Diary of a Villainess

Can I trust you?

"Whoever completes the task first has to obey to any order the other person makes." I explain. Tristan chuckles: "Do you want to be my slave so badly?  Alright. See you at the top. And don't die on your way upwards. You need to follow a wish of mine after all." As soon as he ends his arrogant nonsense he is already gone. "Ignorant sadistic pervert." I whisper to myself before facing the girl from earlier. "What's your name little one?" I ask. "I am Alice. May I ask for your name as well?" She responds politely. "Call me Roxanne. You're the one who yelled for Tristan's help when I was almost drowning, right? I guess you have repaid me now. Farewell. Hope you survive this." I tell her before trying to leave when she suddenly grabs the skirt of my coat. "Please take me with you. I want to become strong like you." The brunette begs. Seriously? I have a game to win so I wouldn't like anyone to be an obstacle. "You have a good eye Alice however I can't use a burden like you. Even though I like you." She blushes as if she had only heard the second part of my statement and speaks up: "I can be of help to you. I know how to eliminate traces without putting mud on your face." She talks in a promising tone. "How is that?" I ask amused. She replies: "I am able to create poison, vases and chemicals from scratch. I am an alchemist." That is interesting indeed. She obviously did not make it in here because of her physical strength but rather because of a special skill of hers. "Alright, as long as you can keep up, we can get to the top together." I answer in defeat. Her face brightens up. For the next two hours we've been following many different paths. Her poison was useful enough to keep creatures away from us so we could progress easily. We're almost at the top when there is a sudden thunder. A huge rock rolls down the mountain and makes us fall down towards a cliff. I can grab the edge at last minute and Alice with my free hand as the rock falls down hundreds of meters. Now we're hanging here, trying to grasp the situation. Shall I just let her go? Than I might have a chance to win this game against that arrogant bastard. Alice seems to read my mind. "Will you give up on me because of that game?" She slowly asks. "If that concludes I will win. Totally." I explain. However in that moment I can feel something weird in my leg. Damn. I broke my ankle. I make a decision: "No need to stress out Alice. At this rate I wouldn't win anyway. I cannot heal myself during the daylight after all." I calm her. She almost cries out in relief as she tries to climb up my body towards the edge and finally pulls herself up. Then she helps me get on the hill as well. For the rest of the way I walk with a limb, following the girl as she guides me upwards where I see that arrogant blonde waiting already. Once he sees us he comes our way with his typical grin on his face. "Losing your own game princess?" I glare in response. But right now I will not make it back on my own before the next morning comes. "Listen Tris I'll accept the consequences but you may do me a favor you know."
After the three of us spill our blood onto the bracelet, Alice leads us back while Tristan carries me in his strong arms. I almost feel like a heroine being carried on hands. Ironic.
Once we get back to the chamber the sun has already set. Still we seem to be the first ones as there are only the four previous guys that didn't make it to training. They startle once they see us entering and immediately hide in a corner. We don't pay any attention to them. They will be punished for missing out on the training anyway. Tristan puts me down on the straw and heals the broken bone once the sun completely disappeared. "Thank you. Now what are your orders?" I ask. He simply tells me to follow him outside, back to the river where we first talked.
"Why did you come here?" He asks.
I hesitate and reply: "In order to gain freedom."
He laughs. "Princess, this is the last place where you will ever be free."
I keep quite.
"Why did you come here?" I break the silence.
He looks me in the eyes. "There is a person I need to avenge. Afterwards I will leave."
Silence. Once again.
"What can I do for you Tris? You know I won't judge. I will do whatever you aks me to." I tell him in an unusual warm and friendly tone now. He breaks the serious atmosphere with a chuckle. "You actually have a heart, you savage woman. Then please. Let's be friends." He answers. I blink in confusement. A... friend? That is his wish? I've never had a friend before. I just didn't dare to laugh with anyone who could stab me later. "You want me to trust you?" I ask. He replies: "Rather I would want to be able to trust you. Promise that you won't betray me." He holds out his right hand.
"I promise." I reassure before thinking and grabbing his hand.  For the rest of the night we kept telling each other stories, laughing and sharing our meal until the sun came out. It was the best night I had experienced until then. I had never been happier. Having someone to trust is truly beautiful... The next morning we were ordered into the castle for the test evaluations. Miya stood in front of us and read it out. "Two of you didn't survive the physical mission so you're only 13 now. Four of you didn't attend the task. Each of you will be punished with 20 unhealable whips." I look into the horrified looks on their faces. The supreme killer continues: "Congratulations to the remaining seven of you. The first place is free from the obligation to attend any mission for the next three days. Well done, Tristan Coulter. Also good job to the person sharing the first place with him. Roxanne Carrington, you are rewarded as the most efficient participant as you have killed the most animals and dodged the most attacks... " Even though Tristan arrived earlier he shares his first place with me. Haha that must take a hit on his pride. Miya goes on with the list and dismisses us. The assassination missions are given out in 2 hours. While sitting at the river once again I tell Tristan: "You know what. I will accept a mission. I want to see what else I am capable of."
He turns around. "I expected no less from you." He chuckles. "Do as you wish but I will be staying here."
I nod and make my way to the castle.