"Even though you're a grand duke, isn't it a bit mean of you to accuse me right on my face?"

The familiar ceiling before my eyes brought me a sense of relief, as it confirmed that I was back to my room in the palace. I must have passed out.

That aside, the voice that woke me up belonged to Lady Camellia. Although calm and unfazed, she seemed offended by the one she's talking to. Who?

She mentioned the grand duke. Is it Alistair?

"I apologise if my words have caused you offence." Indeed, it was Alistair. "However, I am inclined to believe that Isabelle was mistaken as Dion's lover."

"So you are implying that I ordered that attack? That's quite a serious accusation, Your Grace."

"Because you have all the reason to harm Lady Marchetti. You feel threatened by her." Alistair pointed out. "I know you find her an eyesore."

I lost the right timing to wake up, so I opted not to move and pretended to be asleep. Jesus, why are they arguing in my room... Go fight elsewhere.

Lady Camellia chuckled dryly. "Why would I feel threatened by a mere commoner? I am a duke's daughter. I was prepared for this moment all my life. You could even say that I was born for this.

"I possess the beauty, prestige, and status to be fitting as the crown princess. What makes you think I'd feel threatened by a child who's barely stepped into high society, Grand Duke Averill?"

Silence ensued between the two. I could not see it, but I could feel them staring daggers at each other.

The grand duke broke the silence first.

"But there is one thing she has that you do not."

"What might that be? Enlighten me, Your Grace."

Alistair snickered. "His Highness' heart, my lady."

It felt like Lady Camellia's patience just snapped.

"I do not covet his heart! You are sorely mistaken if you think I desire to be the crown princess!" Her voice erupted. "And even if I wished to be Prince Dion's betrothed, I have no need for his heart!"

This is bad. She's pissed off.

"In the end, he is still a hatchling under the wings of his father, and the decision will still be for the emperor to make!" she exclaimed further.

It was my first time seeing the villainess lose her cool. Gone was her usual calm and collected demeanor. At the moment, she was a feral cat ready to pounce on the grand duke anytime.

"If His Majesty deems me worthy of the crown, then I shall become the future empress, regardless of whom His Highness decides to offer his heart!"

I was afraid for things to escalate so I instantly got up from my bed, like a corpse who arose from the coffin. The two of them were startled by me.

"Now, now. Stop fighting, children." I pulled them both, like a mother forcing her kids to make up.

"We aren't fighting." The grand duke remarked nonchalantly. "This is a healthy discussion."

"Really?" I eyed Lady Camellia, whose anger had yet to subside. "That doesn't seem to be the case."

"Your lover is an aggravating man, Isabelle." Her bluish eyes glared at the grand duke. "He knows very well how to poke into someone's weakness."

Both Alistair and I tightly shut our mouths. I then spanked his ass and widened my eyes, urging him to apologise. He frowned, but still did it anyway.

"I apologise, Lady Camellia." The grand duke smirked. "I may have touched a sore spot."

I screamed internally. No, what kind of half-assed apology is that?! You're so freaking childish, dude! Why are you purposely getting on her nerves?!

"Ha! I cannot believe that the shield of this empire is picking a fight with me." Lady Camellia jeered.

Just when I was about to reprimand the grand duke, Alistair gently took my hand and bowed apologetically to my lady. "I truly am sorry."

The villainess was taken aback.

"I spoke out of line." Alistair stated earnestly. "But you must understand that my lover was caught in the crossfire, which is why I am utterly upset."

The grand duke raised his head and glanced over me, specifically to the wound on my shoulder.

"Truthfully, I do not care whoever becomes crown princess. However, Isabelle is very devoted to you, my lady." Alistair blew a sigh. "So I ask you not to do anything rash that might compromise her life."

Both Lady Camellia and I were stunned when Alistair bowed once more, this time even lower.

"Please." He said in a rather helpless tone.

"Stop it, Your Grace. What are you doing?" I faked a laugh. "A maid exists for the lady to make use of, not to protect. Besides, I serve the lady willingly."

Lady Camellia turned her back from us.

"Raise your head, Grand Duke Averill." She was back to her usual self. "You make it sound like I'm an evil woman who treats her servants like tools."

The villainess shot me a sideward glance.

"I care for Isabelle just as much as you do." For some reason, her gaze seemed cold and calculating. "I wouldn't put her in danger."

Alistair smiled. "I am relieved to hear that."

He shifted his gaze to me then held my face.

"I shall come visit you again later. The crown prince seeks my help with the investigation."

I nodded. "Okay. Take care."

"Hmm." He planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

When the grand duke departed, Lady Camellia and I were left inside the room. For some reason, there was an uncomfortable silence between us.

I had so many questions for her, but I didn't know where to start. I also didn't want to sound like I'm interrogating her, so I chose my words carefully.

The villainess stood quietly by the window, observing the view with her cerulean eyes.

And then she spoke calmly.

"If you must really know then yes, it was me."

She didn't seem a wee bit remorseful.

"Your lover is sharp. He knew immediately that the victim should have been Ingrid, and that you were just mistaken as her since you're with Dion."

So it's really her who paid that man to do it.

"He was right to suspect me, but I didn't have the slightest bit of intention to get her killed. I only meant to do the bare minimum of my role."

I was hurt by her confession, because she never told me about it. If I had known, then I wouldn't have thwarted her plans. Does she not trust me?

"Why didn't you tell me, my lady?"

"Because I knew you'd be this soft." She inhaled sharply. "Unlike you, I'm not allowed to be soft, Isabelle. If I do not wound her, somebody else will, but then the blame would still fall on me."

Her mouth lifted into a smirk.

"Why? Because I am the villainess, and the law of this novel is absolute." She clenched her fists. "No matter what I do, all the wrongdoings in this story will be pinned on me. So if the plot is untouchable, then I'd rather do things in my own terms, under my control. Do you understand that, Isabelle?"

"No, I don't understand." I stood up from my bed and marched towards her. "So you think I'm soft?"

She sneered. "Are you not?"

"That's bullshit. I don't even care if the heroine dies in a shithole right now." My voice shook in anger. "The reason I prevented that man from hurting her was because I wanted to stop you from being framed. I did it for you, my lady."

The corner of my eyes filled with tears.

"Because I thought we are on the same team and that we're in this together. But it seems you don't trust me enough to inform me of your plans."

"You're the one who doesn't trust me, Isabelle!" She shouted through gritted teeth. "How dare a lowly servant question my actions? If you had decided to follow me down this thorny path, then you should be doing as I say without question!"

Ah, I wanna hit this bitch and slap some sense into her. She seems so out of it and this isn't like her.

"What's the matter, my lady?" I queried, ignoring her outburst. "You seem agitated. Why is that?"

"Shut your mouth!" Lady Camellia suddenly threw a fit and made a mess of my room. "It's so easy for you to speak. It must be nice not knowing the whole plot of this novel, Isabelle!"

My fellow maids also gathered in the room upon hearing the commotion. We all watched helplessly as the lady kept throwing things around madly.

"The lady has been quiet these days, so I thought it wouldn't happen again." One of them whispered.

"Right? Ever since Isabelle came, she's been more calm and tame, so I thought she was finally okay."

"Gosh, why is she being like this again..."

I looked at the maids speaking in hushes among themselves. "Has this ever happened before?"

"Well, it happens once in a while, Isabelle."

When they look at her in this state, they must see a mentally ill woman who can't control her anger.

"My lady," I gently restrained her. "Enough."

"You don't know anything." She broke down into tears. "You don't even know how this story ends..."

But when I look at her in this state, all I see is a woman terrified by the chains binding her to the plot of this story. She reincarnated as a character with an important role in the novel, but it didn't make her life any better than mine. It was cruel.

I hugged her. "I'm sorry, my lady."

---

When the lady finally calmed down, I escorted her back into her own room. Before I left, she spoke a few words to me without sparing me a glance.

"I'm sorry, Isabelle. It's just that I haven't been able to get enough sleep these days. Do not hate me."

I smiled. "Of course not."

I know you're just scared like me, my lady.

That whole ordeal got me tired, so I decided to take a stroll for a change of pace. However, just when I found a good spot to rest in the garden...

"Wah!" An uninvited guest arrived. "It's you!"

Oh, christ. Why did it have to be this kid?

She was wearing the same green kimono when I first met her, which complemented her orange eyes. Her short brown hair was fixed into a twin pigtails, giving her a childish look overall.

"We meet again, servant!" The eastern princess stomped towards me. "You must be here for me!"

Like hell I am. I was supposed to get some rest here, but with someone like you here who's bursting with energy, I'm afraid it's impossible.

The young lady sat thoughtlessly beside me.

"Have you been well, Princess Himari?"

"Hmph! Of course!" She crossed her arms proudly, as if boasting. "I even made a friend in the palace."

I smiled. "Really?"

"Yup! We haven't met in person yet, but we exchange secret letters with each other." She squealed in excitement. "I hope we meet soon!"

"Pfft." I held back my laughter. This friend she's talking about happens to be yours truly, you see.

Still, I'm glad that my little gesture has managed to lift her spirits. The last time I saw her, she was bawling on this same spot. She looks better now.

"What about you? You seem upset." Princess Himari inquired curiously. "I-It's not like I'm concerned about you! Don't flatter yourself!"

Heh. What a tsundere. Seeing her cheerful and all-smiles somehow comforted me. This child is such a ball of sunshine when in a good mood.

"I'm okay." I smiled to her. "Just a bit tired."

"Is that so?" She grinned. "Okay, then!"

My lips parted when the little princess forcefully pulled me down and made me lay on her lap.

What the heck... By any chance, does this novel truly have a Yuri tag? Why am I having a moment like this with a female character? I'm so confused!

"I'm letting you sleep on my lap since you're my first friend in the palace." Her smile widened. "I shall sing you a lullaby too, servant. Be grateful!"

When the eastern princess started singing, my chest lightened. Her voice was so soothing, like it was comforting the vulnerable parts of yourself.

Her tawny eyes looked better in the hues of the setting sun behind her. Princess Himari, despite being a minor character, shines even brighter than the heroine for me. She was the purest.

"Rest well, my little angel..." she hummed.

However, that was my fatal mistake. I should have stayed away from that blinding light while I can.

I should have stayed away before it was too late.

---