Who is the Villain?

Chapter -29

"My lady."

3 days have passed and Lucien hasn't left her room unless it was for a beauty treatment. She was laid now in a bathtub filled with flower petals and the water look like it was poured milk however, it wasn't.

Lily and Clio sat on both sides, gently messaging her arms with a remedy. Maria was behind gently applying oil to her scalp.

Rosetta appeared with a silver trolley and interrupts Lucien who has both eyes closed.

"Rumors have been spreading around the scarlet palace among the maids and butlers." She kneels before the bathtub, carefully removing the silver lit.

"Does it concern about me?" Lucien questioned, eyes still closed.

"Apparently, yes." Rosetta didn't hesitate to hide. Portable heavy pearl bowls were placed inside. She took one bowl after the other and pours straight into the milky water.

"I see," Lucien wasn't bothered about it however, she continues to question. "Is it related to that incident in the garden?"

"Ostensively, yes,"

*gasp*

Clio and Lily gasped. They were aware of the rumors but never uttered them toward Lucien for they were worried about her.

"That Lady Dorothy is extraordinarily a player," Lily uttered with an annoying look.

"Lily, mind your manners," Maria spoke in a warning tone.

Lily could only do was grit under her teeth muttering, "it's true though. I saw her chattering to all the male knights around the palace. She is no different than her maid, Yana."

'Ah, she as well.'

Lucien's eyebrow twitched at the name.

"I did notice similarly but all I could think of her was simply greeting them. I believe that's particularly normal?" Clio responded in a little confused manner as she paused her hand for a moment.

"That's–"

"Of course, anyone would see it as a normal greeting." Lily cuts Maria who was just about to answer back. "However, you never know what lies within those bewitching smiles. Once, you fell into their trap, you'll never be able to get out. Women are fearsome particularly, those who know how to twist their character and manipulate others." Every one of them has to stop whatever they were doing and glances at Lily as though she was entirely a different person.

Maria couldn't as well respond to Lily. It wasn't just a fact that whatever Lily spoke was out of a book. Everyone unconsciously agreed even if they didn't respond.

"Lily."

Maria called laying her hand on top of her shoulder.

"I-I...a-apologize," Lily instantly bowed realizing what she has just spoken about. "I-I spoke unknowingly."

"Lily, can you fetch me that honeydew oil from the cabinet?" Rosetta interrupts who doesn't seem bothered about it. Lily hurriedly left to the other room.

"Did something happen to her?"

Lucien asked who was silent the entire time listening to their conversation.

"You don't need to be concerned about it, my lady," Maria responded, pouring more oil on her hair. "She is getting better now." The gentle massage on her head was the most amazing thing Lucien could ever ask for. It only made her relax and feels her anxiety disappearing. This was something she always look out for.

Soon enough, Rosetta told her later that Lily faced a harsh environment while she was growing up. When she lost her parent, her brother took care of everything and it was doing great. However, her brother fell in love and ended up tied to that lady who would constantly threaten for money. In the end, they sold their property to pay the depth. Lily gave up her education to work and look after his brother who was in rehabilitation.

"Her brother is a merchant?"

Lucien questioned as she sat beside a mirror with a soft robe covering her body. Maria was at the cabinet bringing out a gown for her to wear.

"Yes, a very well-known merchant," Rosetta responded who was carefully drying her hair with a fluffy towel.

Lucien thought for a moment when she suddenly turn silent. 'A merchant?' Her eyes widen with a bright smile. "Rosetta, I have work for you." Her gaze fixed on Rosetta through the mirror.

"Anything, my lady."

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Her walk to the library wasn't as pleasant as Lucien thought. All she could feel were stares and stares and those mumbling across the maids and including the butlers.

'This is more annoying than I thought.'

"My lady," Rosetta who was as well following her behind called. "Should we–"

"Don't fret," however, Lucien didn't bother about it. "Nothing is going to happen, even if we chose them to stop or to threaten them. They have no fear." Rosetta spoke no words. She silently followed as much as it annoys the sight of people sending a judgemental look toward Lucien.

Unexpectedly, Lucien met Dorothy at the entrance of the Library which turn out to be a great coincidence. She just wanted to rolled her eyes away. Turning back would mean, she was wrong. Walking forward would mean stepping into her trap again.

"Good morning, Lady Lucien," Dorothy as always, greets in her most adorable elegant manner with a bow. A respect towards the higher noble.

"Good morning, Lady Dorothy." Lucien as well greets her back with a little bow. Now that she thinks about it, compared to other days.

Several maids and butlers were additionally around, either in the hallway or in the garden.

'Is it a lets-all-work-together-day?'

"Lady Lucien, please, forgive this insolent lady who had caused a problem for you that day." Dorothy suddenly kneels with both hands on the floor. "I am ashamed of my behavior for not understanding your manner."

Lucien was taken aback when Dorothy unexpectedly yells a little loudly. Her head faced down as her mauve-pink hair covers her cheeks.

'Oiii!!! Oiiii!!'

"It was I who should be asking forgiveness and not you. I only wanted to befriend you. So, I only did was asked for a cup of tea." Dorothy's body was trembling, her cheeks drench in tears when she raised her head.

'THAT TEA AGAIN!! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH TEA?'

"Please have sympathy for my family." Dorothy was continuing with her plea whereas, Lucien was stunned by her sudden confession.

'Why is she bringing up with her family?'

"My lady,"

Yana suddenly appeared, rushing towards her master, tugging hold of her. "Please, stand up. It's not your fault. You don't have to feel guilty about it."

Murmur began to form in the hallway, everyone has stop whatever they were doing.

"Lady Lucien, we are aware that your status is higher than any of us. However, how could you use to trample others lower than any of you." Yana suddenly yell more grabbing the attention of those who were in the garden.

'What the hell is going on? Is she so furious because I merely rejected for a cup of tea?'

. . .

"Here, I believed that lady Valentius has forgiven her but, is she trying to use her status to a***e someone?"

"She is far more worst than I expected."

"She is only pretty but a devil on the inside."

"Why is she even here? And how was she even excepted to be the consort?"

"The higher class is always the same."

. . .

'Ahh~ I think I understand what is going on here.' Lucien's mind echoed, listening to all those loud whispers among the maids. She understood the setting, the mood, and the environment. Did she forget to tell herself that she notice Ajex in the garden? 'I just fell into her trap.' She sighs internally.

With the commotion going on, the library door opens. Ivan stood at the door, confused about what was happening. Dorothy was on the ground crying while Lucien stood motionless.

'Since you ask me to act, I'll gladly follow.' Lucien gazes down at Dorothy who looks like she was in her pathetic state.