Who is the Villain?

Chapter-7

Lucien never dreamt of a day having her skin pampered over. She didn't need to do anything as the maids handle everything for her even as simple as applying a cream.

This was a world created by an author using her high imagination skills. Somehow, it was different from how it was done in the medieval period or the modern period. Yes, Lucien did experience spa treatments in her world however, this, it was out of the league. For a moment, she was scared and nervous about this beauty treatment of historical times, after all, she was in this world.

Everything she thought was different and, she has to thank the author for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Lucien just had a spring bath and was now receiving a body massage. 'This. Is. Life.'

"My lady, you may take a nap for a few hours," the maid who had just given her the best body massage spoke.

Lucien nodded her head, her face was just now covered with a clay mask.

"You seem more relaxed after what happened today."

Somebody spoked who was sleeping on her stomach beside her.

"Oh,"

Lucien turns towards her. It was that same person with whom she had a conversation. Alina Nikolaevich, a supporting character in the novel. Now she thought about it, 'what was the name of the novel?'

'Seven....seven...seven...seven... It has something to do with seven, what was the next line? Seven flowers? No..seven... Prince? No... Uggh!! I don't remember.'

"Are you okay?"

Alina asked with a concerned look. Her maid has just left as well as the others. There were only two of them separated from the others.

"Ah, sorry, I was just thinking how relaxing this is." The room was wide with white marble all around, decorated with fresh roses that will never run out dry, soothing candle incense, everything made her forget about the experience she faced this morning.

"You are Alina Nikolaevich, right?" This was one of the characters that help the female lead when she faced danger and was the only friend who treated her warmly. She hated the villain who treated harshly to the female lead however, never dare to ill-treat her in the end. In the end, she pitied her and regretted that if she had at least tried to understand her and become her friend, maybe things would have been different.

'That's why I need to befriend her if I want some small allies.'

"Oh my! You remember me, Lucien Velentius. I am honored."

They had some small conversations sharing about anything that seems lively.

"Anyhow, Lady Lucien." Alina interrupts in the middle of the conversation.

"Just Lucien is enough." Among all the Noble present here, Grand Duke Ambros Valentius has the highest status which was directly related to the royal bloodline. The next was the Marquess Nikolaevich and the next leading power was Count Nightingale, which means it's the female lead.

"Alright, Lucien."

Alina smiles warmly. "We are having a tea party in the evening at the greenhouse, would you like to join us?"

"Tea party?"

"Yes, I'm not sure if you'll be comfortable but feel unrestricted to decline it." Alina was a little worried as she had heard rumors that the Grand Duke's daughter had hardly attended any social gathering. It was like she never existed unless she appears once or the other in the public.

'Tea party?' Now that she thinks about it. Something did happen in the novel here. And it clicks, the second male lead was about to make his first appearance. 'How can I forget this reverse harem setting?'

"Do you–"

"Thank you for the invitation, I'll gladly join it." Lucien didn't even want to miss a chance to see the plot unraveling in front of her. Although, as much as she wants, she wanted to avoid the female lead and any other main characters. It would have been better if she didn't interfere and only stood afar like an extra character.

"Oh my, thank you."

Alina wasn't bothered about being interrupted. She was rather in happiness to have Lucien join the circle. As everyone was here for the same reason, they shouldn't feel hostility, trying to top one after the other.

As soon as it was over, they walk their way out to the next spot where they will be pampered again on their arms and feet. The difference about the royal treatment was that everything that was used here was specially made in the Imperial Palace with mana and this treatment makes anyone look younger and radiant. Even if you were 60, you did look like you were still in your 20s.

'No wonder everyone was excited and pumped up for this.'

Just then, she paused her walk. Something was about to happen here. Hurriedly, she left Alina saying that she forgot her things.

'I think it happens in the courtyard, somewhere here.'

The courtyard was huge, this was the path they came from the spring bath. It was filled with bushes, cut in various shapes and sizes. There were fountains with little angels holding a pot and water flowing down from it. If she looked carefully, its eyes were made of ruby and decorated with some pearls. 'This place is too rich for goodness sake.'

And she finally noticed, Renee, the female lead. She was on the ground. 'What is she doing there? Did something happen?' She was about to make her way but halted. 'No, I'll be intruding on the flow of the plot.'

Lucien carefully walked towards a pergola that was covered with a transparent curtain. She made sure that no one notices her and carefully lay low on a bench, head peeking out the view.

'Wait, is her foot bleeding? Did she get a cut but from where?'

Renee was on the ground holding her ankle tight, she was in pain. Her right foot was bleeding with her shoes thrown nearby.

'But that's impossible. Or?'

Lucien was aware of this incident that was to happen. 'She is already bullied? Who hates her? I thought it was Lucien (from the novel) who did that?' Her mind was pacing forward and backward. She would have gone and helped her but it would make her look like she was the one who did that to her.

'Wait...wait...this is where the second male lead appears.'

In the novel, this setting was set for the female protagonist and the second male lead, their first encounter. He was on his way to greet the emperor but meets her unexpectedly and helps her. He carried her in a bridal style to the palace. This was the beginning, the emperor was yet to develop feelings for the female lead however, the second male lead took an interest in her as well. It was such a cliche story if she thinks about it now.

'But why is he taking time to appear? Should I go and look for him? No, it will create a commotion but–'

"Excuse me."

Lucien's body flinch like a cat who got startled by a sneak attack. She was too concerned about the plot that she had forgotten to look around her surrounding.

"Who are you?"

A man stood in front of her. He stood in the way of the sun's rays, it was hard to recognize who the person was. She squirm her eyes and finally got a glimpse after moving her head away from the shadow of that man.

Tall, masculine body with crimson hair, soft ocean eyes, sharp jaws, and that outfit, he didn't look like someone with a low status.

*gaps*

Lucien just realized, this was the second male lead, the red hair but what was he doing here?

"Who–"

"What are you doing here?"

Lucien interrupts him with a strong gaze.

"....."

"The lady over there needs help." Lucien points her hand toward Renee. She was still crouching on the bench not bothering to stand up.

He moves his gaze toward the direction. "But I don't think she needs help. There is already somebody who is helping he–"

"What?"

Lucien quickly turn around and indeed, somebody was helping her but it wasn't the second lead. 'Wait, isn't the second lead a male or this man here isn't the second lead?'

"Who is she?"

Confused. There was another lady who seem to be helping her tending the wounds. A lady with mauve pink hair cascaded down to her elbow, hot pink eyes flawlessly suit her baby skin, and a thin line of pink lips.

'Who the hell is she?'

That was one character she did not recognize. All she knew was 4-5 supporting characters and the rest were side characters. 'Was she supposed to appear? Wasn't the second lead supposed to emerge out of the blue but why is he here? Who is he?' She was confused.

Absolutely no idea what was happening. Neither could she turn around and face that person who was as well confused. 'This is bad.' If the emperor finds out about this, it will turn into a misunderstanding. Now she regretted coming here. She blames herself for all the consequences she was about to face later. Her, coming here turned things worst. If she hadn't appeared, maybe, he would have seen Renee and not her.

Soon enough, some maid and butler appear. They have already helped her move to her chamber.

"Ajex?"

*Ekk!!*

This was the second time Lucien got startled again. That cold voice was enough to let every strain of her hair stand on her back. She could never forget that chilling voice.

"Ah, Efthalia, there you are."

"What are you doing here?" The Emperor, Efthalia questioned with an eyebrow raised. He was followed by a knight beside him.

Lucien never in her entire life ran like her life depended on it. She puts away all her pride in being a lady or a prominent lady. She crawls like a serpent in four-legged creatures and jumps across the bushes like a reindeer. She was quick and no one was able to notice when and how she disappeared.

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"M...my lady, what happened?"

Her maid, Rosetta came running towards her who was waiting for her arrival. It was a good thing that every lady was receiving special treatment in a separate room.

Lucien appears as though she has just arrived from a war.

"You shouldn't be jumping or running around like that even if you were late." Rosetta was brushing her hair after removing all the leaves and dry sticks on her head. Two maids were taking care of her feet while the other two maids were looking after her hand either applying remedies or taking care of her nails.

"It's not ladylike."

Lucien just skipped the important topic about what happened and just started explaining that she got lost.

"You should be grateful that there wasn't much scratch on your face. It's just the first day." As a maid, it was a duty for Rosetta to look after her lady which she was assigned.

"Yes, I understand." Lucien didn't mind about that. "Rosetta, can you pick me a dress? I'm going to attend an evening tea with other ladies in the greenhouse."

"Yes, my lady."

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Ajax has just arrived from his busy schedule to meet his long-lost friend. He became curious when he heard that Efthalia has gathered many noble ladies to pick as his empress or so to say, his wife.

He was aware of his schedule that he always like to have his evening tea in the garden in the pergola and thus, without asking any of the maids or butlers, he walked straight to the garden.

What he didn't expect was to see a lady who has crouched in a seat. After walking closer, Ajex noticed that lady was biting the wooden bench with her stern gaze at the other side of the garden. 'What is a commoner doing here?'

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"You sure have a weird taste for women?"

Ajex suddenly remarks shaking his head. The rumors were true that many noble ladies have gather and that weird lady was one of them. She was even able to slip away without notice.

They were in Efthalia's office room now with tea and snacks on the table when Ajex unexpectedly remarks in a lamenting voice.

"What?"