Another Villainess

Chapter Eleven

"What are you doing here?" Sylvian glares coldly, his hand still shielding Alana Callinghan.

"Sylvian, What a surprise!" My feigned innocence doesn't fool him, though I never expected it to.

"Don't play dumb. I know you were listening to our conversation like a rat. Still obsessive as ever."

A rat. . .?

"While it's true I heard your conversation." I look at Alana who is now clutching the back of Sylvian's shirt. "It wasn't my intention to listen."

It's a lie, but he doesn't have to know that.

"I happened to see you walk out and wanted to get a chance to speak with you in private. I had no idea Lady Callinghan would be out here."

I flip my black hair off my shoulder with my hand. Alana's hair literally glows in the moonlight while Leondra's absorbs all the color and light around it, a difference way too eye-catching.

"Well, go on then. Spit out what you are dying to say." He crosses his arms angrily.

"You've put Lady Callinghan in quite an awkward position." I click my tongue as Alana fidgets nervously behind him. "Are you sure you want me to say it in front of someone uninvolved?"

"Yes, now hurry up." He narrows his eyes. "I knew you were scheming something. You just can't stay quiet."

My head throbs.

All these annoying men- he sounds just like Zachary. They're like copy and pastes of each other. Where are their own personalities?!

"I want to break of the engagement."

"What?" He tilts his head after a few seconds of processing what I said.

"I know that our engagement is going to be annulled eventually. Especially with the arrival of. . ." Alana's eyes lock with mine as she grins. I grin back, my teeth showing at the edges of my lips. "Well- another woman who's position is just as great as mine."

"Leondra, are you insane? No really. Have you lost your mind?" He rubs his temples, his tone less aggressive and more exasperated.

"I am not. I'm just moving the process along. This benefits us both."

"Lady Callinghan, I apologize for you having to witness this. It would be best for you to return to the banquet hall."

"Not at all, Your Highness." She bows. "I will take my leave then." Once again, her icy eyes lock with mine.

We wait silently as her steps fade. A door closes in the distance.

"Leondra stop being difficult and tell me what it is you want."

"What is it that you didn't understand? I want our engagement annulled as quickly as possible. We both know it's inevitable." I impatiently look at the dark sky, wanting to get back soon and sleep, not having to deal with these men anymore.

"No, you're being unfair. Of course I'm confused and don't understand. Just a week or so ago you were begging me to give you a chance. And then you poured tea on a maid because she refilled my cup!"

"Well, I've had a revelation, Sylv- Your Highness. And it doesn't matter when it happens if it will happen anyways. So why are you arguing."

"That isn't true, Leondra Raiyus. I'm not arguing- I'm just confused. Or is this just another one of your impulses?"

This conversation is going nowhere, and it's only frustrating us both. I need to put an end to it quickly before my irritation leads me right over the railing.

"Since you're confused, I'll give you time to dwell on it. My father will send out the request, and I know the emperor will respond accordingly. We both do." I turn to leave as he grabs my arm.

Disgusting. My stomach wretches as a horribly shaking feeling pulses from where his hand is, my entire body clenching.

I slap his hand away. "Your Highness, you shouldn't put your hands on a lady with no connection to you."

"Leondra- wait."

"No."

I walk away, still grimacing from his unwelcome touch.

"Your father will never agree to this." He mutters.

Yes he will.