The Villainess With White Roses

Chatpter 12 - A Friend...Maybe?

The hallway is quiet, dimly lit by soft candlelight, and the very very faint hum of laughter and music from the ballroom feels like a distant memory.

I'd snuck into an empty parlor just a few minutes ago to get a moment of silence, but even that hadn't been enough to shake the irritation they left behind.

I sigh as I recall the chestnut-haired girl from earlier, the one with the smug smile who practically cornered me with her little entourage.

I raise an eyebrow, hiding my smirk behind the glass as I take a slow sip. "Is that so?".

I keep my tone calm and unbothered. "How fascinating that you think you know my plans better than I do." 

Her voice dripping with fake innocence. "Oh, no offense intended. It's just...well, everyone knows about your interest in him." 

I sigh, rolling my eyes. "Believe me, I'm not interested in the Crown Prince."

And just then their eyes widen, the shock spreading through the group like a ripple. They clearly weren't expecting that. 

The chestnut-haired girl scoffs, a mocking smile dancing on her lips. "Oh, really? Then why do you seem to always show up wherever he does?" 

I hold her gaze, my expression unchanging. "Coincidence, I suppose. Not that it's any of your concern." 

There's a tense silence as the other girls exchange uncertain looks, clearly unsure of what to do now that I'm not playing along with their thought I would.

The brunette from earlier bites her lip, her voice a bit quieter this time. "Well...maybe we've misunderstood. We didn't mean to imply anything..." 

"Didn't you?" I ask, giving her a pointed look. "Because it sounded an awful lot like you were." 

The girl hmmed, her voice laced with irritation. "There's no need to get defensive, Lady Andrelise. We were only making conversation." 

"Is that what this is?" I ask, my tone calm, almost amused. "Funny, it sounded more like you were assuming things about me based on gossip." 

The brunette clears her throat awkwardly, trying to break the tension. "I'm sure she didn't mean it like that, Lady Andrelise. We all just...well, we thought maybe..." 

"You thought maybe what?" I say, giving her a cold smile. "That I'd play along with whatever petty rumor you've imagined?" 

They all look taken aback, some of them glancing away, clearly uncomfortable. The chestnut-haired girl looks like she wants to say something else, but I raise an eyebrow, daring her to continue. She holds her tongue, though, and the silence stretches on, awkward and heavy. 

"If you're done with your...conversation, I think I'll excuse myself."

The chestnut-haired girl's expression tightens, but she says nothing as I give them a polite smile, then turn on my heel and make my way toward the nearest door with my glass. I can feel their eyes on my back, their whispers starting up the moment I'm out of earshot. 

Now, as I walk through the dimly lit hallway, hoping to find my way back to the ballroom and then, hopefully, a quick escape home but I hear soft footsteps behind me.

I pause, glancing over my shoulder, and there's a girl-a young woman, actually, with mid-back wavy length dirty blonde hair, following me. I narrow my eyes.

"Why are you following me?" I ask with an icy tone.
Her hands twist nervously at her sides.

"Lady Andrelise, I-I-I didn't mean to f-follow you, I, uh, I mean I d-did but I just, I mea-" she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper.