Chapter 25. A Villainess' Friend

Friends? With me? Is someone seriously asking a villainess like myself to be their friend? Is she still in her right mind? The thought reverberated through my mind as I contemplated the audacity of her request.

"Pardon me, but I fear I may not have fully comprehended the lady's words. You wish to be what to me?" Confusion tinged my voice and reflected on my face, as I sought an answer to clarify the bewildering situation.

"Your friend. I aspire to be Lady Cassia's friend. Please, consider my request," she declared with unwavering determination, her eyes exuding pure sincerity.

She was deadly serious. But why?

I couldn't help but swallow hard. "If I may inquire, Lady Estella, why would you desire friendship with someone like myself?" An involuntary grin tugged at the corners of my lips. "You must have undoubtedly heard the rumors circulating about me, a notorious and malevolent villainess-"

A sudden loud thud interrupted my sentence, drawing our attention to the lady who now stood with her hands firmly planted on the table. It was her action that had caused the disruptive sound.

"That is not true!" Lady Nathalie exclaimed, raising her head to fix her gaze upon me. I was taken aback by her vehement outburst. "Those rumors are baseless!"

Lady Aubrey quickly grasped Nathalie's hand, turning her attention to me and offering a slight bow. "I apologize deeply for Nathalie's misconduct. She is prone to being overly emotional at times."

"It's quite alright, Lady Aubrey. However, Lady Nathalie, I did not anticipate such words from you. While I hold no anger, it is important to note that such actions are unbecoming of a lady. People might criticize you for such behavior, so do exercise caution," I admonished her gently.

She pouted and nodded in agreement. She truly possessed a charming and obedient nature, yet her wild and playful side also surfaced at times-a normal occurrence for someone of her age.

"But I fail to comprehend why both of you would utter such statements. You cannot possibly discern the truth behind those rumors-"

"But they are untrue. I know you are not the person depicted by those rumors. I witnessed it with my own two eyes when I passed by the street and saw you giving your food to a destitute child."

Huh? What is she... Could it be? Did she perchance witness Cassia's act of offering sustenance to Mira in the back alley after her family's downfall?

"I..." Words eluded me.

"I, too, strongly believe that my lady is not as the rumors portray her." I turned my gaze toward Lady Estella as she voiced her support.

"The lady may exhibit a cold and aloof demeanor, but she possesses kindness and warmth within. I have observed her on several occasions. It was not solely her beauty that captivated me - it was her personality and the grace with which she carries herself. Lady Cassia is someone who aids those in need. When I was tormented by other noble children at the palace, my lady intervened and drove away my tormentors. She helped me up and escorted me to the infirmary to tend to my wounds, offering me her own cookie. I genuinely believe that Lady Cassia possesses a pure soul. Therefore, I implore you, please accept my friendship."

I stood there, stunned into silence. Words escaped me. Rendered speechless, I recollected the memories of Cassia and Estella's encounters, realizing that these instances had transpired when Cassia had yet to embrace her malevolence at the age of ten. Cassia had been a sweet, tsundere-like child. These revelations were absent from the novel, where the author portrayed Cassia solely as the malevolent villainess that instilled hatred in everyone's hearts.

"I, too!"

"Ah, count me in!"

"As well as I!"

One by one - Lady Penelope, Lady Giselle, and Lady Blaire - they stood up and spoke, their voices resounding in the room.

"We all longed to be the Lady's friend."

Unbeknownst to me, tears welled up in my eyes, trickling down my cheeks. Although these emotions were not my own, they undoubtedly belonged to Cassia. Truly, she was a lovable soul. How could anyone resist the desire to be her friend? Despite her seemingly unapproachable demeanor, she couldn't bear to let a dog she encountered on the street starve to death during winter. Despite her allergies, she took the dog back to the manor, revealing her innate purity.

"Lady Cassia/Clorance," they called out in unison, their voices filled with concern as they noticed my teary eyes.

I shrugged lightly, brushing away the tears. "Please forgive me for revealing such unsightly and unladylike emotions. I simply became overwhelmed at the moment and succumbed to my emotions." As tears threatened to spill once more, they, too, began shedding tears, one after another, until the room echoed with gentle sobs. It lasted for several minutes until a calm settled upon us all.

Laughter filled the air as we embraced the lightheartedness of the tea party, the conversation flowing smoothly among us. However, Lady Giselle decided to steer the discussion in a new direction, posing a question that shifted the topic.

"Speaking of Lady Nathalie's earlier question, Lady Cassia, I must inquire about your exquisite dress. I must say, I am utterly smitten with its style and design."

"As for the dress, actually, this wasn't the originally planned attire for this occasion. It was a rather impromptu purchase. If my memory serves me right, I stumbled upon a shop near a men's café at the town square. It was called La... um... La fa-"

"Is it La faune et La flore?" Lady Penelope interjected, causing my eyes to widen.

"Yes! That's it," I replied.

"Oh my! How did you manage to obtain a dress from that shop, my lady? Do you realize that one must make an appointment at least a week in advance to gain entry? The boutique is owned by the extraordinary sisters Fauna and Flora, renowned tailors whose hands work magic to create magnificent dresses," Lady Penelope exclaimed, sharing information that had escaped my knowledge.

What on earth? Is that boutique truly so famous? I had never considered it. We simply entered swiftly, and the staff assisted me with the dress and even helped with my makeup. What am I missing here?

"Oh, I've heard of that as well! Didn't Lady Windward attempt to secure an appointment at that shop, only to be turned away?" Lady Nathalie chimed in, joining the conversation.

"I heard the same. She was genuinely saddened and quite embarrassed by the rejection. She even vented her frustrations and threw a fit of anger. In hindsight, she does possess quite a temper," Lady Aubrey commented, adding her own observations to the discussion.

"I couldn't agree more, Lady Aubrey," Lady Blaire stated firmly, her voice carrying a note of conviction.

For those who may be confused, Lady Evelyn Windward was the individual who stormed out earlier after her failed attempt to engage me in an argument and embarrass me in front of everyone.

[ This incident can be referred to in Chapter 23 ]

I let out a sigh, feeling frustrated. It had never been mentioned in the novel that Lorenzo had any connections or was an esteemed customer of the boutique in question. I realized that I needed to gather more information and uncover the truth.

Lady Estella, capturing everyone's attention, set her tea cup down with a determined expression on her face. "Why are you all so surprised? Lady Cassia doesn't require an appointment. If anything, the boutique should consider themselves fortunate to have the lady's presence gracing their establishment." Her words were delivered with a serious tone, which seemed rather out of character for her. However, her statement was partially nonsensical.

"Wait a moment-" I tried to interject, but I was swiftly interrupted as everyone began to agree with Lady Estella. It was too late for me to clarify the misunderstanding, so I reluctantly decided to let it go.

Well, that could be one contributing factor as well. After all, Clorance County was indeed blessed with wealth, and Cassia's bank account contained a staggering amount of money. I had recently checked it, and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw the number of zeros it possessed.

🌹 ━━･❪ Flashback ❫ ･━━ 🌹

I knocked on the doors of the Count's study before addressing him, "Excuse me, Father." It took a moment before I received a response from within the room.

"Come in," his voice sounded calm yet commanding.

"Then, please pardon my intrusion," I replied as I opened the doors and stepped inside. I had expected to find him seated at his desk, but to my surprise, he was sitting in the reception area with a table set up, featuring tea and macaroons.

As I looked at him, he averted his gaze and feigned a cough. "Please have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.

I didn't respond verbally but obliged and took a seat. Suddenly, Philip entered the room from another door, carrying a tray of cookies. I raised an eyebrow and then turned my attention back to the Count.

"Philip has prepared some tea and snacks. Help yourself," he mumbled, pointing at the table. I couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"Thank you, but I won't take up much of your time. I'll be brief." The truth was, I didn't want to spend any more time in the same room as him. This study area brought back memories of Cassia's earlier days, and it infuriated me to see this man in front of me casually enjoying tea, oblivious to the pain he had caused her.

"I-Is that so," his voice sounded deflated, almost disappointed. However, I paid it no mind.

So I proceeded to explain the purpose of my visit. I questioned the budget allocated for Cassia's allowance and why it was set at that particular amount.

"Why? Is it not sufficient? If you wish to request an increase, you must state your reasons and how you intend to utilize the additional funds," he responded, leaving me dumbfounded.

"No, I am not asking for a raise. I am simply questioning why the budget is set so high. I am still young, and having such a substantial amount of money at my age, don't you think it is excessive?" I asked, a sense of bewilderment in my voice. He couldn't be serious!

"Is it truly that much?" His words caused my jaw to drop. The Count, with his legs crossed and arms folded, stared directly at me. It was the first time he had looked at me so directly, and this time it was me who averted my gaze.

"I find it unreasonable and unsettling that my budget is set at such a high amount. I don't mean to cause any trouble. Rest assured, I will manage my allowance responsibly so as not to burden you. Well then," I said, rising from my chair. "I will take my leave. Thank you for your time, Father."

I was about to exit the room when he suddenly grabbed my arm, causing me to pause. It wasn't a forceful grip, but rather a gentle hold.

"Father?" I called out, and he quickly snapped back to reality. He slowly released my arm and faced me.

"Prepare to leave in two hours. We will be dining out," he stated, looking directly into my eyes. His gaze held a different expression from earlier, filled with hope and a touch of sadness. I couldn't decipher his intentions or whether this was a positive or negative development.

Nevertheless, I simply nodded in response. His face brightened. Although he didn't smile, he seemed more at ease. Somehow, I felt that what I had done was a good thing.

"Then, off you go. I will see you later," he said, and I followed his instructions. Walking toward the door, as I was about to close it, I caught a glimpse of the Count and Philip engaged in conversation. Though I couldn't hear their words, an inexplicable sense of relief washed over me. What was this feeling?

🌹 ━━･❪ End of Flashback ❫ ･━━ 🌹

Lady Penelope gazed at me dreamily and complimented, "Lady Cassia, you possess remarkable beauty. I am certain that once we enroll in the Academy, you will be the epitome of grace and charm, captivating the hearts of every man."

I chuckled in response to her words, appreciating her kind praise. The conversation continued, carrying us further into the afternoon, as we shared laughter and delightful exchanges.

Eventually, the time came for us to bid our farewells and depart. Lady Giselle expressed her genuine enjoyment, remarking, "I had an absolutely delightful time at today's tea party."

Echoing Lady Giselle's sentiment, Lady Nathalie added cheerfully, "Likewise! And Lady Cassia, your piano performance was simply enchanting. I shall forever cherish this beautiful memory and eagerly share it with my father."

Amidst laughter and agreement, we exchanged our parting words and boarded our individual carriages. As my carriage began its journey, I leaned out of the window to bid Lady Estella goodbye. Her smile brightened as she waved back, uttering the words, Come back again. In response, I gestured an okay sign, assuring her of my intention. Gradually, the grand palace faded from view as we left its premises.

Today had been a truly eventful day, filled with unexpected turns. From the accident that befell me earlier, to encountering my favorite character from the novel, forming new friendships, and enjoying the delightful tea party, it had been a whirlwind of experiences. However, amidst the excitement, a recurring thought emerged in my mind.

Why is it that every time I venture outside, unforeseen circumstances seem to find me? It remained a curious and intriguing phenomenon.

To be Continued...

🌹 ━━･❪ Author's Note ❫ ･━━ 🌹

Hello, everyone! Kumusta na kayo?

I want to start by apologizing for the long hiatus. It's been a year since my last update on this story, and I have read and appreciated all of your comments. I sincerely apologize for the extended wait.

The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for me. I had numerous responsibilities that kept me from finding the time to write an update for this story. While I could have made time to continue writing amidst these responsibilities, I couldn't. I faced immense academic pressure and recently struggled with a period of 'slight' depression. I felt lost and as if my dreams had been shattered.

However, I have slowly come to accept it, though the thought still breaks my heart at times. I realized that I needed to move forward. We can't dwell on the past or embrace the shadows of depression. With the support of my friends, who have experienced similar struggles, we held hands and moved forward together.

What I want to convey is that regardless of your grades or if you have failed to achieve a dream in life, it doesn't mean your life ends there. You must find the strength to stand up and create another path, another dream, another goal. I hope you can learn something from my shared experience. It's embarrassing for me to talk about this here, haha! I still harbor some resentment towards my professor for giving us grades that didn't reflect our efforts in her subject.

On a different note, I would like to extend my congratulations to all graduating students. You have all done a wonderful job! I wish you the utmost success in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Aenna