet. I matched it with one of my own, my cheeks aching from the effort.
