Who is the Villain?

Chapter-8

Chatters and giggles flew across a greenhouse. High glass ceiling with each wall covered with glass as well. It was wide and large enough for at least a hundred people. Each corner was planted with flowers that were blooming while some were yet to. Flowers weren't the only thing around, trees and bushes were as well planted. It felt like a mini garden with a little brook at the corner.

Lucien could clearly see where all the wealth was being used.

"Lady Lucien, how do you think?"

Somebody interrupted when she was busy computing the money that was spent building this huge greenhouse. She hated to admit it but it was better than her little greenhouse.

"A-ah, sorry, w-what were you saying?"

A lady with curly olive hair suddenly questioned Lucien out of the blue. It was awkward in the beginning but soon, everyone was able to fit in the atmosphere.

"As we were saying, who will be the first person to spend a night with the emperor?"

"Pardon?"

Everyone was giggling and blushing at the question.

'Since when did the topic go to this? Weren't we talking about the flowers and pretty dresses?'

"Uh...I.."

Everyone was gazing at her and they were all interested. 'What the heck?' "I guess it depends on who grabs His Majesty's attention first?"

"....."

"I guess you are right."

The olive hair reacted, sliding back on her chair. Everyone agreed nodding their head disappointedly.

'Either something is really wrong with the tea or everyone here.'

"Come on, don't be disappointed."

A sweet voice interrupted the gloomy atmosphere. "We still have a long way to go and who knows after all the beauty treatment we get, something might happen." It was the same lady with mauve-pink hair. Lucien still couldn't think who she is. No matter how many times she tried to recall her memory, she couldn't remember.

Their tea was brewed with some herbal leaves and snacks which were particularly prepared for their health. They are now looked after for how much they consume and what they need to eat.

"Apart from that, Lady Lucien, this is the first I got to see you." It was  Renee. She was sitting across from her table. Indeed, she was beautiful so to say, the most elegant among all the ladies here. Her aura made everyone comfortable. 'Ah, the power of the female lead.'

"It is." She picks up her cup and sips the warm brew which felt refreshing. "Truthfully, I'm not good at exchanging words with others. Thus, I don't attend social gatherings quite much. I apologize for never attending your tea party invitation or sending a formal apology." She bows her head a little not only to Renee but to everyone. They were moved and instantly settle down her down.

"Anyhow, is it true about the Julius family? " another lady with short ebony wavy hair spoke in a tiny hush tone. Everyone was silent as though somebody has pour a bucket of cold water on them.

"It is," Alina responded to confirm. "My close friend was her father." Her tone saddens as her eyes drop down. "She only asked was for her to be pardoned to be part of this consort regardless of begging enough, her father was shown no mercy."

*gaps*

Everyone was stunned by the confidential news that was never revealed. The rumors were true indeed. No one seems like they wanted to continue the conversation nor could they calmly drink their tea.

"To be sincere, I never wished to come here." Renee boldly spoke gaining everyone's attention. "If I could, I would like to get away from here as immediately as I could."

"What? Why?"

The mauve-pink hair implored in concern.

"I'm trying to develop a treatment that could improve an illness that is spreading in the small town and villages."

Just then Lucien realized something. 'Of course, she didn't come here because she wanted to. After researching so much, she found out the cure for this illness lies in the Imperial Palace. She knew for she traveled every place she could but there was no answer.'

But she was still young and had no idea about the cure as of yet. During these 5 years, she wandered around the world. The reason for her to come to this Palace was not to be an empress but to find a cure and she did nevertheless, she ended up having 7 harems around her.

'Wait... Did the emperor intentionally move it forward because he knew what was going to happen in the future?'

Now, Lucien was in deep thought. 'So, he wanted to help her?'

"But why are you worried about those illnesses and desperate to find the cure?" One of the ladies spoke.

Renee took a deep sigh, looking down at the place of her half-eaten cake. "Sooner or later, it will reach the capital."

*gaps*

No one could utter a word. They were aware of what Renee's family does. The nobles have heard about those diseases but never took them seriously for they thought it wouldn't reach the main capital. 'They are wrong,' Lucien's mind echoed. 'In the later novel, they reached the capital and soon spread throughout the other nation. Many died including all of you here.'

"Can you create that treatment if you look for it?" The mauve-pink hair spoke out in concern who was sitting beside her.

"Well, I'm not sure but I would like to give it a try," Renee answers with an honest smile. Her hand that hold the cup trembled a little. She was desperate to find the cure and Lucien notice that.

"If that's the case then," that pink hair lady held Renee's hand. "I'll help you getting out of this palace that is holding you back."

Everybody was surprised by her action but not Lucien. 'Like seriously, who the hell is that extra character?' For some unknown reason, it was pissing her off.

All the ladies seem to have made up their minds after a thought and explanation that they would help Renee escape this Palace. 'All of them have gone mad.'

"I'm not sure if this is a reasonable intention," Lucien interrupted, putting down her cup after a sip. Everyone glances at her in confusion.

"What do you mean, Lady Lucien?"

The mauve-pink hair questioned.

'What was her name again, she did introduce herself before....mm...'

"What I mean is." Lucien calmly picks up her cup again and sips more of it. As for her mind, she was guessing what was her name. She can't remember anything that feels unimportant.

"Lady Renee is looking for medication and if I'm not wrong," she turns towards Renee. "You were probably looking around for some herbs and anything that you could get your hands on. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, you are right Lady Lucien." Renee was a little confused as well.

"Then don't speculate things too much about those and enjoy your stay here while you've your opportunity. "

"...."

"Huh?"

"Lady Renee is particularly trying to find a cure and you're advising her to ignore? Are you not concerned about the people or everyone, Lady Lucien?" The annoying pink mauve hair spoke in an irritating tone. Everyone was quiet, uncertainly gazing at her.

"Well," Lucien didn't bother about that. She calmly grabs her fork for another bite of cake. "Utilizing every opportunity that you obtain is better than uselessly mopping around."

Everyone found it rude. They were surprised by her behavior.

"Besides, I rather walk around the imperial garden looking at all those flowers which are difficult and unusual to discover out from this palace." Lucien was finally done with her tea and soon stood up excusing herself.

"Thank you for the evening tea, I gladly enjoyed it. Well then, good day ladies."

.

.

.

"How rude of her to think like that."

"Is she really the daughter of the Grand Duke?"

"What does she think of herself?"

"Just because her status is higher than us, it doesn't mean she can boss around."

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.

.

.

'I didn't mean to say that. All I wanted was to build small allies.' Lucien's mind was internally crying. 'But if the main character leaves, I'll be the blame for it. I'm the villain here.'

*sigh*

"Life is hard wherever you may be."

'I hope Renee understood what I was trying to explain, well, if she isn't stupid.'

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As the sun began to set, the cloud as well began to turn into an orange-pink. Lucien sat on her balcony admiring the view with a book in her hand.

"My lady,"

Rosetta appears with a silver tray. "It's time for your evening stew."

"Evening stew?"

Rosetta puts down the silver tray and began to arrange her table. Lucien watched closely of her action and spoke, "I heard you were very inadequate about arranging the etiquette but, you seem like you knew very well."

Rosetta's hand flinched nearly dropping the spoon.

"Since, I'll be serving you. I likely prepare myself, Lady Lucian." One could say that her actions did not show any signs of being suspicious or anxious at all, nor a smile could be detected in her face.

'Well, I could take my time.' Lucien smiles inwardly without questioning furthermore. The stew was plain more like it was just water, with a sprinkle of green leaves and the aroma was barely noticeable.

"This stew is prepared for all the ladies by a royal chef. Its benefit is for the skin and its outcome will be known in 2-3 weeks." Rosetta explains as Lucien drank her soup.

"Apart from that, Rosetta," Lucien paused, turning toward her. "Who is that lady with pink hair?"

"Oh, 'That' you are referring to is rude, my lady."

"Eh!"

"Anyway, she is the youngest daughter of Viscount Guillaume Rouergue, her name is Lady Dorothy Rouergue."

"Oh," She nodded her head and continued sipping her stew. It wasn't really that bad if she thinks about all those herbal medicines she had in her modern world.

'Dorothy...Dorothy...Dorothy...'

As her mind wanders around to look for any familiar name to the novel, a peal of laughter interrupted.

It was from the garden and Lucien could clearly see a man reading a letter while a butler stood beside him. 'Who is he anyway?' It wasn't far off but it wasn't too close either.

"That is Sir Ajex Fonblanque, the leading commander of the Royal Knights. He is also known as the Blackheart Knight." Rosetta spoke as though she had heard what Lucien was thinking about.

"Blackheart? Isn't that a little cheesy?" Lucien turns toward Rosetta in a confused manner. "And why is he here in this Scarlet Palace?"

"He is known for slaughtering anything that comes his way without mercy, my lady. In a brutal war Sir Ajex stood alone fighting his enemies, he didn't care whether it was a lady or a man. The emperor and he were the last to stand on the battlefield until help arrived"

Lucien shivers. She remembers when she rudely asked him in the garden even without honor.

"Sir Ajex is known to be cruel when it comes to right and wrong."

Now, Lucien remembers from the novel. He nearly chopped off the villain's hand when it was found that she pushed the female lead from the bridge. His love and loyalty to the female lead were unexplainable and the female lead couldn't decide whom to choose.

'Ughhh!'

Lucien didn't like to think about that harem setting and most likely, she didn't want to discern it. "He is here because he is a knight." Rosetta continues explaining further that it was the shift for the knight.

However, she was grateful for she lived, again. If she didn't want to die or be tortured by the knight, she'd better stay away from him. She nodded her head to herself.

"My lady, Sir Ajex is looking this way."

Lucien's body flinches. She quickly stood up from her seat. "Rosetta, can you bring me more tea to my bedchamber?"

"Yes, my lady."

Lucien never wanted to turn around and look at that person who might bring destruction to her life. As a noble lady, she ignores him like she had never heard of or seen him. Swiftly and elegantly, she turns towards the door as her gown lightly flows with the twirl but alas! Nothing wanted to go in her way. Her face was met on the smooth floor, scattering those empty bowls from the table along with a book and flower vase.

She was still not used to with the lengthy gown, she could hardly see her feet or shoes unless she pulls up. 'Don't worry, it's okay. It didn't hurt and no one saw.'

Even before her maid could ask, a loud male voice echoed from below.

"My lady, are you okay?"