Another Villainess

Chapter Thirteen

He helps me out of the carriage, the off vibes from earlier completely gone, and he seems just— normal?

"Thank you for coming. I was glad I didn't have to travel alone."

Wind blows through my hair, causing it to fly into my mouth and over my eyes, I try pulling it out and brushing it off my tongue with my teeth.

Soft laughter turns my face red as he reaches out to move my hair, his metal glove hitting my forehead and running a spike of annoyance through my skin.

That spike disappears as he accidentally snorts, as my hair is brushed away I see his smiling face and closed eyes as he covers his mouth with his forearm, a blush forms on my cheeks as I laugh with him, ignoring the fact that I'm still a little embarrassed.

His laughter settles and he sighs, looking sweetly at me. "It's my job to protect this family, Lady Raiyus."

Immediately my face looses it's kindness. Because this is not my family, and none of them matter to me.

"Yes, that's good." I respond, turning my attention to my nails, rubbing the one on my pointer finger with my thumb and then flipping my hand.

"Yes."

". . ."

"I'll go back now."

He nods as I awkwardly walk up the marble steps, gripping tightly onto the railing and refusing to look back.

"Where is Zachary?" A voice calls as I enter the mansion.

"At the banquet still, or maybe he already left. Where else would he be, Father?"

Leondra's father hands his drink to the maid beside him. He's wearing a light blue satin robe that matches the beauty of my dress, standing center of the main entrance

"I assumed he would be with you, but it doesn't matter, I'll speak with him later."

"Wait."  I stop him from walking away. "I need to talk with you."

"Huh? And what would you have to say to me?"

"I want to break off my engagement."

The maid drops the glass, shattering it all over the floor and cutting the feet of Duke Raiyus, specks of blood form over the top of his feet and ankles, thankfully his soles are protected by navy blue, fuzzy slippers.

"L-Lord Raiyus!" She immediately slams herself prostrate on the ground, her palms and forehead scratching right against the glass. "Forgive me!"

The Duke sighs and holds his head, his eyebrows are squeezed together. "Shut up and mend the wounds."

The maid runs off and returns almost inhumanely quick with a bucket of water, a washcloth, and bandages.

During the time she was gone neither of us said a word.

And both of us ignored the fact she cleaned the Duke's cut feet with her knees and shins on the broken glass, her eyes wet with tears.

"What brought this on? Explain yourself!"

"Father, the royal family will break this engagement off sooner or later. In fact, as you know the daughter of Duke Callinghan was found, which means the annulment will happen any minute."

"The royal family and our family came to an agreement. Leondra, you're foolish to think like this. Leave these matters to the adults."

"No, the royal family has the ability to stop this agreement without repercussion, and I'm aware it's my actions that allow that. Father, please. Our family will save face if we are the ones to initiate the annulment."

He doesn't respond. The maid is now wrapping his ankle and carefully covering the wounds, still brimming with tears and currently biting down on her bottom lip to stay silent, blood forms around the edges of her legs.

"They won't allow me to be the Crown Prince's wife. Everyone knows it."

Finally, he nods, slow and exasperated.

"I'll think about it. But I hope you know that you've disappointed me greatly. You could've been empress, Leondra. Ties to the royal family and set for life. For all of us."

". . ."

"Don't show yourself in front of me again. And you." He looks to the maid. "Clean this up and report back to my office when you're done."

"Y-Yes, Lord Raiyus. I'm so sorry, Sir." Her face is filled with fear.