Page 80 of Villainess's Redemption
“Nonsense!” I climbed onto my chaise lounge, using it as an impromptu stage.Yes! My stage.“I feel magnificent! Like I could fly!”
“Please don’t try,” Laurel muttered, hovering nervously nearby.
I struck a dramatic pose, nearly losing my balance in the process. “I am Lady Ilyana D’Arcane, and I amdonewith schemes!” I announced to my imaginary audience, raising my glass in a toast.
“My lady!” Laurel yelped as wine sloshed dangerously close to the silk upholstery.
“Oh relax,” I giggled, attempting to step down gracefully and failing spectacularly. Laurel caught me before I face-planted into the carpet. “I’m perfectly fine. Just practicing my dancing for the next ball.”
“Is that what you call it?” Laurel snorted, then immediately covered her mouth, mortified at her slip.
I grinned at her, delighted. “Was that sass I just heard from my proper little maid?”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “I would never—”
“You would and you did!” I sang, grabbing her hands and forcing her into an impromptu waltz. “Come on, dance with me! That’s an order!”
“My lady, please—” But she was laughing now too as I spun us around the room, narrowly avoiding furniture.
“See? Isn’t this fun?” I asked, right before tripping over my own feet. We stumbled into my vanity, sending perfume bottles rattling.
“That’s it,” Laurel declared, finally putting her foot down. “Time for bed.”
I pouted but allowed her to guide me to my bed. “You’re no fun,” I mumbled, flopping onto the mattress. “But I love you anyway,” I smiled at her but she didn’t return it.How rude. I just declared my love for her and she doesn’t even acknowledge it.
Laurel pulled the blanket over me.Wait a minute.
“Wait, but I’m not—”Hiccup!“—drunk yet.”Hiccup!
“Says the drunk,” Laurel muttered under her breath. “Stay here. I’ll bring some lemon water for you.”
The room spun pleasantly as I stared up at the canopy. “Do you think Prince Anderic can dance?” I wondered aloud, my wine-addled brain conjuring images of golden curls and dangerous smiles.
The moment Laurel left the room, a brilliant idea hit me.I should go confront that deranged prince! Yes!
I sat up, swaying slightly as the room spun. Why had Prince Anderic been avoiding me since the poisoning? Did he think I was too weak now? Ha! I’d show him.
With determination born of wine and wounded pride, I stumbled to my feet.No, I wasn’t drunk.The floor seemed to tilt beneath me, but I pressed on, driven by liquid courage.Definitely not drunk.I made it to the door after only bumping into three pieces of furniture. Success!
The palace corridors were very empty just like my heart as I wobbled my way to Anderic’s chambers, using the wall for support more often than I’d like to admit. The guards at his door took one look at me and stepped aside.
Without bothering to knock—because really, why start being polite now?—I burst into his room.
Wait, why is his door unlocked? Whatever.
There he was, sitting on a chair like he didn’t have a care in the world. huh!
“You!” I jabbed my finger at his chest and immediately regretted it.Ouch.“Why is your chest so hard? That’s just rude.”
Anderic looked up from his chest where I just poked him, golden curls gleaming in the lamplight, those dangerous blue eyes dancing with amusement. “Lady Stormbourne. To what do I owe this… unexpected pleasure?”
“Don’t you ‘Lady Stormbourne’ me!” I poked him again, ignoring the pain in my finger. “You’ve been avoiding me! And stop smirking! It’s very distracting when you do that.”
“Is it now?” His smirk only grew wider.
“Yes! And so is your face! And your hair! It’s all… golden and perfect and it’s very annoying,” I waved my hands in the general direction of his head. “How do you even get it to do that?”
“Do what, exactly?” He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying my drunken tirade.
