I am not the Villainess

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

With sweat beaded on her forehead, Tatiana stared at the man in front of her. Tatiana focused, without breaking eye contact, as she waited for his next move. Suddenly, she noticed his slight movement on his left arm, but her mind was quick to think that it was just a distraction, and he planned to really attack her from the other side.

Tatiana swiftly moved to her left to avoid his attack. She kicked his legs, causing him to lose his balance, and without wasting any second, she turned around while grabbing his left arm and threw him over her head. He started to choke as she tightened her legs that locked his head, but Tatiana didn’t release him until she heard him tap the floor several times.

“You’re a monster, J,” the man, who stayed seated on the ground while rubbing his neck, said. Tatiana smirked at him and offered him a hand. He accepted it and stood up. They, then, walked together towards the bench, where their things were.

The man sat on the bench and reached for his towel while Tatiana drank the water that she had a hard time bringing secretly. No one—except Kai, of course—knew that she was training like this.

“Are you sure you’re not planning to try out for the knights' entrance exam?” asked the man, who is known as Kai. He wasn’t even looking at her as he sat there, leaning his back on his hands.

A year ago, Tatiana found Kai being threatened by a group of bandits. He was handling it well at first, but the bandits started pulling out their knives. As such, the tables were turned. Tatiana decided to help him, although she had a hard time with the thick dress she was wearing and the weak body she was in. Thankfully, the bandits were also weaklings, so they were able to manage and safely got out.

After that, Kai followed and begged Tatiana to help him train. Kai wanted to become a knight, and he was incredibly amazed by Tatiana’s skills, so he didn’t think twice and begged Tatiana to become his teacher. Tatiana agreed since she also needed the training. However, to protect her identity, Kai only knows her as J, who is a commoner and is a good fighter.

Tatiana sat down beside Kai and wiped her sweat with a towel.

“Yes. I’m not even thinking about that,” she answered. Kai gave her a short glance and chuckled.

“You should think about it. I mean besides your slightly clumsy swordsmanship skills, I think you have great potential.” Tatiana glared at him at the mention of ‘clumsy’, causing him to laugh at her. She sighed and returned her sight to the green field in front of them. A strong wind blew, causing the trees to rustle, and her hair flies around.

“Thanks, but I just have a different path I want to take.”

Tatiana saw Kai nod in her peripheral vision before he stood up and carelessly stretched his arms. He let out a groan and turned back to her with a smile on his face and his ginger hair glistening under the sun.

“Well, whatever that path may be, I’ll just hope for your success and happiness,” he said and smiled at her. Tatiana smiled back and also stood up.

“I hope the same thing for you too, Kai,” Tatiana replied with all sincerity.

Kai grinned wider and ruffled her hair, which caused him a glare from her. He just laughed and started fixing his things.

“We should go. The sun will set soon,” he stated.

Tatiana followed him and started fixing her things too when she remembered something.

“Ah, by the way, Kai. This will probably be the last time we will see each other.” Tatiana announced, causing him to stop with what he was doing. He looked at her with confused eyes.

“What...what do you mean? Hey, I’ll only become a knight, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see you again,” he said jokingly. Tatiana shook her head and looked at him with seriousness.

“Just like what I’ve told you, I have a different path I want to take. That path...will not allow us to meet again,” at least that’s what I’m hoping for.

Kai remained frozen and silent as he stared at Tatiana with confusion and... disappointment.

“It is for the best. I’m sorry and thank you for everything, Kai. You were my first best friend since I came here, and I will never forget you.” Tatiana added.

He looked down, and after a few seconds, he started nodding.

Kai knew Tatiana was hiding something. Ever since they met, Tatiana has always been a mystery to him. Even the name, J, that she gave him wasn’t real.

In just a year, they became closer, and Kai found himself opening up to Tatiana. He was never like that to anyone, but with Tatiana, he felt like he could be his true self and just be carefree. However, within that year, Kai thought that maybe it was just him who felt that way. The reason behind this was that Tatiana would always hold herself back whenever she’s with him. She was always hesitant and careful, and Kai can notice this very clearly.

At first, Kai felt hurt knowing Tatiana didn’t trust him that much, but he tried to understand her and realized that maybe Tatiana had a reason why she can’t tell him what she can’t tell him. So even though he was extremely curious, he didn’t dare to ask or try to find out what Tatiana was hiding. He thought that maybe Tatiana would tell him at the right time.

But now that Tatiana announced that they would not meet again, Kai felt disappointed and hurt again. He thought that maybe Tatiana didn’t really treat him as her friend.

Kai looked back at Tatiana and forced a smile.

You have always been a mystery, J. Even when you say we won't meet again, I’ll still hope we would in the future. And by the time we meet again, I hope I can see the true you.

“I understand. I will also not forget you, and I wish you all the best,” he said softly. Tatiana nodded, grabbed her things, and looked at him for the last time.

“I’ll go first. Good luck with your test tomorrow. Bye, Kai.” Tatiana smiled at him before turning her back and walking away.

After coming into this world, Kai was Titiana’s first best friend whom she could be real with—well, except with her identity—and he helped her adjust to the new life that was given to her. He was actually more than her training partner, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that if she hadn’t met Kai a year ago, she wouldn’t be able to survive this bizarre world.

Tatiana’s steps were heavy as she walks further and further away from Kai and from the training field where they usually spend their whole afternoon, training. It hurts her heart to separate like this, especially since they’ve been close friends for a year, and Tatiana was used to his presence. Kai was her training partner and the fresh air she needed from all the pressure and uncertainties she has to face, but Tatiana knew she has to do this to protect herself and her family.

Tatiana sighed as she entered a small abandoned hut located just near the training field. The hut was quite small and old. One can’t easily see it as well since big trees surround it. Tatiana was only able to find it when she was looking around the forest to change into her disguise before Kai could see her.

Inside this hut, there’s a chair, a table, and a broken bed—all were made out of wood. Tatiana walked towards the bed and opened the small chest beside it. She, then, grabbed the clothes she hid in it and swiftly got dressed.

Usually, Tatiana would put her training clothes back inside the chest for her to use the next day, but since today will be her last day, she grabbed a small bag and placed her training clothes in it instead.

Since Tatiana has to keep her training a secret, this hut was her secret quarter where she changes from Lady Tatiana to Commoner J and vice versa. No one knew of this place—not her maids and not even Kai.

After a year, she kind of grew an attachment to this place. It was like her portal to become Jane again, so it pains her to think that this will be the last time she will be using this hut.

Tatiana looked around the hut for the last time and sighed before she stepped out and walked away.

I don’t have time to be emotional. The sun will set soon. My personal knights are probably looking for me now. Tatiana thought to herself and sighed.

--

“My lady, welcome back.” Blaise, the Cromello’s head butler, greeted with his head slightly bowed down. Tatiana smiled at him and nodded.

“Is my father already home?” Tatiana asked.

“Not yet, my lady. However, I was told he’s already on his way.” Blaise replied.

Duke Michael Thomas Cromello, Tatiana’s father, is the chancellor of the empire. He is known to be the most influential duke in the empire, making the house Cromello the most powerful family right below the Imperial family.

“Alright. Please let me know if he has arrived. I’ll be in my room to rest.” Blaise bowed again as Tatiana entered the building and walked away towards her room located on the second floor.

As soon as she entered her room, Tatiana threw herself to bed. She was extremely tired of all that happened that day.

After dressing back to Tatiana in that hut, she has to walk for 20 minutes to go back to where she left personal knights. They were worried just like she’d expected and were on their way to send a search and rescue for her. Good thing Tatiana came back just on time because who knows what would’ve happened if she didn’t. Knowing the Cromellos, her face would probably be on the front page of the newspapers within an hour.

Also, since Tatiana has to repeatedly explain herself to her head knight, sir Charles, and assure them that she’s alright, the sun had already set when they come back home.

Tatiana sighed again and shifted her body. She was about to close her eyes to sleep when a voice interrupted her.

“My lady, I prepared you a bath. You should take a bath first before going to sleep,” said Mia, Tatiana’s personal maid.

She groaned and lazily pulled herself up.

Right. I can't fall asleep now. There are still some important matters that I must tell my father tonight.

Tatiana stood up and went inside the bathroom for her bath.

--

reyankleyr.