Who is the Villain?

Chapter-38

"Sir Ivan, this is such a lovely terrace garden," Renee compliments admiring the view around. Even though there was no roof, the tree was enough to provide them shade. "Nonetheless, I wasn't told about this place when I inquired about all the available gardens."

"Well," Ivan stirs his tea with the sugar cube he just added. "Maybe, the reason could be that I am the one who is looking after this place as it belongs to me." He nervously smiles hoping it didn't turn out to be awkward.

The three of them were perplexed by the sudden confession. It was a personal property that Ivan is the only person who can access to it and Lucien finally made it clear in her mind. 'Yaps!! I definitely need to write it down.' She sips more of her tea in silence.  'I just destroyed a side character's secret date spot. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart, Ivan.'

"Lady Renee," Ivan shifts the topic towards Renee. "How is your progress going on? If I'm not mistaken, are you really looking for that cure?" He curiously questions much to his interest.

"I am." Renee smiles kindly, thinking about how her progress was going on.

"By your mood, it appears like it's moving pretty well," Ivan commented, surprised by how Renee was delighted about her work. It was taking off smoothly and it might not be long before, she'll be able to find the cure. 'Amazing,' his mind echoed.

It wasn't easy to find the treatment as none had ever succeeded to uncovered the perfect antidote. However, it might not be long before the cure could be created by no other than Renee.

"Out of inquisitive, may I know what kind of plants and flowers are you utilizing?" Anyone would be curious when they witness one person about to find a cure.

Renee didn't hesitate or waver in her response, "unfortunately, I do not wish to reveal it, not now or not yet." She smiles as she gracefully sips her tea.

Alina chuckled under her palm. "You should forget about it, Sir Ivan. I've known her since young and she doesn't easily disclose her secrets. Once a secret, it's eternally a secret to her grave."

Ivan sighs but smiles along with them. They were getting closer sharing each other stories or something else however, as for Lucien, she didn't bother to interrupt them rather, she was enjoying being all alone calmly sipping her tea.  She never wanted to do anything with any of the lead characters nor blend into their life.

"Lady Lucien," Ivan suddenly call turning towards her. "You seem to be more enthusiastic about books. What kind of book do you keep on reading?" An unexpected question popped into his mind.

'I don't prefer reading books.' Was what Lucien wanted to speak about. However, she couldn't. 'I am only reading to save my life.'

"I read anything that gets my attention," she answered without any further explanation.

Just as when Ivan was about to ask more, Rosetta appeared and whispered behind Lucien's ear. Her eyes widen with a piece of unexpected news.

"Is that even permitted?"

Lucien raised her head who was more confused.

"No."

Rosetta answered with one of those poker faces.

"...."

Lucien tilted her back a little, sending a more confused look.

With that Rosetta continued, "it might be a matter related to the emperor. Not everyone merely appears to greet him out of the blue."

"...."

The rest were in paused when they heard the name of the emperor and blankly stares at Lucien.

Lucien stood up and excuses herself with a bow, "please pardon me, I've to take my leave for now. I had a wonderful evening."

"You are leaving early?"

Renee questioned with a saddened expression. "We didn't even have proper chat."

"And here I assumed, we would be able to spend the entire evening," Alina as well spoke with a relatively depressing tone. Her cheeks rested on her left palm while her elbow was on top of the table.

Lucien simply smiles apologetically. "I'm sure there are more days to come for us to look forward to it and besides, Sir Ivan is here with both of you. He'll be better entertaining than me. Have a delightful evening." And finally left.

Lucien walks her way to her chamber where a guest was waiting for her arrival. With a gulp, she walks in with a nervous step.

"Ah~ Lucy, it's been such a while."

The person who showed up was her brother, Evelyn.  He walks forward and hugs her. "~I miss you~"

All the maids were excused leaving them alone. Lucien was too awkward to return that tight hug. However, her brother let it go. "~you've grown so much~"

This was entirely an unexpected character Lucien had thought about it. All she could do was blankly stand still while his brother keeps on talking.

"~ I am not entitled to be here to meet you however, I was equipped to create a minor excuse.~" He was taller than her even though she was in her high heels. His little curled orange hair made him look matured and, at the same time, young.  A phrase she could define him was cute and handsome. He reminded her of a little hamster, her friend used to have as a pet.

"~though I'm not sure why you were suddenly writing a letter to me, I'm delighted to learn that you haven't forgotten us. I'll make sure to send your reply in due time.~"

"U-umm!! T-thank you," Lucien stammered a little, both of her ears turned red. She couldn't even look up at him anymore. A part of her felt awkward about meeting her brother after such a long time and a part of her felt embarrassed for, he was intimating as an antagonist brother. She was nothing more than a person from another world.

"Alright then, I'll take my leave."  He smiled again and made his walk out of the room until he paused a second. He turns around and asked, "if there is anyone you want me to look for it let me know. I'm good at surveying around. And," he smiles showing his pearly teeth. "Don't give up without a fight. If it's too much to handle, you can always use your feet like you always had." And walks out the door. He snapped his finger and he was no more.

Lucien's body felt chills when Evelyn spoke those last sentences. Even his pleasant smiles felt so soothing and at the same time menacing as though a wolf was speaking in sheep's clothing.

"My lady," Rosetta appeared through the door. "When did you arrive? I thought you were still with them for the evening tea." She questioned in a confused tone.

"W-what? I...I was....and you– *sigh* never mind." She just realized that her brother was able to wield power to erased people's memory at a certain period. Her brother didn't want to be caught meeting his sister which was strictly prohibited and he was as well aware that somebody was either listening or spying on them. However, his magic had solved everything.

"What an amazing bother I have."

She mumbles under her breath only for her to hear. She turned around making her way to her bedroom.

"Rosette, deliver this letter right away." She quickly jotted down a short letter and handed it over to Rosetta.

"The receiver will be at the gate who has just arrived and is about to leave."

Rosetta was about to question how it was possible for her to know, however, closed her lips back with an obedient response, "right away, my lady." And she left before Lucien told her to hand it to the person who stood by the carriage waiting for his master to return.