I am not the Villainess

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Later that night, Tatiana was in her room pondering over her conversation with Aaron.

She was thinking about what could be the problem in the empire. Aaron may have said it's nothing serious, but Tatiana can’t help but worry.

Is the novel really changing?

It is hard to confirm since Tatiana has been avoiding the main leads. However, there was this first sign already from Kai not joining the knight’s exam. Aside from that, Tatiana and His Majesty made a deal. Though, the effect of that deal is not yet obvious since, technically, Noah and Tatiana are still engaged.

Tatiana thought about it over and over again. Finally, she came to the conclusion that she must first confirm if the novel had indeed changed.

After the royal ball, the next scenes were just about Beatrice and Noah meeting accidentally in the busy streets of the capital. They would then spend their night getting to know each other while strolling around the capital.

If she was right, then Noah and Beatrice should be in the capital one of these days. Although Tatiana has no way to find out the exact day they met or if they had already met, Tatiana is still determined to see them anyways.

If she needs to sneak out every night until the next major event, then she will do that.

Tatiana stood up and called for Mia.

“Yes, my lady?”

“Mia, prepare a black outfit, a cloak, and a mask. I will be going out tonight.” Tatiana said.

After Mia has confirmed her loyalty to Tatiana, it has become easier for her to sneak out and do her plans secretly. Though from time to time, Mia is still reluctant to allow Tatiana to leave alone, just like now.

“Will you be okay going out alone, my lady?” Mia asked with worry.

Tatiana smiled at her to reassure her.

Mia still doesn’t know what Tatiana can do. What she does know is that she’s been training for some time now with the Young Lord Aaron.

“Of course. Don’t worry, I won’t take long.”

In the end, Mia didn’t have a choice and nodded. She then bowed down before she left to carry out her lady’s orders.

A while later, Mia came back and Tatiana dressed herself up. After that, she was ready to go.

“I’ll be back.”

Tatiana climbed out of her balcony and skillfully jumped down from there. Her stamina training had helped her a lot that this kind of thing became easy for her.

Mia, on the other hand, was watching her lady with worried eyes. It was not her first time to see her lady jump out from a 3rd-story high window, but it still amazes her and at the same time scares her.

She had always wonder,

How did the fragile and the most elegant lady of the empire manage to be that skilled? Was she always like this? Or did the training she had with the Young Lord Aaron that effective?

.

Tatiana was able to sneak out from the roaming knights safely. Now, what she has to do was go to the central town where Beatrice and Noah would likely meet.

Tatiana was able to get herself a carriage, and she was on her way to the town.

Meanwhile, a man was secretly following her trail. That man is her personal knight and the captain of the knights, Sir Charles Young.

Sir Charles was roaming at the left side of the main building, where Tatiana’s room is located. He was about to leave when he noticed a movement from Tatiana’s window.

When he looked up, he saw a figure covered in an all-black attire climbing out from the balcony.

At first, Sir Charles thought it was an intruder. However, when he noticed the silver hair strands that had escaped from the hood of her cloak when she jumped down, he instantly knew it was Lady Tatiana.

A lot of questions went through his mind at that moment. Due to shock, he hid and only watched the lady’s moves.

How did the lady jump down safely and unharmed from that height? And where is she going at this time of the night?

Then, he suddenly thought of the lady’s unusual behaviors this past year.

Could it be that something is going on with Lady Tatiana?

With that in mind, Sir Charles didn’t hesitate to follow Tatiana. As the captain of the knight, trailing a person unnoticed is as easy as walking down the streets for him. Hence, when they reached the central town, Tatiana still hasn’t noticed Sir Charles.

Tatiana was walking down the busy streets of the central town. She was looking around for any sign of Noah and Beatrice, but she couldn’t find any.

The streets were unusually very busy tonight like something was going on. Tatiana decided to check it out first. She walked to the central plaza where the people were gathering.

As she thought, there was some kind of festival going on.

The overall plaza was very lively and colorful. At the very center of the plaza, there’s a stage set up where performances are being held. In front of the stage, several chairs are filled with people as they watch the performance. Lanterns and colorful pennant banners were hanging on top of their heads, and there are also some food and game stalls circling around the plaza.

Children were giggling and running around, and the adults were laughing and dancing. It was such a colorful scene that brought a spark to Tatiana’s heart.

In her previous life, she never experienced seeing such a happy scene. She had always wished to come and enjoy a festival or even amusement parks back in her world, but she never had a chance.

The first time she had ever witnessed a festival was during the first night of their journey to the capital. It was in the outer town of the South, but she didn’t experience it entirely because of the poor boy, Jonas, incident.

Aside from that, the scene from that time was completely different from here. This one in front of her was grander and more alive. It was magical.

In the end, Tatiana decided to enjoy the festival while she’s at it. She also figured that maybe this is the setting where Noah and Beatrice will meet. Even if it wasn’t, at least, she enjoyed this magical event.

The first thing Tatiana did was watch the performance. She never watched a theater group performed live before. She enjoyed the performance so much that she showed several emotions throughout the show.

After that, she decided to enjoy the food next. She made sure to try out every food being sold and even bought some extra and other gifts for Mia.

Tatiana was very happy and was enjoying her time. She was excited and was going to try out the games next. But then, all of a sudden, they heard a loud explosion.

The next thing she knew, the laughs and noisy chattering of the people were replaced with screams and loud cries. The once happy place was filled with chaos and fear.

It took Tatiana a moment to take everything in. And when she finally came to her senses, she was already being pushed to the sides by the people who were running in panic.

What is going on?!

Tatiana stretched her neck to try and see what is going on. Then, as if on cue, she heard someone shouted,

“A bomb!! There’s a bomb attack!!”

A bomb?! How is there suddenly a bomb attack in the capital?!

Tatiana was confused and shock by everything that is happening. A sudden bomb attack was not mentioned in the novel. What is the meaning of this?!

“Help! Please help me!”

Shouts and loud cries came from every direction. Tatiana looked around and saw a child on the ground, crying. Behind the child is a post that is about to collapse.

Without a second thought, Tatiana run towards him and carried him away right before the post completely collapsed to where the child used to be.

“Are you okay?” Tatiana asked the child. However, the child didn’t answer and continued crying.

Tatiana looked around again to find a safe place where she could leave the child. When she found one, she immediately stood up and ran towards there while carrying the child. On her way, she also guided some other people towards the safe area.

When they reached the safe area, Tatiana put the child down and looked at the other people who followed them. All of them looked scared and some of them were dirty from falling on the ground.

Tatiana was about to say something when they heard another explosion. They all went down and covered their head for the impact. Tatiana covered the child with her body.

After a while, Tatiana looked up again and checked everyone’s condition. It's a good thing, none was hurt.

“Mommy!!” the child suddenly shouted while pointing in a direction. Tatiana turned to look at it and saw an injured woman trapped in a circle of fire.

Tatiana debated whether to save her or not, but in the end, her guilt couldn’t take it. She turned to look at a woman who was beside them.

“Please take care of the child,” Tatiana said to her. Then she turned to look at the others. “Stay here and keep yourself safe. Knights will be coming to get you. If there are injured nearby, dragged them here if you can, but do not put yourself in danger.” Tatiana commanded.

Everyone nodded, so Tatiana turned back and ran towards the child’s mother. When she’s already in front of her, but she stopped in her tracks as she couldn’t get past through the fire.

“P-please...save me...” the woman cried while gasping.

“Don’t talk and save your breath! I’ll come to get you!” Tatiana shouted. She looked around to find an opening, but there was none.

She thought very hard about what she should do. Tatiana was panicking and couldn't think of anything. She wanted to give up, but her guilt couldn't do it. She can't leave a woman without doing anything. And that woman has a child. If she dies, what will happen to the child?

Then, as she scanned the area again, she saw a big piece of cloth used as a roof by some stalls and a bucket of water beside a stall. An idea light up, and she quickly grabbed the cloth and soaked it in a bucket of water.

She went back to the woman and used the wet cloth to make an opening. Without wasting any time, she went in and carried the woman away.

“Are you okay?” Tatiana asked. The woman nodded, so she continued to carry her towards the safe area. “Everyone, go there!!” Tatiana still managed to shout at some people she came across and pointed towards the safe area.

Tatiana put the woman down beside the child and went back again to help other people.

Meanwhile, Sir Charles was running around the plaza trying to look for Lady Tatiana. He was following her but lost her when the bomb exploded. Worry immediately enveloped him when Tatiana was lost from his sight due to the chaos that took place.

Royal knights had already come to the scene for rescue, and leading them was the two princes, Noah and Nathaniel. Good thing, Noah was just around the area so they came as soon as they heard the bombing.

“Lady Tatiana!” Sir Charles tried to shout. Noah heard this and looked in his direction.

Tatiana? She’s here?

Noah thought amidst the chaos. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth at the thought that Tatiana is here and could be in danger.

“Your Highness! According to the report, two bombs exploded! It’s still unsure if there are other bombs, however, it affected the nearby buildings as well, so there are a lot of injured and fatalities!” A knight reported.

Noah looked around to assess the situation for a bit before giving out his order.

“Gather bomb experts and search the area for other bombs. The others, lead the people to the evacuation area. Also, report to a nearby hospital and ask them for doctors to help the injured.” With Noah’s command, the knights scattered and proceeded as ordered.

Noah, on the other hand, went into the scene as well. He walked closer to Sir Charles, who is looking around for Tatiana.

“Charles Young,” Noah said with a cold voice. Sir Charles turned and was surprised. He immediately bowed his head and greeted Noah.

“Your Highness, you’re here.”

“Why are you here when the Cromello’s knights are still on their way?” he asked. His voice was so cold and deep that it gave Sir Charles the chills.

Sir Charles debated whether he should tell that Tatiana was here or not. Tatiana might be in trouble if the duke and the Young Lord Aaron found out that she sneaked out. However, he also considered that Lady Tatiana is His Highness’ fiancé. It is just right to tell His Highness about Lady Tatiana. Besides, she might be in danger and he needs His Highness to find her.

“I’m here with Lady Tatiana, your highness. However, I lost sight of her when the bombing started. I apologize for my incompetence, your Highness.” Sir Charles said and bowed.

Noah glared down at him. The thought of Tatiana being in danger filled him with anger.

“Report to Aaron immediately, and gather some knights to look for her,” Noah ordered. “If Tatiana is harmed in any way, prepare to lose your life, Young.”

At Noah’s cold warning, Sir Charles shiver in fear. But he quickly pushed it aside since he can’t waste any more time. He is prepared to take responsibility if something happened to Tatiana. But he does hope that Tatiana is safe because he doesn't know what he would do if she's not.

“I understand. I apologize again, Your Highness.”

With that Noah and Sir Charles parted ways. Sir Charles went to look for Aaron while Noah looked for Tatiana.

Along the way, Noah made sure to help the people and pointed to them where the evacuation area is.

Then, while helping an old man who fell to the ground, someone bumped into him.

Almost simultaneously, Noah and the person who bumped into him turned to look at each other. Noah’s eyes widen when he saw a familiar figure in all-black attire. It was the mysterious woman with silver hair and purple eyes.

Tatiana!

Noah was relieved to have finally found Tatiana and to see that she does not look harmed. Aside from her dusty and stained outfit, she doesn't look injured or wounded.

On the other hand, Tatiana, who wasn’t aware that Noah recognizes her true identity, was shocked to see Noah. She was looking for him since earlier and he suddenly appeared.

Did he just arrive or was he already here before the bombing? Is he with Beatrice?

Tatiana was filled with questions and was left frozen for a while. She only came back to her senses when another bomb exploded just not far from them.

Tatiana and Noah immediately got down and covered themselves. Noah was still holding the injured old man, so he also covered for him.

After a while, they released their cover but remained seated.

“What are you doing? Go to the evacuation area now!” Noah commanded Tatiana. However, Tatiana wasn’t listening and was instead looking behind Noah.

Noah can’t see where she was looking because of her hood, so he became furious when Tatiana didn’t move from her place. If he wasn’t holding an injured old man right now, he would carry Tatiana away.

Noah looked around for some knights nearby that could help, and Tatiana took this chance to grab the sword on his waist.

Tatiana’s moves were so quick that Noah wasn’t able to react quickly. He was also not expecting such a move from Tatiana.

He was about to reprimand Tatiana when he heard a clang behind him. He turned around to look and, on the ground, was an arrow sliced in half.

Noah was quick to realize what happened. An arrow was flying in his direction, so Tatiana took his sword to block it.

How the hell?!

But Noah couldn’t believe how quick and skilled Tatiana was. He knew Tatiana could fight like how she did when she saved the poor boy before. However, what he saw just now was totally different. To think that the frail Tatiana could carry his heavy sword was amazing enough, but she also managed to swing it with control and accuracy.

Aside from that, his sword was not an ordinary sword. It's the solitary Golden Sword bestowed upon him by the Goddess as the Crown Prince of the empire. Only he could carry and use that divine sword, not even the emperor could hold it. And yet, Tatiana grabbed and used it with ease and the sword didn't have any reaction to her hold.

Is the sword broken? But that is not possible! Then...how?

“I’ll borrow this for a moment,” Tatiana said in a deep voice without even looking at Noah. She then run away towards the direction where the arrow came from.

Noah reacted quickly. Good thing, a knight approached them, so Noah immediately passed the old man to him. Then, Noah run and followed Tatiana.

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