Chapter 02: A Journey to the Villain

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❝Chapter 02❞

I was sitting on the stool by the window while watching the two birds that seemed to be talking about something. They were resting on the branch of the tree in front of my bedroom window. Even though I've been in this body for three days, it still doesn't go away from my mind that I'm really unlucky. Why did I stumble into this novel? It's impossible but it's happening.

The first day I really couldn't believe it. I tried so many ways just to go back to the world where I really belong, but whoever put me here is really stupid. Even if I try to find a way, I can't go back. If I had only known that I would end up in a book, I would have never been a call center agent. I a rich too... just a villain. My lips parted when I saw that the two birds seemed to be fighting. There is a misunderstanding between them.

Wait...

Why do I think like this? I have been eaten up by the system that I am in the book. The hardness of the word in my mind. I heard the door softly open and close. I didn't bother to look at whoever the ghost was who entered because I knew it was just Chelsea.

"My lady, His Grace arrived from his journey. He sent an order to call you and have breakfast with him."

I looked at her and frowned. I was told that the father of Juliet is out for a journey to Vegas, the place where the mining industry is located. It was according to the book, if I haven't forgotten.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"You're asking strange things again, My lady," she answered.

I slapped my forehead for being stupid. That's right. There is no clock in this novel. Time wasn't introduced and wasn't created. I don't know why, maybe the author forgot? Most of historical novels have time, actually. But here, nothing. I don't even know what sign they have on whether it's morning, noon, afternoon, or night. At least morning until evening are part of their vocabulary.

"Can't I skip breakfast first? I'm on a diet." I scratched the back of my neck when I saw Chelsea's unresponsive face. "I mean I'm full. I won't eat first," I retorted.

"His Grace will not be pleased, My lady."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine! It's a just a breakfast. But does it really need for both of us to have a meal together? Did he missed his villainess daughter already?" I surrendered.

"Please don't badmouth yourself, My lady."

I didn't say anything and walked ahead of her. When we got out of my room I inhaled the sweet smell from the dining area. Without hesitation, I walked quickly and entered the dining area. Upon entering, I was greeted with rows of delicious food. The light from the linear chandelier directly above the long table also added to the view. Good gracious heaven, it's really good for the eyes. I've never thought that I would wish to die again in peace because of what I'm seeing right now. It's so far from my usual scenario whenever mom and I eat together at the small table in the dimly lit kitchen. Another time someone helped us with water from the roof every time it rained so our fried fish dish turned into boiled fish. If only mom was here, she wouldn't have to worry about borrowing money for our meal because the food lined up would already make her full.

"What is this? Do you have no plan on taking a seat, Lucienne?"

I woke up from my stupor when I heard an unfamiliar voice. I turned my gaze to the man who looks old but I can still see the handsomeness that in my mind was a heart throb in their age. It's also undeniable the shape of its body that you wouldn't think it was old.

"Hey, what's up?"

He frowned because of what he heard. Me too. If only I could be a rock in front of him, I would have done it.

"Is that how you greet your father? And where did you learn that language, My dear daughter?"

Fuck, is this really the first test as an outsider in this world? To meet Juliet's father. Even if I reach a year with this character, I still can't get used to this name.

"I'm sorry, hindi naging maayos ang tulog ko. I-it's been a while, right?"

He stared for a long time before he sighed.

"Sit here, young lady. You've been standing there like forever," he ordered then pointed to the seat on the left side near him. I nodded and gently turned to Chelsea to join me. I'm not used to it so I need an escort. I might pass out from fear, I'll be twice as dead in that case. When I sat down, he started cutting the steak on his plate. He cut the steak into cube style and topped it with red sauce and a little honey. After that he took my plate and exchanged our plates.

I swallowed and grabbed the spoon. I couldn't help but shake so I accidentally let go of the spoon causing the quiet dining table to make noise. I bit my lip and was about to grab the spoon from the bottom when Chelsea stopped me.

"Who taught you to bow down in front of the dining table?"

The cold and firm tone made me freeze from where I'm sitting. It was like a warning from him. I never thought that Juliet's father would be this cold. I didn't prepare. He put down the spoon and bread knife he was holding. He took the table napkin and gently dabbed it on his mouth before dropping it on his plate.

I think he lost the appetite.

"Sit properly, Juliet Lucienne," he ordered firmly.

I adjusted my seat and didn't bother to look at the spoon that Chelsea had already picked up.

"I've heard bad rumors while I was away, and I wasn't pleased. To hear bad rumors makes my blood boil, it irritates me... especially when it's all about my very own daughter."

I bit my lower lip and thought about what gossip he had gathered. What chapter of the book is this? I can not remember. There are a lot of rumors about Juliet, so it's confusing which one is which. I turned to Chelsea and narrowed my eyes, hoping that she would get my intention. But she just bowed down and seemed to forget that I am her boss. Shameless!

I look down and played with my fingers.

"Are you listening to me?"

I nodded immediately. "Y-yes!"

He stared at me for a long time. It's like I'm shrinking in his eyes, especially knowing that at this time I'm no longer his daughter. I'm not his daughter. It would be the death of me if one day he finds out about me.

"Were you aware that the Crown Prince is seeing another woman? Of course you're aware, you are his fiancee. The rumors about you being the mistress is spreading around the noble circles."

I took a breath and remembered which chapter it was. There are changes in where he says it but it's the same line from Juliet's father. It's on Chapter 3, the broken marriage as the chapter's title. If so, now I will see the heroine of this novel. The same day when Juliet Lucienne was introduced as the Villainess fiancee of the male lead.

"You told me that your relationship with the Crown Prince is going better. Was it a lie?" he asked doubtfully. How should I answer him? I know everything Juliet says about her relationship with the Crown Prince is just a lie.

In that story, Juliet Lucienne's wasn't long. Her life ended with death and that's the truth that I know.

However, I am now living as her. The fact that I have to live this life only means that I have to act according to what was written in the novel.

"Am I even allowed to say the truth when all my life, I've been lying?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "What are you trying to say, Lucienne?"

"I've never heard about the rumors, father. I stayed inside my chamber for the whole week and did not bother going out," I answered not minding what I said earlier.

I saw him tapping his fingers before he sighed deeply.

"You mother wouldn't accept if the rumors are true, Lucienne. You know her, she's fragile and easily angered."

I know very little about Juliet's family because they don't appear much in the novel. I have no background about Juliet's relationship with her parents. I'm not really sure. I only know one thing, they mourned when Juliet died. I didn't answer because I had nothing more to say. I have no intention of explaining anything because first of all, I'm not the one who likes that man. Am I conscious? I don't feel Juliet's feelings.

"Just finish your food and rest. Don't bother doing anything, let the rumors spread until it fades."

Do you do anything? Yes, that's right. I'll do nothing. I don't care and I don't want to see the heroine of this story. My frustration will only increase. At least I'm rich, so I'm okay. I didn't notice that the Duke was no longer in the dining area. I'm dumbfounded, I'm thinking too much. I just sighed and did not appreciate the delicious food. Seeing the desserts made me even more hungry so I started eating steak to follow the dessert.

After eating I returned to my room. I also ordered Chelsea to bring me milk to the room, which she followed. At first I wasn't really used to having an assistant, I was used to doing things myself.

But the servants started to notice that I'm acting strage that's why I tried learning how to properly act like a noble.

But I have not lost my hesitation in giving orders, especially to Chelsea. She's one of a kind, she doesn't show emotions except for gold. That's what I noticed about her, she has a kink for gold. Even the price of Juliet's accessories she knows very well, even the step by step of how it was made.

I threw myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling with a vintage domus lighting chandelier hanging from it. The style is still dramatic so it really fits the old furniture design of this room. Even if it's vintage style, the wealth really shows off because of the gold. I crawled to the foot of the bed and bit the foodboard. Maybe even the bed is gold.

"What are you doing, My lady?"

I stopped and looked up. I saw Chelsea holding the tray with the glass of milk. There are also snacks in the shape of biscuits. I adjusted my seat and clenched my jaw. "Trying to taste a real gold," I answered. She placed the tray on the lamp table and was about to leave when I called her.

"Hey, wait!"

She looked at me so I smiled. I took the glass of milk first and gulped it down before putting it back on the tray.

"I wanted to write a letter for someone, but I forgot how to use the ink."

"Why would you forgot how to use the ink, My lady?"

I thought of something to answer before wincing. I have no answer. First, how could Juliet forget how to use the ink? She was taught proper etiquette since she was a child so it's really impossible to believe.

But I'm not Juliet, so how can I write?

"Is there another way to write? My hand hurts, so I pass first. There's just sending letters, how about that?"

She didn't answer me and kept looking at me. I caught her gaze even though all her expressions were the same, she didn't understand me. "Never mind, you can go," I pushed her away and dropped my body on the bed again. When I was left alone I closed my eyes tightly and raised my palm. I saw the diamond ring on my finger, an engagement ring to be exact.

Why is cheating trendy in historical novels? If you're betrothed to someone, shouldn't you be faithful even though there's no love between the two of you? The moment you accept marriage with someone even if it's all about business, shouldn't you just be faithful for respect? Marriage isn't a joke, that's what I learned after my father's death. Even though we were having a hard time in life and it was just an accident that dad got mom pregnant, he remained faithful.

Men in this era are so yuck. It will be difficult for me to find a loyal wife, I will be a widower in that case. I stopped when I remembered something. Speaking of a man, there is another man mentioned in this novel. After the death of the Villainess, their happily ever after ending didn't last long, the story didn't end like that. They still had a problem, a big problem that almost took the life of the male lead.

It happened when Cassius Maximilian appeared, the real villain of the novel. He was a well written villain because apart from not having a sad past, he only became a villain because he was bored. I got up and went straight to the study table. I sat down and took a blank piece of paper, then took out the ink and pen. I observed the writing and practiced the movements of how to write. I'm not good at it, can't the ballpen be reincarnated here?

I gently put ink on the pen before starting to write, even though I'm not really good at it. Even though I'm in Juliet's body, my personality is still in control. I cringed when I saw what kind of stupidity I had done. If Jose Rizal was here, I might have been slapped, he would regret writing that the youth is the hope of the people.

I gave up and didn't bother to write any more. I'm tired of not understanding how to use that writing so I decided to go out myself. I will make the effort. I smiled when I saw how beautiful the carriage was. Its design is also gold with a combination of black and the two horses are white.

"Greetings, My lady," the knight greeted and bowed.

I smiled sweetly in response to his greeting. The knights here are also different, the uniforms are very fit. I looked down at the middle part of his body and nodded. It's okay. I looked at Chelsea and frowned when I saw what she was wearing. "Aren't you going to get dressed? We're going to wander around, you're going to look like a servant."

"I am your servant, My lady."

By the way, I forgot about it. When I was just playing a joke, it was silly. "Anyway! Get changed, look formal. We're going on a journey so you have to look good too." I twirled in front of her like a princess and smiled. "Like me, you have to be pretty like me," I added.

When she didn't move, I looked at her coldly. "It's an order, Chelsea." I saw the shock in her eyes before she nodded and bowed her head back inside the mansion. When she was out of sight I burst out laughing. It's just my joke time, Juliet's murderous look was not a joke. But it was my first time to see her with the kind of expression and I was shocked.

I unfolded my fan and quietly approached the knight. "How many days do you think it will take to reach the Maximilian Empire?" I ask. "M-Maximilian? W-why are you asking, My lady?" he asked back. I'm a fan-made villain who you think is a lady who keeps up with her boyfriends.

"Because we're heading there. I believe that you will take me there, right?"

I saw fear and hesitation in his eyes. "That Empire is an enemy, why would you go there, My lady?" This one seems to know something about the neighboring country.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you take me there."

The knight was speechless again when he saw Chelsea approaching. I closed my fan and clapped my hands when I saw my well dressed bestfriend for today's travel.

"Great! Now, let's go and start our journey!"