I am not the Villainess

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Tatiana entered her room with haste, pushing aside the fact that she just met her favorite character on her way there.

She went to her desk and went through the papers she wrote before.

She was still annoyed that Noah stubbornly rejected her proposal, so now she is preparing for her next move. Tatiana already prepared a back-plan beforehand, if ever Noah will not join her.

First, she will build her power and influence. Although as a Cromello, she is already known and influential, what Tatiana wants is her own power and wealth. To do this, she planned to make use of the details in the novel.

Tatiana wrote everything that she remembered once again.

In the novel, it was mentioned that a guy named Alfred Rogers became known for his incredible inventions and business reputation. He showed up in the novel when the heroine was lost and Alfred's shop was the only building she could enter to ask for help. It was then that the heroine found his inventions, used them, and made them known to the whole empire.

Without wasting any time, Tatiana started writing a letter to Alfred Rogers. She thought that if she could meet and have an agreement with him, then he can be a great help to her plans.

After that, she wrote another letter. This time it was for Cali Williams, a character that only showed up once in the novel. Then, finally, Tatiana wrote another letter for the emperor.

It took Tatiana several hours to finish writing all of her letters and organizing her plans. By the time she was done, Anne knocked on her door to call her for dinner.

Tatiana stood up, stretched a bit, before walking out of her room and into the dining area.

The duchess and Lord Aaron were already on their seats when Tatiana arrived.

“Good evening, mother and brother.” Tatiana greeted before taking her seat in front of Aaron.

“Good evening, darling.” The duchess greeted back. Aaron, on the other hand, was only observing her.

Right. Aaron and the original Tatiana didn’t have a good relationship.

Aaron is mature and overprotective. He would always try to reprimand Tatiana, and unlike the duke and the duchess, he would never tolerate Tatiana’s attitude and behavior. As such, Tatiana would think Aaron is annoying for always getting in her way, so they just won't get along in the end.

However, it's only Aaron's way of showing his love to Tatiana. He may be reprimanding and annoying, but he just wanted the best for Tatiana. This was why Jane loved Aaron's character so much.

After a while, the maids started serving their dinner and the three of them started eating.

“Would you care to share to us now, why did you go to the Imperial Palace so early in the morning, Tatiana?” Aaron asked, breaking the peaceful silence.

Tatiana froze, and so did the duchess, who heard of her visit to the palace for the first time.

“What? You went to the Palace, Tatiana?” The duchess asked with a confused face.

Aaron scoffed at this.

“So, you didn’t tell mother too? Just what is wrong with you, Tati?” Aaron’s voice was starting to get louder when he felt annoyance once again.

Tatiana let out a deep breath, placed her utensils down, and looked at them before she answered.

“I’m sorry mother and brother, for not asking for permission,” she said with all sincerity. Aaron looked at her confused.

Did she just say sorry? Aaron thought.

As far as Aaron knows, ‘sorry’ is not in Tatiana’s dictionary. He never thought he’ll ever hear her say sorry, but now, she just did—and in a sincere way as well.

“Yes, I went to the Imperial Palace because I have to talk to His Highness as soon as possible. The reason for this is because...” Tatiana paused and sighed. “I want to break off our engagement.”

A moment of silence passed that if a needle fell to the ground, one could hear it. The bomb that Tatiana had just dropped had left the duchess and Aaron speechless.

They couldn’t believe their ears. Did Tatiana just say she’ll break off her engagement that she herself proposed in the first place?

“W-What? Tati, what do you mean by that?” The duchess asked.

“It is exactly what I said, mother. I want to break off my engagement with His Highness. That is why I went there to talk him through it.” Tatiana answered.

“Didn’t you love him?” This time, it was Aaron who asked. He even raised a brow at Tatiana.

“I did, but not anymore. I realized that I can’t waste my love for a man who doesn’t love me back. I want to find someone who will love me as much as I loved him.”

This is what Jane truthfully feels. Ever since she woke up as Tatiana a year ago, she realized that she wanted to live a life of content and happiness. And she believes that to be able to feel content and happy, she should make most of her life and not waste her time loving someone who would never love her back. In addition, if she has to marry someone, she wanted to at least feel loved by her husband.

Aaron and the duchess were shocked at Tatiana’s answer. They didn’t expect her to think that way. In their eyes, Tatiana seemed very different and mature.

“Oh, Tati.” The duchess sighed. “Just remember, I’m always here for you, okay? No matter what your decisions are, we will support you as long as you are happy.”

Tatiana smiled at the duchess and they continued their dinner after that.

Meanwhile, Aaron was confused at Tatiana’s actions.

He is glad to hear that Tatiana finally realized that she’s just forcing herself to the Crown Prince, but for some reason, he felt that Tatiana has other reasons.

He thought that maybe it is true that Tatiana had changed, but he also wondered why and how.

Before their dinner ended, Aaron made sure to note to himself that he must know what happened during the two years he was gone.

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