Another Villainess

Chapter Three

"You may go back." I stare sideways at the maid, my focus mainly being on the beautiful landscape outside the main building. She nods silently and returns inside.

I sigh while following the brick trail, lush gardens surrounding me.

What awaits Leondra is death. Am I allowed to relax? Or will the main plot points of the story unfold regardless of my actions?

I grit my teeth. Death or no death, I will try to live here as happily as I can. . . Hopefully if I don't disturb the budding relationship between the Crown Prince and Alana, Leondra— no— my life. . . will be spared.

I find myself nearing the forest, not wanting to be eaten by bugs I turn around.

Ugh. . . Ahh-

I stop upon hearing strained groans beyond the overgrowth. My curiosity does not let me go as I cautiously stray a few feet into the forest, the grunts turning into pained breaths.

"Huh?" Not long after walking I am standing over a man who's back is slumped against a tree. I look over him curiously. His body is smothered in bruises and scratches. Blood drips from his nose as he holds his left side, his eyes squeezed tightly shut.

I kneel down and brush his messy brown hair off his sticky forehead. His eyes fly open as he gasps, reaching up and grabbing my wrist.

"Hi?" I say, unsure of how to react. "You don't need to talk, I can help."

He seems to have difficulty breathing, so I try to keep him from further strain, grateful for my time in med school. I look around for something sharp before spotting a jagged rock, taking it and ripping a large piece of cloth from my sleeve.

He leans his head back, relaxing, as I dab his sweat and then the blood from his nose.

"I need to check your side."

He takes his hand from his side obediently, but as I lift his shirt up his eyes widen in shock. An enormous bruise covers the entire left side of his torso. I rub my fingers gently over it, ignoring his flushed face and amazingly defined abs (although it is difficult).

"Are you able to stand? I'll try to support you as much as I can but. . ." I trail off. He nods in response, understanding that I can only do so much to lift his large body. "Alright." I pull his arm over my shoulder and support his back before counting down from three.

As he stands, he grunts in agony, which is enough to make my cheeks grow hot.

If there is one thing about Leondra I cannot argue with, it's her tendency to enjoy seeing someone in a little bit of pain.

"You're going to be alright." I keep a tight hold on him as he stumbles, walking very slowly back onto the path and into the mansion.