Who is the Villain?

Chapter-36

The head butler guides her out which was a little further away, however, Lucien didn't mind walking her way even though Castor recommended a carriage ride. The walk was long, it almost took about 30 minutes and she was tired and sweating the moment they arrived at the particular spot.

"We are here, Lady Lucien."

The butler gestured with his hand towards the majestic palaces. Every part of it was covered with roses from the roof to the wall and it almost felt like a fairy tale. The garden was as well filled with flowers, not to forget there were even some trees either blooming or bearing fruits.

The beauty of the palace froze Lucien unable to take a step further. Every part of her body felt a chill running down from her spine to the tip of her toes.

This palace was f*******n for a reason and no one knew why including the butler however, Lucien knew why. For this was the palace which the emperor gifted to his Empress, Renee. This palace was where Lucien stabbed Renee to death along with her unborn child and this was the palace where the emperor burnt the villainess alive along with the palace.

Both of her hands clenched tightly against her gown as she gulped her saliva hard, feeling her throat getting dry. A voice screamed behind her back telling her to get away from this place. She had only read the novel, however, the feeling of standing beside her own grave gave her chills. 

"Lady Lucien, please follow me," the butler interrupted her thoughts making her turn towards him.

"Y-yes." Lucien followed him. The good thing was that they didn't enter the palace.

"Lady Lucien, heed to my warning," Castor spoke in a stern voice who was walking in the front. "Never accidentally set your foot in that palace if you understand your life is more valuable than anything." 

Lucien didn't need to question why. She was already aware of it. This palace was too precious for someone who has once lost his loved ones.

"I understand," Lucien responded in understanding nor she ever wants to. Just the view of the palace was enough to give her goosebumps.

After a few minutes of walk, they finally reached a little not too big house which was kind of lovely in the eyes of Lucien.

"Just give me a second, I'll bring the key to this house." Castor left with a bow.

Lucien looks around, especially admiring the house which looks like a cottage; with green plants all across the walls, slowly making their way to the roof, tiny flowers sprouting all over including those bushes around the little garden. It might be the smallest house she had come across in this empire. A house that was bigger than her home in her modern world.  She internally sighs and wonders how was her family doing. She missed home. It was almost about to be half a year.

.

.

"Who are you?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by a cold voice. Her entire body was frozen to the ground. Lucien didn't need to turn around and looked who it was. His presence was enough to tell who it was.

With a calm expression, she turns around and meets a cold gaze. As much as her hands tremble, she held tight against her gown and bowed. "Bless and prosperity to–"

"Who dare allowed you to be here?"

Efthalia didn't bother to listen to her greet. His voice was sharp and cold with a gaze full of hatred and disdain.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty, however, I–"

"I've f*******n anyone to come here. What makes you think you could come here, again?" Efthalia interrupted again with a more malicious tone.

"W-what?"

"Did you believe you could change the past and make everything right from the beginning?"

"Pardon Your Majesty but I do not understand."

'What is he suddenly talking about? Wait...did he find out that I've the memory of my past life (villainess life)?' Her feet went cold for a moment at the thought of the ML ever finding out that the villainess has a memory about her last life. She would definitely be killed, like right now.

"Are you trying to deceive me that your memory hasn't returned?" He took a step forward making Lucien take a step back.

"Your Majesty, I–"

By any means, Lucien had to make sure that this was just the villainess with no memory of her past life.

"Are you still not satisfied with what you had accomplished and still claim that it will be alright?"

Before Lucien could utter, her arms were harshly grabbed pulling towards him.

At this moment, Lucien was able to lock her gaze straight to his for the first time. No matter how hard she ignores it, she couldn't help but see the resemblance between him and Yeong-Su. Those thin long eyelashes, deep golden lense, smooth flawless skin, and those thin pink lips. He was too close to her. She could even feel those warm breaths across her face.

In that hateful gaze, Lucien sees something that there was nothing but hallow. It was empty as though there was no soul.

"Your Majesty, pardon me, however, I think you are unwell."

Efthalia releases his stronghold but, refused to move his hostile gaze. "I may not understand what is happening nonetheless, you look exhausted."  'The more you look at me, the more you remind me of someone and it's more than enough to hate you.'

Efthalia spoke nothing in return and stared at the calm look of Lucien who haven't flinched a bit.

"Your Majesty." Castor finally appears and bows gaining Efthalia's attention. "Pardon for intruding on this place however, I asked Lady Lucien to see the other old library. We never meant to disturb that palace."

"Is that so," Efthalia responded after a second of silence. "I suppose I misunderstood something."  And he left to where he came from.

'Wait... that's it? You are not going to apologize?'

After suddenly intimidating Lucien as though he was about to kill her, he left with a misunderstanding thinking that Lucien has regained her old memory. She wanted to shout and tell him to his face saying, 'I AM NOT HER.'

Even then her body slightly trembles at the unexpected occurrence. Castor carefully guides her and unlocks the door. It was still neat and tidy. Despite the worn exterior, the interior of the cottage is kept highly organized and intact. It didn't look like it was abandoned.  Castor left after showing her around and where things were if she need something.

From every corner, it was filled with books in several sizes and colors. In one particular room, there was an open window, with comfortable seats to read.

As Lucien scanned around, she finally found a hard-cover book without dust.  All her excitement came crashing down when she found that there wasn't even a single name she recognized nor does the map was anything familiar.