Page 84 of Villainess's Redemption
The Chancellor’s gaze slid to me, his eyes cold and calculating. “Lady Ilyana,” he purred. “I trust you’ve recovered from your… unfortunate incident? Such a shame, really. One can never be too careful these days.”
The threat in his words was clear as crystal.Well, the feeling’s mutual.“Indeed, Chancellor. However, I find that true dangeroften lurks where one least expects it. Behind a friendly smile, perhaps?”
His smile widened fractionally as he narrowed his eyes. The resulting expression was… creepy. “How astute of you, little lady. Your father must be so proud.”
Little! Your brain might be little, not me.
“Oh, I am,” Father interjected smoothly. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Chancellor. Unlike some, we have actual work to attend to.”
With a final nod, Father steered me away, leaving Darian fuming in our wake.
As we approached the court chambers, Father squeezed my hand. “Be careful, my dear,” he murmured. “The palace is riddled with danger.”
As Father disappeared into the court, I turned to make my way back to my chambers, relief washing over me. I’d managed to avoid Anderic, at least for now.
Chapter 22
I slumped into the plush armchair in our wing’s drawing room, My head was buzzing from all the thoughts about what I’d say to Noah. I had decided to come clean to both Rosalind and Noah. Well, as much as I could tell without putting myself or my family at risk. I had already cleared up most things with Rosalind two days ago. Now, I only needed to do the same with Noah, which was going to be even harder.
So, I had been sitting here with a raging headache while Laurel’s questioning gaze burned into me, and I knew I couldn’t avoid her curiosity any longer.
“Just say what you want,” I sighed, gesturing for her to speak.
Laurel chewed her lips. “I’ve been thinking…” she trailed off.
“Well?” I prompted, arching an eyebrow.
“Why do you want so much money?” she blurted out. “Your father gifted you one of his shops for your wedding, and even excluding that, you already have everything. So why this sudden change?”
I leaned forward, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. “You can get a lot of things if you simply have the money to pay for it. For example, if you pay enough, you can be freed from prison or be exempt from death row.”
It’s better to be prepared for the worst since I’ve come to accept that I make a terrible detective.It was useless for me to try and find the possible real culprit behind Magnus’s imprisonment.
Laurel’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would you even think that?”
Uh. I might have said too much. But before I could backpedal, the door opened, and Noah strode in, shock flickering across his face at seeing me sitting there, a sight rarer than rain in the desert.
I stood up as Noah entered, my heart pounding against my ribcage. With a quick glance at Laurel, I nodded, and she bowed before exiting the room, the soft click of the door echoing in the sudden silence.
The comforting drawing room now felt stifling. I steeled myself for what I was about to face, breathing in the faint scent of lavender that lingered in the air.
“Ilyana,” Noah greeted me, his voice tinged with relief. “How are you doing? It’s good to see you up and about again. Seeing you looking deathly pale lying on the bed…,” he trailed off, worry flashing in his eyes.
A sudden surge of guilt washed over me.Damn it, why does he have to look at me like that?But I knew what needed to be done. The quicker I ended this, the better for both of us.
“Noah,” I started, my voice steady, with no hint of what I was feeling inside. “I need to say something to you.” I took a sharp breath. “Actually, I need to clear something up.”
He looked at me questioningly, his brow furrowing slightly. I took a deep breath, the words I’d rehearsed a hundred times in my mind suddenly feeling inadequate.
“Do you remember the last summer solstice?” I asked, but before he could answer, I plunged ahead. “We didn’t sleep together that night. I… I lied to you.”
I looked up to find worry in his eyes instead of anger and hatred.What?
“Ilyana, did you hurt your head when you fell that day? Should I call the doctor?” He genuinely looked worried. He turned to walk towards the door.
What?
In a panic, I grabbed his hand, “Wait! look at me, Noah. I’m alright and no, I’m not joking.”
