Chapter 24. The Lady's Reason

The weight of the silence was suffocating, pressing upon the room with an intensity akin to a bomb detonating. Panic surged through my veins as I felt the eyes of the entire gathering bore into me. Doubts flooded my mind, each one louder than the last, echoing like a cacophony of self-criticism.

Had I made a grave mistake? Was this an irreversible misstep?

My heart raced, its rapid palpitations echoing the tension that hung thick in the air. Frustration gnawed at my every thought, as I yearned to tear at my own hair in exasperation. Profanities danced within the confines of my mind, an internal symphony of curses aimed at my own lack of tact.

But there was purpose to my words, a method to this perceived madness. My proclamation of seeking friendship had a distinct motive. It was a calculated move to reshape the tarnished reputation that had befallen Cassia Clorance, the young lady who was known throughout the Lucrenze Empire as a malevolent villainess, inflicting merciless punishments upon her subjects.

Yes, it may sound absurd, but that was the story I had gleaned from the novel that led me to this world-a novel that seemed to hold undeniable truths, reinforced by the initial interactions with the maids and staff who treated me with an air of trepidation upon my arrival.

Cassia's image in the eyes of the public was undoubtedly complex. As a reincarnator thrust into her body, I carried not only her physical form but also the burden of her reputation. To survive, to carve out a peaceful and joyous existence, I knew I had to alter the tragic path that lay before me.

And so, my purpose emerged. I desired to showcase my transformation, to reveal to others that I had shed the cloak of villainy. It was a key element in my quest for survival within this wretched vessel. Though I hesitated to use such an adjective to describe Cassia's physical beauty, for it was undeniable.

Strangely, I couldn't help but notice a recurring pattern in the novels I had read. The villains and villainesses depicted within those pages often possessed an extraordinary allure, surpassing that of the female lead. This observation extended beyond mere novels and could be seen in the realm of comics and similar narratives.

Yet, I couldn't escape the notion that these so-called villains were not born to embody the wickedness attributed to them by readers and onlookers. They were individuals driven by an innate desire for self-preservation, for securing their own survival and securing a semblance of happiness. It was a sorrowful truth, for in the stories told by others, they were the villains; yet, in their own stories, they were the protagonists, fighting tooth and nail for their own redemption and the elusive promise of a happy ending.

And Cassia Clorance is one of those known to be villainess. Having known her sad and painful past, it's understandable how she ended up being like that. Although she just wants to be loved; that she just wanted to know what being loved feels like, by her family and the man she gave her heart to.

However, the pervasive wariness surrounding Cassia persisted, an indelible mark of her past transgressions. I, bearing her memories, was acutely aware of the havoc she had wrought. Thus, my current endeavor was centered on dispelling the apprehension that shrouded her name, to present myself as harmless and approachable.

Over the past few weeks, I had managed to forge close connections with the staff of Clorance Manor. Their initial skepticism had gradually transformed into trust, a testament to my efforts. Furthermore, the Red Rose Knights, who dutifully served the Clorance County, had also begun to warm to my presence. This newfound acceptance owed much to the influence of Sir Rick and Sir Geneva, whose company I had sought under the guise of honing my swordsmanship skills at the training grounds.

❛ ━━･❪ 🌹 ❫ ･━━ ❜

Cassia's list on how to survive as a reader who reincarnated inside my favorite novel and became the main villainess who's destined to die.

#2 - Earn the trust of the manor's people
Status: 90%

❛ ━━･❪ 🌹 ❫ ･━━ ❜

Ah, the memory of that day when I beseeched the Count for a favor upon returning from the town square remained vivid in my mind. The Count's reaction had been quite telling, a mixture of surprise and guarded curiosity.

🌹 ━━･❪ Flashback ❫ ･━━ 🌹

I had just finished changing into a comfortable dress, aided by Suzette, one of the maids from the Manor. It was at this moment that a knock resonated from my chamber door.

"My lady, may I come in?" came the familiar voice.

Raising my hand in a silent gesture, I signaled to Suzette to leave. With her task completed, I gracefully stood from the stool before the vanity and made my way to the sofa.

"You may," I responded, and the door swung open to reveal Philip's figure.

From his voice, I had discerned his identity earlier. Sensing the need for privacy, I had requested Suzette's departure, allowing for an undisturbed conversation with the Count's aide.

"I apologize for intruding, my lady," Philip uttered with utmost professionalism, a true exemplar of a Count's butler. His competence and loyalty were admirable, qualities that surely attracted the attention of many a lady. The men in this household were undeniably a sight to behold, each possessing an allure that surpassed the ordinary bounds of handsomeness. It was a peculiarity that I couldn't help but marvel at.

"No need for apologies. Your timing is impeccable, as I had just finished changing," I replied, assuaging his concerns.

"So, what brings the Count's butler to the chamber of the young lady of the house he serves?" I inquired, curious about the purpose of his visit.

Philip's demeanor remained composed as he responded, "My lady, the Lord has expressed his desire to have dinner with you."

The words hung in the air, and it took me a moment to comprehend their significance. My eyes widened in astonishment. "Pardon?" I exclaimed, unable to contain my surprise.

In my momentary lapse of composure, I blurted out, "The Count wishes to dine with me..."

Philip nodded calmly, affirming my understanding. "Indeed, My Lady. The Count specifically requested your company for dinner."

I continued to gaze at him, my astonishment refusing to subside. "Could there be an error in my hearing? Did I truly comprehend your words correctly?"

Philip closed his eyes to shake his head. When he faced me with his eyes again open, he gave off a small smile.

"There is no need for concern, My Lady. I assure you, I speak the truth," Philip replied calmly.

A surge of skepticism washed over me, and my tone turned more serious. "You wouldn't dare bluff me, would you, Philip? This is no time for jests or games."

He chuckled but it didn't came out disrespectfully. Rather, why does the laughs of guy from this world always sound so sexy? Kumusta naman yung bandagwa na tawa ng mga lalaki na nakilala ko noon sa Pinas?

"I would never dare to deceive you, my lady. The Lord himself extended the invitation. He awaits your presence in the dining hall," Philip reassured me.

My jaw dropped in disbelief. This couldn't be a joke, could it? Why would father suddenly request my presence for dinner? Is this what they mean when they say a person's behavior changes as their end draws near?

"Could it be that he is unwell?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself, and Philip caught them.

"Rest assured, my lady. The Lord is in good health," he assured me calmly.

Embarrassment washed over me, and I averted my gaze from Philip. My cheeks felt hot with the realization that I had let my thoughts escape my lips. How embarrassing! I must exercise more control over my words.

Taking a deep breath, I composed myself. There was no choice but to accept the Count's invitation. It would be impolite to decline, despite my usual practice of dining with the maids or having dinner in my own chamber. This would mark the first time I would be dining with him, my father.

"Very well, Philip. Lead the way," I said, my voice steady.

Philip nodded and opened the door to my chamber, gesturing for me to proceed. It felt surreal to be escorted by a proper butler. Such scenes were usually confined to the pages of novels or the silver screen, rarely encountered in real life.

As I stare at his back, Philip is quite tall. He also has a nice body built. His wife must be happy having him as a husband.

"Philip?" I called out, my voice carrying a tinge of curiosity.

"Yes, my lady?" he responded, his attention still focused on leading the way.

"If I may ask..." I paused, gathering my thoughts.

"Yes? What is it, my lady?" he inquired, turning slightly to face me.

"You have a wife, don't you?" The question slipped out, and I awaited his response with genuine interest.

A soft smile played on his lips, and his voice held a touch of warmth. "Indeed, I am blessed with a beautiful and caring wife."

I couldn't help but smile at his words. It was good to hear that they shared a loving relationship.

"Do you have children?" I inquired, the question I truly wanted to ask now on the tip of my tongue.

Philip paused in his steps, turning to face me with a smile. "Indeed, I have a son who is a little older than you, and two precious daughters who just turned three last month."

"Oh. So, do you often have dinner with your family together?" The question slipped out of my mouth, almost as if someone else within me desperately wanted to know the answer. And I had a feeling I knew who that someone was.

Philip halted his steps, facing me directly. His smile waned, replaced by a hint of melancholy. I immediately regretted my question, sensing the pain it had evoked in him. His struggle to find the right words was evident, and I swiftly interjected.

"You need not answer that, Philip. I was simply being curious. Please, let's move on," I hurriedly spoke, attempting to mask my own disappointment with a reassuring smile.

Relieved, Philip nodded, letting the matter rest. We resumed our walk along the hallway, descending the stairs. As we reached the lower level, a thought occurred to me, prompting me to call out to her.

"Hey, Unnie! You there?"

[ Note: In the following passage, Cassia (mc) refers to OG Cassia as "Unnie," a Korean term that translates to "Older Sister" when used by a female speaker. This choice is made to distinguish between the two characters with the same name and to prevent confusion regarding the identity of the speaker. ]

"What?" Her voice dripped with irritation, a clear sign of her annoyance.

"Why did you suddenly ask Philip that question?" I asked.

"What? Am I not allowed to do so?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. In my mind's eye, I could almost picture her face, complete with an exasperated eye-roll.

"Well," I began, trying to choose my words carefully, "it's not that you're not allowed to ask. But the timing was rather abrupt. Poor Philip couldn't even gather his thoughts to respond. Besides, was there a particular reason for you to inquire about his family?"

As we stood before the grand double doors of the dining room, I expected a retort or explanation from her. However, to my surprise, there was nothing but silence.

Looks like she left unannounced, again. Sigh. Wala man lang paalam? Ghoster ka ba no'ng past life mo, anteh?

"You may enter now, my lady. Enjoy your dinner," Philip said, his voice filled with formality and courtesy. With those words, I stepped into the dining room, my eyes immediately drawn to the Count seated at the central chair, the customary position for the Head of the House.

Suppressing a nervous gulp, I took a deep breath to steady myself. I hoped that this dinner would go smoothly, especially considering I would be dining with none other than the Count himself.

"Good evening, Father," I greeted, my voice almost faltering as I addressed him with the title I had learned in etiquette class. Remembering my lessons, I executed a graceful curtsy before him.

"No need for such formality. Lift your head and take a seat," the Count replied in a monotonous tone, devoid of any warmth.

As I raised my head to meet his gaze, I was taken aback when our eyes locked for a brief moment. His surprise was quickly masked as he averted his gaze, clenching his fist. A bitter smirk tugged at my lips. So he couldn't even bear to look his own daughter in the eye? Does he despise Cassia to such an extent?

A pang of pain resonated deep within me. It wasn't just Cassia's emotions that stirred; his actions reminded me of my own father. Though he hadn't abandoned me like the Count had done to Cassia, he was no better than the man sitting before me.

Taking my seat, I watched in silence as the maids served the food, focusing on my meal, determined to avoid drawing attention or engaging in conversation with the Count. All I wanted was to eat and retreat to my chamber, where I could lose myself in the pages of a novel before drifting off to sleep.

But fate seemed to have other plans for me.

"I heard from Philip that you will be attending the tea party hosted by the daughter of Marquess Valentine," the Count remarked, his words more of a statement than a question. Surely, he didn't bring up this topic simply to engage in small talk with me, did he?

I sighed inwardly, realizing I couldn't simply ignore him. Resigned, I mustered the energy to respond. "Yes, I will be attending that event. It will take place in a few days' time."

There, I thought, conversation concluded. But alas, it was not to be. Sigh.

"Will you be requiring new dresses for the occasion?" he inquired, his persistence catching me off guard.

Why?

"No, thank you. I have already purchased a dress during my visit to the town square earlier," I replied, hoping that would put an end to the discussion. But apparently, it was not enough.

"Then, do you need new shoes for the event?" he pressed further, his continued inquiries perplexing me.

Just why?

"No, I have an ample collection of shoes in my wardrobe," I responded, attempting to dismiss the matter. But he persisted.

"T-Then... is there anything else you... would like to... acquire or ask me about?" His stuttering words only added to my confusion.

Why is he behaving this way? What's wrong with him? Shouldn't he be cold and indifferent toward Cassia? Was there a deviation from the original story?

It's not that I desire him to be cold and indifferent, but this sudden attention feels unsettling for some reason.

"Anything? Really?" I raised an eyebrow, studying him intently. He nodded earnestly.

"Yes, anything. Name what you desire, and I shall grant it."

Setting down the glass of water I had been holding, I clasped my hands in my lap, meeting the Count's gaze with a serious expression.

"In that case, I humbly request your approval for me to pursue the art of swordsmanship."

🌹 ━━･❪ End of Flashback ❫ ･━━ 🌹

Nervousness gripped me tightly as I stood amidst the crowd at the tea party. The Count had granted me permission to pursue swordsmanship, and now I found myself questioning if I had been too hasty in my actions. Doubts crept in, clouding my thoughts. Was my plan flawed? Had I miscalculated?

Fidgeting with my fingers, I mustered an awkward smile, attempting to address those around me. "I apologize if my words have caught you off guard. There is no obligation for you to accept my offer of friendship. I respect your choices, and there will be no hard feelings if you decline. Please, rest assured," I spoke, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Several individuals turned their attention towards me, but their gazes quickly shifted away. Oh dear! Have I truly made a mess of things?

Lost in my own thoughts, I almost jumped out of my seat when I felt a hand on top mine. I shifted my sight towards my right, and there I saw Lady Estella. Our eyes instantly locked like intertwined fingers of lovers.

"Truthfully, Lady Clorance..." she called, her gaze fixed upon my eyes. I unconsciously tilted my head, intrigued by her words.

"I want...to...be...iends...ou," she muttered, her words becoming muffled and difficult to comprehend.

"I'm sorry, Lady Valentine, but could you please repeat what you just said? I couldn't quite catch your words," I requested, straining to hear her clearly.

A brief silence hung in the air, and I noticed her hands trembling. In an attempt to offer reassurance, I placed my other hand on top of hers. She glanced down at our joined hands before meeting my gaze once more. With a smile, I conveyed my understanding and encouraged her to speak her mind.

Taking a deep breath, she mustered the courage to exclaim something unexpected.

"...I want to be friends with you, Lady Clorance! Please, be my friend!"

It took me a few moments to process her sudden declaration. My eyes widened in surprise. "P-Pardon?" I stammered, taken aback by her heartfelt request.

To be Continued...