The Real Villainess

Flashback

IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE CAME BACK. A lady, smiling cheerfully, was on her way to the Bonavich Ducal estate.

Upon arrival, she was met by the guards. "May we know the lady's name and purpose of visit?" one guard asked.

She flashed a smile and confidently revealed her identity. "I am Lady Contessa Yllaine Fontaine, I am here to pay a visit to his grace, the Grand Duke Bonavich."

Contessa, the daughter of Marquis Fontaine, was the second of five siblings. She and Vik, along with Zavier, had been childhood playmates. A scholar from the academy, earning many recognition.

The doors opened, and Vik entered smiling from ear to ear as they exchanged formalities, Contessa stood and gave a slight bow, smiling. "It's been a while. ." she said.

"Yes, it has already been. How was your trip? I heard your outstanding achievements even from here, you sure are extraordinary." Vik asked, sitting on the sofa across from her.

"Oh, don't you flatter me that much. I will keep reaching for those people who think it is impossible for a woman such as me to reach. And as you know I don't enjoy travelling but as I got to see you I felt much better." she said, smiling.

"Well then, I am glad that I have made you feel well and I am honored to have you back." he replied.

A sudden silence filled the room until the butler entered and whispered to Vik. "Your Grace, Lady Yeovil has arrived."

Lady Yeovil?! Contessa couldn't help but get curious as to why that Yeovil had to come pay a visit to the Grand Duke. A spark of jealousy rather.

"Pardon me, Lady Contessa. I have another guest to attend to. Will you be alright here?"

A feeling of insecurity hit her. It may be true that Freya has a much higher status than she has but Freya has never been a woman desired by the ton.

People always thought that Freya is the Duke Yeovil's treasured daughter that had grown to be spoiled and act impulsively due to her lack of mother figure.

"It is something urgent, I do hope you understand, Contessa." Vik said before leaving Contessa alone in the room.

She felt a pang of neglect and wanted to throw something but controlled her anger.

Determined, she began snooping around the Ducal estate. Reaching the garden, she saw Vik talking to another lady. She hid behind a bush, spying on them.

It is really that woman. Thoughts came rushing through, Freya Lavine Yeovil, a lady good-for-nothing who lacks a mother figure, spoiled and mad herself is with the Grand Duke.

EIGHT YEARS AGO, Freya attended a tea party hosted by the young Contessa. Freya, who hated tea parties, sat frowning, intimidating the other guests—except Contessa, who was infuriated by Freya's attitude.

"Lady Yeovil, would you like some more cookies?" She asked, pleasing the lady.

Glaring at her, Freya replied. "The cook back in my estate bakes better cookies."

Everyone got silent, Contessa got embarrassed. Still, she was young and naive how could she upset such a lady with a higher rank than hers?

"Are you just going to stare at me? How disrespectful." Freya blurted that pressed the lady's buttons. As she tries to calm herself down Freya stands up. "I'm leaving."

"You cannot leave!." She begged the lady to not leave. Making Freya laugh at her instincts.

Eyes were all on her. Her father, the Earl would get mad at her for hosting a tea party that turns out to be a failure and an embarrassment.

"Why should I not? I can do whatever I please, I am Lady Freya Lavine Yeovil, daughter of the Duke of Kue. How can a mere daughter of an earl restrain me from doing so?"

Humiliated, everyone looked at her indifferently as they gossiped. N–no, this cannot be happening!

She raised her head, like a lady she is. "Then how can the daughter of a Duke not have proper manners?" She got slapped on the face.

Vivid memories of her getting slapped by her Father can rushing. Contessa was no longer in control, she lounges at Freya pulling her hair as Freya did the same.

The other ladies panicked and called for the servants to stop the two of them from causing more fuss.

"You are a mean person!" Contessa yelled as the two of them wrestled on the grass field.

"How dare you speak of me that way?!"

Soon, servants came rushing to pull them away from each other but it was not possible. "My lady's, please stop fighting already!"

Everyone panicked, more servants came and helped in getting them away from each other. It was chaos.

"Get your hands off me you filthy maid!" Freya yelled, trying to fix herself. "You! Apologize to me now."

Contessa had pride. "Why should I? You are just like a me, a mere lady."

"We are not alike so you better watch what you are saying. How come no one taught you to talk to people with higher status?"

"How come no one taught you to be nicer? Oh, is it because you don't have a mother? Is that it?!" Contessa yelled.

Freya's aura darkened, causing her to run at Contessa pushing and pulling her hair. "I do have a mother!"

"Where is she then?!"

Their Fight only broke when the Earl himself stopped them. Contessa was severely punished from that incident, she cried day and night cursing Freya for what had happened to her.

Only Vik was there. "Tessa, is there something wrong?" She shakes her head in response. " I understand if you do not tell me this instant, just know I am here."

The fact that they were only children at the time, Contessa found comfort in Vik's presence.

"And by that you are taking Vik." She stated as she continues to hide behind a bush. "Don't worry Vik, I will not allow such woman to take you away from someone righteous and that is me."