Villainess Loves

Part 22

I was just another admirer, but I exist and I'm here now. I want to do the things that I want to do and create a future that I want, not something that was predetermined. Luckily the story still seems to be following the main path. I mean Annelise would have gone to stay at the royal castle before the welcoming ball just like I'm doing, just not for the same reasons, so I haven't really deviated much from the story.

I sit up from my bed. My hair's certainly a mess from all the rolling around I did. Mary's going to have a fit when she sees me, but that's okay. She'll fix it.

I have to move forward and forge my own path. Maybe Mary was right, my father knew somehow that I wanted something different and Prince Orion wasn't the person for me so he found Henry, who is certainly just as good in every aspect besides the royal blood.

I think about Prince Orion's brilliantly blue hair and his shining golden eyes with his handsome features that bring out his outgoing personality and princely nature. I compare that to Henry's deep dark, raven hair and his matching black eyes that reflect his older experience, and his naturally rugged build that only enhances his manly gorgeousness and serious nature. Both men are incredibly attractive with their own charms. Both carry highly esteemed positions and are highly sought after, well, for those who know of Henry's existence then yes, highly sought after.

I'm the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the world. I can do anything I want, and I have every right to do anything I want, with my new modern-day knowledge I can accomplish that while avoiding burdening my family or accidentally going down a bad ending.

I've gained the burden and benefits of this new wisdom and I can't really be the same I was before. My tears are only the remnants of my previous passion and I should move on with my life as Prince Orion has already done the same.

I stand up, proudly.

"I am Annelise Thornweather, the daughter of Duke Gerald Thornweather. I don't need no one to be amazing! I can do it myself!" I declare and turn around, only to see Henry staring at me.

I stare back at Henry, who seemed to have just opened my door. My brain starts to process the situation.

"!!!!" WHY IS HE HERE??????

"Pfft. HAHAHAHA!!" Henry bursts into laughter, his hearty laugh fills up the spacious room. I quickly run up to him, slamming the door behind him, and dragging him inside.

"S-shut up!" I stammer, trying to cover his mouth. His laugh could summon the entire castle!

"Haha!" He chuckles, letting me drag him to the middle of the room. I quickly push him down on the couch and cover his loud mouth. My face is steaming from pure embarrassment.

"Stop laughing! Why are you even here? Why didn't you knock???" I yell at him. Henry is still snickering but takes a breath to speak.

"Mary told me-Pft-to come and ask what you wanted for dinner. And I did knock." He says, stifling a laugh.

"What?! She knows what I like!" I collapse on the floor next to him. I just want to disappear. Why did Mary even send him? Did she think me seeing Henry would cheer me up? Yes, yes it would. But not like this!!! Give me a warning or something so I can make sure I look presentable!

"How much did you hear?" I mumbled. Henry stops laughing for a moment to ponder.

"From when you announced yourself to the world." He concludes. I groan.

"Please don't tell anyone about this." I plead.
"Sure, sure." He says, smiling. I would be in awe of his handsomeness right now, but the sheer embarrassment of my announcement prevents me from swooning over this rascal laughing at my stupid antics.

I look at Henry, who is still struggling to contain himself. Man, it wasn't THAT funny okay? I hit his leg in anger.

"Ow~" He whines, making me hit his leg again. Yeah, right! No way that hurts! I'm super weak!

He looks at me on the floor and then reaches over to pull me up. His strong arms are once again wrapped around me, lifting me up effortlessly and placing me on the couch next to him. I scoot away immediately and cross my arms in defiance.

"Thanks." I spat, turning my head away from him. Henry chuckles at my actions.

"You're most welcome." He says, leaning back against the couch, making me fall towards him.

"Woah!" I try to untangle my crossed arms to stop my fall but I wasn't successful and I land on Henry's lap.

"Having fun?" His voice rumbles above me as his face appears right in front, smirking at me. I quickly turn away, avoiding the deadly combination of the intimate position and his gorgeous face. I close my eyes and ball up my fists to prevent accidental touching and seeing something I don't really want to see. This is such a precarious situation! Any wrong move and I could be touching or seeing something I've never seen nor touched before and I don't know if I want today to be the day I experience that!

I feel Henry suddenly move and pat my head like I'm a cat or something.
???? What is going on???

"You got your troubles solved?" He says slowly, continuously patting my head. Oh.

"....yeah." I said, relaxing a bit.

"That's good." He hums softly. I open my eyes to peek at him, who seems to be clearly enjoying this patting session. I don't know what to make of this.