Villainess' Second Chance

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I'm now wandering around the capital with Adelaide and Veronica the next day. I may have a lot of drinks last night at the prince's birthday party. I felt the hangover have taken over me since this morning.

I went out today to somehow relieve myself and since the festival is approaching soon, and everyone in our empire are busy.

Today is Adelaide's day off and we decided to hang out and, as usual, Veronica is our chaperone. Adelaide then stated while we were wandering around, "I'm excited to see how the event would appear at night."

"I bet it'll look cool." I simply stated

"Right?" She enthusiastically stated, "Walking around underneath those stunning light, just thinking about it makes me anticipate the festival even more."

I smile. "Adelaide, would you mind if I stopped to a particular shop today?"

"No, I wouldn't mind at all." She stated

"Great. Veronica, please look after Adelaide while I'm inside," I instructed.

"Certainly, my lady." Veronica obeyed

I went to the store where I had left the cup to be examined. I believe it's time for me to pick the results up.

As soon as I stepped inside, the shopkeeper greeted me with a beaming smile.

"Welcome back, madam Eloise; your cup is ready, and the poison used has been recognized, and also the finger print of the person who tried to poison you."

"Great." I smiled

He prepared the cup, "I must say, seeing you survive after being poisoned is truly amusing, lady Eloise."

I simply smile at him. "Well, you gotta be happy you're alive when you finally have the evidence to punish the person who attempted to poison you, am I right?"

He then handed me the cup, wrapped in a clean plain fabric, "Here you go, lad Eloise, and on that piece of paper inside the fabric are the fingerprints of the guilty party."

"I see; thank you."

"You're welcome," he added. I grinned at him and left the shop.

When I stepped outside, I noticed Veronica and Adelaide conversing with someone—it was Theodore Renaud.

"What's going on?" I asked as soon as I walked towards them. Theodore glances at me and gives me a faint smile, he's accompanying the prince.

A flashback of how I met the prince last night came back to me. It's frightening and I'm becoming nervous.

Adelaide looked at me, "Lady Eloise, you're back."

The prince looked at my direction. I bow my head and didn't make eye contact with him as I came closer.

"So, you're Eloise." He stated

"Uh... y-yes, your highness." I stated, without looking at him.

"Lady Eloise, is it okay for them to come along with us? It's the prince's first time walking around the city," Adelaide stated to me

"We're not sure which way to go, or which street has an interesting decor for the festival." Theodore added.

Oh dang it. Now I have to walk along with him?! Is he not content that he already threaten to kill me last night over a flower?!

I gave them a forced smile, "Sure but...." I cleared my throat and point at the ladies not far away from us. "Are they coming with us too?"

All of them looked at the noble ladies who were apparently admiring the prince, and wanted to swarm him.

"Tsk, I thought you got rid of them already?" the prince asked Theodore.

"Yes, your highness, I tried chasing them away but they called me cool and gorgeous so I let them be," Theodore responded confidently.

I wanted to pinch myself, checking if I'm still dreaming or I'm just imagining things because of hangover.

The prince glared at him, "Damn you, Theodore." He whispered.

"They also said that they find your personality sexy and endearing, prince Severus." Theodore stated and gave the prince a thumbs up.

Do they always behave this way? Their personalities are so different from what the novel describes them.

Theodore is supposed to be stoic and the prince is supposed to be a cold yet short tempered character. What the heck is going on?!

Severus Leonitus, the novel's crown prince and the empire's future king. He falls in love with Thalia but he surrenders because he realized he has no chance after seeing him with Augustus. Also, he already attempted to kill Eloise for hurting Thalia in the original novel.

Theodore maintains his expressionless demeanor as they fight in front of me.

"Alright, stop it. Sorry for this, your highness, but both of you are acting immature. Let's just go, shall we?" I said as I stood between them.

They both exchange glances. Before we head our way.

While strolling, I can sense Adelaide's enthusiasm as she observes the crowds around us.

"Lady Eloise, look! There's a bunch of masks over there!" She grabbed my arm and led me to a booth selling masks. Masquerade masks to be exact.

"Would you be interested to try this on, Lady Eloise?" Adelaide said, handing me a mask she had chosen.

"I believe these masks will look good on you, lady Eloise," Theodore stated as he showed me the masks he picked up

"Those are ridiculous, the lady won't like them, sir Theodore." Adelaide stated

"What about this? This doesn't look ridiculous." Veronica stated and showed me a golden mask full of rhinestones.

"You all are acting ridiculous," prince Sevrrus whispered to himself

Adelaide gave me the mask she picked up, "Try this one first, Lady Eloise."

Theodore exhorts, "No, try these first."

"Don't be silly, sir Theodore. That design looked so old." Adelaide stated

Listening to them is so exhausting and makes my headache even more painful.

I want to go home.