I am not the Villainess

Chapter 73

CHAPTER 73

“Are you sure, Lady Beatrice? I really don’t mind.” Tatiana insisted.

Tatiana intended to use this as an opportunity to get closer to her. But it would be tough if Lady Beatrice was this uncomfortable.

Hmm… wait… Lady Beatrice is buying a gift for someone? Could it be… is it for His Highness?

If Tatiana thinks about it, His Highness and Lady Beatrice have already talked to each other privately. Perhaps Lady Beatrice buying His Highness a gift has something to do with what they discussed that day.

Is that why she couldn’t tell me? Because she's worried I'll become enraged if I find out she's buying His Highness a present? Hmm…

If that was really the case, then Lady Beatrice was worrying for nothing.

Tatiana only wanted to save herself and her family from a horrible ending. However, that doesn’t entirely mean she doesn’t want His Highness and Lady Beatrice to be together.

It will be for the best if they do still end up together. That is why Tatiana is rooting for the two of them more than anyone else.

Right! I can’t change what the original Tatiana had done before, but I should show Lady Beatrice that I don’t mind her getting close with His Highness. Tatiana thought to herself with determination.

“Lady Beatrice…are you perhaps...buying a gift for His Highness?” She asked carefully.

Beatrice, Mia, and Sir Charles were all taken aback by her question and looked at her with wide eyes.

Everyone knows how obsessed Tatiana was with His Highness. They know that if a girl simply tried to speak with His Highness, Tatiana would make her life a living hell.

But for Tatiana to suddenly ask that question—with an innocent face at that—was definitely odd.

So now, Mia, Sir Charles, and Lady Beatrice felt extremely uneasy. They were confounded by how Tatiana was suddenly acting, but most importantly, they were anxious that she would suddenly become angry and make a scene.

Meanwhile, Tatiana noticed their expressions, so she immediately added an explanation.

“Ah, don’t get me wrong, Lady Beatrice. I heard you were meeting His Highness recently, so I figured you have gotten close.” She said and smiled.

However, it was already too late when Tatiana realized how wrong that sounded.

Tatiana inwardly slapped herself.

Great job, Tatiana. You just made things worst. They're probably misinterpreting me much more than they already are!

“I… uh…”

Lady Beatrice couldn’t utter any more words due to shock. Even Mia and Sir Charles were feeling uncomfortable with how the conversation was going.

Just as Tatiana had suspected, they had indeed misunderstood her words.

Now, the three of them were certain that Tatiana was seething beneath her friendly smiles. Because if she wasn't, why else would she mention Lady Beatrice's private audience with His Highness?

Lady Tatiana was undoubtedly angry. The three of them thought.

Of course, that wasn’t true since Tatiana only meant she didn’t mind Lady Beatrice and His Highness being together.

How should I fix this? Tatiana mulled over.

She forced a laugh as she tried to relieve the tension.

“Lady Beatrice, please don’t misunderstand. I’m really not angry.” Tatiana said and smiled to assure her. When Lady Beatrice still didn’t say anything, she added, “Well then, I won’t bother you anymore. We’ll go now. Nice meeting you again, Lady Beatrice.”

Tatiana smiled at her once more before turning and walking away. Mia and Sir Charles followed after her, while Lady Beatrice was left dumbfounded.

When they were already at a far distance from Lady Beatrice, Tatiana let out a deep sigh.

So much for wanting to be Lady Beatrice’s friend… she muttered.

Tatiana turned her gaze to Mia and Sir Charles, who were still perplexed.

“Uhm…shall we go to another store?” She asked and grinned innocently as though nothing unusual happened with her conversation with Lady Beatrice.

Mia and Sir Charles nodded slowly, still trying to decipher their lady's thoughts.

“As you wish, my lady…” Sir Charles replied carefully.

Tatiana smiled at them and led the way out of the clothing store. The owner ran after them, but he didn’t stop them anymore and only stared at them with a disappointed expression.

Though it was already an honor to have Tatiana visit his store, he was looking forward to bragging about Lady Tatiana buying something, and had even considered making the item she bought as the month's highlight item. However, since Tatiana left quickly without buying, he was disheartened.

Anyhow, Tatiana, Mia, and Sir Charles were walking through the streets as they check out other stores. They were gaining attention, but Tatiana didn’t mind them and focused on shopping.

Since Lady Beatrice was already buying His Highness cufflinks, Tatiana decided to look for another gift to buy. Of course, she still doesn’t have any idea what, but she figured she’ll find something if they shop in other stores.

After a while of walking, Tatiana finally stopped in front of a tacky building.

Mia and Sir Charles examined the building in front of them and were surprised to discover that it was not a clothing store, but rather a...workshop.

“Let’s look in here,” Tatiana said to them.

She walked into the workshop first, followed by Mia and Sir Charles who were still perplexed.

Along the sides, there were various work tables where craftsmen did their work. The finished products are on display in the center, and a small sitting area is located in the back.

The shop was surprisingly pristine on the inside, despite how it appeared from the outside. Even yet, it was still plain in comparison to other stores.

The people inside the workshop were stunned when the door unexpectedly opened, revealing Tatiana with her personal maid and knight.

They immediately recognized Tatiana, but because they had never met a noble before, they panicked and became in shambles.

Tatiana smiled at how they acted, but of course, she didn’t make it obvious.

After the staff had calmed down, a man in his 40s approached Tatiana. He was wearing a simple shirt, baggy pants, and boots.

“M-my Lady, it is a tremendous honor for us to have you visit our shop in person. W-what can we do for you, my lady?” The man asked, nervously.

Tatiana assumed he was the shop's owner.

She gave him a friendly grin. Unlike the owner of the clothing store they went to, this man was more unhypocritical.

“Please be at ease, Mr…?”

“Ah, please call me Bryson, my lady.”

“Ah yes, Mr. Bryson. Please don’t mind me, I didn’t mean to disrupt your work like this.” She jested as she looked around the shop.

Mr. Bryson also looked around and immediately understood what she meant. His staff remained standing, all of them have come to a halt due to Tatiana's unexpected appearance. Some were visibly quivering and terrified, while others simply stood frozen.

Tatiana found it amusing how they regard her as if she were a goddess to be feared. Though her background does make her seem like someone they should be afraid of, it was quite flattering.

“Our apologies, my lady.” Mr. Bryson said and quickly scolded his staff.

Everyone went back to work after that, but Tatiana could tell they were still uncomfortable.

“No worries, Mr. Bryson. Ah, it seems you guys were pretty busy. I was wondering if I could place an order, is that alright?” Tatiana said. Everyone who heard her, including Mia and Sir Charles, was practically seduced by her sweet and friendly tone.

Mr. Bryson even has to secretly pinch his arms just to keep himself together.

“Y-yes, my lady. I-It's a pleasure to be of service to you..” He stuttered.

“Thank you, Mr. Bryson. But… I’m in a bit of a rush and I would need it by tomorrow morning, can you still do it?”

“Yes, of course!” Mr. Bryson exclaimed in excitement, but he quickly cleared his throat when he realized how loudly he spoke. “I-I mean, of course, we can, my lady. Please don’t worry about it…” Mr. Bryson repeated in a more calm tone.

Tatiana chuckled at his clumsiness.

“Then, I’ll put my trust in you, Mr. Bryson,” Tatiana said.

“Thank you, my lady. We won’t let you down.”

Tatiana gave him a kind smile. She requested a pen and paper and sketched the item she wanted them to make. She also discussed what materials they should use before giving them a budget to work with, which included their labor cost.

After that, Tatiana prepared herself to leave.

“I’ll look forward to the finished product,” she said.

“Please do so, my lady. We’ll send it to the Cromello’s Residence first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bryson.”

“The pleasure is ours, my lady.” Mr. Bryson said and bowed his head.

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