Villainess Tries Again (Hiatus...)

10

His dark blue eyes glistened reflecting the half moon peering from the clouds. With trained steps he walked to the balcony only to dodge a timely attack from a hidden sword.

Ignoring the cut on his arm, he flung his sword to deflect the blows targeting his life. Then he managed to sneak down the railing and mingled with the thicket of finely trimmed bushes in dark clumps.

I got up from the armchair and stretched my limbs. Today was another day in the imperial palace and I had to stay in the guest room since it was already too late to go back home.
I had changed to my night dress and wore the dress coat, just then the window flung open. Seeing the giant swaying shadows of the branches had already given me an eerie feeling and this made me jump.
But as I went near, except for the cool night breeze there was nothing so I managed to latch the lock on the window.

It seems I should have listened to my mother and stayed at home with a cold. The gleaming blade under my neck made me realize that while the person who talked sounded somewhat familiar.
"Don't scream, if you make any noise. I will not let you go."
I sighed and just as I was going to reply, I heard the marching feet of a few guards who knocked on my door "Lady Ephora, are you alright in there? A masked assassin had just made an attack at the Crown Prince's chamber."

I assumed a shocked tone "Oh dear, is the crown prince alright? Don't worry I am fine."
The guards sighed on relief "It is fine Lady, the crown prince is safe so you may go back to rest."

I noticed the blade under my neck tremble slightly and then it withdrew as the person holding it staggered to the wall.
There were drops of blood dripping along his sleeve from the cut. Though it wasn't deep there probably was poison in it.

"Are you...alright?" I asked punching myself on the head wondering why I was asking a literal assassin if he was ok.
His breath was uneven but he glared at me, I could only see those beautiful blue eyes and remembered the incident at the market.
"Don't come near me." He said abruptly in a cold tone. I crossed my arms and scoffed "I am not bothered ok. Who you have to kill has nothing to do with me? But you are the one in my room and either you die here or let me treat the poison."

I went to the bedside to get my bag and took out a medicine kit. It was something I always carried to keep my mind at ease since I was still traumatized from the death of my past life.

He didn't push me away when I went near and sat on the floor. He tried to keep his eyes open but they kept closing.
I cut away the cloth on his arm and examined the darkening wound. The poison was lethal but since he met me at the right time, I could treat it.

(((3rd pov))))

He opened his eyes, the illuminated room in the day seemed strangely different from last night. A warmth spread across the atmosphere and he noticed the girl sleeping peacefully with her head on the table.
He wanted to get up but his limbs were stiff. She woke up to the noise and saw him awake.
"Hey, you are awake? Do you feel dizzy?"

He gave her a cold glance and managed to stand up leaning against the wall. "Since you helped, I shall leave you alive. Next time you won't be so lucky."

She frowned "What a nice thank you. Anyway you need to see a proper doctor and take the medicine continuously for a month or the poison will come back again."
She rummaged into her bag and took out a small pouch "Here use this medicine for now. It is enough for two days."

A cold smile came to his face as he walked towards her. His domineering personality made her take a few steps back but he cornered her to the wall.
"What...what do you think you are doing?"

"Why are you helping me? Aren't you afraid I will kill you too since you know I want to kill the crown prince?"

"Don't worry, I might not save you again, this...this is because you saved me when I was kidnapped that time. We are even now."

His eyes gleamed "So you recognize me?"

The chilling atmosphere was becoming too overwhelming but Ephora only turned her gaze to the side and stood her ground. She closed her eyes expecting a hit as his hand was raised but instead he held her chin and rubbed his thumb over her lips "How interesting? Lady Ephora, we shall meet again and let's see who ends up nicely."

Soon only a panicked Ephora remained as she tried to calm down from her fear.

**********************

Harper stared at the girl, he couldn't help but wonder why those dark eyes always looked at him coldly. She may not be powerful but she was quite beautiful with a wealthy family background but why had she never looked his way. He was the son of a powerful duke but she doesn't even try to flatter him.
Now she is engaged to that silly first prince who has a bad reputation. He knows it must be because she was forced to do it. If he can convince her to come to him then the engagement would be broken and he would be her savior.

"Eddie, what are you thinking about?" a sweet voice by his side asked him the question while holding onto his sleeve.

He smiled at her gently, he liked Clara as she was always sweet and gentle, she also saved him from being pickpocketed. She was a good friend to have and also very pretty.
He patted her hand "Nothing much, have you finished buying the things you wanted."

"Yes," she smiled shyly "I also brought something for you."

"Really," he said but his eyes were elsewhere focused on the girl, opposite the street who was getting ready to get into her carriage.

"Yes, it's a little..."

"Wait a bit, Clara, I need to meet someone for a bit."

Eddie had already walked away leaving behind Clara who was glaring at his back.