The Villainess's Law of Survival

CHAPTER 6: DEJA - VU

"Sorry for what?"

"The fact is I visited you to apologize for how I behave the other day, I came to you without a prior announcement not knowing you have your own business to attend to... Letting you be in such a bad condition today."

I assume, that it's pretty unusual to hear it from her a protagonist of this damn novel at that.

My eyes shimmer at her statement so I decide to overlook her behavior this time.

"No, it's quite alright Diana. Considering we were all here now let's just enjoy for the meantime." I said.

Her face brightened up. "Re-Really?!! Are you not mad at me anymore?" she asked curiously.

I slightly grimace. "No. I'm not mad at you Diana."

That's a lie. Of course, I hate her. She who looks innocent angel was a scheming person.

“It’s quite amazing.”

“What is?”

“You have become a completely different person after only a few months.”

A sudden breeze fluttered the disheveled fringe of hair that had drooped down to Diana’s nose.

“No, should I say that it feels like there is a different soul possessing your body?”

I suddenly froze. As a hairpin suddenly slid out of place, a strand of my hair that had been carefully set into my updo fell forward.

"What?"

"..."

‘Just now, she definitely…’

“No, should I say that it feels like there is a different soul possessing your body?”

She was certain that it was just a random guess thrown out after seeing a difference in my appearance.

My head started throbbing and my heart was racing at full speed. It felt like I was a child who had just got caught stealing.

Of course, I didn't steal anything! I was involuntary came here. 

But Something feels off...

Something is wrong, there's definitely wrong but I can't figure it out exactly.

I wonder how the original Lara behave in presence of the others, I tried to act as a villainess, but the suspicion on me perpetually rises every minute I lay my guard down for a moment.

This. I kept getting a strange sense of Deja vu. 

Am I just being too paranoid?

"That's nonsense. Diana." I chuckle tensely.

Diana smirked mischievously... "Your right. I'm just kidding Lara don't take it seriously."

Hey, Is that a joke?

 It's more like she wants to warn me that she already knows who am I!

"If you're done, I'll take my leave first," I said, and she nodded while staring at me mysteriously.

Did I happen to skip an important detail?

No. That's impossible. I'm sure she knows something...

I have an eidetic ability when it comes to reading books. I can't possibly skip a significant part.

Let's calm down first. *Breath in and out*

I have a different purpose for appearing here. I must concentrate my attention here and accomplished what I intend to do. After that, I will solve this freaking sense of Deja-vu.

"Ah, wait. Lara!"

Diana's voice intervened me from my thoughts. I turned towards her. "What is it?"

"If you don't want to talk with the others, can you just stay by my side?"

If this was anyone else other than Diana, it would be a pretty romantic commentary. Normally I would have stubbornly declined, but it was sufficient for me to stick to Diana's side at today's party.

The original work had already begun to change from the moment I became Liana Lara Scarlett, and it wouldn't be too complicated to change another plot point as long as I put my head to it. I gave a nod.

"Wow, really?" Diana said.

"Mm-hmm."

"I was bothered because you've been behaving so rough towards me! Don't leave me, alright?"

I didn't genuinely feel sorry towards her, but I laughed inwardly without saying anything. Then, I heard someone calling me.

"...Lady Liana Lara?"

Ah, that was a familiar voice. When I turned around, I saw a young lady I had only seen once. I smiled awkwardly and said her name.

"Lady Audrey Ynah." 

(Ynah - was pronounce as Yannah.

Wait, I don't think this was in the original novel...? I had a puzzled expression on my face. Audrey Ynah Lorica Castillo and Liana Lara Scarlett rarely interact in the original novel; perhaps once or twice at most. Even then, that was only after Diana receive her customary title as a saintess.

I gave Audrey a soothing smile. "Hello, Lady Castillo. This is the first time we've met considering the tea party that happens a few years ago, is it not?"

"Yes. You've become more beautiful the last time I've seen you," Audrey replied.

"You become more beautiful since the last time I saw you've seemed to be a standard greeting in this world." I smiled awkwardly and offered the same sentiment to her.

"Thank you, Lady Audrey Ynah. The same goes for you as well."

"I'm flattered. I'm so thrilled to see you again. Actually, I desired to talk to you at that party, but regrettably, I couldn't. I'm so happy I could see you at the start of the banquet today!"

Uh...wait, 

Since when did Audrey have this kind of personality?

 I panicked. The image of Audrey Ynah stored in my head from the novel was a woman with an intelligent head and a cold beauty. While she was appropriately polite and welcoming to me, she was nowhere near this bubbly and energetic. Somehow...she sort of reminded me of a big dog that greeted a person after a long separation. Of course, that was a rather rude way to describe a person.

"Thank you for welcoming me like this, Lady Audrey."

"Not at all, Lady Lara. I had a good feeling that I was going to be lucky today," she said with a soft smile, then went on in an excited voice. "If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to you."

Ah, this was even more unexpected. 

I looked on in bewilderment. Today's original plan was to find a potential ally in society I could gain advantages, surely the Castillo family is a good candidate for that, but Diana by my side... 

I hesitated and debated whether I should go or not when a sharp voice came from my side.

"What are you doing, Lady Audrey?" Diana scowled. "Can't you even notice me standing right here?"

"Ah."

Audrey wasn't blind of course, but she flickered in surprise as if she just noticed Diana's presence by my side. The ironic thing was that I thought Audrey was funny and cute to be with, not a fake or hypocritical person. Perhaps if my place had been switched, I would have thought the opposite. 

Come to think of it, I was a dual-faced person, wasn't I?

"My apologies for offending you, Lady Diana," Audrey said in a voice that didn't sound apologetic at all, and I almost exploded out laughing.

"Please understand, My Lady," Audrey continued, "I have bad eye-sight."

It was a ridiculous statement, but Diana's mouth gaped open wordlessly. A moment later she squinted her eyes.

"I'm sorry if you don't have good eyesight. But why is your father seems to have good eyes?" Dorothea said.

"...Haha," Audrey tittered, but her eyes were like steel. It was obvious that she was unhappy. 

"I suppose I take after my mother. Nevertheless, Lady Lara, why don't we go to my table there and chat with my friends?"

"Hey, Lady Audrey. Lara's been with me all this time, so of course, she should stay with me." Diana interrupted. "Right, Lara?"

I can't help but just smile at both of them awkwardly.

"Then she can stay with me from now on. Isn't that right, Lady Lara?"

"Lady Audrey, what is the matter with you? You don't seem to have learned a lady's manners properly."

"Lady Diana, I've been educated properly as a lady, and so I'm asking Lady Lara for permission to go with me. As far as I know, your hearing is fine, so I'm sure you heard it perfectly."

"I heard you, but... You didn't ask for my permission." Diana said and crossed her arms.

"..."

Audrey didn't say anything. Diana smiled triumphantly as if she had won the argument, but I saw it completely oppositely— Audrey was silent out of surprise, not because she had lost the argument.

"I don't think you have anything more further to say to me so, could you please leave?" Diana said.

Again... I was left speechless by Diana's rude behavior.

... How, how could Diana say it like that to her when clearly Audrey is the person hosting this party, and she was merely an uninvited guest? 

If I predicted that this would happen, I should never let her come with me. 

This is embarrassing. 

Gosh... Just when on earth is her freaking useless brain?

Did she happen to left it at Scarlett's mansion?

"No, no. Wait a minute, Lady Diana," Audrey said, bewilderment evident on her face. "Are you two sisters? I heard that Lady Lara had only two brothers..."

I was astonished and responded quickly. "No, Lady Audrey. I don't have a sister but only two older brothers. My second brother was currently away with my father to attend some business while my first brother Steven is here with me. "

"Oh, is that so?" Audrey asked.

"Why are you asking?" Diana complained, and Audrey replied in confusion.

"I still don't understand."

"What's there to not understand—!"

"Well, Lady Lara is not your younger sister, so why do you decide whether she should speak to me? Why should I seek permission from you, when you're not part of Lady Lara's  Scarlett family?"

"That's obvious," Diana said haughtily. "It's because Lara is my best friend."

"But even if she were your younger sister, you can't freely limit the behavior of Lady Lara, who is an adult. Even less so with best friends," Audrey pointed out.

'Wow. I'm starting to like Lady Audrey.'

She's an impressive woman. 

Diana's expression turned sour. "Lady Audrey, aren't you speaking too harshly at me?"

"I don't know which parts are too harsh, Lady Diana. Even a friend has boundaries they want to protect. And I asked Lady Lara, not you. I think you were mistaken."

"I beg your pardon?" Diana sputtered.

"I don't think you heard me, so I'll say it again. You are mistaken, Lady Diana. Even if you are a neighboring princess who was abducted and valued by the emperor himself, you still do not own Lady Lara," Lady Audrey firmly concluded, then she turned towards me. The tender look that she directed at me was surprisingly different from when she stared at Diana. I was flustered at the sudden change in her eyes, but I didn't dislike it and I smiled lightly.

"Lady Lara, it's up to you to decide. If you don't like me, you can reject me."

Of course, I preferred Audrey better than Diana. Unlike Diana, who made my stomach boil once she opened her mouth, Audrey's words pierced my heart. What's more, I also was taking a liking to lady Audrey; however, I needed to carry out my plan I set up earlier... 

Since Audrey came at me first and she's also a perfect candidate for my plan. I think It's alright to go with her.

After I made my decision, I smiled and nodded.

"That's right, Lady Audrey. I agree with you."

Audrey's face brightened at my decisive response. "Thank you for saying that, Lady Lara," she said cheerfully. "Would you like to go over there and talk? It's a little noisy here."

"I don't mind. We can do whatever you like."

"Wait a minute, Lara! Are you leaving me?" Diana grabbed my arm, and I turned around and smiled casually at her.

"It would be rude for me to refuse her, Diana. I also want to talk to Lady Audrey," I said.

"But you said you'd stay with me. You promised me earlier!"

"I'll be right back. I promise."

"That's different from what you said earlier!"

"I didn't know the situation would turn out like this. Can't you be understanding?" Finally, I said the phrase that Diana loved the most. "I thought I was your best friend."

"..."

Diana was rendered speechless when I used her words on her. I smiled.

"Well, I'll be back." I deliberately turned to Audrey with a friendly look. "Let's go, Lady Audrey?"

***

I was a little worried because this situation was unplanned. What if it didn't go the way that I wanted to? However, I didn't want to reveal my anxieties to Audrey, so I wore the most nonchalant expression I could.

"Thank you for telling me that you wanted to talk first, Lady Audrey. I didn't expect this to happen. I apologize on behalf of Diana's rude behavior towards you. " I added a smile at the end, and Audrey responded with a similar warm expression that was completely different from when she was interacting with Diana.

"You don't need to, Lady Lara. You did nothing wrong to me, in fact. It should be Lady Diana who should felt sorry not you."

"I'm the one who bought her here,  and I felt responsible for that."

"Lady Lara. Actually, I had something to return to you."

Something to return? I tilted my head in puzzlement, and Audrey pulled out something and held it out to me. It was a white handkerchief, a plain white thing save for black embroidery on the edge. Looking closely, I saw that it was initialed "L.L.S. - H. G."

I quickly noticed the meaning— Liana Lara Scarlett. But, what does H. G means?

'So this is Lara's handkerchief.'

The question was, why in the world was Lara's handkerchief in Audrey's hand? I accepted the handkerchief as casually as possible.

"Thank you, Lady Audrey. I forgot about it," I murmured.

Actually, it wasn't that I forgot—I didn't know.

Lady Audrey shook her head, looking like a cute dog. "Not at all, Lady Lara. It always bothered me because I couldn't bring it back to you quickly after I owed you last time. I'm so glad I can give it back now."

For what reason did I lend it to her? That wasn't in the novel. I wanted to ask, but I decided to press my lips shut. She might discover that I wasn't the real Lara. Fortunately, however, Audrey explained it first, ending my curiosity.

"I was so embarrassed when I accidentally hurt my knees at the hunting competition which was held at Scarlett Mystique forest. I didn't bring a handkerchief with me. But everyone was worried that their handkerchief would get dirty, so no one lent one to me. I...I was a little hurt at that time."

Ah, so is that what happened? That was the first I've heard of this. The novel never mentioned a Hunting competition at the Scarlett mansion. However, I smiled and pretended to go along.

"Yes. That's right."

"At the time, you gave me your handkerchief without hesitation and kneel down to gently tied it around my knees. Do you remember what you'd said to me that time, Lady Lara?"

Huh? 

How should I remember when I am not the true Lara? Also, the novel did not mention anything like this had happened...

'Is it because Lara is not the female lead?'

So her past didn't matter? This is too confusing.

"I'm not quite sure what I said to you that time, Lady Audrey. Did I perhaps said something that offended you?"

 Lara's was always been a distance cold and gloomy to others, for sure. Lara maybe did something that offends Lady Audrey at that time. Why would else Audrey ask me now such a thing?

"No. no. Not at all, Lady Lara. What you said to me that time encourage me it was rather inspiring and a precious memory to me now..."

"Thank you, I'm glad you think so." 

10 years ago...

"Hey, are you lady Audrey Ynah?"  

The small lady asked under the scorching sun reflecting her white-silver hair to shine more brightly.

Even though she was still a child,  she acts mature at her age... Her face was always blank, but the coldness and emptiness can be seen in her eyes. 

"Hmm-hmm." The young girl sitting under the tree whose eyes were red from sobbing nodded in response. "... You are?"

"Me? I am Liana Lara Scarlett, the only daughter of the one and only prestigious Scarlett family!" She said proudly.

The young girl stood up flustered and lowered her head and place both of her hands on the tip of her dress to give greetings. "Oh, I apologize for my rude manners. greetings to the young lady of Scarlett."

"Aish, it's okay! it's okay..... But. Why are you crying? Stop that you look ugly and disturbing." The young Lara blurted causing the child to cry louder.

"Wahhhhh" 

"Aish. I told you to stop crying!" She demanded.

"Hick*Hick* I... I can't, Hick* My tears keep flooding out of my eyes... Hick*" The child said pouting beautifully her pinkish lips.

The young Lara scanned her from head to toe, her brows raised from seeing her bruised knees. "Where did you get that?" She pointed to the wounded knees of the young Audrey.

"While...*Hick* While I was hunting I accidentally tripped myself... Hick*"

"Does it hurt that much, that your crying so ugly?"

"Mhmm-Mhm." 

"Tsk, who's fault is it? Tell me, I'll punish them for you. So don't cry okay?" 

The young Lara wiped off her tears with her delicate little hands.

"I...It's my fault. *Hick* Are you going to punish me?"

She frowned at her. "Aish. So you're crying so loud here under the tree because of your own stupidity?"

The child remains silent.

"Nevermind. A noble lady like you shouldn't cry for petty things, if you keep crying like that no one would want you and marry a crybaby like you in the future." She teased.

"Who's crybaby? I'm not! I'm a big girl now."

"Oh, then... Are you a crying lady?"

"Of course, I'm not!"

"Then, stop crying if your not. Big girls don't cry, okay? No one dies here yet your crying like you're being abandoned. You should not cry for insignificant things like this okay? Promise me."

"Promise."  

A light smile crossed on the young Lara's arrogant face, she kneeled on the greeny grass and took out her handkerchief, and gently tied it around to the young girl's bruised knee like a ribbon.

"I' m not saying you're not allowed to cry for the rest of your life, what I meant is you should not cry over little things like this, we are big girls and of course were strong. So we shouldn't waste our precious tears and be called weak. But if you really felt super pain. Then, what could I do? Of course to cry!"

"Lady Lara is so funny."

"Ehem, who's funny? Anyways, even though cry couldn't erase the pain you felt. Somehow crying helps you to fight the pain and continue. Am I correct?"

"Hehe. Lady Lara is right."

~~~