Second Chances

In every story, there must be a villain

I walked out of my room, taking the pendant in my hands. With a delight in her eyes the girl followed me from behind. Kate wanted to ask questions, watching her friend's delighted smile, but she kept her mouth close and scared that I would become furious.

Like I give a damn anymore! During the 15 years I have been married with Bennard, I've seen enough of the politics, that these little things feel like childish games to me.

As I made my way back to the garden, I stopped and stared at the setting sun. Even though it was already peak summer, this location nevertheless made me feel better. During my month-long stay in the pitch-black prison, I developed a greater liking for the sun. And a gazebo was set up for the Royal family to rest in.

Enjoying it would seem pointless.

During my leisurely walk to the gazebo, I appreciated the roses. When I saw one particular rose, I stopped and gazed at it. Like always, the flower was blue, but the corner petals were a dark, almost black, colour.

I had reached out to take it, but I had to put it back as I heard the voice I had been listening to since morning.

Once the head maid approached, she said, "Your Highness, Lord Duke has denied anyone from picking up blue roses from the garden?"

I was surprised by her response. Is she watching my every move? Had she been keeping an eye on me all along? That's what I was thinking when I got enraged.

"And who do you think you are to order me around like that?" I turned to face her with a smile, which left her speechless.

“Please accept my apologies, your highness, but your highness...” I raised my hand to try to keep her from saying further, and she just bowed her head in an attempt to keep quiet.

"This is the garden given to me, the actual Duchess of the Frostmourne Empire. It's not of Duke. And, if he so want to keep the roses, ask him to change the room with me." I didn't anticipate that my tone would be as cold as it was.

"If he only wanted to safeguard his wife's favourite rose, why wouldn't he care when I was dying and didn’t even came to talk to me?"

I viewed all the dumbfounded looks from every different direction. It's impossible for me to just stand where his name is honoured and not feel like I'm being choked.

I then had an idea, and smirked as I turned back around and called out, "Kate."

"Yes, your majesty," she replied, advancing towards my position.

“I’ve got a gift for you.” I gave her the ruby pendant that was a gift from Duke Bennard. As I glanced over my shoulder, I saw the head maid's eyes grew wider and her mouth agape causing my smile to wider.

She returned many bows and said, "Thank you for your kindness, your highness. This subject is grateful for you generosity."

As for me, the one who enjoyed it the most was definitely me.

I knew that my other personnel wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the ruby set and the diamonds, but she would be able to tell from just a peek. As she was the one who brought this wedding gift for me from Duke's chamber, she was therefore the only person who was allowed to see it. He did not even gave me the wedding gift himself because he was too busy for it. Now, I am certain that this information will reach his ears in no time.

‘Revenge is best served cold’ It seems a villain will always be a villain. I smirked to myself and was pleased with the outcome, so I headed in the direction of the gazebo. Looking down at a wonderful lunch in front of me, I reclined in my comfortable armchair.

Looking around at the magnificent scenery, I took bites of my supper. This is how I plan to live the rest of my life.

Then my eyes came to rest on the cheerful and bright faces of Norma and Kate, I was convinced that if it wasn’t in my presence they would be have danced there and then.

But, when I was stared at the girl who I truly wanted to make happy, my brow wrinkled. ‘What's wrong with Lina? I wonder if she also likes rubies as well?’

As I was thinking to myself, I decided to get her a ruby necklace after all. My morning meal contained copious amounts of food because I was so enthusiastic about seeing tasty treats and as a result, I ate little bit too much causing me to not eat much now. Oh my delicious meal, looks like I have to give you up here.

The servants were moving away the tableware and my table was cleared. "I'd like good digestive tea," I asked the lady, and she bowed, accepting the order.

My favourite rose tea was brought after only a few minutes, and I took a quick sip of it. But as soon as I took a sip of it, it tasted terrible. It felt as though I had bitten into something acidic.

 It doesn't have a bad taste. It's just as scented and brass as I liked it. I was bitter because of the man walking towards me which made me feel resentful.

'He could no longer grasp the human language. Did I not give the message I would not meet with him? So why is his valuable time squandering here?’

Despite being in his mid-thirties, he had black hair. His eyes were filled with apathy, but they were deep blue. Just like him, they were both quite cold.