Page 9 of Villainess's Redemption
“Make me, little sister. Or should I say, Lady Stormbourne?” He tugged my veil playfully. I had missed this, missed his teasing. I didn’t mind his teasing as long as he was alive. He could tease me as much as he wanted.
“Sebastian, stop teasing your sister,” Mother’s admonishment held no real heat and it only made his grin widen.
An annoying presence materialized behind me. Noah. His hand settled on my lower back, the touch sending an involuntary shiver of disgust down my spine.
As much as I had loved him once, now his presence did nothing but make my skin crawl.
Sebastian’s expression softened as he looked at his friend. “Take care of my little sister, Noah. Though I warn you—she snores like a bear.”
“I do not!” I let out through a sob, sounding just like a… bear.I take back everything I said about his teasing.
“Welcome to the family,” Sebastian clasped Noah’s shoulder. “Finally, I have someone to share embarrassing stories about her with.”
“Time to go, Ilyana,” Noah’s voice was gentle but it irritated me nonetheless as he tugged me away. “You can visit them whenever you wish.”
I let him guide me down the aisle, my heart a tangle of emotions. Behind us, I heard Sebastian’s theatrical whisper, “Did I mention she sleep-walks?”
The sound of Mother’s exasperated “Sebastian!” followed us down the aisle, and for a moment—just a moment—I could pretend this was real happiness, not the calm before the storm.
My maid, Laurel quietly followed me as I moved as if in a dream, muscle memory carrying me through the motions.Outside, the sun was brilliant, a far cry from the perpetual gloom of the northern borders.
I inhaled deeply, savoring air untainted by the stench of unwashed bodies and desperation. Was this real? Or had I finally cracked under the weight of loss and grief?
As we descended the church steps, rose petals raining down upon us, I caught sight of my reflection in a glass door of the church. Gone were the hollowed cheeks and haunted eyes. I looked… young. Unbroken. The Ilyana of two years in the past, before my schemes had come crashing down around me.
Noah squeezed my hand, drawing my attention. “You seem distracted, Lya. Is everything alright?”
I stared at him, searching his face for any hint of the coldness I’d last seen there, almost two years ago. But there was only warmth and concern in those eyes.
“I’m fine,” I managed, the lie came naturally on my tongue. “Just… overwhelmed.”
He smiled, bringing my hand to his lips. “I understand. It happened so fast. It’s a lot to take in.”
If only he knew.
As we made our way to the waiting carriage, my mind raced. If this was real—and a traitorous part of me was beginning to believe it might be—what did it mean? What cruel trick of fate had brought me back to this moment?
And more importantly, what was I going to do about it?
The weight of possibility settled on my shoulders. I could change things. Prevent the cascade of events that had led to my family’s ruin.
My father’s laughter rang out behind me, and I flinched. He was alive. They all were. And they had no idea of the storm that was coming.
As Noah helped me into the carriage, I made a silent vow. This time would be different. I would make it different, whatever it took.
The carriage lurched into motion, bearing us away from the church. My hands trembled in my lap, and I clenched them tightly.
Noah turned to me, concern etched on his features.
“Ilyana, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange since the ceremony.”
I took a deep breath, buying time. What could I say? That I was a time traveler from a future where I’d ruined both our lives? That I’d manipulated him into this marriage? That I had hurt the woman he actually loved?
I turned to him, forcing a smile. “I’m really excited. Just… taking it all in.”
He nodded, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. It was only my iron willpower that I didn’t move away from his touch. “It’s alright. I know this is a big change for both of us.”
If only he knew how big.
