The Villainess With White Roses

Chapter 9 - James' Red Rage

—-
ANDRELISE

I stare, frozen, at the man in front of me.

The Grand Duke. The Grand Duke! How did I not realize it earlier?

My mind whirls, pieces clicking together in horrified clarity. I feel my face flush as I bow hurriedly, frantically, words tumbling out of my mouth.

I try to keep my voice steady.

"Your Grace... I... I deeply apologize. I didn't realize... I didn't mean—"

He raises a hand, cutting me off with a composed yet gentle look.

I can't believe I let him catch me off guard.

"It's quite all right, there's no need to make a scene in the library. You should exercise more caution." His words are calm yet a little gentle, like he isn't warning me but not very comforting.

"Yes, Your Grace. Of course." I manage to say, forcing myself to keep my head down until he leaves.

As he walks away, I finally exhale, the breath I didn't realize I was holding escaping me like a sigh of relief.

How could I not recognize him?

I mentally scold myself, recounting everything I know about him. He's the closest friend and ally of the Crown Prince, which strengthens the prince's faction and makes him almost untouchable.

In the original story, Andrelise somehow blackmailed him into being with her to get closer to the Crown Prince.

But... I still can't remember how she managed to pull it off. Whatever it was, it must have been severe enough to push the Grand Duke into her cunning evil schemes.

I shudder at the thought.

All I know is that it led to him getting gravely wounded , possibly even killed, though I can't quite remember if he survived or not at the end of the battle between Andrelise and Isamara.

I don't want to go anywhere near that path. I have no interest in getting involved with the Crown Prince or manipulating the Grand Duke.

The last thing I need is to get tangled up with someone so powerful and dangerous. The original Andrelise was lucky she survived as long as she did.

Why was the original Andrelise so reckless? Did she not fear the consequences of crossing someone so powerful? I shake my head, pushing the thoughts aside.

I need to get back home before my father starts asking questions.

But as I turn to leave, I realize something strange. I don't have any clear memories from that moment I fell off the ladder. The shock must've messed with my head but I didn't get any flashbacks from her memories...

That's weird.

I make my way back to the shelf where I thought I saw it. Climbing the ladder once more, I scan the rows, but the title has vanished. How could that be? I distinctly remember seeing it, and now I find nothing even remotely related.

Or maybe I'm just imagining things. I dismiss the thought as ridiculous.

Deciding it's best to leave, I remember I still need to get a romance novel. My heart sinks at the thought.

I can't let anyone know I enjoy those.

It's a reputation thing. I need to be seen as someone who is above such trivialities, yet I crave the escape that those stories provide. The librarian, Charlotte or anyone else can't know about my...intrests , so it's up to me to find one without drawing attention.