To be the Villainess

O56.

Chapter 56

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I WOKE UP to the glaring light of morning streaming through the windows, only to realize the space beside me on the bed was empty. Sebastian was gone. My gaze fell on the chemise I was now wearing, and my brows furrowed. Did he… dress me?

A deep sigh escaped me as I stared blankly at the chandelier above. Life choices. My life choices. What on earth have I done?

I sat up and instinctively placed a hand on my body—down there. A sharp pang made me wince. “Ugh,” I groaned, my cheeks instantly heating as memories of last night flooded back. Covering my face with both hands, I flopped back onto the bed and began rolling from side to side like a distressed cinnamon roll.

Unfortunately, my rolling spree ended with me toppling off the edge of the bed and landing with an unceremonious thud.

“Ouch!” I yelped, clutching my hip. The ache from the fall was nothing compared to the secondhand embarrassment eating me alive. “Argh! What did I just do last night?!” I screeched, running my fingers through my hair and tugging at it as if that could undo my mortifying actions. Out of frustration, I resorted to nibbling on my fingernails like a deranged squirrel.

Eventually, I dragged myself back onto the bed, plopping down with a dramatic sigh. But the moment I settled in, vivid images of Sebastian’s smug, smoldering expression last night hit me like a slap to the face. My entire body stiffened as my brain shouted, Delete! Delete!

“AAAHHH!” I screamed into the pillow, muffling my despair.

“Are you awake?”

The deep, familiar voice startled me. I spun around like a startled cat, clutching the pillow to my chest. There he was—Sebastian—looking as dashing as ever in his knight’s attire. A knowing smirk danced on his lips, his emerald eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Can you not state the obvious?” I snapped, rolling my eyes to hide my embarrassment.

He chuckled softly, the sound grating and alluring all at once, as he closed the distance between us. Standing by the side of the bed, he tilted his head, watching me like I was some fascinating creature.

“You should take a shower, my lady,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. Then, with absolutely no regard for my sanity, he leaned in close—too close. His lips were mere inches from my ear as he whispered, “Or… would you prefer if I escorted you to the bathroom myself?”

The audacity! His words sent an involuntary shiver down my spine, but I wasn’t about to let him win this round. My face lit up with a mischievous grin as I leaned in just as close, our breaths mingling.

“Why?” I whispered, my voice dripping with mock innocence. “Do you want to join me?”

His smirk faltered, and his eyes widened slightly. Victory. I bit back a laugh, my grin widening like the Cheshire Cat’s.

“Hah. Got you.”

Before Sebastian could respond, a firm knock on the door interrupted him. 

“Sir Sebastian, the Grand Duke wishes to have a word with you,” a voice called from outside. Both of us instinctively turned toward the door. 

Sebastian sighed, the smirk on his face fading for a brief moment before returning in full force. He shifted his attention back to me, leaning closer with that infuriatingly confident gleam in his eyes. 

“Consider yourself lucky today,” he muttered, his voice laced with playful menace. 

I scoffed, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms. “Oh, how magnanimous of you,” I replied, sarcasm dripping from my tone.