To be the Villainess

O21.

Chapter 21

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I TURNED to face him, only to be met by Zacharias’s furious expression. His eyebrows were drawn together, and deep lines creased his forehead, revealing the extent of his anger.

He set me down on the ground, taking several steps back as we distanced ourselves from that ominous hole. “What’s with that tree?” I asked, eyeing him curiously. His body tensed, and he visibly flinched at my question.

“You saw it, my lady?” he asked, his voice tinged with unease.

“Magtatanong ba ako kung wala?” I retorted, rolling my eyes in exasperation.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to regain composure. “Please, never return here if you value your life, my lady,” he warned, adjusting his attire with a shaky hand. “I’ll let this slide once, but if I catch you sneaking into that chamber again...” His gaze locked onto mine, cold and unwavering. “I’ll throw you inside it myself, my lady,” he threatened, his voice low and dangerous.

Huh. How interesting. The Imperial Palace must be hiding something under that tree.

“Well, that would be quite the adventure, wouldn’t it, Sir Zacharias?” I smirked, a playful glint in my eyes. “After all, my curiosity about that eerie tree would be satisfied if I ventured inside, wouldn’t it?” I added, turning away from him. I took a step toward the hole, but before I could get any closer, he grabbed me, his hands clamping down on my shoulders with surprising force, pulling me to face him.

“I’m trying to protect you, my lady,” he growled, his teeth clenched in frustration. His grip tightened, his eyes darkening with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Please, listen to me, my lady,” he urged, his voice softening slightly as he released me, but not without causing me to wince in pain. The pressure on my shoulders had been unbearable.

“Sir Zacharias, that hurt,” I muttered, glaring up at him with annoyance. Was he trying to bruise me on purpose?

“I apologize, my lady,” he said, bowing his head, his voice laden with guilt. “I lost control.”

Huh. Even though he wants to keep me away from there, this only makes me more determined. I’ll find out what lies within that chamber, no matter what it takes. And when I do, Zacharias won’t be able to stop me.

I slipped off my heels, carrying them in my hand as I let out a weary sigh. Zacharias’s eyes widened in shock at my actions, his surprise almost comical.

“My feet hurt. Please, let me walk barefoot,” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. He nodded slowly, seemingly at a loss for words.

Just as I was about to step away, a hologram abruptly materialized in front of me, its bright light almost blinding.

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You have acted on your own, ignoring the system’s warning. A punishment will be enforced for 24 hours.

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I stared at the hologram, rolling my eyes in disbelief. Seriously? The system is punishing me just for looking at that massive tree? What’s the big deal?

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You have glimpsed a future predicament. You must now face the consequences.