The Villainess Just Wants To Be Alone

Chapter 3

A World That Hates Me

The smile on my lips slowly faded as I met the eyes of the two men standing before me.

Neither of them looked relieved that I had regained consciousness after nearly losing my life. Instead, they stared at me as though I had committed an unforgivable crime simply by opening my eyes again. The atmosphere inside the room grew heavier with every passing second, and even the maids standing behind them lowered their heads, too afraid to breathe too loudly.

The silence lingered until Aleandro finally spoke.

"Theletyia."

His deep voice carried the authority expected of the Duke of House Husernien, but there was no trace of concern hidden beneath it. It was cold, emotionless, and distant, exactly as I remembered from the novel.

"You have disgraced our family once again."

I looked at him quietly, waiting for him to continue. A small part of me had hoped that the original story had exaggerated how heartless he truly was, but now that I was standing in front of him, I realized the novel had been kinder than reality.

His daughter had almost died.

Yet the first thing he chose to talk about was the family's reputation.

Before I could answer, Maximilliam took a step forward. His golden eyes were as sharp as a drawn sword, and the look he gave me was filled with nothing but disappointment.

"You should consider yourself fortunate that Roveria was unharmed," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "If anything had happened to her because of your jealousy, I would never have forgiven you."

I almost laughed.

Not because his words were amusing, but because they were so predictable.

This was exactly how the novel described him.

Every time Theletyia appeared, he assumed the worst without bothering to hear her side of the story. In his eyes, she would always remain the selfish noblewoman who tormented Roveria out of envy, no matter what she said or did.

How ironic.

The original Theletyia had spent years trying to earn his affection, only to receive his hatred in return.

Too bad for him.

I wasn't the same woman anymore.

"I'm listening," I said calmly. "Is there anything else either of you would like to accuse me of?"

Both of them seemed caught off guard.

Perhaps they had expected tears.

Perhaps they had expected excuses.

Or perhaps they had expected the desperate Theletyia who would immediately apologize and beg for another chance to stand beside Maximilliam.

Instead, they found someone who simply looked at them as though they were strangers.

Aleandro's brows furrowed slightly.

"Do you have nothing to say for yourself?"

"What exactly do you want me to say?"

The question left my lips before I could stop it.

"Would you prefer that I kneel and beg for forgiveness? Would that satisfy both of you?"

The room fell silent once again.

Even the servants exchanged nervous glances, unable to believe what they had just heard.

Never in their lives had they seen Lady Theletyia speak to the Duke in such a calm and composed manner.

Maximilliam's expression darkened.

"Watch your tone."

I met his gaze without the slightest hesitation.

"And why should I?"

His jaw tightened.

For a brief moment, I could almost see the disbelief hidden behind his anger.

Theletyia had always followed him wherever he went, desperately seeking even the smallest scrap of attention. She had smiled whenever he looked at her and lowered her head whenever he scolded her, convincing herself that enduring his coldness was better than being ignored.

But the woman standing before him now wasn't searching for his approval.

She wasn't trying to impress him.

If anything, she looked as though she wanted this conversation to end as quickly as possible.

"You nearly poisoned Roveria," he said through gritted teeth. "Do you deny it?"

I held his gaze for several seconds before answering.

"No."

The unexpected response caused him to blink.

"I don't deny that poison was involved," I continued evenly. "But I'm also the one who drank it, which means I'm the only person who almost died yesterday."

Neither of them spoke.

"I think surviving that should at least earn me the right to recover in peace."

Maximilliam opened his mouth, only to close it again without saying a word.

For the first time since entering the room, he seemed unable to find an immediate response.

I released a quiet breath and stepped away from the bed.

The movement instantly drew everyone's attention.

"My Lady!" Lia whispered anxiously. "You should still be resting."

"I'm fine."

I walked toward the door with slow, steady steps until I found myself standing directly in front of Maximilliam.

He didn't move.

Instead, he stared down at me, expecting me to stop.

I looked up at him without the slightest trace of fear.

"Move."

He frowned.

"...What?"

"You're blocking my way."

For the first time since I had awakened in this world, the future Emperor of the Empire stood completely speechless.

For several long seconds, no one moved.

The room remained deathly silent as Maximilliam continued staring at me, his golden eyes searching my face as though he were trying to find the familiar girl who had once followed him with unwavering devotion.

Unfortunately for him, that girl no longer existed. Whether she had disappeared forever or had simply given this body to me, I would never know, but I had no intention of living according to the fate that had been written for her.

I waited patiently.

"...Did you not hear me?" I asked, keeping my voice calm. "You're standing in my way."

A faint crease appeared between Maximilliam's brows before he finally stepped aside without saying another word.

The movement was almost mechanical, as though his body had reacted before his mind could process what had just happened.

I walked past him without sparing him another glance.

Behind me, I heard Aleandro's stern voice.

"Theletyia."

I stopped but didn't turn around.

"What is it, Your Grace?"

The title slipped naturally from my lips.

Not "Father."

Not even "Dad."

Just the formal title expected between two nobles who shared nothing beyond blood.

The silence behind me stretched noticeably longer this time.

When I finally glanced over my shoulder, Aleandro was looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. It wasn't concern, nor was it anger.

It was confusion.

"You addressed me formally," he said.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"You have never called me that before."

I offered a polite smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"Perhaps I simply realized that titles exist for a reason."

His expression hardened again.

"I don't have time for your games."

"I'm not playing one."

Without waiting for another response, I continued walking toward the doorway.

"My Lady!"

Lia hurried after me, bowing briefly to both Aleandro and Maximilliam before following close behind. I could feel their gazes lingering on my back until the heavy wooden doors finally closed behind us.

The moment we stepped into the hallway, I let out a slow breath.

"...That was exhausting."

Lia blinked.

"Your... Ladyship?"

"Nothing."

The mansion's corridors stretched endlessly before us, decorated with expensive paintings, crystal lamps, and polished marble floors that reflected the morning sunlight.

Everything about House Husernien spoke of wealth and prestige, yet despite its beauty, the place felt strangely empty.