The villainess must die

IV : Duke Maximyst

"You brat!" I ran out of that shabby place only to meet a pair of arms. "Sire, she's trying to escape," I looked up and saw a guy looking at someone else. I quickly pushed away and looked at who he was talking to. "If she escapes, let her," a badge that signifies dukedom, but it's not Zelxarites, who is he? He has a dark awra, an awra that has an intent to kill, bloodlust. I stood tall and smirked though I was terrified.

"What? You'll kill me too?"

I still can't seem to get a hold of the new surroundings, the different vibes, only leaving me with the urge to kill myself to be able to go back. That's my main goal for now. Death.

"As the Duke of Maximyst, I would gladly do so, Bennett."

-

Grabbing me by my cheeks before thoroughly looking at my face, it felt like an inspection, something more threatening that could walk me to a death parade.

With that, I bit him.

"Don't touch me, murderer" spitting on the ground before eyeing the sword that has been pointed at my neck. "What? You're gonna kill me too? Go on."

I hid my shivering hands in the pocket of my pants. Death is frightening but I'm strong enough to face it.

The duke suddenly laughed, while clapping his hands, were my actions really entertaining for you? I pulled out my middle finger before turning away, angry and embarrassed. I can feel the people's eyes darting against my well-being. Like scanners.

I started preparing myself to leave as I walk pass the people, probably the duke's men, I'm starting to hate nobility. They're all irritating, whether they be a baron or the king.

"All of you nobles are the same," withholding the anger inside me as I thought of Bennett's memories all over again.

"But I know your secret"

I stopped my tracks but my heel never turned even though it wanted to, my emotions being filled with nervousness and guilt. Guilt for I, needed to act dumb, since I still don't know up to what I would be able do as the author, lacking knowledge about the world, I, myself, made, sabotaging Bennett's reputation. "Well, everyone do, don't they?"

Looking over to my shoulders when he held out a piece of scroll. "Let's make a deal"

A deal? Just like Duke Zelxarites?

"Not the deal about joining the candidacy for queen, be my daughter " each word he just said rang through my ears. Does he know? Does this murderer who kills with no hesitation know? Did he come back to the past?

"Don't you know who I am?"

I can feel him walking near me, mumbling something that I can't quite hear because of the noises the busy streets were making. You almost killed me.

Dropping myself to the ground before looking at him again. To my terror, those words were enough to make me weak. He knows.

"How..?" my lips quivering, trying to find the right words. Was it the time that the real Bennett tried to poison him? He remembers? Or does he know that I am not the real one?

"Duke Zelxarites did a great job nurturing you, didn't he?" He didn't nurture me, I'm not the real Bennett.

"Yes, he did very well with whips, actually," bitter smiles, the memories seemed real, the discomfort and agony Bennett felt was real. Invisible panging fell across my skin as I remembered the suffering she went through.

"I can feel your bloodlust" — Duke Maximyst

My eyes were clear to show my emotions, yet my mind was still lost, I forgot what I came here for yet if I could only think straight, if only I am not as confused as I was before coming to this world, my goal would become more emphasized, it was not just death that I wanted, I knew that something more should happen.

"Zelxarites need to suffer" I blurted out loud because of anger.

I know that I still couldn't get used to the fact that I've possessed one of the most dangerous characters in my story, but I still needed to fulfill it. In order to make it up to the real Bennett who has suffered a lot. I may or may not be able to succeed in my goal but I'm still willing to strain myself, as I try to go back to my own realm.

The Dukedom of Maximyst is well-known for being the most intimidating one in my book, more intimidating than his highness, King Carolina.

I need to make a plan so that I can gain enough to take down Duke Zelxarites. This man right here would be a good use for my plans, he may be cunning but I think I can go on with his proposal for now.

"We can team up to make them suffer, daughter," disgusting, I can't seem to put my trust into a duke who's like you.

"What are your conditions? Will there be a contract?" I gazed upon the black-haired man in front of me. Eyes green, like poison ivy. He looked younger than I'd expected him but that doesn't change the fact that he is also a martinet, loyal to his king, a puppet willing to kill anyone who dares mess up the orderliness of the Carolina Kingdom.

"I have a contract, I've prepared this a long time ago for someone who's befitting to our family, someone who's young yet already cunning, like a fox that's small yet old, which is you" he patted my head as he grinned.

The monarchy is something that I would be able to learn if I agreed to his plan, helping him get what he wants, becoming his marionette, a puppet who holds her own strings. I need to learn everything about this place, I need to adjust even though it's hard, if that means going through education again. I want to avenge Bennett before going back.

"Your intentions are visible"

"And you should act like your age, little Bennett "

I simply cannot trust this duke for he is a loyal servant, a marionette who's been cursed to maintain security for the kingdom under the king. He can betray me anytime because of power, just like Duke Zelxarites

Although his wife is a fragile woman. If I can recall properly, I've described her to be one of the most beautiful ladies in Carolina, sadly, she was just a side-character, just like Duke Maximyst.

"The contract?" I murmured. I cannot be deprived of such rights to not know what the contract was all about, I knew that my name was needed in it, a sign of agreement for both of us even though I am just a mere child in their eyes.

The guard showed me to their lavish carriage, with the Maximyst's crest engraved on top of it. It's sole purpose is for people to avoid the path that they'll go through, at least 500 meters away would be enough for them to be 'safe', overreaction.

"You may read it first before signing at home," he gave me a pile of paper, at least 1..2..3..18 pages? I looked him in the eye. Are you serious?

The only thing he gave me was a smile. Am I in trouble now? Sighing as I read the first page. As he began to speak. "I know that you are confused about how I was able to know that you attempted to kill me"

Nodding as I continued to browse through the papers. "I am indeed curious, did you time-travel?" I asked without thinking, still busy with the contract. "What kind of fool would believe time-travelling is real? I knew about your schemes because someone warned me. What about you? How did you know that you will kill me in the near future, Atropa Belladonna?"

Pausing then looking at him. "You wrote the contract in English, a language that I know the people in this place don't know." You can't fool me into telling you the truth about my existence.

"English is the rarest language in Carolina, only nobles who are part of the dukedoms and palace know such knowledge" I raised my eyebrows and then went back to reading again. Lies.

"I know an Archmage who can see the future," he said. "Amora Carillon"

But that Archmage wasn't supposed to be here, not until the prince was named King? Why is she here? Did the plot change again?

"You know, she finds you interesting, a great Archmage who never ages, finds you enthralling, isn't that great?" I was still on the second page of the contract as I listened to his nonsense grumbles. I would be gambling my own life If I met her now.

"This contract is too long, I cannot process it with this small brain of mine, change it," I unwillingly smiled, it was enough to piss him off. "mhmm, you're right, you are just a kid after all"

"Oh father you flatter me, being called a kid is indeed a compliment for me since I'm too mature for my age," I snapped before pointing at the papers he made. "I find your maturity logical, since you were abused after all"

I quickly stood up from my place as I scrutinized the duke. He was sitting so I can gladly face him, eye-to-eye. "An old bastard like you should just retire from work. A marionette who can't even distinguish danger from dignity. Never talk about a past of mine that should have never existed just because you killed my parents."

Yes, this is a part of the plot. Bennett's parents were killed by the Royal Family, executed because they were accused of treason by someone, none other than Duke Maximyst. That's the reason why Bennett agreed to poisoning the Duke in the novel and there, she became a villain.

"What?" smirking as I pushed my hair away from my face. Showing him the white strands Bennett hid from everyone, including Alliezar. A sign that she was once a part of high society but even so, the name of Bennett's family is now long gone.

"What do you think,father? Do you still want to work with a devil?"