Villainess’s Redemption (Reborn Villainess #1)

Chapter 15

The next morning, I steeled myself for the inevitable return to the breakfast hall. I couldn’t avoid everyone forever, after all. As I approached the ornate double doors, my stomach twisted into knots. The thought of facing Anderic and Rosalind made me want to turn tail and flee back to my chambers. Or vomit. Or both.

But Lady Ilyana D’Arcane doesn’t flee. She schemes, she plots, and occasionally, she sneaks away from the problem strategically. But she doesn’t run.

Okay, that was a bit dramatic.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the doors, my eyes immediately scanning the room for potential threats. To my immense relief, there was no sign of Anderic’s golden curls or those infuriatingly perfect dimples— what am I even thinking?

Anyway, thank God for small mercies.

The King and Chancellor Darian were also absent—something big had probably happened. A lead in the retrial? My breath faltered thinking about the possibilities. But there, sitting beside Queen Felicia and chatting away like old friends, was Rosalind. Perfect, angelic Rosalind with her chestnut hair and gentle demeanor effortlessly charming everyone.

I approached my seat, eyeing it warily, my heart thumping against my ribs. My seat was right between Rosalind and Noah. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

What if she’s poisoned my food? I shook my head, chiding myself. Don’t be ridiculous, Ilyana. She’s not you.

Queen Felicia noticed me first, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Lady Ilyana! How are you feeling, my dear? Rosalind was just telling me about your… unfortunate accident.”

I plastered on my best ‘everything is fine’ smile. “I’m quite well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”

She raised an eyebrow at my response which I had come to notice looked rather familiar. As expected, nothing escaped her keen eyes.

“Rosalind was saying that it was her fault that you got hurt and she’s feeling really sorry for her part in it, don’t you dear?” Queen Felicia addressed Rosalind. I couldn’t say what she was thinking about, her emotions firmly in check. Which also seemed very familiar— stop it .

I looked around the table. Everyone was pretending to eat but I knew damn well they were all listening. Lady Penelope didn’t even bother concealing her interest, looking at the display with wide eyes while she stuffed her face with roasted meat. Glad to entertain.

I tried to say it was fine again but Rosalind cut in, her eyes wide with apparent remorse.

“Oh, Ilyana! I’m so terribly sorry about what happened. You must have been so angry with me. That’s why you didn’t speak to me on the way back, isn’t it?”

I blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. When did I say that? I thought, struggling to keep my expression neutral. Her performance was flawless, I had to give her that.

Rosalind truly looked sad the whole time, but the saddest thing was that her acting seemed far more genuine than mine. Sigh.

Her performance was impeccable, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her lower lip quivering ever so slightly. I glanced at Noah, only to find him completely enthralled by her act. Idiot.

Noah must have felt my glare because he turned to look at me, cringing slightly under my gaze. I quickly schooled my features into a sweet smile. “Not at all, Rosalind. I was simply exhausted. Please, don’t trouble yourself over it. I do apologize if I seemed distant.”

Queen Felicia gestured to my seat. “Please, sit down and eat, Ilyana. You’ve gotten so thin lately, you need to regain your strength.”

Yes, of course, nothing like the metaphorical guillotine hanging over my neck to ruin one’s appetite.

I was focusing on eating quietly and ignoring the chatter around me. Sitting between Noah and Rosalind was uncomfortable, to say the least. I was acutely aware of the tension radiating from Noah and Rosalind on either side of me; it thick enough to cut with a knife. Their unresolved feelings for each other radiated off them in waves.

For the love of all that’s holy, just get together and be done with it.

But I was startled out of my thoughts when the queen addressed me.

“Ilyana, dear,” she said, “Rosalind has made the most wonderful suggestion. She proposed we hold a charity event before the spring ball. I also wanted to hold a charity event and since I recall you also mentioned something similar in the past, I think it’s a wonderful time to hold it.”

I looked up, my fork pausing midway to my mouth. “Oh?”

The Queen continued, “I’ve decided to invite all the noble ladies in the palace and from prominent houses to tea in my greenhouse next week. We’ll discuss the details of the charity event then. You’ll join us, won’t you?”

It was true that the Queen often held charity events but in my past life, I was never invited. Our relationship had progressed a lot better in this life. But that would mean I wouldn’t have any prior knowledge to help me with all the interactions with Her Majesty.

I side-eyed Rosalind. What was she thinking of doing now? I was starting to regret bringing her back.

Rosalind turned to me; her smile sickeningly sweet. I matched it with one of my own, my cheeks aching from the effort.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” I replied, my voice dripping with false enthusiasm. “I’d be delighted to attend.”

* * *

I had been avoiding everyone as much as I could these past few days. Dining hall had become a special kind of torture, with Rosalind, Noah, and… Prince Anderic all gathered around the same table. I’d taken to staring intently at my plate, afraid to meet Anderic’s gaze across from me. Sometimes when I mistakenly did end up looking at him I’d always find him already looking at me with his infuriating smile and intense azure gaze.

Why did my heart insist on fluttering like a caged bird whenever he was near? Clearly, there was something wrong with me. It was strange, very strange.

I pointedly avoided the gardens, not keen on another run-in with His Royal Highness. Instead, my feet carried me to a terrace overlooking the training grounds.

The day was unexpectedly pleasant, a warm breeze carrying the scent of spring. I leaned against the parapet, closing my eyes and letting the wind play with my hair. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax, to forget about the tangled web I’d woven myself into. Behind me, Laurel stood as still and silent as a statue. Her ongoing cold shoulder was impressive, though annoying.

A contented sigh escaped my lips. It was nice, this fleeting peace. Tomorrow would bring new challenges – the charity event discussion with the Queen over tea, Rosalind, and who knew what else. My mother had been invited too.

I opened my eyes and looked down at the training ground below where soldiers were practicing their sword skills, some younger and newer soldiers were being trained on the other side. The clash of steel on steel, punctuated by grunts of exertion as everyone was busy training.

A chorus of shouts drew my attention back to the training grounds. A crowd had gathered around two figures locked in combat. My breath caught as I recognized one of them. Even from this distance, I’d recognize that golden mop of curls anywhere.

Prince Anderic.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the stone parapet. Despite my better judgment, I found myself watching with rapt attention as Anderic faced off against Lennox, his captain of the guard.

Anderic was shirtless, his muscular torso glistening with sweat. Not that I noticed, of course. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he parried and thrust with his sword.

I watched, transfixed, as Anderic moved with a fluid grace that spoke of years of practice. His muscles rippled with each movement, the sun highlighting every curve and plane of his body. It was… distracting, to say the least.

“Oh my,” Laurel whispered beside me, her eyes wide. I couldn’t tell if she was more impressed by Anderic’s skill or his physique. Probably both.

I snorted. “Don’t let his pretty face fool you, Laurel. That man is more dangerous than you could imagine.”

Even as I said it, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Anderic moved with the grace and precision of someone who’d spent years honing his craft. His face was set in intense concentration, those piercing blue eyes focused solely on his opponent. He swung his sword but Lennox wasn’t an easy opponent as he blocked Anderic’s move.

And then, just as Lennox lunged forward, Anderic’s lips curled into a smile. It wasn’t the charming, dimpled grin he used to win over the court. No, this was something altogether different. It was the grin of a predator toying with its prey.

That lunatic. Who smiles in this situation?

A shiver ran down my spine, though whether from his dangerous aura or the sight of those sinewed muscles, I couldn’t say. I never had the opportunity to see him fight before.

Anderic danced away from Lennox’s blade, his movements almost playful now.

“Is he… is he smiling?” Laurel asked, her voice a mix of awe and fear.

I nodded, unable to look away. “Like I said. Dangerous.”

Lennox attacked, his sword a blur of motion. Anderic dodged easily, that manic grin never leaving his face. Again and again, Lennox pressed forward, and each time Anderic slipped away like smoke.

It took me a moment to realize what was happening. Anderic wasn’t just avoiding Lennox’s attacks - he was setting a trap. With each dodge, he was maneuvering Lennox into position, waiting for just the right moment to strike.

That moment came in a flash of steel and a collective gasp from the crowd. Anderic’s sword seemed to materialize at Lennox’s throat, ending the fight in a single, decisive blow.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable even from my vantage point. Anderic lowered his weapon, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face as he helped Lennox to his feet. The two men clasped arms, the earlier intensity of their battle seemingly forgotten.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My heart was racing as if I’d been the one in combat.

“Well,” I said, straightening up and smoothing out my skirts. “That was certainly… something.”

Laurel nodded enthusiastically. “It was amazing! I’ve never seen anyone move like that before.”

I hummed noncommittally, trying to regain my composure.

As if sensing my gaze, Anderic’s head suddenly snapped up, his eyes locking with mine across the distance, my cheeks burning. That dangerous smile was back, sending another involuntary shiver through me.

Damn it all.

I cleared my throat and said, “Let’s move over there.”

I didn’t give Laurel any chance to respond before I hurriedly moved towards a different part of the terrace. It was still overlooking the training grounds but far enough from Prince Anderic. This portion of the ground was closer to the armory and I could see the various weapons nearby, a few blacksmiths fixing weapons. The clinking rhythmical sounds of the weapons almost made me forget those electric blue eyes when I remembered one crucial incident from a different lifetime.

Right there on the grounds below, in a few months, Anderic would fall for Rosalind. Yeah, that’s right Rosalind never had a dearth of men falling head over heels for her, Anderic was no exception. One day when I was spying on her after she snuck into the palace as a maid with the help of my dear husband, I saw her getting offended by something a soldier had said and challenged the soldier for a duel. I scoffed at her at that moment not knowing that she was excellent at sword fight.

She won, not just the duel but also Anderic’s heart.

It will probably happen this time too. She might not be disguised as a maid but she was still in the palace. Most things didn’t change even when I tried.

I sighed. What was so good in her? Why everyone fell for her? I might have changed for the better now but still, I never understood what was so special in her. What did I lack compared to her? Why couldn’t it be me?

Yes, I was quite evil last time but I’ve changed this time. I’m trying. God knows how much I have been trying but not much has changed.

It was like, she was the heroine of the story and me, the unfortunate villainess. Nothing I did ever mattered.

I was still wallowing in self-pity when I heard someone clear his throat, a rough masculine voice, yanking me from my thoughts. I snapped my head around to find Anderic standing there in all his golden glory, still shirtless and glistening with sweat. He looked slightly out of breath as if he’d sprinted all the way up here.

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening on the stone parapet. God, why did he have to come here looking like… that? But then I remembered how he was destined to fall for Rosalind too, never mine. I’d be alone, not desired by anyone, never desired by anyone, and something inside me snapped.

“What the hell do you want?” I spat. “Why can’t you just leave me alone? I’ve been trying, okay? I’ve been trying so damn hard. Why is it so difficult for you to give me a chance? Why do I always have to be viewed with suspicion? Why?”

The words poured out of me in an angry torrent. I knew I was being overdramatic, but my earlier thoughts had left me raw and irritable.

“I’m just trying to live quietly,” I finished, my voice breaking slightly. I took a shaky breath, suddenly feeling very exposed.

Anderic arched an eyebrow, his expression maddeningly neutral. He cleared his throat.

“What?” I snapped, feeling calmer but increasingly self-conscious about my outburst.

“You’re hurt,” he said simply, moving forward and grasping my left hand. He unfurled my tight fist, revealing scraped skin I hadn’t even noticed.

I tried to pull my hand away. “I can take care of it. You don’t have to bother.”

But did he listen? Of course not. The domineering menace proceeded to call out to someone behind him. Out of nowhere, one of his men materialized like a fairy and handed him a small jar of ointment.

I looked on, dumbfounded. So that’s how he knew I was watching him earlier. I thought I could always spot his men tailing me. I guess he purposefully let me see only the ones he wanted me to know about.

I scoffed. Of course. What did I expect from him? Everything was calculated, every move a piece in his grand chess game.

But then he started applying the ointment with such gentleness that my breath caught in my throat. I glanced up, meeting his gaze. Those striking blue eyes bore into me, a mix of amusement and something else I couldn’t quite place swirling in their depths. My heart did that annoying flutter thing again. Traitor.

As I watched him, I wondered why I was suddenly feeling this way around him. Well, that would be a lie – I knew why. It was this gentle, caring side of him. After all, that’s what drew me to Noah before, his gentle nature. But I couldn’t let myself be weak for Anderic. This side of him couldn’t be trusted either. All of this could be a ploy to get me comfortable before going for the kill.

He suddenly looked up. “How’s the wound on your head? Have you been resting?”

“Yes,” I said automatically.

At the same time, Laurel piped up, “No, Your Highness.”

I shot her a furious glance, but she pointedly avoided my eyes. Traitor.

“You should take care of yourself,” Anderic murmured, finishing with the ointment. What was Anderic playing at? Why the sudden show of concern? And more importantly, why was I letting it affect me so much? I was about to deliver some scathing remark when he slowly brought my hand to his lips. His eyes locked with mine as he pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles, leaving me gaping like a fish out of water.

What. The. Hell.

I snatched my hand back, willing my racing heart to calm down. “What are you playing at, Your Highness?”

His lips quirked into that infuriating half-smile. “Game? I’m merely concerned for your well-being, Lady Ilyana.”

“Oh please,” I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. “Since when has my ‘well-being’ been of any interest to you?”

Anderic’s eyes darkened, the playfulness vanishing in an instant. “You’d be surprised,” he said, his voice low and intense.

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to step back. The air between us crackled with tension, and I found myself struggling to breathe normally.

“Your Highness!” A voice called from below, breaking the moment. “His Majesty requests your presence immediately.”

Anderic’s jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face before his usual mask of calm slipped back into place. He nodded to the messenger before turning back to me.

“We’ll speak later, lya,” he said, his voice pitched low enough that only I could hear.

With that, he turned and strode away, leaving me feeling off-balance and more confused than ever. I watched his retreating form, noting how the muscles in his back rippled with each movement. Get a grip, Ilyana.

I turned to Laurel, who was watching me with a mix of amusement and curiosity. “Not. A. Word,” I hissed.

Laurel, thankfully didn’t say anything and we walked in silence for a few moments. The silence between us was awkward enough. I sighed, deciding it was time to address the elephant in the room.

“Laurel,” I began, keeping my voice low, “I’m sorry about leaving you behind that day. Can you let go of it already? It’s been a week of this cold shoulder treatment.”

Laurel’s lips tightened, but she didn’t respond. I rolled my eyes.

“Look, I know I messed up. I was in a hurry and not thinking straight. But I’ve let you be for a week and apologized now, haven’t I? What more do you want from me?”

She finally turned to face me, her eyes blazing. “What I want, my lady, is for you to treat me like a human with emotions. Do you know how worried I was when I didn’t hear from either you or Lord Noah? And then you walked in with a huge wound and bleeding. I know you may not see me as a friend but growing up all I had was you, even when you didn’t like me, I always considered you and the D’Arcanes as… family.”

I flinched at her words. “I… I’m sorry. I never thought of it like that. And I do consider you a part of my family and… also a friend. In fact you’re the only true friend I have at this point.”

Laurel studied my face for a moment, then nodded. “Very well, Ilyana. I accept your apology.”

Relief washed over me, hearing her call my name again, but it was short-lived as I remembered our earlier encounter with Prince Anderic. I fixed Laurel with a deadpan stare. “Now that we’ve sorted that out, did you really have to throw me to that lion earlier?”

Laurel had the grace to look slightly flustered, but she quickly recovered. “Well, I didn’t lie.”

I sighed. “What do you think of him?”

“Prince Anderic?” When I nodded, she continued, “He looks like he really cares about you, Ilyana.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that inappropriate?”

Laurel shrugged. “Since Lord Noah doesn’t seem to care much and is salivating for that girl, I don’t see any harm.”

Her words were tinged with a hint of anger and offense. It seemed everyone had noticed my predicament. Not that I could admit this was exactly what I wanted. I remained quiet, lost in thought as we walked.

“Ilyana,” Laurel’s voice broke through my reverie, “may I speak freely?”

“You already call me by my name, do you really think you need permission?” But I nodded anyway, curious about what she had to say.

“I think… I think you deserve better than Lord Noah. The way he looks at Lady Rosalind, it’s not right. And the Prince… well, he might be dangerous, but at least he sees you.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d been so focused on my plans, on changing the future, that I hadn’t allowed myself to really feel this… whatever that was going on with Anderic.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “It’s complicated, Laurel. More than you know.”

She looked at me with curiosity. “How so?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but how could I possibly explain? So, I just ignored her question and kept walking. Laurel also fell silent as she walked behind me.

I thought of Rosalind, of how easily she seemed to captivate everyone around her. Even Anderic wasn’t immune to her charms in my past life. So why was he paying so much attention to me now?

Don’t be a fool, I chided myself. He’s probably just trying to keep a closer eye on you. You’re still a threat in his eyes.

But a small, traitorous part of me couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time around.

We reached my chambers, and I dismissed Laurel for the evening. As soon as the door closed behind her, I leaned against it, letting out a long, shaky breath.

I crossed to the vanity, studying my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked… different. Softer, somehow. More vulnerable. I didn’t like it.

Shaking my head, I began to prepare for bed. I needed to be sharp, and focused for tomorrow.

As I slipped under the silk sheets, my mind drifted back to Anderic. The feel of his calloused fingers on my skin, the intensity in his eyes as he kissed my hand. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow.

This is ridiculous, I thought. You’re acting like some lovesick fool. Get it together, Ilyana. This is not your first time dealing with these emotions.