Villainess’s Redemption (Reborn Villainess #1)

Chapter 12

I quickly changed into a fresh dress and told Laurel to stay behind as I headed to the palace garden to avoid Noah. The garden, while breathtakingly beautiful, rarely had visitors. Most people preferred the greenhouse over the garden, as the Queen visited the greenhouse more, and as usual, everyone flocked there in the hope of currying favors. It was quiet here. The mid-afternoon breeze was cool and refreshing.

In my past life, I discovered this place after finally realizing, on the winter solstice, that Noah would never be mine. I came here and cried my heart out. That was the only time I came here. Then tragedy struck… for me, mostly. Now, I walked along the tree line on one side of the garden, taking in fresh air and feeling peaceful.

Ah, nature. So serene. So quiet. So boring. I rolled my eyes at my own thoughts. What was I expecting? But it was nice. Boring was good. A boring life was far better than an exciting one. After a lifetime of chaos, schemes, and backstabbing a peaceful boring life was what I needed.

I was deep in my thoughts, debating how boring life was with my imaginary evil side when suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth, and another pulled me sideways into an alcove, mostly hidden by the trees. Before I could even register what was happening, I found myself pushed against the wall of the alcove with none other than Prince Anderic leaning over me, one of his hands on the wall above my head and the other still clamped over my mouth.

My heart started to pound violently again after realizing who was standing in front of me. Prince Golderic, the golden asshat of Aetheria, loomed over me like a predator cornering its prey. He was so much taller than me that he had to lean down to reach my face level, his broad shoulders and imposing presence making me feel small and vulnerable. The spring breeze moved through his hair, golden curls dancing in the wind, teasing me with their proximity. The scent of sandalwood and leather enveloped me. This close, I could see the faint white scar on the side of his face from his temple to his jaw, a blemish that only seemed to enhance his dangerous allure.

So, the perfect prince wasn’t so perfect after all. I had never been close enough to notice that before. I fought to keep my composure, acutely aware of how our position must appear to any passersby but the reality was far different.

His eyes bore into mine as if trying to dissect a particularly interesting insect. My breath hitched in my throat, not from his otherworldly beauty, but from the clear expression on his face.

He looked like he wanted to murder someone— hopefully not me. All his charming facade was gone, leaving behind the cold, calculating prince.

Oh, Lord! Save me from this deranged prince.

My eyes frantically looked around to find someone, but there was no one. If this lunatic decided to kill me here, there would be no one to intervene. Not that anyone would believe their precious golden prince was capable of murdering someone. If he killed me, they would probably think that I tripped and fell on his sword. Multiple times. In the back.

I could feel his breath on my face as if an angry dragon wanted to devour me. At that moment, I did the only thing I could think of - I bit his hand which in hindsight probably wasn’t the best thing to do.

His eyes widened slightly, the cold cerulean blue heating up, and for a brief moment, I thought I really would die. But then his mouth quirked up on one side as he smirked. He tsked as he pulled his hand back to inspect it, and I saw that I had bitten hard enough to draw blood.

Death. Yeah, that’s exactly what was waiting for me.

“Are we biting to greet each other now?” he looked back at me, the smirk still in place as he licked the blood. His eyes taunted me.

I swallowed. See! A Completely deranged. Who in their right mind licks their own blood… like that?

“So… is it my turn to bite you?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

My mind went blank at the huskiness of his voice. Was this how I was going to die? What a headline that would make. ‘Lady Devoured by Royal Teeth: A Tale of Garden Gore.’

I deliberately ignored his question as I asked, “What do you want?”

He took a step back. I released the breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

“No, your Highness?” His voice was calm, a bit too calm for my liking as he caressed a vine. It almost made him look harmless. Almost.

I steeled myself for a storm I knew was about to come. “Stop that nonsense and get to the point, Eric,” I hadn’t used that nickname in years. It reminded me of the days when we were children and normal individuals, even friends almost.

Maybe he didn’t see me as a threat since I was a little girl, five years younger than him, and the little sister of his friend who would follow them all the time like a puppy.

Anderic abruptly turned toward me. “How long has it been since you called me Eric? Ten years? Fifteen?” He walked toward me again with that predatory gait and my heart started to beat wildly again. “Tell me, Lya.”

I cleared my throat. “Let’s not dwell in the past. What do you really want Eric?”

His lips twitched, but his eyes remained ice cold, whatever heat I imagined in those eyes had evaporated. “You wound me, Lya. And here I thought we were becoming fast friends.”

“Friends don’t usually pin friends against walls,” I retorted, finally finding the backbone I knew I had somewhere. “At least, not in polite society.”

“Ah, but we’re hardly in polite society right now, are we?” He leaned in closer, his breath tickling my ear. I inhaled sharply. “We’re in a secluded garden, where no one can hear us. Where no one can see us.”

I suppressed a shiver. “Is this the part where you reveal your secret passion for gardening? Because I have to say, Your Highness, your technique needs work.”

He chuckled, moving back a few steps again. “Oh, we are back to ‘your highness’ again? Tell me, what brings you to this lonely corner of the palace?”

“I was looking for peace and quiet,” I said dryly, looking anywhere but his eyes. “Clearly, I came to the wrong place.”

Anderic’s eyes gleamed. “My apologies for your Peace and quiet. But I’m afraid I have some questions for you, Lady Stormbourne.”

And just like that, we were back to reality and out of that… whatever that was.

“Questions?” I raised an eyebrow. “Is this how you normally conduct interviews? Because I must say, your methods are rather… unorthodox.”

Anderic’s free hand came up to trace the line of my jaw. I fought the urge to flinch. “I find that unconventional methods often yield the most interesting results.”

“Well, then,” I said, meeting his gaze steadily. “Ask away, Your Highness. But I warn you, my answers might be as unconventional as your methods.”

He chuckled again, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, my dear Lady Stormbourne,” his eyes bored into mine, all traces of amusement vanishing. The shift in his mood was giving me whiplash. “Now, tell me… what games are you and your father playing?”

I blinked. There it was, the suspicion, the blame. I knew it would come sooner or later but it still hurt, doing everything I could to change the future but still getting blamed. And the thing was no one would ever know. I steeled my voice, leaving no trace of the emotions I was suddenly feeling. “Game? I’m afraid I don’t understand, Your Highness. The only game I’ve played recently is ‘Avoid the Drunken Noble at Balls’, and I assure you, I’m quite proficient at it.”

His grip on my jaw tightened slightly. “Don’t play coy with me, Ilyana. Your sudden change in behavior, your father’s unexpected actions… They reek of conspiracy. YOU reek of conspiracy.”

I forced a mirthless laugh. “Conspiracy? My, my, Your Highness. Have you been reading too many mystery novels? Next, you’ll be accusing me of treason.”

Anderic’s eyes narrowed. “You’re deflecting.”

“And you’re paranoid,” I shot back. “Has it occurred to you that people can change? That maybe—just maybe—I’ve had a change of heart?”

“People don’t change overnight,” he said, his voice dismissive. “Especially not people like you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “People like me? And what kind of person am I, Your Highness?”

He leaned in closer, his lips almost brushing my ear. “The kind who would burn the world to get what they want.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “And what is it that I want?”

Anderic pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “That’s what I intend to find out.”

I scoffed. “Okay, fine. I’m guilty. Go ahead, arrest me,” I said as I crossed my hands over my chest. I looked at him, my eyes daring him.

We stood there for a moment, locked in a silent battle of wills. The garden around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in this tense bubble of suspicion and intrigue.

Finally, I broke the silence. “Well, Your Highness, as thrilling as this little interrogation has been, I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to. Unless, of course, you plan on keeping me here indefinitely?”

A slow, predatory smile broke through his cold expression. “Now there’s an idea. Perhaps I should keep you here until you tell me the truth.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh yes, because holding a lady against her will in a garden alcove is exactly the kind of behavior expected from a crown prince. I’m sure that would go over splendidly with the court.”

“You’d be surprised what the court would overlook, my dear Ilyana.”

“I’m not sure I would be,” I muttered. “Now, if you’re quite finished with your little chit-chat, I’d like to leave.”

Anderic studied me for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. Then, slowly, he stepped back, releasing me from his hold. “Very well. But don’t think this is over, Ilyana. I’ll be watching you closely. If I find anything and I mean anything, you’re done for.”

I straightened my dress, trying to regain some semblance of composure. His threat loomed over my head like a guillotine. “How delightful. I’ve always wanted a royal stalker. It was on my list, right after ‘being stabbed to death’ and ‘time traveling’.”

“I look forward to unraveling your secrets.”

I met his gaze, my chin lifted defiantly. “Good luck with that, Your Highness. I might not look like it but I still have a few tricks up my sleeves, with a dash of ‘none of your business’.”

He laughed, the sound genuinely amused this time.

As I turned to leave, Anderic’s voice stopped me. “One last thing, Lady Stormbourne.”

I looked back at him, eyebrow raised. “Yes?”

His eyes glinted with mischief and danger. “So… may I bite you now?”

* * *

The morning sunlight streamed through the ornate windows of the royal dining hall, casting a golden glow on the polished silverware. I sat at the long mahogany table, picking at my eggs benedict and trying not to choke on the tension in the air. Queen Felicia’s melodious voice filled the awkward silence as she made small talk and kept the conversations going. She complimented Lady Seraphina about something I didn’t care about and then her basking in Queen Felicia’s compliments which to me seemed only customary, Seraphina probably knew that too. But it didn’t deter Lady Penelope from burning with jealously. Fools.

King Arnald, thankfully didn’t make those terrible jokes today. He looked serious today. Maybe it had something to with the retrial.

I nodded along, making appropriate noises of interest while steadfastly avoiding eye contact with the golden menace sitting directly across from me. Prince Anderic’s gaze burned into my face with the intensity of a thousand suns. If looks could kill, I’d be a smoldering pile of ash on this very expensive carpet.

Focus, Ilyana. Don’t let him see you sweat.

I took a sip of water, willing my racing heart to calm down. I went straight to my room after I made my swift and not-so-graceful escape yesterday. So… may I bite you now? I couldn’t sleep the whole night, his threat from yesterday still echoed in my mind, robbing me of my peace. I’d been a fool to think unraveling my schemes would be smooth sailing. I needed to step up my game, and fast.

I still hadn’t found any way to return the dagger Sebastian gave me with minimal interaction.

King Arnald’s deep voice rumbled as he engaged Anderic in conversation. Perfect. Time to make my move.

I turned to Queen Felicia, plastering on my most earnest expression. “Your Majesty, may I ask you something?”

She smiled warmly. “Of course, dear.”

I could practically feel everyone’s ears perking up around the table. Even Noah’s spoon paused in midair beside me. Showtime.

“I heard about Lord Magnus’s retrial from my father,” I began, infusing my voice with just the right amount of concern. “And I couldn’t help but think of poor Rosalind. She was such a dear friend, and her situation breaks my heart.”

Queen Felicia’s eyes softened. “Yes, it’s a terrible business.”

I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “Since it appears Lord Magnus was framed, I wondered… perhaps you could reconsider Rosalind’s exile? Reinstate her title and allow her to stay in the palace while the investigation is going on?” I paused for dramatic effect. “Even if her father is convicted, surely the innocent daughter shouldn’t be punished for her father’s alleged crimes?”

Somebody give me a prize for this performance.

Queen Felicia looked like she was contemplating but I knew she would agree with me. She had grown very fond of Rosalind in the few months she knew her. Rosalind had all the qualities of Queen Felicia- kind, righteous, and intelligent.

The Queen’s face lit up after a while. Even Lady Amelia behind her looked a bit impressed which was a miracle, to be honest. “What an excellent idea!” Queen Felicia turned to her husband. “Arnald, what do you think?”

The King nodded his assent. Huh. That was easier than I expected. Still, I suppressed a triumphant smirk.

Queen Felicia’s brow furrowed. “But there’s a little problem.” What now? “Last I heard Rosalind escaped and didn’t go into exile. How can we reinstate her if we can’t find her?”

I bit back a snort. Oh please, as if you didn’t help her escape yourself. Didn’t matter how capable and smart Rosalind was she couldn’t have escaped those trained soldiers if someone hadn’t interfered. Multiple someones. And all of them were probably seated at this table right now. Instead, I said sweetly, “I might have an idea about that, Your Majesty.”

A choking sound erupted beside me. I caught Noah’s surprised glance from the corner of my eye. Good. Let him stew in confusion.

In a moment of carelessness, I made the mistake of looking at Anderic. His eyes were narrowed, one eyebrow arched in silent challenge. He’s taking this stalking business pretty seriously. Heat crept up my neck, and I quickly averted my gaze, gulping down water to soothe my suddenly parched throat.

When I looked back at the Queen, amusement danced in her eyes as she glanced between her son and me. Please save me from your son. “Very well,” she said, a hint of mischief in her tone. “If you can find Rosalind, I will reinstate her title.”