Villainess' Second Chance

CHAPTER FOUR

Evening has already arrived, my father and brother and I are gathered together having supper. As usual, we do not even converse while we dine. I'm a little surprised, why is Elliote still here?

The whole dinner is awkward. No one spoke a word, the only sound I hear is the sound of the utensils, and the chewing.

The duke broke the silence by recalling his meeting with the heir to the throne earlier.

"He was really quite charming, and many aristocrats from different families had offered him to marry their children in the future." The duke uttered

My brother queries, "Did you offer him to marry Eloise?"

Hearing that made me nearly choke myself. Is he trying to make a joke? Was I some kind of sacrifice that they'll eventually give to someone with higher status than them?

The duke responded, "I wanted to, however, as we know, Eloise is immature and requires a lot of politeness training; it will be humiliating if she encounters the prince with such horrible manners she has now." Duke stated, and gave me a quick glance. "She already has five different tutors yet her unpleasant demeanor remains the same."

They're talking ill about me as if I wasn't sitting across them.

I rolled my eyes and continued eating, I am quite hungry.

The duke then asks a question, "So, Eloise, how was your lesson today with your educator? I pray you didn't have had any hissy fits like you often does."

Is he irritating me for no apparent reason? Cause if he did, he's doing a pretty good job. He's getting into my nerves.

I sarcastically grinned at him and said, "Adelaide is such a fantastic educator; the experience was extremely wonderful. I learned a lot from her."

The duke pauses, "I see, so did Adelaide enjoy herself, as well?"

"She did, and she appears ecstatic," I responded.

Both of them looked at me as if I'm lying. I remain smiling at them before I continue eating my food.

"That's great," the duke hesitated to say.

My brother gave me a puzzled glance, as if he doesn't believe every word that has came out of my mouth. He ate the last piece of his food before he departed. I only watch him walked away.

After supper, Veronica brushed my hair after I changed into new clothes and went to bed. I immediately told her to leave the bedroom since she had already completed her duty.

I was exhausted as I stared at the ceiling. I'm still puzzled about why Augustus is here. Is he here with Elliote? Did my bastard of a father invited him in for a day? I guess I'll never know.

But he is a great swordsman, therefore the chances of the duke presumably recruited him to train the knights in order to advance their abilities is high too.

I sigh and gradually shut my eyes
Tomorrow will indeed be long.

I woke up as I felt the sunlight was shining brightly beyond my window, and Veronica was preparing to give me a bath.

I lift my arms gently to stretch and consider whether I'll go clothes shopping or not. I wore the same clothing every day, and now they look too tiny for me.

"We're going shopping today, Veronica, therefore you must discard every one of my clothes but keep one gown for me to use."

"I understand, lady Eloise." She stated, "But what will I do to your old clothes?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll donate it to charity later."

I still have plenty of time until my class session with Adeline, plus I'm dealing with somebody for business purposes.

"Veronica," I called

"Yes, my lady?"

"What happened to the cup I drank before I collapsed?" I asked her while she was scrubbing my back

"You meant, my lady, that cup with the cyanide on it?"

"Precisely."

"The duke instructed me to toss it away, but I have not yet toss it away, my lady." She answered directly.

"Where is it as of now?"

"I kept it in the kitchenette, my lady."

"Please go get it for me as soon as you finish giving me a bath." I ordered.

"As requested, my lady."

After my bath, Veronica went out and came back with a bag which contains the cup. She reorganized my wardrobe and discarded my clothes.

She helped me get ready and put on my accessories. Since it was so sunny and dazzling today, I put on a hat before we headed out of the palace.

I stayed inside of the vehicle alongside Veronica till we reached the city. I watched the times square from the carriage's window. The city's lively and full of bustling sounds.

There are several people here today. Once I stepped out from the carriage, people all glanced towards me and began to murmur to each other.

I walked into the store to purchase some items, and Veronica assisted me in picking what to spend.

The proprietor and a few employees are trembling as if though I'm going to slaughter them. Is Eloise's aura really that intimidating?

I shrugged them off and went to every shelves, grabbing every designer's dresses and some shoes. I brought them the items that Veronica and I had chosen up and smiled.

"I wish to purchase these," I stated.

Owner and employees raced to box the clothes I bought, exclaiming, "O-On the way!"

I flip my fan to cool myself off, the reports about me are more damaging than I had anticipated. But for now, I can't do anything about it. I am going to fix my reputation little by little.

"I-It'll be 3000 silver coins, m-my lady." the owner said

Veronica gave him the cash before we left. Veronica volunteers to stay outside while I visit a special location. I grabbed the bag where the poisoned cup is.

As soon as I reached the shop where most chemicals and herbs are marketed, the shopkeeper greeted me with "Welcome, Miss. What would you like to purchase?"

I smiled and said, "Hello, I don't have anything to purchase although I'd like to see if you're able to identify poisons from an empty cup."

"It should be that uncomplicated, lady, may I see the cup?"

I hand him the bag, and after giving it a quick glance, he adds, "Hmmm, This will take several days to identify the toxic substance out of this cup, however for you, madam, I'll do my utmost!"

"Oh goodness, thank you so much. How much is it? I'll pay you in advance."

"5 silver coins only."

I give him the cash and turn to exit when he calls me once more.

"May I know thy name, Miss?" He asked. I turned around and looks at him

"I'm Eloise Ophelia," I smiled, "daughter of the duke."

He was shocked, based on what I can guess, he had only heard rumours about me and had never anticipated encountering me in person.

The 'disrespectful, abusive, tyrannical, and illiterate' Eloise no longer existed.