Reincarnated As Both The Villainess And Heroine...?

Like Father, Like Daughter

The deadline was closing in, but I had yet to even start working on the issue. Still, this time I could proudly proclaim it wasn't an issue of procrastination, but rather of a meddling individual. Still, even with a valid excuse in my hand, I couldn't quite be happy about it.

"My lady. His Highness has came to visit."

"Not even sending a letter beforehand...fine. I'll be there in a moment."

I got up from my study, ready to head into the kitchen to collect the usual items whenever he visited.

"His Highness has asked me to pass on his intention that he does not need tea."

"Is that so?" I was puzzled.

"By his own words, 'The matter I wish to discuss would be better off not be ruined by the taste of her tea'."

Brat. I should be used to be it by now, but his haughtiness never failed to stir irritation.

"Very well then."

Thus I trotted my way into the lion's den, with every step I took bringing a sinking feeling to my chest. Although I knew how to push his buttons, it was a tactic that was best reserved for Rin in order to secure the plot. In the end, nothing good came out of associating with him. Not in this lifetime, anyway.

Before I had even set foot into the room, the prince was already mocking me through the opened door, "Well well, if it ain't Elizabeth in all her glory, squandering the favor of information I gave you."

"It can't be helped. I do not hold command of the troops. If the Duke himself is not willing to listen, then there's not much I can do."

Other than waiting that is, but I left that part out. Good thing I knew the future, otherwise I would be rather paranoid right about now. There was no point in worrying about my father not listening to my advice, or even trying to properly defend the land. After all...

In the summer of this year, he was fated to die.

During the opening days of summer, the Bathory Duchy was destined to be ruled by a Duchess after decades under a Duke.

On this very day, I would lose my last family.

Elizabeth Bathory would finally be alone in this world, left only with her hubris and Lily.

The prince smiled with a rather sadistic expression, "So you say, but there's quite a number of supplies stockpiled outside. Horses, too. Enough, in fact, to move all those supplies that's been haphazardly left around instead of being in a warehouse."

I never intended to hide it from him, but it was still rather intimidating, the speed at which he figured it all out.

"Vacationing do require careful preparation, after all," I smiled thinly.

"Whatever makes you feel better," the prince shrugged indifferently. "Even so...Bathory. You are not a stupid girl. You are not an idiot, but still, I have to say this."

If the prince was as sharp as he had just demonstrated, then it was inevitable he would misunderstand things. After all, logic and reason have no place when it comes to predicting the unforgiving future.

Thus, it couldn't be helped if the prince followed his instincts. It couldn't be helped if he glared at me with the eyes of a judge and executioner. As accusatory as he was, I had no right to say anything in my defense.

"Elizabeth, don't do anything stupid."

"When have I ever?" I tilted my head slightly.

"I'm serious. You can throw my words into the wind on any other occasion, but if my suspicions are true this time, then you are about to do something very stupid."