Unfortunately, I'm an Evil Villainess

Chapter 54 - The Last Day (III)

After my physical training, I took a bath. When I began slowly falling asleep, my excellent self discipline forced myself to get out, despite every muscle crying in protest.

I did some more work, for the wicked shall never rest, especially not the successor to the most corrupt family in the kingdom. Except that was nonsense, because many villains like me had to do what they did in order to rest somewhere better, like on a throne. It was just a matter of time and resilience.

Besides, work could be fun, like going to a tea party and convincing yourself it was to form important social ties. Or, that it was a break so you could work harder later. Either way, that was exactly what I did.

"We're here, my lady!"

I always brought Tia with me to social events. Zoe had work to do, and Tia had grown on me. With new competence as a servant, her presence was less annoying, and even likeable.

I got off the carriage, which had stopped in front of Annalise's mansion. I went to our usual sitting room, where my friends were already gathered, as I had arrived fashionably late again.

"Afternoon, ladies."

My friends rushed to greet me. I was proud to say I remembered almost all their names, or at least the loyal and important ones that had been with me for a while. I had a large circle to expand my influence, but I only kept around those I liked while rotating through others, keeping myself exclusive to elevate the privilege of my presence.

"Hello, Valentina!"

"Lady Valentina, how do you always look so beautiful?"

"Nice to see you again, Lady Valentina."

Nevertheless, my best friends were still Annalise and Delilah. They had both grown to be attractive young women, Annalise fair and Delilah elegant, and each possessed talents.

"Are you excited for your debutante, Annalise?"

Annalise was the same age as me and would turn eighteen this year, but I had gotten her to push back her debutante to the latest socially acceptable age, this year. Ladies typically debuted the year they turned sixteen, but Catherine would turn seventeen this year, also late. I didn't do it personally since I wanted to attend balls with my fiance to improve our relationship.

Part of the attention on Catherine in the novel came from the fact that no other important lady was debuting this year, but the daughter of the marquess would certainly steal some of the spotlight. I was depending on Annalise to manage things at the debutante ceremony.

"Of course! I can't wait to go to balls and see all the handsome men."

She tossed her head of orange drills, giggling. Annalise had a haughty and vibrant beauty, loud and splendid, as she was with her affection. She was the best musician of our generation, perhaps even slightly better than me. Though slightly stupid, her unwavering loyalty was clear.

"They'll be lining up to dance with you, so you should try all the options before courting one."

Delilah was the one who spoke. As a future duchess, she had her fair share of admirers, but remained uninvolved in romance. The ordeal with Damian might have had something to do with it, or that no one could meet her standards.

She was incredibly intelligent and cultured, as well as elegant and refined, with loose waves of dark brown hair and deep green eyes. Without doubt, she was the perfect lady and my brother was blind. Yet a part of that was her inscrutable exterior, allowing for the persistent fear of a possible betrayal that I couldn't quite extinguish.

"I definitely will, but today is a ladies' day. Have some tea cakes, and let's play cards!"

It was a delightful tea party, and our gathering continued long after. We gossiped, with tomorrow's debutante being the main topic. I assured myself once more of a particular matter.