Who is the Villain?

Chapter-27

Two months has passed and everything was relatively peaceful, maybe too quiet that could shake up one's fear.

Lucien only did was followed the same old daily routine of maintaining her healthy skin. She wasn't sure if staying leisurely would make her gain extra weight however, it didn't. If only Lucien believed everything was okay.

'Something doesn't feel right.'

She couldn't shake off an ominous feeling. 'Why is nothing going on when everyone around me gives me a cold shoulder?'

The ladies among the consort have formed alliances to back each other in need and as well try to bring down their opponents. 'I hope they are not targeting me. I hope.' No matter how much she try to ease her mind, the little voice echoing in the back of her mind wouldn't enclose.

"My lady?"

"Uh! Yes?"

Rosetta had been calling her master many times, however, Lucien's mind was distracted somewhere else.

"I was asking if you would like to have dessert after food?"

"Ah, I apologize, yes please," Lucien puts down her silver fork and knife on the empty plate. Ever since she arrived here, she only had her dinner alone. Though there was an invitation for her to join the dining hall along with the other consort and the emperor, she declined after that last incident.

She was still perplexed as to why the emperor would invite all of the consorts to dine together. As far as she remembers, it was strictly prohibited that the consorts were not allowed to meet the emperor unless he wants an audience. 'Somebody is definitely changing the plot.'

Lucien wipes her lip with the napkin and sips down a glass of water. This morning, she has as well declined lunch together with the rest as an excuse that, she wasn't done with her daily routine yet.

Staying away from those people including the emperor was certainly the best idea she could come out with as of now. Though, in the future, she fears that she wouldn't be able to find any more excuses.

"My lady,"

Rosetta appears, she had removed the empty plate and had now replaced it with a little glass filled with fruits and cream. "You cannot proceed to prevent the meal or lunch with the consorts, mostly with His Majesty." She reminded. As a personal maid of Lucien, it was her duty to guide her.

"I am well aware Rosetta," Lucien responded picking up a tiny silver spoon from the table.

"And do not worry, I'll make sure to accept it in near future." And scoops out the cream on the top. The tiny berry sprinkled on the cream fell off the spoon and landed on the soft pudding.

Rosetta only stares at her but sighed, she couldn't force her if she didn't want to dine together with them though, she felt it was an incredible opportunity for her to earn the emperor's interest.

"My lady,"

Rosetta called again after inhaling a little bit of air. The other maid has left to prepare her herbal remedies.

"Hmmm."

Lucien responded in a very unladylike manner with the cream stuff inside her mouth.

"I apologize for my past behavior," she gently bowed, both hands held together.

Lucien sends a confusing stare with one eyebrow raised until Rosetta continues. "I have a reason why I cannot handily disclose my identity to anyone. Even though it may be my personal life or it may be my household members."

Lucien puts down her spoon on the table, "as I have stated before, if it's extremely sensitive for you to converse with, I'm okay. I'm not going to use any force method. You can calm down." It seems Rosetta was still unable to forget when she decline to answer some questions Lucien had asked.

"However, my lady,"

Rosetta continues in an unwillingness. "I wish to answer your query."

The room was quiet as Lucien waits for Rosetta to continue who threw an intense desperate look. "For what reason do you need to push yourself?"

Rosetta exhaled and responded without any hesitation, "My allowance has been deducted and I couldn't tolerate watching the other maids receiving their allowance."

'This maid.'

"Rosetta, they did their job perfectly and answered my question. So, it's evident that they receive for their chore and besides, you are even getting paid as working here."

As much as she was pissed, Lucien held back her little outrage.

"I refused."

'Uggghh!!! Why did I even choose her to be my maid?'

"Rosetta–"

"I'll continue to respond to your question. So my lady, please continue to compensate me well."

'YOU ARE ONLY WORRIED ABOUT YOUR MONEY?'

Lucien sighs. 'She gives me more headaches than the others.' Since Rosetta was more determined to amend her mistakes, she ultimately let go and agreed.

After lunch, Lucien sat by her balcony. She still has an hour left before they start their work. Maria has bought her a warm cup of cherrium tea to soothe her body. As soon as Marie left, Lucien questioned.

"Where is your brother now?" Her gaze was on the book she was holding.

"I am unaware of where he is currently." Rosetta didn't hesitate and uttered in a low voice.

"Is this the reason why you are here as a maid?" Lucien sips her tea and carefully puts it down on the table which had a peach flower on a vase. She received it as a gift from Alina and she was grateful for that.

"Yes."

Before she could continue asking, the time has already passed and it was time for her clay masking, which was in the other mansion.

She wasn't alone in the chamber, some of the ladies were present while some were receiving different procedures as some turned out to be allergic while some were taking much longer to finish their other treatments.

Alina and Rosetta weren't present nor Dorothy and Cresella. Lucien sighs in relief, she could breathe freely and calmly enjoy her time with a nap.

However, her nap was interrupted by someone she wasn't aware of. As soon as Lucien lay down on the chair wrapped around with a silk robe, a shadow appeared blocking the light hitting on her face.

"Mmm!! Hello?"

Lucien was hoping for a response, however, the lady who stood in front of her spoke no word but only smiles in return. It only left her awkward, so, she uttered first.

The lady stood with her pale hair tied up into a bun, a towel wrapped around her chest till her knee. Her hazelnut eyes gaze her down with excitement and expectations.

Lucien didn't know what to do when the other person wouldn't still speak and before Lucien could ask, the lady left skipping her feet to the other empty bench.

"My lady,"

Rosetta appeared with a trolley filled with fresh fruits and juice.

"Umm! Rosetta, do you know that lady over there?" It would be rude to point at somebody, consequently, she only gestures with her gaze.

"That's lady Wilma Penthieve, daughter of Viscount Dante Penthieve."

"Ohhh~"

"Do you wish to make an acquaintance with her?" Rosetta questioned when Lucien offers no other response.

"Do not bother." Lucien closes back her eyes. "I'm not in a mood to make friends nor did I come here to build companions."

"Understood, my lady," Rosetta questioned no more and began to arrange the bowl on a tiny wooden table placed beside her.

'Who was her again? The name rings my head but I can't remember who she is.'

Even though Lucien's eyes were closed, her eyelids twitches along with her eyebrows in irritation. 'Uggg! there are too many characters, I'm getting all mixed up here.'

.

.

"My lady, are you finally awake now?"

"W-what?"

Lucien sits up as she stretches her arms, yawning as wide as she could. "What time is it?" She asked in her yawning voice as she cracks her neck on both sides.

Rosetta sighs before she continues, "it's already dusk, my lady."

"W-what?" Lucien was wide awake now. Her clay mask was already removed when she was asleep. The sky has already turned reddish pink, before she closed her eyes it was still blue. 'Was I sleeping the entire evening?'

"Why wasn't I wake up?"

It didn't matter whether she slept late or woke up late. For she had zero to worry about her work nor was she a student and she wasn't in her world.

"My lady, it wasn't like we never attempted," Rosetta spoke in a rather tired tone. "It was you who abstained to make a single move even when we were gently washing your face."

"A-ah, I see, thank you," Lucien couldn't remember when was the last time she had a deep sleep. Her sleep keeps on getting extended day after day.

"And, my lady was uttering a name."

"Who?" Lucien didn't hesitate as she faced her with a little panic face.

"A rather strange name, Yeong-Su."

Lucien's body flinched at the name. For her, the name became taboo as though it was a bad omen.

"Is the name you mentioned an acquaintance of yours?" Rosetta curiously questioned, gaze brimming with 'who...who...who?'

However, Lucien wasn't someone who would easily give away anything. "You don't need to bother." She stood up from her seat, stretching her body again. "It's someone I have put behind my past."

Rosetta questioned no more and simply followed her behind. However, curiosity never left her when she witnessed how her master's eyes twitched in her sleep. It was either an excitement when her lips gently stretch into a thin line while a moment later it became somewhat a painful expression.

'Why was I even dreaming about him?'

Her mind was in chaos when she had a clear view of her dream. Who would have thought that she would dream of Yeong-Su going on a date together. She was happy but was in pain that he betrayed her, throwing her life into dust.

'Anyway, I need to note it down. I'm forgetting who is who.' Shaking off her not-so-unpleasant dream, she remembers that more characters have not yet made their appearance and some were her ally while some were a traitor.

"Good evening, Lady Lucien,"

Her mind was pulled back by a sudden greeting out of nowhere. How could she ever forget that sweet voice that could make her body shiver.

"Good evening, Lady Dorothy,"