Rebirth of The Villainess Princess

During the supposedly darkest night of the empire, the princess's palace had never been more lively than before. The ballroom was full of people, they were shining like gold and silver as they danced along with intense and exceptional music played by the orchestra under the diamond chandeliers. These people are not ordinary, their status is noble, high, and mighty. They are the princess’ people, the supporters of Princess Catherine. The palace walls are covered with pure gold. The glass statues and decorations are made of diamonds and pure gems. Indeed, Princess Catherine was the most loved Calithean princess throughout the empire. In the midst of the party, a delicate figure walked onto the stage. She looked frail but beautiful. Everyone stopped and stared at her in awe. She was extra beautiful tonight in her vibrant blue dress. Her swan-like elegant neck, and her shoulders as pale as the snow became even more noticeable in her off-shoulder layered bell sleeves. An elegant emerald necklace just like the color of her eyes was sitting on her neck, it was as if only made for her. But the best feature she had was her wavy smooth long golden hair freely flowing on her shoulders. A dove crystal hairpin holds a bit of her hair at the back of her golden head. The nobles only had one word in their minds to describe her. She’s such an angel! Cough. Cough. A small cough escaped her thin lips. ‘’My beloved friends, ’’ she curtsied and spoke to them with her honey-like voice as her lips curved into a soft smile. “I am grateful to all of you who made this grand banquet for me...just to make me happy.’’ Her voice cracked a bit and her eyes swelled in tears. ‘’So...so don’t worry about me...all right?’’ She lifted her hands and wiped the tears from her eyes with her handkerchief. The people sympathize with her as their eyes start to shed tears, as well for the princess. The orchestra played a solemn song in the background that made their hearts move even more emotionally. It was a feeling of sadness, just like what they thought the princess felt. In their hearts, she was pitiful having to go through such hardships. The only thing they can do to help her is to make her happy. “ I...I will never forget your kindness. However, let's have a moment...to remember the days of my beloved brother when she was still young and alive." This time she didn't hold her tears anymore. "I...I will not be here...without him." She lowered her voice but it was still audible. "Your highness, don't cry…"A noble lady stepped forward and patted her shoulders. "Actually...the prince doesn't deserve your tears." "But...he...he was still my brother!" The people silently praised the princess as a loving sister. She looked so innocent and kind and, even with her crying face, she still looked beautiful! "It hurts...it hurts...that he is not with me here anymore." Her body collapsed on the floor but she was still conscious. The noble lady beside her managed to catch her arm and the nobles around her rushed beside her in worry. When suddenly... "What a dramatic, heart-touching, and remarkable play it is!" A lady in a black mourning dress entered the ballroom. She clapped so loudly that people in a large room could hear her, along with her mocking words. "It is such...so believable!’’ She clapped 'til her palm turned red as she laughed maniacally. ‘’Catherine, your acting is superb. That's where you are truly good at, don't you?’’ The nobles at the banquet, as well as the musicians, came to a halt. Only her hysterical laughter could be heard in the room. She laughed incessantly, and thunder and lightning appeared in the background as if the heavens bid her will. Some people quivered in dread when the lightning reflected off the glass windows. Hearing her laughter along with thunder and lightning made them shiver. Is the eldest princess always this scary? They knew she was one of those villains who tortured their beloved Princess Catherine but they had never seen this side of her. She looked crazy and extra evil tonight with that black dress and pale face. Indeed, she is really evil! Everyone was looking at her like she was the craziest person they have ever seen. Her evil image was perfect until - ‘’Ha ha ha ha - ack!’’ Her laughter stopped and her eyes widen in shock. Her face turned green, but her look was more disgusted. ’What’s that thing inside my mouth?’ Everyone was still in a silent mode. However, they started to feel fear about what happened to the eldest princess. Why did her face look like that? Is perhaps...someone finally poisoned this evil lady? ‘’Prin-princess, a-are you alright?’’ A young nobleman bravely asked her although he was a bit afraid of the princess. Icy obsidian eyes met his. ‘Eeeekkk! So scary!!’ ‘’Ack!’’ Something came inside her mouth while she was laughing and that thing got stuck inside her throat. Holding her neck, she looked at the young nobleman. ‘’You!’’ ‘’Y-yes, your-your highness?’’ ‘’I-’’ The young man was trembling in fear. Overthinking things he can overthink. Thud! ‘’It-it wasn’t me your highness!’’ he cried while he kneeled down in front of her. ‘’I was only ordered by someone…’’ Everyone gasped. So the princess was truly poisoned that’s why she was acting like that. It is bad...if the princess died here they are all will be implicated. It will look like they intentionally killed her because Prince Mikael just died in poison. It was obviously a murder! Eh? What is this man doing? Another drama? I’m struggling here! I don’t need another drama. I need help! ‘’...’’ The eldest princess, who only need was a cup of water. ‘’How could you...‘’ Princess Catherine stood up and glared at the young nobleman and she seemed - startled. ‘’...do that to my sister! Who...who is it that ordered you?’’ The young nobleman looked at her with an incredulous face ‘’Your high - ‘’ ‘’Enough!!!’’ The eldest princess can’t help it anymore. Ack! It feels...disgusting. Why did it go inside my mouth? Wait, is my mouth that...big? Sigh. Whatever...let’s just deal with what is happening in front of me first. ‘’Shut up you two and just give me water! Ack! The younger princess and the young nobleman opened and closed their mouths still wanting to say something. However, she glared at them and raised her hand signaling them to stop for now. ‘’Fellow humans, let’s set aside the drama for now. Bye ~ ’’ Swoosh! She disappeared quickly like the wind while everyone left standing there blankly. Silence filled the room. Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! As if crickets started to make a sound. Thankfully, they didn’t stay long for everyone to realize they were just standing in the ballroom blankly. Where’s the joy of the party? The orchestra broke the silence as they started to play upbeat music, waking up everyone in reality. Strangely, the lightning and thunder stopped along with the eldest princess as if she was a nightmare that they woke up from. In the end, no one gave her water. So sad! Is she really that spiteful in their eyes? Thankfully, a palace maid was kind enough to assist the princess to the comfort room in a hurry. The eldest princess’ face became even paler because of vomiting so many times. A fly came inside her mouth while laughing earlier. She gave herself a mental note not to laugh so long like that. It disgusted her so much. She was born as a noble princess and one thing she was obsessed with is cleanliness. ‘’Heh, I can’t stand any dirt except for...blood, of course!’’ She was about to laugh but she remembered what happened in the past. Cough. She instead covered her mouth, ‘’I learned my lesson, okay?’’ ‘’Miss maid, I want to ask you something.’’ She looked at a small timid brunette girl in her twenties standing at the corner of a side room. ‘’W-what is it y-your highness?’’ stuttering she managed to reply and clumsily performed a curtsy. She was trembling in her sight. The princess sighed. It was something she was used to. Thanks to her so-called innocent and kind younger sister, everyone was thinking she was evil and scary. ‘Hmmm. Speaking of the little vicious witch I have to return to the banquet and put her into a hot seat. How dare she do that with our brother!!’ She was beyond furious at this moment. She knew the real face of Catherine but she always close her eyes and looked the other away whenever she did something not good. She is her sister after all. She should be forgiving to her, right? However, this time she can’t stand to look away anymore. Catherine is getting more and more...dangerous. The eldest princess looked at the girl in front of her. Their eyes just met for a second but the girl trembled instantly. ‘’What is your name?’’ ‘’Y-yes?’’ The girl’s wide eyes became even bigger and her jaw gaped in surprise. She was shocked that the rumored icy princess would bother to ask her name. ‘’Didn’t you hear me? I’m asking your name, miss.’’ She scowled at the girl getting slightly impatient, well she still had a lot of matters to do. The girl trembled once again. Is my face that scary? How about I smile? So the princess smiled broadly but to the maid’s perspective, she looked scarier than before. Thud! ‘’Y-your highness! Please spa-spare m-my life, I-I have a fa-family to care for.’’ The brunette young maid kneeled down immediately just like what the young nobleman did before. ‘What’s up with this people? They all have adapted the same weird habits, don’t they?.’ ‘’Er...who will be killed? I didn’t say I will chop your head - ‘’ ‘’Cho-chop th-the he-head?’’ The maid felt a pain in her head thinking about the princess carrying a big ax or long sharp sword chasing her to cut her head off. Her legs felt numb thinking about it. She thought she don’t even have the strength to stand in her kneeling position. ‘’Yeah...I never said I will chop your head or something. I’ll just want to know your na - ‘’ Thud! Before the princess could finish her sentence, the maid fainted. ‘’H-hey miss, are you...alright?’’ She squatted down and touched the maid’s head. After an hour, the maid finally woke up. The first thing she saw after she opened her eyes is the zoomed-in face of the princess. Her brows furrowed and her obsidian eyes were not icy blue but they possessed such iciness that made the maid freaked out just staring at those eyes. Eeeekkk! She thought she just woke up so why she was having a nightmare now. Yes, she might be still sleeping so what she only needed to do is to close her eyes, and perhaps she will wake up in her small but peaceful room. Besides, how could the princess appear in her humble place...right? ‘’Hey, you just woke up so why are you sleeping again?’’ No way!! She leaped from her bed, her head colliding with the princess'. ‘’Ouch! Just what are you thinking…’’ ‘’Y-your highness, just-just what are you doing here in m-my room?’’ Her eyes were a bit glassy and there was a small bump on her head. ‘’Ugh!’’ The princess narrowed her eyes looking at her head and then touching hers. ‘’At least we’re quits.’’ ‘It’s pretty painful, though’ She blinked at her looking confused. Isn’t she supposed to scold me? W-why does she look like it was okay to her? ‘’Miss, I think this is not your room, isn’t it?’’ The maid looked around and she began to fidget, standing at the corner when she found out it was not her room. The princess sighed feeling helpless. ‘’ I carried you here. It’s troublesome to just leave you on the floor.’’ ‘’What?’’ She exclaimed. She was surprised so she discourteously reacted. She can’t help it! Why would a princess carry a maid? The noble princess slightly furrowed her brows. No one talked back like that to her. ‘’I see you’re now becoming comfortable towards me.’’ ‘’Fo-forgive my rudeness, y-your highness.’’ She was shaking as she made a deep bow in front of the princess. She nodded. ‘’Don’t be nervous. I will not harm you. Actually...I need your help.’’ ‘’M-my help?’’ ‘’Yes.’’ She drew closer to the maid. Because she was taller than her, she slightly leaned forward and whispered in her ear. ‘’Here, make sure you bring me all the things I listed here.’’ The princess said. She took out a paper from her sleeves and gave it to her. The maid reluctantly accepted it. Why does her highness entrust me with a seemingly important task? I am not her personal maid. Besides, I am a lower rank maid in Princess Catherine's palace. I heard they didn’t get along with each other. As she unfolded the paper, her mind was flooded with doubts. And wait...why does the paper getting longer and longer and the list just keeps going on. ‘’Brooms, buckets of water, rags, scented soap, unscented soap, white vinegar, lemon extract…’’ She read some of the contents. Her head was already aching just seeing the list. ‘’Keep in mind that is of utmost importance. Urgent! They are very urgent!’’ The princess said with a sense of urgency and seriousness. ‘’Remember, every detail is important.’’ ‘’Y-your highness, may I ask what….what are you planning to do with...all of these?’’ The princess’ eyes glinted and a smirk spread across her thin, colorless lips. ‘’We have to do some serious cleaning. Flies are not allowed to enter the palace or else...their disgusting little heads will be cut down.’’ Her smirk was slowly getting broader as her face darkened. Poor flies. The noble princess will not spare even a fly. ‘’Ha ha ha - ‘’ she was about to let out a maniacal laugh but stopped, remembering the unwanted incident. ‘’B-but if this is so important to her highness...then why...why are you entrusting this task to me. I-I am after all Princess Catherine’s maid.’’ The maid said with hesitation but she can’t deny it, in the short period of time she was with the princess, she felt a little closer and warmer towards her. She found out rumors about her were completely different, although she was indeed a little bit scary. ‘’Hmmm…’’ The princess pondered, she crossed her arms. ‘’Come to think of it...I think I don’t know the reason also.’’ She looked at the maid and scrutinized her. The maid felt slightly uncomfortable under the princess’ gaze. ‘’You’re cute...So, what’s your name?’’ ‘He he, what a good reason!’ ‘’To answer her highness, my name is Cynthia.’’ She curtsied, a gesture of a polite introduction. ‘’Okay, Cynthia, there was no deep reason. I just come to like your demeanor.’’ The princess said, her face was straight and void of emotion, yet the words she spoke carried enormous warmth. Cynthia blushed at the thought of an aloof and ice princess liking her! ‘’I know you’ll help me. So...see you later.’’ The princess smiled and winked at her before walking out through the door. Eh? What was that wink for? And...she smiled...at me? ‘’Oh Cynthia, how lucky you are to meet the princess and became close to her.’’ She said to herself and giggled. Is she really a rumored villainous Princess Ivanna? They said she constantly abused Princess Catherine. Indeed, she was intimidating in person but she seemed sincere and kind. The night was getting deeper. The palace of Princess Catherine, on the other hand never turned off the lights as the banquet goes on. Everyone was enjoying their time dancing, eating, drinking, and gossiping. But suddenly, they heard a series of footsteps coming from the outside of the ballroom. The footsteps are heavy as if these people are wearing metallic boots. They sound like a battalion of soldiers coming for the war. These heavy footsteps stopped in front of the large door of the ballroom. The nobles felt strange, why would a group of soldiers stop in front of the princess palace. Can’t they see there is a banquet and only nobles can enter? “Open the door!’’ A guard shouted at the male servant standing at the entrance. ‘’How dare you to cause a ruckus - ‘’ the male servant refuted but the guard in front of his fellow guards was harsher than him. ‘’I said open the door!’’ The guard looked down at the servant. He towered over him thus he appeared more intimidating. No wonder he was leading these guards not less than him. They wore the same armor and even their cold expressions were uniform. ‘’Y-you can’t enter! T-they are t-the esteem nobles of the empire!’’ ‘’So what? How about...me?’’ He heard a voice of a woman behind these large groups of bulky soldiers. The soldiers became divided in half, making a way for the woman who just spoke of. She gracefully walked towards the servant. Chin up, her face held ten layers of coldness, arms crossed as her right hand held a fan covering her mouth, as black as night just like her long flowing dress, touching the ground. The click-clak of her heels echoed as it touched the marble floor of the palace. The servant's knees trembled when he finally recognized the woman. Who could match her signature of coldness in the empire! She is no doubt the rumored villainess, Princess Ivanna. "Prin-princess?" "Yes, you don't know me?" She sharpened the gaze she was throwing at him. "Do I need to say my name to you?" Then behind her black fan, a smirk appeared on her lips. Cough. 'Fans are really powerful shields against...flies.' "It's -- " "I am the eldest princess of this empire, Princess Ivanna Lucille Melbrose." She said it louder so the nobles inside the ballroom can hear her. "Tonight, I will put an end to all of you…," flies. She added. She lowered her voice but it was enough for the servant standing at the entrance to hear her. 'So scary and it's…just why are you here again!?" Of course, he didn't say it out loud. "Y-your highness, did-didn't you j-just came here before?" His forehead broke cold sweats. He knew trouble would definitely descend tonight. He wondered what was the princess planning to do. "Oh, yes it is." "Your highness, the thing is...you can only enter if...if you have an invitation." He found himself in a difficult spot again. However, he maintained his smile despite the anxious feeling. "Uh...how unfortunate!" She casually said. The servant became nervous. 'Don't tell me she will use brute force to me once again!" "Y-your highness, it shouldn't be…" She briefly glanced at the captain of the guard, throwing him a 'give-me-a-grand-entrance' look. Even before the servant could wholeheartedly speak his mind, the captain swiftly shoved him aside and forcedly kicked the large door. Crash! There was a loud crash, everyone inside the hall get startled. 'Aw! My butt hurts!' The servant can only complain in his heart. 'I am kicked aside again...just like what she did earlier.' "Wait, what was that crashing sound?" When he turned to look back again at the princess' group, his eyes widened in shock. "T-the door! It broke apart!." The captain of the guard casually motioned the princess to enter. "Your highness, the door is open now." Ivanna's mouth twitched. 'I think...I shouldn't have asked for a grand entrance, right?.' When it means 'a grand entrance' a smoke effect shouldn't be left out. The captain of the guards nodded in satisfaction "Hmm", his face stayed stoic as ever. He signaled to the guards to move forward. The plan was to hide the princess behind them and later ‘boom!’ she will show up confidently in the midst of them. Actually, it was the move they did before. "Remember, what we practiced for." He seriously instructed the guards in a strict solid tone. "Yes, we remember the formation, captain!" The guards said altogether, they saluted and stomped their feet in agreement. "Unite, cover each other, be vigilant. The enemies might be just around the corner. When the time is right...draw your weapons" The captain added. "Yes!!" The guards’ morale increased, their eyes became alert, sharp, and vigilant. Cough. "Captain, make sure the choreogra -- Er...battle formation is flawless." The princess whispered to the captain. "Yes, your highness." He bowed respectfully. Dust filled the air, particularly the entrance, a dozen of guards started to march inside the ballroom. Their footsteps are heavy, it was a deafening sound that made the nobles feel bitter. One by one, they tried to summon their personal guards. Normally, nobles are not allowed to carry weapons inside the palace and even guards from their families. The imperial guards will be the ones who would protect them during their stay in the palace. However, guards entering a banquet is disturbing unless there is a rebellion or a suppression coming from the imperial itself, usually, when suppression arises it is directed to the nobles. The banquet was disrupted for the second time. "Princess Catherine..." The main protagonist of the party was trying hard to stop herself from exploding in anger. For the time being, she needed to keep her delicate, charming, and innocent image. She was put to the ultimate test twice tonight. But she shouldn't be concerned; all she needs to do now is remember and endure the humiliation. Soon, she will be able to avenge herself ten times more. Whoever it is, they will undoubtedly meet their end shortly. The entrance of the ballroom was filled with dust. The guards lined up forward, with solid square formation. Her delicate figure appeared in front of them yet none of the guards budged. It was not a normal occurrence for Catherine. Usually, guards and every man in the palace softened whenever they saw her. Princess Catherine stepped forward, her nails embedded into her palms out of her growing impatience while maintaining a soft beautiful smile on her face. Cough. Cough. Cough. Her pale yet flawless complexion and her occasional weak coughs made her appear sickly and completely harmless. ‘’May I ask what can I do for you?’’ Her sweet voice was as pleasing as always. ‘’...’’ The guards. Actually, they are silently looking for enemies. ‘’Hey, little sister!’’ A voice spoke coming from nowhere. Catherine looked around to look for that voice. She looked to her right. ‘’Uh...no, I’m not there. I’m here.’’ The voice spoke again in disappointment. So she looked to the left side. ‘’I’m definitely not there. Here! Look here… over here.’’ Catherine looked back again at the unmoved and emotionless guards, behind them she saw a familiar black figure. Her head popped up, waving her hand. Her face was weirdly covered by a fan. ‘Didn’t she feel stiff holding that fan like that?’ ‘’Sigh. Finally, you can see me now!’’ She sighed and wiped down an invisible sweat on her head. ‘’Uh-huh.’’ Catherine unconsciously raised her brows. ‘’Sister, why are you here again?’’ She asked. Suddenly the unmoving wall of guards made a move making her quite startled for a while. They moved to make a way for her sister. Ivanna walked then confidently just like what she did in the hallway. Catherine sneered secretly. She will never like her sister’s arrogance. "I've returned! "Ivanna moved gracefully towards her. When their gazes collided, it was like a stare-down. No one wants to give up. ‘’Your Highness, forgive me for my rudeness but...you are not invited to this party.’’ The noble lady beside Catherine curtsied as she meet Ivanna and then stand beside Catherine. She was obviously her little sister’s accomplice. ‘’I know but...can you see my friends here with me?’’ Ivanna motioned her hands in the guard’s direction, showing the people inside the banquet that they came here with her. ‘’But sis-sister, w-why are you really here?’’ Ivanna stepped forward once again and walked past her. ‘’I’m here...to clean up!’’ She said in a high-pitched tone. ‘’Guards, draw your weapons!’’ One by one, the different so-called weapons were withdrawn. ‘’What are they doing? What are those things they’re holding?’’ The noble whispered to each other. In the guards’ hands, there are brooms, rags, soap, feather dusters, buckets, and more sorts of weapons er - .cleaning supplies? ‘’Captain, weapons were successfully withdrawn! What is our next move?’’ As if they’re one person, the guards spoke altogether even their movements were synchronized. ‘’Enemy termination!’’ The captain of the guards replied. Secretly, Catherine’s mouth twitched. Her acting spokesperson, the noble lady beside Catherine spoke again. ‘’Princess, you are not invited to this party.’’ This time her tone was heavier. Although it was a simple sentence of reminder, it was meaningful. The princess is an intruder in this exclusive grand party. She had to leave or else, nobles like her will not take her actions lightly even though she is a princess. They will undoubtedly do something about it. Ivanna caught what she was trying to say. However, she ignored the noble lady and just walk past her. Ivanna walked closer to her younger sister and whispered in her ear. Her face darkened with hostility. ‘’Little sister, are you that happy for you to host a party on the day of your brother’s death?’’