Darkness slowly transformed to a faint light as I gained consciousness. The moment I opened my eyes, I was met with a pair of silver eyes.

“Hmm?”

I came to, as I gradually realized my current situation. I had passed out in the carriage. Now, I laid in a bed and a wave of thirst overcame me. But I was distracted by the silver eyes which bent beautifully.

Nathan was staring down at me.

“Ah. You’re awake my Adrianna. I’m so sorry for being rough last night”

His words made me freeze. I tried to decipher the context of his words.

“What?”

My voice barely came out. I glanced at his clothes, and realized they were loosely fitted. Then, observing my attire, I realized I was in a simple blue dress. Far different from the white wedding gown which I originally wore.

Nathan looked at me with a coquettish smile. Reaching his hand out, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You probably slept this long because of what we did. Next time I’ll be gentle.”

Before I could respond, Harper appeared, roughly pushing Nathan away.

“My lady!”

She exclaimed, kneeling beside me and taking my left hand into hers.

“Don’t listen to him! He’s spouting lies. I’d never allow anyone touch the lady, while you’re unconscious.” Harper said.

I just nodded, and erased the thoughts formed because of Nathan's provocative remarks.

My mind was hazy since I'd just woken up. Quietly I observed my surroundings.

The room which I was in, felt familiar. It wasn't my room in the Deor mansion. Rather, I was acquainted with the room because it was a suite in a Lodge acquired by Wine. The unique design made it easily recognisable.

Finally getting a clear mind, I sat up. First I had to quench the overwhelming thirst I felt before I'd completely comprehend the situation.

"Please. I need water" I croaked. As I spoke, my throat felt sore.

"Of course my lady!"

Harper turned around and was about to spring up to get a glass of water. But before she did, Henry came forward and extended a glass of water to me.

“Harper you need to learn how to stop shouting.” Henry said. "Didn't I tell you to keep water on stand by for when the lady wakes up? What kind of maid are you?"

Henry bombarded Harper with questions while a look of disapproval painted his face.

Taking the glass from Henry, I took an urgent sip, feeling the water flow down my throat. After drinking enough I handed the glass back to him, then glanced at the three people in front of me.

Harper glared at Henry, then raised her defense.

"I'm a competent maid! I just forgot about the water" She looked ready to pounce on Henry, as she countered each and every one of his statements. “And I’m not shouting!”

“You are” Nathan said, giving her a deadpan look.

Before Harper could attack Nathan I interjected, quickly turning to more important matters. "How long was I unconscious for?"

"Almost three hours" It was Henry that answered.

Hearing this, I was surprised. I had anticipated it to be longer than that. Fortunately, it was short and this was favourable for her.

"The antidote for the poison must have taken quick effect." Harper said, nodding while clasping a half empty vial; the antidote for the poison which I had consumed.

"Thankfully it did." Nathan also agreed.

Watching the three of them like this, I couldn't help but wonder.

'When did they get so familiar?'

Thinking, I observed Nathan, Henry and Harper. Then my thoughts were interrupted.

Gently, Nathan reached out and held unto my left hand. In front of Henry and Harper, he openly appeared intimate. As if eager to make a statement.

I smirked at this behaviour of his.

Nathan would always be Nathan. He would never miss an opportunity to show off his closeness to me. Since forever, our association had been carefully kept secret.

Most of the time, Nathan would feel insecure and anxious as to why it had to be so. Although he tried to hide it well, nothing could get past me. For long, he was eager to reveal our involvement.

And he would take every opportunity to appear intimate with me.

"So, what do you plan to do?"

He asked, as he blinked gently and looked at me with a feigned innocence while he grasped my hand.

"I plan to do what I do best"

With that, I retracted my hand from Nathan's hold sprang up from the bed, stretching my limbs.

I could see his obvious dejection, but just acted oblivious.

"Henry, how's the situation with my businesses?"

At my question, Henry was silent for a moment. He glanced at Nathan who sat behind me. His caution was obvious, as he stared at me and tried to get my affirmation with his eyes.

Silently, I nodded and urged him to proceed.

"Since today isn't a business day, the worried nobles won't be able to redraw their investments." Henry said as he finally pulled his gaze away from Nathan, and looked up at me. "In the meantime I pulled together our private team and tried to manipulate public opinion in order to pacify them."

"Very good. It's important to first of all stop people from talking." I was satisfied with his actions while I was unconscious.

Suddenly I recalled something important Henry had told me in the carriage. It was the bold move, planned by mother, which they had taken in order to sabotage the wedding.

'Oh right. That'

I walked over to an empty chair and sat down. Then I turned to Harper.

"Harper, please prepare a covert carriage." At my orders, Harper quickly stood in front of me to receive them. "I'm going to meet the hostage you and Henry captured."

"Yay! Finally! Torture session!" Harper clapped her hands excitedly

"How creepy..." Nathan muttered. Although very loudly, probably so we'd all hear.

“Shut up, Mr. Purple!”

One of Harper's hand was in a fist, as if prepared to release a punch. It was a complete change from her happy countenance to a now menacing spirit.

“Mr. Purple?”

Nathan's eyebrow arched, questioning the new name.

“That’s what I’ll call you.”

Harper declared, with a triumphant smirk.

“Harper don’t be rude. You can just ask for his name.” Henry attempted to intervene, but she folded her arms and ignored him, turning to me instead.

“I can call him that. Right, my lady?”

I glanced at Nathan, who shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. I nodded. "Do whatever you want. It’s a nice name and he doesn’t seem to have any qualms about it”

Harper flashed Henry a triumphant smile and thumbs-up. "See, Henry? The lady approves."

"...." Henry silently looked at her.

It was now Nathan’s turn to push Harper away. He stood up from his chair, and appeared in front of me, earnestly asking.

“Mr. Purple is a nice name? Because you like purple a lot, right?”

“Mhmm” I agreed.

Purple was one of my favourite colours.

“Cause my hair’s purple right?” He grinned at me proudly, and glanced back at Henry and Harper, in an attempt to brag. His eyes seemed to say 'You guys hear that!'

To this, I gave him an unimpressed stare.

“What? No. Of course not” I waved my hand, dismissing such a notion.

Rapidly the proud expression on Nathan's face collapsed like a wet tissue paper. I could see the bright illumination around Nathan quickly vanish. My next words furthermore distressed his spirits.

“What would even make you think that?" At this point, Nathan resembled a sullen puppy. I laughed at such an appearance, then proudly said.

"I like purple because my eyes are purple”

“Pfft” Harper laughed at the back in a not-so discreet manner. Nathan angrily glared at her as her laughter irked him to the bones.

"Ehem"

Henry coughed, gathering everyone's attention. He addressed Harper first.

"Remember, the lady said you should prepare a secret carriage"

"Oh right!" Harper recalled my orders from a few moments ago and ran out of the room to fulfill them.

Subsequently I too remembered the matter at hand. I scanned the faces of Nathan and Henry and asked, a smirk on my face.

"Do you know the people that always win on stories?" I asked.

They were both silent before Henry spoke up, and answered.

"Heroes. Forces of good always triumph over evil in stories"

I smiled, satisfied with his answer. He was absolutely correct.

"Yes you're right. Heroes always win in stories" I put a hand under my chin as I affirmed his answer. Then I asked another question.

"But who are the people that win, in the real world?"

This time, Nathan was the one that answered the question.

"Villains. Evil people constantly trample on others"

I grinned at the wonderful answer. "Do you know why it's always so?"

I reached for my hair and slowly twirled it on my fingers. They both silently looked at me and waited for me to answer my own question.

"Because only villains will do what it takes to win" I stood up from my chair, and walked towards the door.

"So for you to win, you have to become a cruel villain"

'A cruel villain, just like me'

"And for you to be a villain, you have to operate with seven detailed steps"

Step 1- Threaten the weak.

Step 2- Anger your enemy

Step 3- Get everyone's attention

Step 4- Create your own version of the truth.

Step 5- Hit your enemies weak spot.

Step 6- Feed the dogs.

"Then step seven can also be done before all the other steps..."

Step 7- Show them that triumphant smirk.

Crown Princess Selection?

Duke Belv and father?

Paisley and Ronald?

Cardin and Olivia?

Somebody exposing my identity as the owner of Wine?

The attack on my businesses?

Some mysterious enemy?

'Oh please'

If I were to be deterred by such, then that would mean I was weak.

I, Adrianna Deor wasn't weak. And would never be weak. In case you've forgotten, I'm the villainess.

The villainess that always wins.