Page 70 of Villainess's Redemption
Anderic’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Do what?”
But it didn’t matter what he said or how he looked - I was hell-bent on proving my innocence. He couldn’t accuse me again. Nope, not happening this time around.
“I didn’t poison Her Majesty,” I rasped, the words tumbling out in a desperate rush. “I swear I would never do such a thing. I’m notthatevil. Please, you have to believe me.”
Realization dawned in those piercing blue eyes, quickly followed by a flash of anger that made my stomach clench.
“Ilyana-” he started, but I was too far gone to listen.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I insisted, my voice growing hysterical with each word. “Whatever you think happened, whatever whispers have reached your ears - it’s all a misunderstanding.”
I sat up straighter, ignoring Anderic’s outstretched arms as he tried to steady my tired aching body. My gaze locked onto Anderic’s, unflinching and determined. “I may have made mistakes in the past but I’m not that person anymore. I’ve changed. And I won’t repeat the same mistakes again.”
The words tumbled out, fueled by a desperate need to rewrite my story. This was my second chance, my opportunity to set things right. And I’d be damned if I let it slip through my fingers because of baseless accusations.
“I didn’t do it,” I repeated, my voice rising hysterically. “I didn’t, I didn’t, I-”
My treacherous body chose that moment to give out on me. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision as exhaustiondragged me back toward oblivion. The last thing I heard before consciousness slipped away was Anderic’s quiet voice as he held me in his arms.
“I believe you.”
* * *
Consciousness crept back like a timid mouse - soft and hesitating. This time, there was no searing pain, just a bone-deep weariness that made even opening my eyes feel like an impossible task. My limbs felt leaden, refusing to obey even the simplest commands.
The bed beneath me was still impossibly soft - definitely not my own chambers then. Fragments of my earlier awakening drifted back: Anderic’s concerned face, my hysterical rambling, his quiet “I believe you.”
Had that actually happened? Or was it just another fever dream?
Voices drifted through the haze, and I strained to make them out through the fog in my mind.
“But the evidence so far points to Elenthar’s involvement.” Lennox’s gruff voice carried clearly across the room.
Elenthar? Did they connect the dots so soon?
“Are you sure?” Anderic’s voice held a note of skepticism I’d rarely heard before. “What would they gain from poisoning the Queen? It’ll only start another war. So soon after the last one… They still haven’t even financially recovered from the last one. King Maldover is also very old, I don’t think they would be so reckless.”
Their voices faded, and darkness pulled at me again. I fought against it, desperate to hear more.
“…succession war going on…” Lennox’s voice faded back in. “…Five of Maldover’s grandsons are vying for the throne. Prince Callum is especially ruthless.”
Prince Callum. The name sent a chill down my spine. He’d been one of my allies in my past life until he was not.
“…can’t rule out internal treachery…” Anderic’s voice drifted back. “Someone in our own court could be working with Elenthar.”
The conversation blurred again, my treacherous mind refusing to stay focused. When I managed to tune back in, Anderic’s voice had taken on a harder edge.
“Keep a close eye on Lady Ilyana and increase her protection. She might not have been the target but I don’t want to take any risk, especially with her. When she wakes, I want to know everything she does, everywhere she goes.”
My heart skipped a beat. Did he still not believe me?
“Do you suspect her?” Lennox voiced my thoughts, sounding surprised, and honestly, so was I.
“No.” The firmness in Anderic’s voice startled me. “But she knows more than she’s letting on. I need to know what she’s hiding. And I intend to find out.”
Well, wasn’t that just perfect? He believed I hadn’t tried to poison the Queen and wasn’t plotting something nefarious, but he still thought I was hiding something else. Which, to be fair, I was - but would he ever believe if I told the whole truth?
The voices faded again, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. If I remember correctly, he hadn’t shown up in Eldoria yet.
