The Original Villainess

CHAPTER 13

I groaned as I stretched my arms above my head as best I could in the small space, trying not to jostle Dorothy, who was sleeping on my lap.

“Most noble ladies wouldn’t allow their maids to use them as a pillow,” Lee stated, voice neutral as he watched me with hooded eyes.

I smiled down at the sleeping girl and stroked her hair. “Dorothy’s been with me for as long as I can remember. She can do the job of four maids at a time. She’s been faithful and loyal and she’s so adorable at times, that she reminds me of a little kitty cat.”

“Are people simply animals to you, my lady?” he scowled.

I smiled easily at him. “Of course not…puppy.”

He glowered at me, muscles flexing as he crossed his arms over his chest, fists balled up tightly, his knuckles turned white.

Well, he’s adorable, too.

Finally, he sighed and looked away, fingers relaxing. Color returned to his knuckles. “Where are we headed?”

“An orphanage.”

“Another one?” He peered at me warily. “Are you really looking to sponsor a child?”

I met his gaze coolly. “I apologize, Mr. Lee, but I only reveal my intentions to my people. You are not my people. Therefore, you have no right to question me, or my motives.”

Instead of the anger that I was becoming familiar with, his face filled with idle curiosity. “What makes someone your person?”

“Well, like I said before. Dorothy is completely and hopelessly loyal to me, and me alone. The driver is employed by my family.” I smirked at him. “Would you like me to pay you a wage, Mr. Lee? Perhaps I can hire you for a job, so you can become mine?”

He held up his hands immediately, shaking his head. “No, thank you. I refuse to take on jobs from suspicious noblewomen who won’t tell me how they know me.”

I shrugged and looked out the window. Fewer trees and more open space were appearing. Farmland, most likely. It’s mid spring, so most of the crops have probably already been planted. “No matter. I could never trust the dog of the crown prince, anyway.”

I didn’t see him move, and my vision didn’t come back into focus until after he had me pinned down, hand tightening around my throat, a harsh snarl on his lips.

“What do you know?” he whispered roughly, face so close I could feel his breath on my skin. His fingers gripped tighter, tighter. I fought the urge to clasp at the hand around my throat, even as my vision began to blur. “What do you know!”

I only smiled—or gave him what I thought resembled a smile—and said in a quiet, hoarse voice, “Didn’t I tell you? It has nothing to do with you.” He let me go, sitting back in his seat with a huff as he glowered at me threateningly.

Dorothy stirred, and I continued to stroke her hair, urging her back to sleep.

Stay asleep for a little longer, my friend. Forget the worries all around us.

That was terrifying, I admitted to myself. But now I know for sure he doesn’t know who I am. If he had known, he would have reacted differently. Probably by trying to brush it off, or even flirt with me. That’s the kind of character he was in Consider the Lilies. I rubbed my throat, feeling a bruise forming quickly. If I show any sign of injury by the time I get home, Zane will kill me.

Oh. Did that hurt the baby? I often forget I’m pregnant. I should be fine, though, yes? Worry began to seep through my thoughts, and I sighed to myself, pressing two fingers against each temple. Okay. I’ll see a doctor in the next town. Just a small check up to make sure the baby is fine.

“Here,” Lee gruffed, holding a hand out.

I picked up the small container in his palm. “What’s this?”

“Medicine,” he grumbled, slouching in his seat and looking away.

I opened the lip and took a whiff. Ointment. For my neck? Does he carry this with him everywhere? I giggled.

“What are you laughing at?” he frowned. “Just hurry up and use it!”

“Oh, my!” I teased. “But does the puppy know that I can’t see my own neck? Whatever should I do? Shall I wake up my maid to apply it for me?”

Lee snatched it away from me. “I’ll do it!” he yelled, and I clapped a hand over his mouth, putting a finger to my lips before pointing at the sleeping Dorothy. He nodded silently, and I removed my hand from his blushing face.

Oh? Is the puppy more innocent than the original w*******l made him out to be?

He dipped a finger in the small jar and spread the cold cream on my neck.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured quietly, and my heart stopped for a moment. Wait. What is this? Did Lee…apologize? No. Not possible. In the original story, he would heartlessly tear down anyone who stood in the crown prince’s way. The only time the words “I’m sorry” left his mouth, was near the end of the novel, when he admitted to Lily that he loved her. Then he immediately apologized as Lily broke down in tears, because she loved Carson, but Lee had been a good friend to her the whole time, and she didn’t want to lose him.

I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my lips as I reached up and patted the top of his head. His fiery locks were softer than my blankets at the Sumner estate. “Did my grumpy puppy grow up so quickly?”

His face turned red, and he shoved the container at me, grouching away in the far corner of the carriage. “Do it yourself!”

So cute. I continued to rub the ointment on my throat where it was tender, and tossed the rest of it at Lee, who caught it quickly, shock chasing away any irritation still left in his eyes.

“You should keep it,” he said, holding it back out to me, and I shook my head.

“If I need it again, I’ll come find you.” I could tell, from the way his eyes half blinked, and the corner of his lips grew taut, that he understood the meaning behind my words. That’s right. This is the trick you used in the original story to entrap your henchmen into following your orders. You owe me now, Mr. Lee, and with my injury and the knowledge I have about you, I am officially the most powerful person in this group right now.

—

I c****d my head in curiosity as we approached the orphanage. Dorothy rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The sun hung low in the sky, but not low enough for it to get dark just yet. Hmm. I poked my head out of the window, calling out to Alec. “Stop in town before we get to the orphanage.”

“Yes, my lady!”

He slowed down as we passed through streets filled with people, until he finally called back, “My lady, the streets are too crowded for a carriage.”

“That’s fine,” I said. “I need to stretch my legs, anyway.” I got out of the carriage as he hopped down from his box. I handed him a few silvers from my purse. I never did give this back to Dorothy. Hm. I wonder if I can get some pockets sewn into some of my dresses. “Take Dorothy with you to care for the horses. They’ve been busy today, so they should rest for a while before we head out. I’ll take Mr. Lee.”

“My-my lady,” Dorothy whimpered, two fingers holding tightly to my sleeve. “Do you not like me anymore? Is that why you take Mr. Lee with you everywhere?”

“I take him with me, because I don’t trust him,” I whispered back.

“Then why is he traveling with us?” she gasped.

I shrugged. “Who knows?”

“Is he threatening you?”

I never knew Dorothy could look so scary… I scratched at her ears with a casual smile. “Don’t worry, dear. He won’t let me get hurt.”

“How do you know?” she cried.

“Go, now,” I told her, instead of answering. “I have a few things to do, too. I’ll find you at the watering hole, okay?”

“Yes, my lady,” she sighed dejectedly, following the driver.

“You’re really something, my lady,” Lee said behind me. “I won’t let you get hurt? Did you forget that I was the one who hurt you?”

I touched my throat cautiously. “Is there a bruise?”

“Hm. No, but with the amount of pressure I applied, there probably will be one tomorrow.”

“Here.” I opened my purse again and took out two gold pieces. “Go buy something to cover the bruise with. A scarf, or something. And also some lemon tea and ginger root. And a small container of honey. That should be enough, right?”

He stared at the coins in his hands.

“Is it not?” I placed another coin in his hand.

“You kept me with you to run errands for you?” he asked, incredulous. “You know I’m not a servant, right?”

“Of course. You’re a puppy.” I smirked at him when he clenched his fist, taking a deep breath before letting it out.

“Fine, I’ll buy your tea. Anything else you need, my lady?”

“Nope!” I beamed at him, already walking away.

“Where are you going?” he called back to me.

I smiled knowingly. “To see a doctor, of course.”

—

So it’s this building? It’s much smaller than the one at the capital. Should I use my veil? No, we’re too far away for anyone to know me., and I’d have to remove it if the doctor asks to see my neck, anyway. Okay. Here goes nothing. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Unlike the large office in the capital, there was a desk immediately upon entering the building. The young woman sitting there looked up before moving back to a pile of paperwork in front of her. “Name?”

“Brooke.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Er…no.”

“Do you wish to see the doctor today?”

“As soon as possible, yes.”

“What is this regarding?”

“A pregnancy checkup.”

She glanced back at me, then let her eyes trailed down to my middle. “Do you have concerns that warrant immediate attention?”

“I was injured earlier today,” I admitted, rubbing the sore spot on my throat. “My air supply got cut off long enough for my vision to blacken. I want to make sure the child is still okay.”

Her eyes widened in momentary alarm, and then cleared her throat calmly as she handed me some papers. “Please fill this out while I alert the physician on duty today.”

Physician on duty? So the same doctor isn’t here every day? Do they rotate, like minute clinic nurses? Nice. Even less of a chance that someone will recognize me. I took a seat in a small chair near the desk, and filled out the paperwork, again, leaving unimportant stuff about Brynne’s life that I was unaware about blank, while making sure to answer everything else as truthfully as possible.

Hurried footsteps broke my train of thought, and a tall, skinny man who had to be at least sixty, came back with the young woman from the desk.

Wow, look at them. The mere mention that a baby’s life might be in danger, and they come running. So women are only worth something if they’re pregnant, and children are only worth something as long as they remain in their mother’s womb. What a twisted world we all live in.

“Miss Brooke,” the old man greeted me tenderly. “I am Lark. I heard you were in a small accident today. Can you walk?”

“Absolutely, Doctor Lark.” I handed the papers to the woman, and followed the doctor back to his exam room. “I apologize for coming in without an appointment,” I said, glancing around. It’s pretty clean here. The equipment is a little old fashioned, but it looks like they’re well-kept. I suppose small towns like this can’t afford the latest technology that the capital doctors have.

“It’s no trouble at all, Miss Brooke. Please, lie down so I can examine you.”

I boosted myself onto the makeshift exam table and stretched out. He took out a stethoscope, and my eyes popped. He’s not using a flexible one? Do doctors in the country really have it that bad?

“This might be a little uncomfortable,” he warned gently, “but please bear with it, and it’ll all be over soon.” He pressed the suction to my lower abdomen, and bent over until his ear fit at the end of the small stick poking out of the suction cup. He moved it around on my belly a few times, then straightened. “When was the conception?” he asked kindly, and I almost gagged.

Don’t ask it like that! I’m sure most women don’t keep a diary of the exact date and time they have s*x! I only know because Brynne was a virgin when it happened, and it was described in great detail in the w*******l! I cleared my throat. “Just under two months.”

“Are you eating well?”

“Heh heh.” I bit my lips and looked away, ashamed. “Actually…most foods still make me nauseous, and the smell makes it difficult to keep anything down, so I usually only eat a few light snacks, like fruit, or sandwiches.”

He clicked his tongue. “It is fairly normal for the early stages of pregnancy, but you should take better care of yourself, so your baby is born healthy. Have you tried ginger root?”

“My servant is out to buy it now,” I told him.

“I see. Well, it appears whatever incident you suffered did not cause harm to the child inside you, but since it is still very early in your pregnancy, I would suggest being extra cautious. You should rest up for two weeks to a month. Fresh air is better, so perhaps a visit to the countryside, or seaside. Do not walk if you can avoid it, and eat as much as you can during that time. The first few months are difficult for a woman to find a food she enjoys eating, but if you find one, then eat lots of it, so you don’t starve the baby. Try to stay away from sugar, though, because that just leads to more problems.”

“But I like sugar,” I pouted, sitting up on the table. “Our cook makes the most delicious cookies!”

“A few cookies a day is not going to hurt you,” he smiled pleasantly, “but avoid eating many cookies every day.”

I sighed. “I understand. Thank you, Doctor Lark.”

He reached out and gently lifted my chin, frowning lightly. “It will probably bruise overnight,” he remarked.

“I have some ointment,” I replied hurriedly.

His brows knitted together in worry. “If you mind my asking, Miss Brooke, what kind of incident did this?”

“Um.” I can’t exactly tell him that the servant that is fetching me tea is the same servant who choked me, and that he’s not a servant at all, but the leader of an information guild. I gave a sheepish laugh, not looking at him. “The thing is, Doctor, my husband often drinks, and when he does, he gets rather violent. Normally, he just breaks things, but this time, I suppose I must’ve been in the way.” I’m sorry, Levi! I apologized silently, mentally clapping my hands together in a prayer. I’ll make it up to you one day! “He just reached out and choked me until my vision went black and I almost fainted.” Okay, Kammi, don’t exaggerate too much. It wasn’t that bad.

“I see,” the doctor mused seriously. “Now I understand why you were concerned about the child. Do you not have parents you can stay with until you give birth?”

I shook my head. “They live too far away,” I lied. “I’ll be alright, Doctor. I’ll do what you say, and simply stay out of my husband’s way when he drinks again.” I smiled my thanks easily, and got off the table. “I’m just relieved the baby is fine. Thank you, Doctor.”

I waved to the woman at the desk on my way out, and she seemed relieved to see me as she waved back. Outside, I glanced down both directions of the road, before approaching a young boy selling news leaflets.

“Would you like to buy one, miss?” he asked, ever so politely, and my heart ached at his adorableness.

“Of course! How much is it?”

“One copper, miss.”

I gave him one copper, and he handed me a leaflet. “May I buy some information from you as well?” I asked.

“Yes, miss!” he beamed, his grin blinding me as my heart attempted to escape my chest in order to hug him.

“Do you know where I can hire a messenger?”

“I can deliver messages, miss!” he quipped, and I smiled softly as I crouched down.

“I’m sure you’re very good at it,” I praised, “but this message is for someone far away. It might take you four days to reach them. I’d like to hire someone who has a horse so they can get there faster.”

“Well, okay,” he moaned. He pointed across the street. “That’s the information guild, miss. They hire out messengers all the time.”

I gave him two more coppers, and ruffled his hair, resisting the attempt to shower his baby cheeks in kisses. “Thank you!” I called over my shoulder as I hurried across the street to the building he had pointed to. Wow, I thought when I opened the door. Somehow, this is exactly what I had expected. There was a standing desk with a short line of people I assumed were customers, a small bar with a bartender serving drinks, a few scattered tables of men and women drinking. One wall had papers plastered to it, offering jobs of every kind to anyone that was interested.

I got in line at the desk. Some people were only at the front for a few moments, while others took longer. Some people entered the building and went directly to the bar. I wonder what the secret phrase is. There’s always a secret phrase in information guilds in romance and fantasy novels. But whatever. It has nothing to do with me.

I was hit by a memory of a moment during the novel when Lily walked into Lee’s information guild, wanting to meet with him for one reason or another. But when the bartender asked why, she shouted, “It has nothing to do with you!” Afterwards, two men came up behind her to discreetly escort her to Lee’s private office.

I’m tempted to try it here, I sniggered quietly as I took another step closer to the desk. But even if this was Lee’s guild somehow, he’s with me right now, so it won’t do me any good.

The person in front of me left the line, and I stepped up to the desk with a smile. “I’d like to hire a messenger to deliver a message to someone in the capital, please.”

The man behind the desk glanced at me. “Of course, miss. Do you have the message?”

“I’ll need to write it down. It’ll only take a moment.”

He handed me a piece of paper and a pen.

Mother, Father, and Zane, I am safe. Please do not worry. My trip got extended due to uncontrolled circumstances, and I will not be able to return today. I will see you all in two days. Do not worry. I have Dorothy, driver Alec, and a guard with me. I will return before the next fitting for my dress. Rest assured, I am well. I love you.

After signing it, I started to fold it, but a niggle of doubt ate at me until I gave in with a sigh. I picked up the pen again.

Post script: if Duke Langly inquires of my whereabouts, please report to him that I am unavailable, but will speak with him when I return. Thank you.

I folded the paper into thirds and tucked it into the envelope the man behind the desk provided. Then I wrote my father’s name on the front and gave it to the man to be sealed. “Please deliver this to Viscount Sumner at the Sumner estate in the capital, please. It must be delivered by tonight.”

The man nodded, dripping wax on the seal. “That will be four gold.”

I placed four gold on the desk. “Thank you.” I stepped out of line and went back outside. That should give me enough time to completely my mission here. I asked a man where the watering hole for the horses were, and he pointed me down one street. I kept walking until I saw Lee, Alec, and Dorothy all together at a rest table, eating a variety of cake enthusiastically while laughing.

“My lady!” Dorothy cried when I got close. “I was so worried about you!”

“So worried, you left cake crumbs on the corner of your mouth?” I teased, and she threw her arms around my waist with a sob. “I’m messing with you, Dorothy.”

“Where were you, my lady?” Alec asked.

“I sent a message to my family, telling them I wasn’t going to be home today.”

They stared at me in silence.

“If no one is claiming the strawberry cake, I’ll take it.”

“My lady!” Lee thundered, jumping to his feet. “How can you simply not go home?”

I picked up a fork that looked like it hadn’t been used, and pulled the slice of strawberry cake toward me, taking a bite. “Sit down, Mr. Lee. How I conduct my business has nothing to do with you.”

“My lady,” Dorothy whispered, tugging at my sleeve. “What about your dress fitting?”

“My fitting is in three days. If we return in two days, then I’ll have time to rest up before then.”

“Two days?” she squeaked. “But my lady!”

“We’ll move onto the next town after visiting the orphanage,” I declared firmly, taking another bite of my cake. “We’ll find an inn and get some proper rest. It’s been a long day for all of us.” I glanced at the driver. “I know this isn’t necessarily the job I originally requested of you,” I told him, “so if you wish to return to my father’s estate, you may do so, and I’ll hire another carriage for us.”

“I’m alright, my lady,” he smiled. “If I left now, your parents would never forgive me.”

I smiled at him as I took another bite of the cake. This is really good. I want some more.

Designer Andre’s words floated through my mind, and I sighed sadly. I will resist, I promised him silently.

“What about me?” Lee demanded.

“No one is stopping you from leaving, Mr. Lee,” I reminded him, and he faltered, slowly sinking back into his seat as I met his gaze evenly. That’s right. I am the most powerful person in this group right now! “Oh, Mr. Lee. Did you buy everything I asked for?”

“It’s in the carriage,” he grumbled, stabbing a piece of cake.

I giggled and reached across the table to pet his head. “Good boy.” I turned away from him as soon as the anger built up in his eyes again. “Hurry up and eat!” I urged. “We’ve still got to visit the orphanage before it gets dark!”

Dorothy ate three more slices of cake, and I just laughed as I watched.