Another Villainess

Chapter Nineteen

"Leondra?"

Contrary to belief among many fans of Her Royal Love, Gabriel was never in love with Leondra.

As close as they were during their childhood, the author decided that to play the villainess correctly, Leondra needed to be hard-stuck on Sylvian and have no other love interest.

Gabriel, to no surprise, was fated to fall in love with Alana, as the third and final male lead.

"Leondra?"

And his role in this story is much larger than mine.

". . .Leondra."

A hand full of cuts, scarred, not open like Zachary's were, waves in front of my face.

"It's rude to do that." I snap. " But it doesn't matter. We have to go. Immediately."

"Where to?"

I don't respond to his question.

"Call a carriage, Eden. It's important."

. . .

The carriage rocks furiously through the jagged road. Outside, the dark fur trees block our view of Leisl.

Across from me, Eden stares silently out the window.

"Where are we going, Leondra?" He turns slowly to me, his face never seemed so sullen.

"Leisl. I need to get— well, I just need to get some things."

As a character I don't remember being in this book, Eden has brought up his fair share of red flags. I've tried finding out more about him— surely the Duke kept files on him— but there was never much information. Zachary would not bring someone dangerous into this home. Hopefully?

A tap sounded from the window. I look to see rain droplets slowly dripping down the glass, and a minute later they start pounding at the door.

He stands up, the rain seemingly knocking him from his trance, and comes over to sit next to me.

"It's alright, Eden." I hold my arm up so he could move closer.

Slouched against me, he keeps his eyes on the floor.

My hand spasms for a moment. I feel the distrust building every time I remember that this is only a story. A story he should not be part of.

I squeeze my eyes shut, rubbing my temples.

Where did he come from? Did I forget? Am I worried over nothing?

The carriage driver knocks on the square glass panel in the middle of the carriage wall in front of me. He struggles to slide it open before calling to us over the rushing wind, "We've arrived, Lady Raiyus."

Eden moves out of my arms and back to his seat before the door opens.

The carriage is parked under an overhanging roof of a shabby, black building. The driver helps me out into a barren street, surrounded by cramped buildings. He is noticeably uncomfortable.

Eden comes out of the carriage behind me. His face filled with hesitation, but he clears his throat and smirks at me playfully, hiding any remaining solemnity that was once there, and stands on the outer side next to me, rain drenching his left shoulder.

Down the empty, cluttered street, the building I was looking for stands, a broken wooden board hanging by one nail over the doorway reading, "Green Gate."