The Villainess

A PAIR OF cobalt eyes was eerily staring at Tori as she sat on his bed. Tori heard Johannes order Rowan to stay on the bed until his wounds healed. Despite being a fifteen-year-old boy, Rowan was overly malnourished, and he needed strength to become a knight-in-training.

After five days since she brought him with her, this would be the first time that she visited him, though she asked Lily to check on him from time to time. Her father assigned Johannes to aid him, so Tori didn't see the need to interfere yet.

She would let him settle down first and let all his wariness wash away. And now she's here in front of him to clear one thing for him.

"Why did you bring me here?" His voice was sharp. He still didn't trust her, even when the evidence of their promise was dangling from his neck.

She smiled genuinely at him. "Remember when I told you I need you to protect me? I now have full consent from my father, the Duke of Rozenreff, that you will be my knight. I think that would be better than being in the street for your entire life." Tori was lying though because, by next spring, the Duke of Castaña Duchy would acknowledge him as his son.

Though I loathe you, Rowan, for your wretched devotion towards Sabina before, I can't turn a blind eye to your talent and peculiar loyalty. I will make you mine and let that wench experience what Victoria experienced from the second male leads.

"Me? A knight?" A mixture of delight, excitement, and nervousness reflected in his eyes. Tori reached out for his hand and squeezed it.

Tori could feel the heated gaze of Lily. The latter one was so overprotective of her that she wanted to wince. However, Rowan disregarded the heated gaze from Lily and was particularly astonished by her hand on his.

See that, Rowan? I am fucking reaching out for you, so stop being a pussy and man up, dude!

Slowly, he nodded his head. Tori didn't know what that meant, but she took it as good feedback. She smiled at him genuinely, but behind that so-called genuine smile of hers were sharp ruby-red eyes.

A RED outdoor dress with golden embroidery of an Iris flower while Tori's golden ringlets were braided meticulously with red pearls inserted along with her hair and a small cut ruby as her accessories. Tori was a sight to behold. There were no unnecessary frills and laces but an elegant swish of embroidery and jewels. She wanted to look good with her return to high society.

Tori heard from her handmaidens that today was the day that Sabina was first invited to a tea party. They were both invited, but the original Victoria decided not to go because of Sabina's presence, but it was different now. Lily was astonished when she heard from Tori that she was attending, but she made Lily keep the information a secret.

That wench must be excited for her first time in high society. And since Mia, her sent spy, told her previous decision of Victoria towards the tea invitation, then Sabina must think she could dominate the attention.

As if I'll let you do that.

"Lily, did you prepare what I told you to do?" Tori asked her while she was descending the stairs. By now, Sabrina must descend too.

"Yes, Lady Tori."

Good.

Just when they were in the middle of the staircase, a surprised Sabina descended the stairs too, just like she predicted. The all too familiar frown of Shena greeted them, to which Tori replied with a wicked grin.

"You look beautiful, dear sister!" Tori's excited voice towards her half-sister warmth the hearts of the surrounding servants.

Ugh! What are you, a daycare student? What's with the excessive frills and ribbons? What an eyesore!

"You looked fabulous too, Sister Tori!"

I know, right.

"Aw, thank you! It warms me to hear it from you!" Tori linked her right arm with Sabina's left arm, startling the latter.

I knew you're itching to pry my arms away, but you can't, can you? After the uproar you pulled the last day, you can't afford to be on the Duke's nasty side again. Poor saintly Sabina. It's tough to pretend that you're so kind when you're so rotten on the inside.

"Now come along sister dear. We have a tea party to attend. I'm dying to meet the other ladies. It is quite boring with just the two of us, no?"

Her awkward smile was only apparent to Tori. Even Lily got fooled that they were on good terms with her half-sister. Their linked arm was briskly severed by Sabina when they reached the carriage where the knights and Lily witnessed.

Tori could make many interpretations from that, but the good thing was, poor Victoria would be the victim again. This would also show how Saintess Sabina was behaving rather badly. They would trace her behavior to be caused by her filthy origins. After all, a whore's daughter would never have a place in high society, not when the heir apparent was still alive. Hence, the first subject of her schemes would be Tori.

But your hands are tied now, correct? Not after everyone saw how you rejected the late duchess' daughter, who's by the way loved by the household and the Duke. I just cut your power to manipulate me as the 'stupid and ungrateful' sister of the Saintess Sabina. How does it feel, wench? How does it feel to be defeated by your own game? Ooh, I'm looking forward to your alternative plan.

But I will trample your plans. I will always remind you that you are a whore's spawn repeatedly. I will make you feel what the original Victoria felt before her dying moments.

And when I'm done with you, I will destroy the crown prince. He laughed maniacally when Victoria's head fell from the guillotine after all.

Oh, I can't wait to destroy you all.

The entire ride toward Marquess Zoliel's manor was silent. It was awkward for their maids. Sabina was glaring at Tori from time to time. But Tori was calmly looking outside the window with a massive grin on her face.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped right in front of a lilac-painted mansion. The butler of the House of Zoliel was already waiting for them. When Sabina tried to step out first, Tori stopped her by first getting down from the carriage. She offered her hand to the butler.

I'm the heir apparent, so it is only proper etiquette to let me down first.

"The ladies are waiting in the greenhouse, Lady Victoria, Lady Sabina."

"Thank you."

As the butler was now holding her palm, she was now walking in front of Sabina as they entered the extravagant greenhouse of Marchioness Susana of House Zoliel.

Everyone's attention was now on her. Tori didn't shy away like the previous Victoria. She was using the fact that she's the queen bee of her past life's High School. She's so used to attention already.

She did a perfect curtsy to the ladies, leaving everyone in awe. After all, she was yet to debut in high society, but she acted with a grace that only a fully ripen noblewoman could show. They didn't know that this body had memories of its previous life.

Marchioness Susana stood up to welcome them. Sabina took this opportunity to introduce herself.

"It was a pleasure to be invited, Marchioness Susana. I'm Duke Rozenreff's second daughter, Sabina. I am so thankful that I was invited, even if I'm from humble origins." Her voice oozed with uncertainty as Sabina looked ashamed and frightful.

I'll give her an A for her acting skills. Well, let's butt in.

Tori linked her arm again with Sabina, "Worry not, dear sister. I am always here for you. And I already told you that Marchioness Susana looked past a lady's origins. She's so benevolent. That's why they're good friends with my mother, Duchess Camila." Tori's voice showed compassion for her 'troubled' sister that touched the ladies' hearts.

Tori did not know if the Marchioness was indeed friends with the late Duchess, but she saw an embroidered handkerchief of her mother with Lady Susana's name on it. She only made a gamble from that discovery.

The kind Marchioness tapped Sabina's shoulder, "Lady Victoria is correct, Lady Sabina. I sent you an invitation, which means I meant to have you here with us. Please take a seat and be comfortable."

After Sabina reluctantly sat with Lady Elise of Castaña Dukedom, Lady Susana brought Tori to sit next to her. She glanced at the wench who was now glaring at her discreetly.

"Those rumors about you are so cruel, Lady Victoria. I can see my good friend, Camila, in you."

Camila's actual daughter died already, and you weren't even there to console her or help her because you were so afraid to tarnish your reputation. How would everyone react if they knew that the illusion of your kindness and loyalty was only a mask to hide your secret relationship with your butler?

"To be compared to my mother is such an honor, Lady Susana."

"Come to think of it. You looked like your mother except for the eyes of your father."

"They say that the ruby eyes of the Rozenreff Duchy were the trademark of your family."

Everyone was flocking around Tori while Sabina got utterly forgotten. This scene was so familiar because the original Victoria felt the shame of becoming a 'wallflower' in any social event a long time ago.

Your plan to use your origins as a source of pity is gone, Sabina. Not when I am recognized as the late Duchess Camila's daughter. Everyone will think how kind I am to accept you wholeheartedly, even if you result from the Duke's mistake. Never forget Sabina; your origin is the start of your downfall.

"Oh, right. I prepared some gifts for you. My late mother used to teach me this, but I believe my skills are still lacking. But hopefully, you can see the sincerity of my heart." Tori nodded at Lily. A few seconds later, the two knights they brought together with the House Zoliel's servants came in baring opened boxes. They gave one small box to each lady, including Sabina.

As expected, the ladies were in awe of the embroidered handkerchiefs. "I embroidered your house sigil to your handkerchief. I know it is not good, but I made it with the thoughts of gratitude for inviting my sister and me."

Sabina smiled forcefully at her, "Thank you, sister Tori."

"Tori?" Lady Elisa interjected. She was relatively quiet today.

"It was my nickname. My dear sister and I are close."

"That's so sweet of you, Lady Victoria."

Yeah, hurry and tell your mom that I am an exciting person!

Positive feedback rained for them, but mostly it was for her. Tori knew Sabina was seething behind that shy demeanor.

Lady Elisa was the only young lady in the Castaña Duchy. She was pretty close to her mother. She also became good friends with Sabina, who was only using her, but Sabina dropped her like a hot potato after Rowan became her loyal dog.

I can't wait to use you, Elisa, but worry not, I am very caring for my toys.