I am not the Villainess

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25 

Faced down with her toes and forearms on the ground, sweat was dripping from Tatiana’s forehead. She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth as she endures the pain from holding her position. 

Planking used to be easy for her, but with this body, even a minute was difficult. 

“Okay, that’s enough.” With Aaron’s approval, Tatiana released her hold and laid on her stomach. “You broke your record again today. 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Well, done, Tati.”  

Tatiana just raised her hand and turned to lay on her back as she tries to catch her breath. After a while, she pushed herself up and dusted off her clothes. 

“Will that be it for today?” she asked. 

“Yes. Today, you have improved as well.” Tatiana nodded at his response. “Tomorrow we will do another set for stamina training.” 

Tatiana inwardly groaned at that. For a week, they only did stamina training and she was starting to get sick of it.  

“Hmm...brother, what do you think about teaching me swordsmanship?” Tatiana carefully asked. She wasn’t expecting a good reaction, but she wanted to try nonetheless.  

If she wanted to improve her skills, then doing just stamina training will not be enough. She has to at least hold a sword. 

With Tatiana’s sudden request, Aaron was once again stunned. The fact that Tatiana haven’t given up yet was already something unbelievable, and now Tatiana wanted to train swordsmanship?  

Just what is she thinking?! 

“What?! Are you out of your mind, Tati?” Aaron exclaimed. “I know your stamina has been improving—No, it actually became a lot better than I expected. However, that doesn’t mean you are strong and capable enough to handle a sword! A sword is more than just strength, don’t think little of it, understood?!”  

“I know that, brother. I’m not taking it lightly, that is why I’m asking you to train me.” Tatiana rebutted.  

Well since she had already opened it up, might as well convince him till the end. 

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes tightly. He was trying to calm himself down. Tatiana was showing stubbornness again like how she was when she first said she’ll start training. Aaron knew that he can’t win against Tatiana’s stubbornness, he is that weak when it comes to her. However, this time, her request has gone too far and it is something he can’t allow. 

“Just...why are you doing this, Tati? I understand why you wanted to start training, but...swordsmanship? Do you know how dangerous that is?”  

Tatiana sighed before answering. 

“I know. Swordsmanship is dangerous, but it is also a good skill to learn. If there is time that I will be in the danger and it happens that I’m alone, with no knights, isn’t it better that I can, at least, protect myself?”  

“That wouldn’t happen. Knights will not leave you alone!” Aaron firmly answered.

“But we don’t know that...At the end of the day, we don’t know what will happen in the future.” 

Aaron sighed in distress. If he thinks about it, Tatiana made some sense. She is right. Danger can happen in the future, and although he knows for sure that he won't leave Tatiana behind, there might be cases that they will get separated. If that happens, Tatiana should know self-defense. 

But he is still unsure about this. Swordsmanship is a difficult and dangerous skill to learn. She might hurt herself and leave a scar on her precious body.  

Tatiana grew up pampered. She lived a life being treasured by everyone. And training with swords might be too extreme for her. 

Having said that, it is strange that Tatiana suddenly wanted to train her stamina. And it is even stranger that she is interested in swordsmanship. 

“Tatiana, you are being weird lately.” Tatiana froze at Aaron’s words. “When you first came and said that you will train, I thought you just wanted to become healthy and fit just like what you said. But now, you suddenly want to train swordsmanship? It doesn't make sense! You’re the highest-ranking lady in high society. You are known as the elegant lady. And for years, you never engaged in activities that would strain you even for a slightest.”  

Aaron sighed before he continued, 

“Is it really just because you wanted to stay fit and healthy? Is there really nothing else?” 

Tatiana gulped and stared at him with wide eyes. He’s starting to get suspicious and Tatiana can’t help but be nervous.  

What will she do if they found out that a different soul resides in their beloved Tatiana’s body? What would they do if they did find out? Will they accuse her? Kill her? 

Just thinking about it sent chills down to her spine. They may not trust her and may blame her for the real Tatiana’s death. They won't believe her even if she says that she is just another victim of this reincarnation and soul-changing. 

After a moment, Tatiana calmed herself down and pushed those thoughts away.  

No, they won’t find out. I won’t allow it to happen. 

“It is really just because of that, brother. I mean, what else could it be aside from that, right?” Tatiana forces a laugh to ease the tension. “And for the swordsmanship, it’s because, for the past days, I’ve been seeing the knights fight with their swords. I was merely amazed at first. But then, I found myself becoming interested in it that I wanted to do it.” 

Aaron wasn’t able to reply, so Tatiana continued. 

“Also, I’m still the elegant lady of the high society. That won’t change. It’s just that, I realized that there is more to life than tea parties and dresses. And I wanted to explore those other things.” 

After that, the training room was filled with silence.  

Aaron pondered about it and in the end sighed, giving up. 

As expected, he just can't resist Tatiana’s stubbornness. Besides, everything she says makes sense and it touches his heart that his sister has finally started thinking differently. 

“Fine. I will teach you, but in one condition.” Tatiana smiled widely at his response.  

“Yes? What is it?” 

“Father will be arriving tomorrow, so ask permission from him. If he doesn’t agree, then we will not talk about this anymore.”  

Tatiana was already nodding, feeling confident that the condition was easy when she realized Aaron’s words. 

“Father? He’s arriving tomorrow?" She asked in disbelief. "I never heard he’s already on his way here.”  

Although the duke was meant to come to the capital, Tatiana wasn’t expecting it to be this soon. She thought he would come a week before her coming-of-age. Besides, that is also what the duke said.  

Could it be...is something going on? 

“Did I not tell you? His Majesty, the emperor, asked for his presence immediately.” 

Now, Tatiana was sure that something is indeed going on.  

What could it be? 

If she remembered correctly, there’s no other event that would happen after the royal ball. In the novel, after the ball, a lot of scenes were given to Beatrice and Noah’s romance development. They started seeing each other a lot through the streets of the capital, and that’s how their love grew to be.  

Then, after a month or so, a hunting competition will be held. This is the event where the evil Tatiana will start bullying the heroine, Beatrice. It is also a key scene that is designed to strengthen Noah and Beatrice’s relationship. 

That is why, until the hunting competition will be announced, Tatiana was taking her time building strength and completing her preparations. 

However, if something is indeed going to happen soon, and it is not mentioned in the novel, could it be that the novel has changed? 

No, I’m not that sure yet. This might just be a minor empire affair. Maybe it was just not mentioned in the novel since it is not such a big deal. 

“Brother, can you tell me what’s going on?” Tatiana asked with worry. But Aaron just shook his head. 

“I can’t tell you anything, Tati. I would be breaking the law if I did. But I will tell you that you don’t have anything to worry about. The problem is not as big as it may seem.” 

At Aaron’s response, Tatiana was relieved for a little, but her worries were still there. 

“I understand, brother. But if it turned out to be worst, please tell me.”  

Aaron nodded and smiled at Tatiana. 

Aaron couldn't believe that Tatiana was being curious about an empire's affair. The Tatiana he knew would have been indifferent when it comes to the affairs of the empire. However, Tatiana is now showing interest and is even worried about it. 

Should I be worried or be happy about this?

Aaron doesn't know what to think about it, but he does know that it was yet another day that Tatiana has proven that she has indeed change. 

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