Villainess' Second Chance

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

My father, brother, and I are traveling to the imperial palace for the prince's birthday celebration. The whole carriage is filled with silence. No one dared to talk so I just stared in the window.

Suddenly, Elliote announced, "I'll be accompanying her highness tonight."

"Did her highness request you to accompany her?" Father asked

"She did, she sent me a letter yesterday." Elliote simply answered and the Duke just nod.

Elliote is usually working in the royal palace serving as her highness's personal bodyguard, so even though I haven't personally seen the empire's princess, Elliote has been in love with her since they were little. He will return home if the princess grants him approval, and since he's been home for quite some time now, I believe the princess gave him that permission and spends time with us.

The princess is a genuine saint. She reportedly resembles the empress as well. There's not much talk about her because despite having a royal status, she prefers to stay low.

Elliote affection towards the princess started when our father brought him to the royal palace for the very first time. Let me simplify it by saying it was love at first sight. But who wouldn't fell in love with her? She's technically good-looking and pure hearted.

"What about you, Eloise?" my father said abruptly.

I looked at him, "Pardon?"

"Who shall be escorting you?"

"I'm not sure, it doesn't really matter," I answered.

"You know, I noticed something different about you."

What now?

"You caused me less headaches and you do less mischief for almost a month." my father continued.

I smiled at him and continued to gaze by the window. I want to tell him to drop the act. I want to tell him to stop acting like he cares about me, because I will not forget the way he looked at me on the day of my execution.

"Anyway, according to what I've heard, the twins will be attending the event as well, along with aunt Gwen and uncle Ryker," Elliote stated to avoid the awkward ambiance inside the carriage once again.

Those twins? Yeah, I remember them. Those nuisance, same faced bastards. Dang it, this is going to be awful.

Due to the fact that my father doesn't really like me, the twins always make fun of me. My father and Aunt Gwen are siblings, so the twins often call me their 'ugly face, wicked cousin'.

Which is actually not bad since I've heard worse.

Uncle Ryker Bizeveron is the marquis of the empire, and he married aunt Gwen Ophelia, a few months after their marriage, they conceived the twins. Aunt Gwen and uncle Ryker regularly go to the Western Empire for business purposes, so the twins are probably left alone with their maids at their mansion.

In my last life, I didn't have much interaction with them. So I forgot what their personalities are, but I'll be expecting some insults as usual.

As soon as my feet hit the ground at the royal palace, Adelaide dashes towards me to give me a hug and welcomes me. Is she waiting for me to arrive? How nice.

"Lady Eloise, I missed you!" She greeted me and then she embraced me.

I smiled and embraced her in return, saying "I'm sorry for the delayed response of your letter last night." I apologized

"It's fine, lady Eloise, but I'm so delighted you made it," she wept and broke the hug.

"How are you doing in the imperial palace? Are they treating you well?" I asked

"I'm absolutely fine, lady Eloise! The emperor said I may go out and enjoy myself the entire week starting tomorrow! The imperial family are incredibly wonderful to me," she said joyfully.

"Oh, I see. Well, you must be thrilled." I chuckles

"Indeed I am, my lady!"

I'm glad Adelaide is getting better care than she would receive at her own home. She looks genuinely happy, and care-free.

"Shall we enter the palace now? Come this way, duke, sir Elliote and lady Eloise." Adelaide escorted us to enter the imperial palace.

When we entered, I am in awe as soon as I see how grandeur it is. They probably spend half of the people's tax for the prince's birthday.

I feel like I'm in heaven because of the large and numerous chandeliers in the ceiling, making the enormous room shine brightly. The decorations are pleasing in the eyes.

After few moments, when all the guest has finally arrived, they began to start the orchestra.

I went to the buffet area and started taking some delicacies to entertain myself, since no one is accompanying me tonight.

"Where are you going, Eloise?" Elliote asked behind me. I startled and almost choke.

I glared at him, "I am having fun, brother, isn't it obvious?" I sarcastically said

"With whom?" He asked

"What do you mean with whom? I'm simply going to have some fun....with myself. Can't you see?"

"Don't cause any troubles, okay? You must behave yourself tonight." He stated, "Enjoy. I'm going to the princess."

I simply rolled my eyes after he left. I am wondering if that brother of mine is a clever person or simply an idiot. I believe he's definitely both.

I was taking another delicacy when I suddenly heard recognizable voices.

Damn it, already?!

"Eloise!"

Khan and Khal, the twins, were running towards me and suddenly gave me a hug.

Uh... What's going on? Did I missed some chapters? Why are they hugging me?!

I panicked and immediately pull myself away from their embrace.

"H-Hey...?"

"It's been five years," Khal exclaimed. "Don't tell me you forgot us already?"

How can I forgot you both? You keep terrorizing my dreams way before I was executed.

I responded, "Yeah... It's been five years already. H-How are you... both?"

"We're fine." Khan stated, "You looked tense, is something bothering you?"

"Uh..."

"I told you, Khan, she will be surprised." Khal whispered to him. He then looked at me and smiled, "Anyway, you were so great, I heard you disclosed Viscount Caledon's secret," he added.

I put down my plate, "Oh... you heard about it. Yeah, I- I did."

"We can't believe it at first but we saw your picture in the newspaper," Khan said. "The article headline was 'Eloise Ophelia and Raiden Jondalar uncovers the Viscount Caledon's secret transaction'. While we were reading it, we thought you were so cool."

They looked excited while talking to me. Which raises my confusion even more.

When did these two start to have interest in me?!