Unfortunately, I'm an Evil Villainess

Chapter 111 - Villainess (II)

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"...so she has decided to finish this at last."

King Henry sighed. They had expected something of this sort, though he did wonder why she didn't just kill the girl. What's one more life for one of the bloodiest hands in Orilon? Alas, the Avingtons were always beyond comprehension. The question was what to do about it.

"Shall I inform the baron, Your Majesty?"

And what good would that do? In all likeliness, the baron would insist that they take action before the girl's plot, and where would that lead them? Destruction of the whole kingdom by Damian Avington? Lady Valentina was prepared to stake everything, they were all aware of that.

On the other hand, if his potential daughter-in-law's plan were to succeed, the baron's schemes would be completely destroyed. He himself could claim that there was nothing he could do, and the baron would just have to deal with it. The man was a cruel, blackmailing bastard, but not unreasonable. Yes, the Avingtons may take power later, but that would be a problem for the future. At least then, there wouldn't be a secret knife to his throat.

"No. You may leave."

His informant bowed and slipped out of the room, a perfect shadow. Another reason why the baron couldn't be told. He had insisted on using the eye as soon as the king had accidentally let slip of its existence, but it was the one of the few things the king had not backed down on. This was one of the only sources they had, the best one by far, his one victory of the little menace known as Valentina Avington, and the time was not yet right to use it.

The time would come, he told himself, like he did with many other things. One day. Just not now.

- - -

Catherine took a deep breath as Mary covered up her scars as best as possible with so much powder that she felt as if she was wearing a mask. She would not be able to compare in the slightest with all the beautiful ladies attending her party, of course, so the least she could do was to appear tidy in her best dress.

"There, my lady. What do you think?"

The makeup was thick, but a faint hint of the blemishes was still visible. On top of her already pale complexion, she looked like a ghost in the mirror. Catherine winced.

"Can't you use more, Mary?"

"It'd be too cakey, my lady. Besides, I think you look lovely already, and the scars are a reminder of what you've survived."

Mary was always so kind! Catherine smiled and anxiously hoped that her guests would agree and not think less of her house for them.

It was the morning of her party, and Catherine was surprised at how well she slept last night, though she was grateful for it, for she was feeling faint already. Her stomach was twisted in knots and her mouth was dry. It was the first social event Catherine was hosting by herself, her first time meeting Lady Valentina after what had passed in the temple, and her first interaction with Lady Delilah after the proposal from Lord Damian. The weight of any of these alone could have crushed her, and all three combined was almost too much to bear, but bear it she would. It would be a new beginning, like Mary said!

Catherine spent the rest of the busy morning making sure everything was in place. Too quickly, afternoon came, and the guests began to arrive. Catherine greeted them at the door and led them to the glass greenhouse where the party was to take place, before hurrying back to welcome the other guests. Lady Valentina, Lady Delilah, and Lady Annalise were the last to arrive.

"Good afternoon, Lady Catherine. How are you?"

"Thank you for inviting us. We're delighted to attend."