The villainess must die

VII : On the run

Catalina Maximyst.

It has been a few years since then, my plan will slowly come forth at the ball tomorrow. The Zelxarites will be there as expected. I did my best to stay as far as I could to where they are nor where Duke Maximyst is, surviving too well that it seems suspicious.

"Lady, what would you like to do tomorrow?" I looked at Pam.

After years of studying this kingdom and learning about Maximyst's people, I have known that Pam truly was a spy. The odd thing out here was that I have never caught her nor her apprentices anywhere near her. Pam was the opposite of me, she was calm and strategic. I caught her off guard when I first met her but something had changed now. She was a fox, yet remarkably candid. After adjusting well and blending in with the royals, I am now thrilled enough to not risk my reputation and keep my profile low, Pam was already of help to that, making me accomplish my goals easier.

"Tomorrow will be the day I debut outside and be the one who'll bring chaos to this kingdom."

I blurted while scoffing. "I believe that what you want wouldn't be possible miss." she sighed while going through my wardrobe, flopping on my bed as I crossed my legs while my arms carry my head. "Why is that?"

Flipping to my side, facing her as she spoke, serene. "The royal family will be there and that day would be the only chance for you to be noticed by the crown prince."

"Cameron." I mockingly raised my hand and sat up again. "I'm already seventeen, why should I even try? I already have myself, why must I be married to some douchebags around those corners."

"The crown prince is not a douche my lady. That was simply from the rumors," she said as she hanged the gown that I would be using for the ball. It was blue, it reminded me of Alliezar's shining river eyes with a pinch of glitters to add to its glow. "Can't I have something more bold?"

I walked around the dress, touching its soft fabric before throwing it back. "Green?" she asked as she pulled out a long maxi mermaid dress that would fit well to my pear shaped body. It had black outlines that I thought would be of match to black gloves, would fit well with a cocktail hat, the only thing that I don't like is the fact that it didn't have any slits so I just nodded it off.

"You may go, leave the dress."

As soon as she went out, bowing. I began to rummage through my drawer and got my sewing set. Putting the dress down on my table before starting to cut it. I forgot that I had failed my sewing lessons back then.

I pursed my lips while being careful with the fabric. Making the ugliest slit I could ever even imagine. "Damn, my sewing skills were never this bad back then, I really need to learn now." I nervously bit my fingers when a knock suddenly made me jump in fright.

"May I come in my daughter?" the duchess. "Uhh, wait a while your highness!" trying to hide everything but ended up slipping because of the fabric that was on the floor. Then there, I fell with a loud thud, loud enough for the duchess to suddenly enter the room as she sees me in a mess.

"Oh my, what happened?!"

I scratched the back to my neck before picking a fabric up, showing it to her. "You should've told me sooner, so I could've helped you Catalina."

She picked the ruined dress and grabbed my kit before sitting on the bed. Humming as she looked gleeful while doing her work. I watched her hum as she worked for hours, 'till dinner. Keeping her poise, she was indeed an astonishing person. Sighing as she held the dress up, showing a perfectly made slit. I wasn't able to reply anything but an agape mouth. She clearly understood the job without even my explanation.

"Shall we?" carefully setting the dress down, she held her arms up, making me cling to her like a child. "Didn't I tell you to not touch my experiments?" there I heard voices, in the near-end of the hallway. "But brother, your recent was wrong! You have put the garlands before the- oh sister!" I saw my grown up sister, Octavia, who had became a little childish and lovable as time passed by. "Sister, you need not to be a child, you are already 21 and you already have engagement proposals" I grinned as she pouted holding my left arms, making both of my arms full.

"Brother Allen was being mean to your big sis, what can you say?" Before I could even answer, a sound of familiar footsteps was heard, making the atmosphere strained. "Father." Allen cleared his throat as Octavia let my arms go, standing straight.

I turned and saw his eyes pierced through me. "You're still alive?" He evilly smirked before walking past us as we follow his steps. "Ughh, he's so bossy" my sister whispered through my ears making me and the duchess giggle, as she also heard what Octavia said. Soon, Allen was already beside us. These past few years had been calming as I met Allen, three months after my adoption. He was a mage who does experiments, just like a scientist. His experiments were mostly famous in the field of medication and strength. He is two years older than Catalina and a year younger than Elliore.

"Brother Elliore will be here soon so fix yourselves."

I tilted my head to him as if I was asking something but the only replied he gave was a shrug. "But why should I" I murmured.

"That is because you should. As a the loyal arch knight of this kingdom, you are tasked to respect me." I rolled my eyes while facing him as I pull my tongue out. "Not until you teach me how to wield a sword, I won't."

"Such nonsense! You are a lady, a sword is heavy enough for you to even be able to swing it at first try. Remember when you fell, almost stabbing yourself with one a few years ago? Not going to happen." He sternly replied as she walked past mom and beside Allen.

Then we heard him again, the duke. "I think she is right, she should learn how to wield a sword especially now that she's already a year away from her coming of age. She's near to learning the danger in this kingdom." That was not what you truly meant.

"Right, I learned how to wield a sword when I was thirteen," Octavia said while holding my arms again. "But I truly am afraid that I can't teach you since I am not an expert like our great brother right here." she mocked Elliore while grinning.

We sat on our respective seats as the servants came with our meal. The night didn't last well as the duke's men ran to his sides whispering something. As soon as we saw his face gloom, we knew that something was up. "Where is your servant?" He asked while shooting daggers to my direction.

"Who? Me?" I pointed at myself as I confusedly looked around. "You mean Pam? She was here earlier, she even picked out my outfit for tomorrow"

His face turned pale. "A doppelganger." He stood up before hurriedly running to the halls. "Lock the gates! The culprit is not yet far."

"What is happening?" the duchess asked one of the guard, worried. "A body was found inside of one of the preserved alcohol barrels in the dungeon. The body had rot as the only remains was boned and a ginger hair strand, We currently have a spy, who has used magic to deceive us."

That explains why she became poise, nor have I found any leads. "So I guess you discovered." A voice said.

"Who was that?" Standing up as I looked around. "Who?" Allen furrowed his eyebrows. "You didn't hear a voice?"

They looked as confused as I was. I walked away from there before running in the halls again, hearing the voice's continuous laugh as I go. "Why are you running away? Didn't you kill them back then? A-LE."

That was my last straw. I dropped to the floor as I glared at nothing but air.

"Ooh, now you're angry? If you want to know who I am, or why am I doing this, meet me at the palace's garden tomorrow, seven sharp." The voice hummed as if it was testing me. "And if I don't?"

"You will."



With that, the voice vanished as if nothing happened. I felt numb as I sat on the carpet on the floor, dazed. Slowly coming back to my senses as I heard a bunch of footsteps and voices. "Catalina!"