Chapter 7. You think you have a say?

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Are they doing this on purpose, or are they really that bad at maintaining the volume of their voices?

I was currently sat alone at a table, my hand on my cheek with my elbow on my table as I looked around me with a blank expression. It was terrible posture, but I'd realized soon enough that the people here weren't expecting much from me anyway.

Any crowd I tried to get into quickly dispersed at the speed of light and the table I approached was deserted in seconds. At this point, it would be hard not to see it.

Lady Eleonora was being isolated.

I shrugged. She probably deserved it, doing all those crazy things. I munched on another delicious scone. Besides, this is good for me because I don't have to worry about talking to strangers.

Caeles was joined by his violet haired servant that I had seen by the carriage, and they were laughing together in a group somewhere far from me.

I hadn't eaten such good food in a while but for some reason it tasted bland. I heard laughter and voices ringing around me as I sat in silence. I'd known of it, but it really is scary all the things quiet people hear.

I was hearing all sorts of shit from the people around me, about the people around me. It seems that tea parties are truly for the gossipers. Someone would be in one clique and talk shit about someone, after which they'd join another clique and gossip about who they were gossiping with.

Who has the best dress, the best jewel, the best fiancé, property, you name it. The scandals of the century, they were all present right here.

I shuddered. How scary...

Of course, there were also good and light-hearted conversations, but what would I know about such a thing? It seems my ears weren't meant to be graced with positivity.

The most interesting one was probably Marquess Daesyn explaining with exaggeration about how many beasts he had to slay to reach Phrixios; but even my foreign ears called bullshit on about half of it. He talked about how he did most of it alone, but I could see some of his guards glaring at him.

Feeling myself drowning in discomfort and isolation, my eyes glanced across the place and fell upon the entrance to a garden maze.

Oh... that's the first time I'm seeing a maze like this right in front of me.

An exit from this unpleasant situation, I thought happily as I raised to move to it.

I heard some ladies mentioning that the Phrixios was kept in the centre of this maze, for dramatic effect, and that it was prettier than they expected. I hadn't the slighted clue what a Phrixios was, but it sounded like a bird. Like a phoenix. I'm betting it's one that's limited to this world!

The more steps I took through the more, the more excited I got at the aspect of seeing something I've never seen before. My feet tapped the garden stone path and I realized I couldn't hear the people anymore.

What a relief...

It was so draining, that party... Being glared at like that and excluded... For a second I thought I was back to my past life. Though it isn't much different, now that I think of it. Things were just getting better for me when I had to go and die.

I put my hand on a tree and felt the sensation of its bark under my fingers. The wind rustled the leaves above my head, and I felt the warm breeze lightly caress my cheeks, pushing at the locks of my hair.

"You look tired, child," the tree said to me and I smiled at it.

"I am..." leaning against the tree, I felt my body relax. Little bits of wood pricked and tugged at the thin fabric of my clothes. It was a rough tree, but it felt nice to lean against life.

Really... being in nature feels the best.

...It's true that instead of being alone in a crowd, it's better to be alone by yourself.

I guess coming late had its benefits. Most of the people had already seen the Phrixios so now there was barely anyone in the garden maze. I rested for a few more moments, watching a little bird pick at a flower; and then I stood up to make my way again.

I finally came upon an opening; the centre of the maze and surrounded by water fountains was an intricately carved pedestal, on which was a stunningly decorated bowl.

A beautiful black flower was planted in it and moving closer, I noticed that the tips of its petals were glowing in various glittering colours; like a little galaxy. A breath of exclamation left my lips at this sight.

This could only be the Phrixios that had made a marquess proud enough to hold a party to have it shown off.

Phrixios was a flower...?

I felt a little embarrassment for thinking it was a bird, but the awe of this flower overwhelmed it soon enough.

It really didn't look like something that grew in my world; it looked magical. It's like the colours changing in the light were pulling me in.

I reached out my fingers to feel the petals when-

A grip so tight, it was strong enough to bruise wrapped around my hand and violently jerked it away.

I gasped, almost falling into a chest before I quickly steadied myself.

My eyes fell onto bright blonde hair before meeting with a furious Caeles'.

He pulled me by the wrist and leaned down with a seething whisper through gritted teeth,

"If you want to die, do it when I'm not around!"

Surprised, I pulled my hand back and glared up at him. "The fuck are you saying?"

His eyes seemed to be glowing with rage.

"Why were you trying to touch the flower?"

"What about it?" I caressed my stinging wrist. Did he have to grab me that hard?

"I told you, if anything happened to you today, it would fall on me." He was clenching his fist. "Is that why you're doing this? What if you touched it and actually died?!"

I blinked, realization setting in. What if I touched it and died...?

I turned to look at the flower. It was glowing just as beautifully but a sudden feeling of dread set in at its allure now.

"Is that..." my voice was small now, as I felt fear creeping within me. "Is that flower poisonous...?"

At my question, Caeles blinked at me, his face turning blank.

"...has this bitch really forgotten?" he mumbled and for a second I felt my world sway.

Did I... almost die right now? But why? Why? There's still a few years until my fated death so why did I almost die just now?

"How can you forget about this flower when you also have one?" his voice was cold.

My brows twitched in confusion. ...Huh?

"I don't, though? I've never seen this in the entire estate before." And how could I have one? It's so rare that the marquess is holding a whole party just to show it off.

"It was confiscated from you because who knows what the hell you'd do with it. It's being kept in Ilaria. You asked brother Cassian to find one for your birthday and now you've forgotten. Just how ungrateful can you be?" He scrunched his nose with disgust at me.

What...? Cassian looked for this flower? And he did it for Nora...?

I brought my fingers to my hot temple and shut my eyes. I felt like the world was swaying. I need to figure this out.

Just what is the relationship between Cassian and Nora? I thought he hated her and that it was all just for show but why would he go that far?

And just now... why did I almost die?

I blinked my eyes open to see Caeles staring at me.

Is it because of him?

Is it so that the male lead gets a chance to be a hero?

If Caeles hadn't arrived in time just now, just like the male lead of a novel, I would have probably died. To make the leads shine as heroes, tragedy must befall others.

I felt a cold chill run up my spine, looking at the ethereal beauty of Caeles. I'd thought so when I'd first saw him, but he really does remind me of ichor. Shining beautifully, the colour of gold, the life force of gods but, for us mortals...?

It is death.

I need to get away from him.

My feet stumbled back as I felt an intense terror looking up at him.

I thought as long as I stayed away from Cassian, I would be fine, but now I know it's not the case.

For the leads to shine, dangerous things will happen to those around them and they will save them as heroes, but I'm not just anyone.

I am the villainess; there's no guarantee Caeles or anyone will save me next time.

My setting isn't that of a normal citizen that heroes keep safe.

Caeles raised his eyebrows at my sudden change in demeanour but I turned around and swiftly ran away, without even thanking him for saving my life.

This was all so shitty.

At the exit of the maze, I stood for a moment to catch my breath and gather my bearings.

Maybe I shouldn't have just run away like that. Caeles looked at me as if I had gone insane... but at that moment I really felt the fear of death as I realized being near him was dangerous.

...After today, I really must stay away from the male leads.

I took some deep breaths and tried to fix my hair. I didn't need anymore people looking at me like I was crazed. I took a step forward when I heard footsteps from behind me.

Everyone saw Caeles and me walk out of the garden maze together.

Couldn't you have waited?! I wanted to hiss at him but decided it's best if I just avoid him altogether; so I ignored the glances and walked towards a table to take a seat, and Caeles went away without a word as well.

I poured myself some tea so I could sit, calm down and think of my situation. It's like this world's setting just suddenly shifted to hard mode.

If I have to avoid male leads, this means I should stay away from the Arcturus brothers; there's also a boy named Iveren that appears as a student once we start school and the emperor isn't even a question! As soon as I see him, I'm running for my life!

But Nora's character doesn't ever meet the emperor before her death anyway; and Iveren too doesn't have many scenes with Nora; he only approaches her when she bullies the heroine. There are a few years still for that, which means right now my main problem is-

I hissed in pain as I jumped up; my chair fell back and tears stung my eyes as I stared down at scorching hot tea absorbing into my wet dress. I grabbed my skirt, trying to get it off my skin when I heard a muffled laugh. My eyes snapped up to meet a woman who was looking at me with a fan covering her smirk.

What... she did this...?

Suddenly my vision blurred as I recalled a certain memory.

A woman laughed, looking down at me as she poured hot candle wax onto my skin.

She ignored my sobs and shrieks as I desperately tried to pull my hand away.

"Bad girls must be punished, Lady Eleonora."

I blinked, my sight returning to the woman in front of me. Her image overlapped with that of Eleonora's stepmother.

...That bitch used to physically abuse Nora...?

Suddenly, the hot tea didn't burn so hard anymore. Instead, the heat went to my head.

"Why...?" I spoke through grit teeth.

"I beg your pardon, Lady Eleonora! Do forgive me!" She came over to me with false concern, and once she got close enough, I heard her whisper.

"Lord Cassian wasn't enough for you, so now you go after Lord Caeles?"

My eyes widened.

What's this...?

She's...

She's just like Eleonora. For a second, it felt like looking into a mirror.

I scoffed. "Pouring tea on me like this... how typical can you get?"

She tilted her head. "Pardon? I really am very sorry, I seemed to have lost my grip over my cup while walking."

Her behaviour, her dialogue...

Aren't you the same?

My eyes bore into hers as I asked her these questions.

The same as Nora... so why...?

Why do you get to live and I have to die?

I remembered this girl. She's the one Caeles said that Nora had an especially bad relationship with but, that's not all; I remember her from the book.

Lady Isadora. At a point, there was an event that happened in her wedding; a romantic scene between the heroine and Cassian.

My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palm.

Wedding celebration? Why? Why does she get a happy life when Nora is cut ruthlessly in a forest with no one even around to mourn her?

She's the same bitch but she lives...?

...Should I destroy her? ...I want to ruin her.

My sudden dark thoughts brought me back to reality. Destroy her...? What the fuck am I thinking?

I unclenched my fists and gave her a bright smile.

"It seems Lady Isadora's house is lacking in etiquette." My voice echoed around the garden; reaching the ears desperate for drama.

"What?" she blinked at me, but before she could open her mouth again, I tilted my head and continued.

"One of the first things a lady must learn is how to carry herself with grace but..." I pursed my lips as I paused with a troubled face. That's rich coming from me. "It seems you can't even carry a teacup, let alone yourself."

Don't give her time to get a word in...

"Ah!" I smiled again as if a brilliant idea had struck me. "Would you like me to send for Sollea's etiquette mistress?" She glared at me and I looked back at her with amused eyes.

"Oh, don't worry about the funds! I find it burdensome that you don't know such a basic thing about being a noble, so I'll take it on myself personally as a fellow noble to see that you're well taught!" Noblesse Oblige to a fellow noble...? Hah.

With that, I looked down at my dress and heaved a troubled sigh. "I should go and take care of this dress; it won't do to ruin a gift personally sent by the Duke now, would it?" I looked back up and smiled at her. Hey, how's that? You ruined something that the Duke bought for me. Can you even compensate?

I could see that she was now surprised, and so were her friends standing behind her. You shouldn't make the Duke angry, you know...

"Ah, and of course, Cassian would have been troubled if anything happened to this fan that he so kindly got for me..." Say that extra loud and firm. That's right, bitch, Cassian gave it to me. "Well then, I'll be taking my leave." Bright smile. Yes, I am mocking you.

Her lips were quivering with anger. People around had begun to murmur.

I turned around and began to walk, feeling the unpleasant sensation return with my movements because of the wet dress and my injured skin, but I made sure to keep a smile on, until she spoke again.

"Isn't Lady Eleonora the one troubling Lord Cassian?!"

And she still talks.

...I think I'm at my limit.

I felt the irritation and rage that I was trying to suppress, approaching the point of overflow.

The unfair questions were returning.

Why me? Why her?

I want to destroy her. I want to ruin her. If I can't live happily, why does she get to?

What did she say? 'Aren't I the one troubling Cassian?'

"And what about it?"

My bright noblewoman act slipped off; a cold stare remained. My low voice reverberated. It sounded chilling even to me.

I didn't bother turning around completely. But I made sure to look into her eyes.

Oh, look at that...

Seeing my expression seemed to have frightened her.

Yes. Look at the face of a villainess.

I laughed, feeling glee at the fact that I had scared her. She was looking at me with wide eyes.

"What? Will you trouble him, then?"

The fan, I unfolded it and brought it to my mouth with a smirk. It's what I'd learned from her just now.

"You can't even say his name without his title but here you are, flapping your lips."

Nora's been with him for years and now you think you have a say?

My smirk vanished, replaced with a serious expression as I stared with livid eyes at the cretin who dared to stand in front of me.

"Hey, it's too early to compete with me, don't you think?"

I glowered at her until she looked away and burst into tears. Her friends immediately came over to console her and glared at me.

"She said it was an accident!"

"Isn't she too harsh?"

"Who'll teach who etiquette?!"

I rolled my eyes with a scoff. I'm the one who's currently standing here with hot tea dripping down my skin.

...Whatever. What am I even doing here?

Yeah, it was stupid of me to come. I turned around and walked towards the exit. Passing the Marchioness, I curtsied. "Lovely party." I mumbled and she gave no reply as she just looked at me.

"Nora!" I jumped at the sound. I turned back to see Caeles striding towards me.

Ah, just great...

His words from earlier echoed around my mind. 'Don't create any drama today.'

Well, shit.

I eyed him warily as he got closer, ready to get a harsh earful when-

"What's with you acting so calm?" He leaned down in an angry fluster as he pulled out his handkerchief. "Usually you'd be screaming your head off at the people!"

He bent down at patted at my dress, and I watched as tea stains spread across his expensive handkerchief.

"What are you doing?" I moved back, surprised.

"Stay still! Isn't it hot?!" He grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him and continued to wipe my skirt.

I felt heat creep up to my face from the looks of people around us. He's helping me in front of everyone...

"Stop, people are watching!" I mumbled.

"Oh? If you cared so much about that, you shouldn't have let this happen!" He scowled at me. "If anything happened to you, father and brother will have my head!"

Realization hit me. This bastard...

Hah! What did I expect? After all this, did I really expect someone to be kind to Nora?

I brought my fingers to my lips to hide my twisted bitter smile. I looked around me at the women and men dressed to their best in fancy clothes and accessories that clearly display their wealth. This entire event itself was such a thing. Here, this den of two faced people.

And there's another right in front of me, doing his best to show to these people that he is indeed doing what is required of him.

My past life and now... I can't ever seem to get rid of such people.

...As I thought, I can't get along with Caeles after all.

"Whatever!" I grunted and ripped his handkerchief from his fingers. "I'll clean up in the carriage, so can you move? I'm leaving!"

He gave an annoyed sigh as he straightened up and stepped aside to let me pass.

...Why the fuck do I have to try to hard just to survive?



***

It will get better soon, Nora... keep hanging on!