I am not the Villainess

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28 

Mia was pacing back and forth in Tatiana’s room while biting her fingernails. It’s already midnight and her Lady has not yet returned. 

The worst part is that she had just heard that there was a bombing incident in the central plaza. Mia was not sure where her Lady went, but she could be in the area during the explosion.  

The knights of the Cromellos have already been dispatched to help out with the commotion. The Young Lord Aaron went out as well.  

Hence, Mia was very anxious especially since she can’t ask anyone for help. 

After a while, Mia heard a rustling sound coming from the balcony. She immediately walked closer to there and saw Tatiana, who looked very haggard as she’s covered with dust, dirt, and... bloodstains. 

“My lady! Are you okay?!” Mia run closer to Tatiana frantically and checked on her condition. 

“Yes,” Tatiana answered simply and walked to her bed. Mia followed her. 

“What happened, my lady? We heard about the bombing, were you there?” Mia continued to ask worriedly.  

Tatiana smiled at her to reassure her.  

“Yes, I was there, but I’m fine. Thankfully, I was far enough from the bomb that I was not harmed.” 

Mia, still with worried eyes, looked down on Tatiana’s cloak. It was very dirty and it even has some bloodstains on it. Her clothing alone shows that she had a hard time during the commotion. 

“Then...do you have bloodstains here...” Mia mumbled. It was just supposed to be for herself, but she spoke it out accidentally and Tatiana heard it. 

Tatiana also looked at her clothes before answering. 

“Ah, that’s because I was helping other people. It must be their blood.” Tatiana explained.  

Mia was stunned to hear that the lady helped other people, but she pushed it aside and started tending Tatiana. She prepared a bath for her and new clothing then went out to dispose of her used clothes. Afterward, Mia went back to Tatiana’s room with a tea set. 

Tatiana did her night routine, drank some tea to calm her nerves, then flopped down onto her bed. 

Tatiana was extremely tired from the events earlier. At the same time, she was confused and has a lot of questions. 

Who was behind the bombing? Why was it not mentioned in the novel? How did the prince get there immediately? Was he with Beatrice? Why did the assassins try to kill the Crown Prince? Who sent those assassins? 

Tatiana’s head starting to hurt. It seems like every question she has would just result in another question. It was an endless puzzle that she couldn’t solve. However, one thing she had confirmed was: the novel has indeed changed. 

Although it is pretty much what she had wanted, as of now, she’s not sure if it’s a good thing or not. The novel changing means there’s a big possibility that her gruesome death will not happen. However, new events are starting to transpire and it’s making her anxious.  

The new event, such as this bombing incident, was incredibly dangerous. A lot of people got hurt and even the male lead, the Crown Prince, almost got killed. It would have been easier if she knows what will happen, but not knowing the outcome worries her. 

Were the consequences of my actions caused other people to get hurt instead of me? 

Tatiana shook that thought off. 

No, I shouldn’t think negatively. The most important thing right now is saving myself and my family from the original story, and currently, we are on the right path... 

Tatiana sighed and decided to think of it tomorrow. However, when she was about to close her eyes, the door to her room suddenly opened. 

“Tatiana!” Aaron, who was covered in sweat and dirt, cried out. 

Tatiana sat up on her bed and Mia, who just came out of the bathroom, jumped in surprise. Mia immediately bowed at the Young Lord. 

“Brother?” Tatiana called, confused. 

Aaron marched closer to her and inspected her from head to toe. The nightgown she was wearing was not revealing, but she felt embarrassed nonetheless. 

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” Aaron asked he’s face was showing extreme worry. 

“I’m fine, brother.” Tatiana managed to answer.  

Tatiana was confused why Aaron was suddenly like this. She looked at him from head to toe. Then, it hit her. 

Did Aaron know she was there during the bombing? 

Looking at him, he definitely just came from the bombing scene. He was probably assigned to handle the situation there, and Tatiana didn’t expect him to return until tomorrow morning. Yet, he looks like he rushed to go home because he’s worried about Tatiana. 

That means Aaron knows she went to the Central Plaza.  

But how? Who told him? It couldn’t be Mia...then... 

It was then that Tatiana noticed the person behind Aaron, Sir Charles Young. Tatiana looked at him, but he avoided her gaze which made Tatiana even more sure. 

“Do you know how worried I was when I found out you were there during the bombing?! Why did you go out in the first place and didn’t ask permission?! Is it hard to ask me or mother?! Even if Charles accompanied you, you should have said something to us first!” Aaron scolded. He was relieved to see that Tatiana wasn’t hurt, nevertheless, he was angry at Tatiana for going out without permission. 

Tatiana wasn’t able to answer right away. As she thought, it was Sir Charles. He didn’t accompany her, but he knew she went out. That only means he followed her. 

Tatiana glanced at Sir Charles. She was thinking of talking to him, but first, she has to calm Aaron down. 

“I’m sorry, brother. It was irresponsible of me, and I made you worry,” she said, but Aaron was still fuming with anger. His one hand was on his waist as he glared at Tatiana. 

Aaron’s anger was understandable. He was worried sick about Tatiana that he didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her. Aside from that, Aaron had always been the strict and overprotective brother to Tatiana. 

“And how the hell did Charles lose you?! You should have followed him to safety!” Aaron huffed, and turned at Mia. “You too Mia. You allowed your lady to leave without permission! You should have informed us if you saw your lady went missing! Charles and Mia, I expect you’ll take responsibility for putting your lady’s life in danger!”  

At Aaron’s words, Tatiana stood up in surprise. She looked at Mia and Sir Charles who were both just bowing their heads and not saying anything. 

Tatiana clenched her fists in anger. She couldn’t believe that they are just accepting what Aaron said. 

They are obviously not at fault, so why do they have to take responsibility for my actions? 

“No, brother! Leave them alone! They are not at fault here! I was the one who snuck out on my own!” she exclaimed. Everyone was stunned at her sudden outburst, but Tatiana continued. “Mia didn’t even know I snuck out, and Sir Charles just saw me while I was on my way out. I drove him away, but he still insisted on accompanying me. They did their jobs, so why should they be punished?” 

Mia and Charles looked at Tatiana in perplexity for her lies. They wanted to deny their lady’s words, but Tatiana looked at them as if saying that they should keep quiet. 

“What are you saying?!” Aaron asked in disbelief. 

“If you have to punish someone, then punish me, brother. Lock me up or whatever, but leave Mia and Sir Charles alone. They did nothing wrong!” She stared at Aaron with resolute eyes. 

Aaron was shocked to hear Tatiana’s words. He knew Tatiana had changed, but what he didn’t expect was her to be this responsible and mature. To think she would admit her mistake and even suggest a punishment just to save her maid and knight’s lives, it’s inconceivable. 

Just how much did you change, Tati? 

Tatiana and Aaron had a staring contest for a couple of minutes. It was Aaron that gave in first. 

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Fine. I won’t punish then and I won’t lock you up either. Just promise me that this will never happen again.” He spoke. 

Tatiana smiled in relief and nodded her head vigorously. Although she acted all tough, she didn’t really like to be locked up either and only said it to save Mia and Sir Charles. 

“I promise, brother. Thank you and I’m sorry.” 

Aaron nodded and gave a small smile. He had already calmed down, but deep inside, he was still recovering from the scare he had when he found out Tatiana could be in danger. 

“It’s a good thing that His Highness found you because if something happened to you, I might do something nobody would like.” 

Tatiana’s smile instantly fades at the mention of His Highness. 

How come His Highness suddenly got included in this conversation? 

“His Highness said he got you a carriage, you should thank him again when you have the chance. I should also buy something for him.”  

Aaron looked like he was already pondering over what to give to His Highness, while Tatiana became more perplexed and speechless. 

A carriage? What is going on?! 

. 

In a secluded tower not far from the central town, a man was standing in front of the window while holding a glass of wine in his hand. 

From where he is, he could clearly see the chaos and the big black smoke coming from the central plaza.  

He smirked and took a sip of his wine. 

A while later, he heard a knock on the door.  

“Come in,” he said with a deep voice while still looking outside the window. 

He felt someone entered, and confirmed that it was one of his servants. 

“My Lord, I came to report. We have successfully set off the bombs. As planned, His Highness was able to come quickly along with the second prince and the royal knights.” the servant reported while bowing his head. 

“And the prince’s body?” the man asked. 

Due to fear and nervousness, it took a while for the servant to answer.  

“I-I’m sorry, my Lord. There was an intrusion that happened.” With the servant’s answer, the sound of a glass being crushed filled the room.  

The servant slightly looked up, only to see his master walking closer to him with blood dripping from his hand. The servant trembled in fear as he felt the dark and heavy air coming from the man. 

“What intrusion?”  

The servant gulped at his cold and chilling voice. 

“T-there was a... mysterious man who blocked the arrow meant for His Highness, My Lord. W-we can’t identify the man because he’s completely covered in black—” Before he could finish, the man grabbed him by his hair and pulled his hair down so his head was looking upwards. Now, the servant had no choice but to face the man’s face. 

The servant whimpered in pain as he stared at his master’s deep and cold eyes. He wanted to shut his eyes close or even avoid his gaze, but he couldn’t. His master’s eyes were glaring at him like he was being pulled in.  

“Did you kill him?” the man asked once again, now his emotionless voice was replaced by a menacing one. 

“N-no, my Lord. T-the man ran after the assassins in the forest, but when I came to check, the man was gone and the assassins were captured by the knights.” the servant managed to answer despite his extreme fear. “B-but I’m sure the assassins know his identity...so, I-if we can get and ask them...t-they would surely know!”  

The servant tried to reason and made up some news that his master would like, but it was to now use. The man let go of his hair in a harsh manner that the servant fell to the ground.  

The man turned around and suddenly shouted as he throws things off his desk, which caused a loud sound of crashing and clattering. 

The servant crawled out of the way, in an attempt to avoid the objects being thrown. However, the man noticed his movement and threw a nearby vase at him. The servant collapsed on the ground as his head started to bleed. 

The man was panting hard after his fit of rage.  

“Useless fools!” he yelled. 

The servant immediately kneeled and bowed down to the ground despite his head injury. 

“Please forgive us, My Lord! Give us another chance!” the servant begged, but his master ignored him. 

He turned back to the window and watched as the black smoke from the bombing started to die down. 

Crown Prince...I’ll get you, no matter what! You and that rat who dared to ruin my plans. 

-- 

reyankleyr