Page 90 of Villainess's Redemption
Laurel hesitated a bit but then smiled.
As we made our way down the opulent halls, I couldn’t help but marvel at how differently I viewed the palace now. Now thatI was leaving the palace, I suddenly missed the show of excessive wealth. How quickly one’s perspective can change.
“You know, Laurel,” I mused, “I think I’ll miss the unlimited access to wine cellars more than anything else about this place.”
Laurel snorted, then quickly covered her mouth, remembering my recent stint. But I was too happy to think about that.
“It’s alright to laugh,” I assured her. “In fact, I insist on it. We have much to be joyful about.”
As we approached the courtroom, the sounds of merriment we expected were replaced by something far more sinister. Screams echoed through the halls, accompanied by the thunderous sound of running feet.
My heart plummeted. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t supposed to happen now.
“Stay close,” I ordered Laurel, my voice tight with fear as we hurried toward the commotion.
The scene that greeted us was one of utter chaos. Nobles in their finery scattered like frightened birds, their faces pale with terror. And there were black-clad figures, their faces obscured by masks, wielding wickedly sharp blades.
Assassins. Here. Now.
But how? The spring ball had come and gone without incident. I’d thought since it hadn’t happened then it wouldn’t happen anymore. Another incident that now had changed with my meddling.
Mother. She was supposed to be here.
“Mother!” The word burst from my lips as the realization struck me like ice water. My heart thundered against my ribs. “Laurel, we need to find my mother!”
“But my lady, the assassins—”
I was already running, my skirts bunched in my fists. Laurel’s footsteps echoed behind me as we navigated through thepanicked crowds. The screams grew louder, bouncing off marble walls and mixing with the clash of steel.
A noblewoman in blue silk rushed past. I grabbed her arm, probably harder than necessary. “Lady Adelena D’Arcane—have you seen her?”
The woman’s face was ashen, her eyes wide with terror. When she didn’t respond immediately, I shook her. “Please! Dark hair, black eyes—”
“She—she left,” the woman stammered. “Right after you. She never returned after she left with you.”
Relief flooded through me, making my knees weak. Mother was safe. She’d left after disowning me—the irony wasn’t lost on me. But then another thought struck: Queen Felicia.
In my previous life, I’d seen how the assassination attempt had failed, but three maids had died including Lady Amelia who was like a second mother to Anderic. The memory of the Queen’s genuine warmth during my illness, her vulnerability as she shared her past—damn it all, I actually liked her now.
I scanned the chaos, remembering the pattern of attack. The assassins had focused on the center and left side of the grand hall, where the nobles typically gathered. But the right side, near the pillars where servants moved through their hidden passages…
“Laurel,” I turned to my maid. “You need to—”
“I’m staying with you,” her chin lifted stubbornly. “Whatever madness you’re planning, I’m part of it.”
I blinked at her, this shy girl who’d once cowered at my voice.I’m so proud of her.“Fine. Then listen carefully. We need to stay to the right, near the pillars. The assassins won’t—”
“Better yet.” Laurel’s eyes gleamed with intelligence. “The servants’ passages. There’s one that leads directly behind the throne. Follow me.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward an innocuous tapestry. As she pushed it aside, revealing a narrow door.
The passage was dark and cramped, just enough for servants to move around and do their daily tasks without being seen. Laurel navigated with surprising confidence, leading me through turns I would have missed.
“How do you know these paths so well?” I whispered. She wasn’t a palace servant after all.
“Well, I had to do something to occupy my time while you were in coma,” she whispered back.
Before I could respond, screams erupted from ahead—closer now, more desperate. We were getting near the throne room.
