Chapter 8
1295 Words
CHAPTER 8
Inside the Cromello’s Residence in the capital...
Two maids were carelessly chatting on their way to the laundry area. These maids are two of those who served Tatiana earlier.
“I can’t believe the Lady didn’t do anything to us earlier!” the maid with short hair, Fiona, exclaimed.
“Me too! I really thought it’s strange that the lady didn’t shout at us or worst—fire us! Plus, she even bathed and dress up by herself!” the other maid with curly hair, Rosana, agreed.
They were talking about how Tatiana treated them this morning before she went out to the Imperial Palace.
Unlike the employees in the Cromello’s Residence back in the South, the employees here in the capital were not yet aware that Lady Tatiana had changed. It is because this was the first time Tatiana visited the capital after Jane reincarnated a year ago. As such, the employees here still knew Tatiana as the spoiled-brat villain.
“But isn’t that a good thing? Do you think the lady has changed?” Fiona asked.
The two of them looked at each other as they ponder over the question, and they both concluded the same thing.
“I don’t think so. Maybe it was a one-time thing.” Rosana worded.
It was because, for their years of serving the Cromellos, Tatiana never changed. Despite all the disciplinary actions that her brother does to her, she just didn’t learn her lesson. It was to the point that even her brother gave up disciplining her.
Meanwhile, just right around the corner, a man was listening to their conversation. The man was no other than the young Lord of the House and Tatiana’s only older brother, Lord Aaron Matthew Thomas Cromello.
Aaron, as the Crown Prince’s right hand and the empire’s best knight, was also sent to war two years ago. He just came back with the Crown Prince yesterday, but because he had some important matters to attend to in the Imperial Palace, he only went home to the Cromello’s Residence today. As such, he and Tatiana are yet to meet.
He was just about to pass by when he heard Tatiana’s name being included in the maids’ conversation. It has been 2 years since he last saw his sister, so it piqued his interest. He wanted to know what Tatiana was doing, so he hid and continued to listen.
“Hey, but speaking of, don’t you think her outfit earlier was too plain than what she would usually wear?”
“Yeah! And to think she’s going to the Imperial Palace in such an outfit—I just don’t know what happened to our Miss.”
When Aaron heard this, his eyebrows contract and his fists tightened. He stepped forward, revealing himself to the maids.
The maids were shocked that they dropped the baskets they were holding, causing the white sheets to spread on the ground. Rosana and Fiona got hold of themselves after a few seconds and bowed their heads down.
“Did...did you just say Imperial Palace? Tatiana went to the Palace?” Aaron repeated as he tried to calm himself down.
The two maids exchange glances with each other while their heads were still bowed down. They were silently punishing themselves for talking about those things in public. Now, they are cornered.
If they will confess to Aaron, the Lady will surely punish them. But if they do not, the young Lord would punish them instead.
As the two maids refused to answer, Aaron let out an annoyed sigh. He was starting to lose his patience, and the maids are not helping.
“Do not make me repeat myself,” Aaron warned, emphasizing every word.
The maids closed their eyes tightly at Aaron’s cold and strict voice.
“Y-yes, young Lord.” Fiona had no choice but to confess.
Aaron clicked his tongue and walked away without turning back.
The maids, on the other hand, fell to the floor as they felt their energy being taken away from them.
Aaron was walking with long strides. He was pissed to think that Tatiana went to the Imperial Palace at this time in the morning, and without even asking for permission.
Aside from being the Crown Prince’s right hand, he is also the Crown Prince’s best friend. As such, Aaron knows what the Crown Prince is really like. He doesn’t like being disturbed when he’s working, especially during this time that the war just ended so there are a lot of important matters that they needed to attend to.
Not only that, Aaron is well aware that the Crown Prince disliked being engaged with Tatiana. It is also the reason why Aaron strongly disapproved of their engagement. He wanted Tatiana to marry a man she loved and loved her, and the Crown Prince is not the right man for her. However, he can’t do anything about it now since Tatiana was very persistent with their engagement.
“My Lady! Please slow down!”
Aaron stopped in his tracks when he heard a shout coming from the entrance of the main building, just beside the path he's currently walking. He turned around only to see Tatiana, who looked like she just came home, running up the stairs.
Aaron’s eyes narrowed as he changed his course towards them.
“Tatiana!” he shouted.
Tatiana heard this and stopped in her tracks. Aaron took this as a chance to get closer.
“Where the hell did you came from?!”
Tatiana, who was stunned at his sudden appearance, was just looking at him with awe.
She couldn’t believe that after one year, she is finally seeing him. Her favorite character, Aaron Matthew Thomas Cromello.
In the novel, Aaron portrayed the overprotective and loving brother of the villainess. He is also a great friend to both of the main leads. However, he had a bad ending. As Tatiana’s older brother, he took the blame and chose to sacrifice himself for the first crime that Tatiana was caught up in. As a result, he was decapitated and the main leads lose a good friend. The worst part comes after that, however, because Tatiana didn’t stop with her wickedness and the death of her brother drives her even crazier.
Jane remembered crying non-stop when Aaron’s character died. She also remembered how much she loathed Tatiana after that scene.
But ironically, here she is now, living as the character she hated.
“Are you not going to answer me?!” Aaron roared.
It was then that Tatiana came back to her senses. She cleared her throat before answering.
“Brother, long time no see. How have you been?” Tatiana greeted in the softest voice. This caught Aaron off guard.
Did Tatiana just ask how I have been? And in a sweet manner?
Looking at her, Aaron noticed Tatiana’s outfit. Just like what the maids said back there, she is indeed wearing a plain dress. But Aaron thought she looked much better and elegant in her new style. She seemed very different.
“Don’t change the topic, Tatiana.”
Tatiana sighed.
“Okay, fine. I went to the Imperial Palace to meet His Highness.”
Aaron crossed his arms at her response.
“Why?”
“It’s complicated, but I will tell you soon. Maybe later, during dinner.” Tatiana shrugged. “Anyways, I’m a bit busy right now, brother, so I’ll talk to you later. Oh, and welcome home, by the way.”
Tatiana smiled at him and went inside the building with haste.
Aaron was left outside, speechless.
Was that really Tatiana? Aaron can’t help but think after their unusual confrontation.
He then remembered the maid’s conversation from earlier. Did Tatiana really change?
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reyankleyr
- Writer
