Another Villainess

Chapter Seventeen

"Oh my goodness! What did the emperor and empress say?"

Sylvian shakes his head and holds his cup a little bit tighter. "Well, they definitely were not happy. If news got out-" He pauses, trying to formulate a good continuation of the sentence, but is unable to. "I just don't understand."

"Your highness-"

He glances up from the table and smirks at her.

"I mean- Sylvian." Alana blushes shyly and places her hand over his. "Neither of us know what Leondra could really be thinking, and as much as I want to believe she has no hidden motive, from what you have told me I don't think it is possible. Just know that I'll support whatever decision you make, even if it means returning her love."

She smiles sadly.

"That won't happen, Alana. The one I love is you, and I'll stop her scheme no matter what and then you and I will be together. The emperor and empress will support it, that is not the problem. But lets stop talking about unpleasant things."

- - -

"You want to appoint a personal knight? How useless. You hardly go out, why would you need one?" The Duke sneers but does not look up from his papers.

"Most nobles have personal knights, father. And I am hoping to get out more and do my duty as this household's lady."

He snaps his head up, his sneer has become a violent snarl telling me to shut my mouth.

"You are not this household's lady."

Sensitive topic I guess.

"Of course not, father, my apologies. I misspoke. But I still believe a personal knight would be convenient. It'd also mean I wouldn't need to go to outing's alone."

"What outing did you go alone to?"

"The Crown Prince's banquet. And also we are going to the castle tomorrow to-"

"What do you mean the Crown Prince's banquet? You didn't go with anyone?"

"I went with the carriage driver. I'd mentioned the night I came back Zachary had not left with me."

He puts on a concerned face which somehow manages to send chills down my back.

"Yes but- Never mind. I'll talk to Zachary about this. Appoint that knight if you want."

Um?

"I will. Thank you, Father." I bow a little before leaving.

- - -

In my bed, the one with an airy and full mattress that I'd never be able to afford, I lay with my arms spread out and limp on the covers, and my legs hanging off the side.

BAAM!

All of a sudden, from outside the door, a thundering blow echoes, causing my heart to spring upwards and my tiredness to vanish as I stand quickly and move to investigate.

Zachary stands- no- Zachary flails around in the middle of the hallway throwing and bumping into cabinets and decorations, a certain porcelain vase is a victim to the ruckus he's causing, falling to the floor and shattering as he whacks it off its stand. But that vase is not as much of a victim as all the servants and I, because the vase has no eyes or ears, but we do. And we are all here watching him and listening to his screeches.

"What is wrong with you?" I yell at him. Behind him is a trail of broken objects, fallen paintings, and crinkles in the gorgeous wool rug that is now littered with smudges.

It seems his goal is to destroy this entire castle, not an easy feat, but currently he's doing just fine bulldozing through the east wing.

"Don't speak to me, Leondra!" He slams his fist against the wall and tightens his jaw. "You wench! Had you kept a leash on your dog of a fiancé then-"

Servants gasp at his words, but that is not the reason he stops talking. He stops when he rubs his eyes and pulls his hand away to see the blood all over his palm and fingertips, and as he stares harder, everyone in the hall starts to notice just how torn up his arms are.