The Villainess's Law of Survival

CHAPTER 4: REALITY

"Dissatisfaction is a great starting point, for it is right there that we have the most power, strength, and energy to push change through."-David DeNotaris

Weeks had passed since the day I transmigrated here. Whenever I open my eyes, I still can't believe that all the things that occurred to me were real. I had to confirm my theory, so every time I woke up.

The first thing I did was run in a rush outside, fumbling at a large extravagant courtyard. The yard was brimming with a chronological antique sight, a classical flair to its layout. In the center of the garden stood next to a pavilion, appropriately furnished with rock, wooden tables, and chairs. No matter where I looked, I couldn't find telephone cables, electricity lights, no cellphones, television, or WIFI. In short, no modern stuff at all!

If I really died from that accident, should I be supposed to go to the netherworld where a lifeless soul like me should be? This is so unimaginable! Can anyone explain to me what sort of bizarre method of transmigration this was, please?

When I came back to my senses, I didn't realize I was already in the yard with all those ancient-dressed maids peeking in my way with confusion in their eyes, the others were snickering at me like I was some crazy b***h who had been released in the daytime. I examined myself, barely to discover that I was still in my nighttime attire, with messy hair, and barefooted. There I knew...

Ah, I am literally going crazy now.'

"AHHHHHHH!" I pulled my hair and yelled out in frustration. I crouched down blankly on the ground.

'What the hell is going on with me?! Could somebody explain if I died or not?'

'How am I supposed to live a life that wasn't even mine! Besides, this body is destined to die soon, as the worst villain, a character in a book to begin with!'

"Miss!" A loud voice screamed from afar grabbed my attention, it was Marie with an anxious plaster expression on her face.

"Marie?"

She ran towards me, her expression was still frantic.

"Miss, do you feel unwell? Do you want this servant to go call for a physician?"

What to do? Should I tell her I'm not her lady? No, they may speculate that I've gone crazy and lost my sanity, or maybe worse, I might be called the devil. Oh, God. I guess it is better to keep all the information to myself to avoid trouble.

"No, no. I'm alright, Marie. It's just a little headache," I asserted.

"Miss Lara, please don't scare this servant! Are you sure you're fine, milady?" Marie implored.

"Lara? Hah. Liana Lara Scarlett.." I muttered softly.

Marie held my hand and asked, "What's wrong, Miss? Is there anything that matters to your honorable name?"

Honorable? That's bullshit.

Why on earth is it me...

I inwardly cursed my bad luck. Of all people to transmigrate into, I possessed a villain's identity who'd been fated to die soon.

'Oh god, Lara!'

This made me feel like weeping, but I had no tears to shed. I couldn't find the ability to.

"Miss, are you sure you are alright? This maid is afraid of how the young lady is behaving strangely these days .." Marie's tone was neither doubtful nor suspicious. She appeared solely curious about what I was doing, which was completely understandable since the former Lara never behaved crazily like how I am now.

I sought. "I'm really fine Marie ... But first, could you help me get up?"

I lifted my arms, while Marie carefully pulled me up gently and led me to my room.

"Drink some water first, miss." Marie offered me a cup of water.

After gulping some water, I eventually calmed down. I felt the need to reorganize the plot of the novel so that I wouldn't have to die at a tragic end again. I felt immensely depressed whenever I recalled what was written in the novel.

'Such a shitty biased author.'

After a few minutes, I started digging through for appropriate clothes to wear for breakfast, staring at Lara's wardrobe for something simple to wear was quite unachievable. In the novel, Lara always wore extravagant and exquisite clothes wherever she went. And they were indeed beyond remarkable. From having enormous ornaments, and gems stitched carefully on the clothing, to having bright vibrant dresses that will blind someone.

"I guess I'll go with these clothes for breakfast."

I picked the simplest and plain dress I could find, and somehow the sleeves were still covered in diamonds. I'm quite amazed by her collection. She must've loved shimmering ornaments like this. I wonder how much fortune I can collect by selling these clothes?

"You look wonderful, miss. I always knew any outfit would look gorgeous on you!"

"Thank - you."

A small gasp left my mouth: the tightness of the dress was quite unbearable.

Way too unbearable.

Surely, it showed off Lara's undeniable perfect figure, but what's the point if I am going to collapse wearing this?

"Is there any intriguing news on the estate today?"

"In response to the lady, everyone has been busy organizing the mansion these days and preparing for the young Miss and young master academy acceptance celebration. Everyone was occupied with their tasks and the Duke was gone on a business trip and would return soon."

The party has not yet arrived, which signifies that the princes have not yet met Dianna and Lara.

Thank goodness I was still far away from my death. As long as I didn't create and stay away from trouble and kick a fuss, I might be able to live out my days if I kept my head down. All I have to do now is to fully adapt to my current situation.

"That's right, Marie..."

"Yes, Miss?"

"I want to know my schedule for today." I blurted.

Marie stops for a moment and looks at me astounded. "Ah, for... For your schedule today, Miss, you had a literature and etiquette practice with Duchess Elena." She hesitated.

I frowned. "That's all?"

"Um, you've been invited to another social gathering, a tea party with Castillo's daughter." She responded.

'Oh, a social gathering? To establish links with the family of aristocrats.'

"It's a great idea."

"But, miss. I thought you were not fond of attending gatherings. You said it was lame, stupid, and a waste of time. Are you going to participate this time?" She asks, apprehensively.

Right. How could I forget such an important detail? The previous Lara disliked attending social gatherings and interacting with other aristocrats.

In the novel, the first time Lara attended a party was when she was 10 years old. Many recognizable nobles attend that event, it should have been a comfortable glamour gathering when suddenly Lara exploded into a rage over a few small children worshiping her precious brother. From then, she didn't bother attending gatherings because it always ended up worse.

She even has the nickname 'Destroyer.' Because everywhere she goes, trouble follows her.

"Th-That's... That's because I want to change into a better person! Yeah. Yeah. A new leaf to start, Marie, don't you think I need to clean up my name and build my group of friends?"

I gave her a big smile and, much to my dismay, an awkward silence fell upon us as we glanced at each other, waiting for someone to say something.

"... Miss, you're acting unusually, it's like you've become a different person." She mumbled through the silence.

'Well, that's because I'm a completely different person.'

"Ha-ha-ha, I'm not, you're just being paranoid." As I spoke, I stammered. 'Gosh, it's too obvious that I'm lying!'

"L- Look at me, I am still the same, and nothing has changed, okay?" I clasped her hand and sincerely looked into her hazel-brown eyes since someone had said to me that the eye was the door to open a soul. Maybe I could gain her trust that way.

Although I feel bad for lying, I have to. To protect me from unwanted dangers.

Marie's face completely turned red and became flustered. "Y-yes, Miss. It's quite alright, you have grown to be such a fine and gentle, mature lady." She acts like a guy who fell in love for the first time.

"Yeah.."

The weight on my shoulder faded away; I didn't notice how scared I was now that I possessed the infamous Lara, yet I am grateful to have someone by my side that I could trust. "Thank you, Marie."

"It's my pleasure to be able to help you. Milady." She smiled.

"Knock-knock."

The door gradually opened.

"Miss, it's time for you to wake up and get prepared for a break-"

A golden-brown-haired woman appeared in the room wearing a maid's costume, the same as Marie, which looked as though it came from the medieval period. She had a startled expression on her face, her eyes were bulging at the sight of us holding each other's hands and so close.

"Fast..."

"Good... Morning?" I offered her a small awkward smile.

"I apologize, I should come later!"

"Thud!" She shut the door aloud.

I proceeded to get up from my seat. But as she said that. She fled out of my room as if she saw something she shouldn't have. Before I could get up completely and clarify.

"Wait! It's not like that, I can explain!"

I ran toward my door, wondering where she had gone until I heard a commotion from the end of the hallway.

"Is there something wrong, Lilith?"

"Young Master! The Lady is already awake, she's with Marie and they were both too intimate with each other! She also greeted me! "Good Morning." She said."

"Are you sure that you weren't imagining things, Lilith?"

"How could I be, young master! I saw and heard it with my own eyes and ears!"

I peered down the corridor along with Marie, and there stood Steve and Lilith. As I strode towards them. Steve glanced in my way, a sheepish grin showing on his face. This is the first time I had a good look at him since I got here. He had a prominent, strong look like a knight and his crimson hair shone dazzlingly in the blazing sunlight, he had a perfect sculptor's figure, a firm straight nose, sharp jaw, red-dyed kissable lips and.

"I haven't seen you for a while, Lara."

And thick brows that complimented his curtain of black lashes covering his ocean of bright-green emerald eyes. He inherited that from his parents.

'Sorry, I never had planned to see a godly-looking jerk like you.'

Instead, to reply, I greeted him. "Good morning."

His eyes widened in amazement, the same as Marie and Lilith's.

'What? Are they surprised to hear me saying "good morning"?'

"Is there something wrong?"

Steve faked a cough. Trying to keep his composure. " Well, I came here to find you since you took so long to get changed, and breakfast was about to begin."

"Thanks for worrying over nothing, but I'm already done. Thanks to Marie."

"Then stop slacking off, we should hurry and greet mother." He said.

"As you say."

Steve turned his back and started walking away from us. At one last second, I glanced at Lilith and gave her a small smile.

"G-Good morning Miss, I apologize for my rude behavior toward you this morning, I am ashamed of it." She said, bending her head as low as possibly could, with each second passing by, Lilith's face became paler. As she waited for what punishment I would give her.

"It's alright, please lift your head. It must be straining your back."

"Thank you, milady."

"You should go and rest, leave the chores to the other servants."

"Y-yes?"

Holding her hand in mine, I gave her a gentle voice and sweet smile to ease the terror shown on Lilith's face. But, it didn't seem to help, since Lilith looked at me as though she was going to die.

'Is Lara's face this scary?'

"... D-Does the lady not need this servant anymore?" She said, trying to hold back her tears.

Wait. Why is she weeping suddenly now?

She gets on her knees and begs, "Lady Lara, please. I beg for your forgiveness. I can accept any kind of punishment, but please don't dismiss this servant."

'What is she saying?'

"Wait--"

"My parents died, my little sister is sick, she can only depend on me, my lady. Please don't throw me away!" She pleaded with a trembling voice.

Huh?

My brows knitted. "Throw you?" I retorted, "Why would I do that?"

"Pardon?"

I chuckled.

"You got me wrong, Lilith. All I meant was for you to rest in your room for a while," I explained. "I know that the wounds behind your back haven't been fully healed yet."

Lara's hobby was torturing all her maids every chance she got. She used to whip the servants at the slightest error that they made, which included Marie and Lilith. Her personality changes drastically whenever someone opposes her desire.

Seeing her wounds inflicted by the person I possess, my heart aches for her.

"Is that true, lady?" As she asked, a pinkish blush of embarrassment shaded her cheeks.

"Yes." I smiled again.

Lilith brightened to me as she had finally regained her spirit, with those shining eyes. "Thank you, lady!"

I clashed their hands together.

"Lilith, Marie. I want to thank both of you for looking after me, and I want to apologize for all the awful stuff I have done to both of you." I finally said, "I know that it would take time for you to forgive me, but I still want you to know that I'm sincerely sorry for everything."

I want to ask them for forgiveness in Lara's position. I understand that even though Lara behaved toward them harshly, they never abandoned and neglected her.

"It's fine, milady. We can understand you." They giggled and beamed affectionally.

Lara seeks affection from the wrong people who can't recognize her value, not realizing that the people who truly care for her were simply beside her all this time.

For a moment I didn't know what to say, and then carefully, "Can we be friends?" I muttered.

They glanced at each other startled.

"I want you not as my maid but as my friend... My trusted friend. Would you allow me?"

In a split second, they stare at me as if they are seeing an angel and shortly they smile cheerfully at me, and.

"Of course Miss, It's our honor to be your friend!" they expressed, both delighted.

"I'm glad to hear that from the two of you."

"Liana! Are you not going?" Steve spat.

I did not know that he was waiting for me.

"Miss, you should keep going. Young Master hates waiting most." Marie insists.

"Okay."

~At the dining room ~

The dining room was incredibly silent, no one attempted to speak nor to initiate a conversation. What could be heeded in the dining room was the clattering screeches of spoons and plates, the chilly whisper of wind through the window.

Staring at my plate full of food barely touched, I was so nervous, that I was afraid I might end up making a big mistake in front of the duchess, not to mention the awkward quietness of the dining room where we all sat, not a single word was spoken since I arrived, even Marie, and the other servants have been sneaking a glance at me, they too look anxious like me.

'Is something ominous going to happen? Should I say something? Uh, this sucks.

It's suffocating me! Please, somebody, save me! I'm starving yet I can't dine comfortably!'

"I've been told that you helped that wizard to flee from your brother's hand."

I was brought back to my senses when the duchess abruptly spoke in a stern tone, without even bothering to glance at me.

Although she didn't mention my name particularly, her blunt remarks referred to me.

Duchess Olivia Malory Scarlett, is portrayed in the novel as an influential woman in society; a respected individual in the Empire for her kind nature. She is the mother of Steve and Allen, despite being known as a gentle and kind woman. Despite the opposite of those traits. Seeing Duchess Olivia for the first time, she definitely resembles Steve a lot, her ocean green hair that matches her pale snow skin, her gentle beautiful oval face, and emerald eyes. From her ocean green hair and Lara's silver-white hair, you can obviously see that they were not blood-related to each other. For me, the duchess is rather a scary, beautiful demeanor and intimidating person. Despite that, she is kind-hearted and caring towards her family and sons, but not to Lara. For her, Lara was a threat to her sons from the duke's affection.

"Mother, It's not like that--"

Steve tries to take my side and defend me from his mother's wrath. Since he was the one who knew the truth about what happened that day, entirely different from what duchess Olivia was trying to say, he was cut off.

The Duchess put down her fork fiercely and scowled at him. "Are you Lara now? I'm talking to her not to you, son." She stated, glancing at me. "And you, I allow you to go with your brother just to find out you failed to capture that wizard, such a simple task to help your brother and you can't be somehow useful to him?"

'Hah'

Steve bit his lips, "Mother, please stop. Liana has been a great help to me, it's not her fault that I failed to catch the great wizard, he's more powerful than me and we both know it." He responded, "I underestimate him a little. Mom, please don't put the blame on Liana, I'm the one responsible for it."

The tension around us becomes heavier.

Ugh. The thing I dislike the most is this sort of drama! God. Can you please spare me from this?

'C'mon, we're not on a freaking movie right now. I'm not even an actress, I should be watching this with popcorn, not tagging along with their arguments!'