Who is the Villain?

Chapter-19

Lucien was seated in a room surrounded by amounts of books in each corner. One of the maids appears and serves her tea along with some cakes. She wasn't in her room but rather in someone else's room.

Just as her mind was wandering around, the door to the bedroom unlocks and Alina walks out with another person who must be a physician.

"Thank you for bringing her here."

Alina was truly grateful when Lucien bought Renee carrying on her back. Renee lost consciousness when she cried out to Lucien.

"It's nothing to be grateful about, anyone would have done that," Lucien responded sipping her tea. Alina only smiles without questioning further. "So, how is she now?"

Alina sighs. She sits down on the other seat, both hands on top of each other on her knees. "The Physician said she is stressed and dehydrated."

She sighs again as she continues, "these days, she hardly rests. She has only been in her working room or the library. I hardly ever see her. The maid told me that Renee has skipped most of her lunch and breakfast however, she didn't skip other important medicinal routine drinks."

Alina was as well startled by the news. She couldn't even help when Renee was struggling and she felt remorse for not looking out for her.

"So, what made her turned in this way?" Lucien couldn't think that Renee was eager enough to find the cure to the point that she would start neglecting her food and sleep.

"Last month, Renee received news about her younger sister who got that illness." Alina didn't forget what happened to Renee that day when she read the letter. "She has thrown herself on the creation of a medicine."

'Oh right, Renee does have a younger sister but, based on the novel, she passed away due to that sickness that was spreading throughout, and for that purpose, she was determined to find the cure.'

Lucien was silent. The reason why Renee still couldn't find the cure was that she hasn't bought the primary flower that was needed. It wasn't like she didn't want to.

Her only reason was to be cautious after the emperor got his eyes on her. If he finds out that Lucien helped Renee to find the cure, he'll probably assume that Lucien was born with the memories of her past life and that she wanted to change herself to get on his good side by helping his soon-to-be wife or empress. But that wasn't going to help.

After analyzing a lot, Lucien came up with a theory that at least a dozen of ladies who were transmigrated to Lucien's body would have used this same method. They as well wanted to overcome these obstacles and be free from the name of a villainess.

The first thing Lucien made sure of was not to let the emperor discover her identity and that she was simply a newborn Lucien without the knowledge of her past self or the future.

"When Renee was still a child, she lost her twin brother to that disease and now, her only sister has caught the same fate." Alina continues speaking about Renee's childhood.

'Wait, hold on,' Lucien's mind echoed when Alina gave her a piece of new information that was not from the novel. 'Renee's twin brother is dead? They are not supposed to be. They should be alive but why...? Something is wrong...'

It was okay for Lucien to listen at first however, Alina wouldn't stop and it has been more than an hour.

Lucien's feet tap against the floor while her hand tightly holds her cup. Her patience was running out and the only thing she wanted to do now was leave. She wanted to accompany Alina who was feeling down however, she wasn't going to shut her lips any moment.

'Maybe, I should come back later or maybe tomorrow or until she shuts up.'

4 hours later, Lucien w finally free. It started with small talks about Renee until the story began to change into adventures, Alina's brother hunting down demons, saving villages, treasure hunts....etc.

'What? Weren't you talking about Renee discovering her first treatment? How did it end up with your brother saving the people and fighting demons?'

If Rosetta hasn't appeared at the right moment to remind Lucien that it was time for her medicinal brew, Lucien would have blown up.

.

.

.

That night, Lucien couldn't sleep. It had been bothering her when she knows the cure to the illness but she is holding back for her safety. And, that Renee's twin brother wasn't supposed to die. They were supposed to live.

Lucien ruffles her hair frustratedly, making quick progress for the cure that might affect the flow of the plot. Though Lucien wasn't sure what could transpire if she happens to rewrite the original plot of the novel. It could either turn out good or, worst.

"Let's just check the library first."

She mumbles. All the maid has left their station except for Rosetta.

"Come on, Rosetta. We're going to visit the library again."

The moon was already up, lighting the murky sky with no stars around. The lamp post glowed through magic, it could be seen in and around the garden.

There was no need for the lamps around when the hallway was already lit up through magic, it was as though it was daylight. Rosetta silently followed her master from behind and finally made her way to the library.

"Let's see, if we could find something like plants or flowers encyclopedia, it would be great." Both walk around the shelves looking for any plant-related books.

"Rosetta, can you look for it on the second floor?"

"Certainly, my lady."

Lucien alone made her way to the end of the last shelves. 'Though I doubt to find any here. Since Renee has been looking for it as well.'

Lucien's basic purpose was to look for any book that has written anything about the Sky Lily.

If she uncovers it, no one would be able to learn about the ability she had kept hidden and, the emperor would have less suspicion of her. If she hurried, she might be able to find it. But the only problem was that the library was too vast.

"Anyhow, how did Renee find out the cure?"

Her mind moves around at a quick pace making many theories. It has been two hours however, there hasn't been a single book about the Sky Lily.

"My lady," an unexpected voice interrupted Lucien thought who was silently standing.

"Ekk!!"

Lucien's heart nearly leaps out of her throat. She took a step back clenching her chest. "Y...you..."

"I apologize, my lady."

It was Ivan who had suddenly decided to approach her. "However, it's past midnight. Are you still planning to stay a little more?"

"Midnight? It's midnight already?" Lucien forgot to keep in check of the time. She has already sent Rosetta away to take a rest while she decided to stay a few more minutes which had turned into hours.

"Ah-h, I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Ivan was the caretaker and he would leave only when there were no more visitors, however, he didn't expect Lucien to come who had been submerged in the books. He made sure to go and asked her if she was keeping track of time.

Lucien pinches between her brows, 'well, I can continue tomorrow.' Her mind echoed. "Well then, please excuse me, Sir Ivan." She slightly bows and walks out, however.

"My lady."

Ivan was able to catch up to Lucien who has just left the door out.

"Yes?"

"If it isn't too much of a hassle, let me walk you to your chamber." Ivan was slightly panting from running. He was trying to catch up to her who had left the exit.

Lucien was in paused for a moment, staring at him for a second. "Thank you, but there is no need for you to trouble, sir–"

"It's past midnight and it's not adequate for a lady to walk around without a maid." Lucien wasn't able to answer back when Ivan interrupted. He was right about that and she has almost forgotten that she was going to be walking alone.

"Alright, thank you, sir Ivan." She had no choice but to accept. Her mind was clouded with books and medicine that she had forgotten about Rosetta who had left long back and that, how frightening the deserted hallway was. "I'm in your debt."

Both of them walk side by side, neither spoke and it felt extremely long to reach her room.

"Sir Ivan."

"Yes, my lady?"

Since the mood between Lucien and Ivan was okay, she decided to trust her instinct. "I should have been inquiring this before but I forgot that you were a caretaker of this library."

Ivan said nothing in return but to silently listen. The garden stood on the right of the hallway, and the sound of the cricket chirping could be clearly heard. However, it was slightly different from what Lucien has heard before in her world. Maybe, the difference was that this cricket in this world was more serene and calming.

"Have you completed reading the entire books from the library?"

"Why do you suddenly ask?" Ivan questions, eyes still on the way.

"I wished to test your knowledge," Lucien bluntly answers. Their footstep echoed along the hallway until they made a right turn.

"And what reward do I expect from being prepared to answer your question?"

'Ehh! He expects a reward as well?'

Lucien rolls her eyes toward Ivan with a judgemental look. 'Whatever.'

"Is it a 'need' or a 'want' you wished to have as a reward?" Lucien had thought about it that Ivan was working in the Imperial palace and he wouldn't have any problem with wealth however, she was currently clueless about him.

'Author, you should have portrayed more about those lead harems. You shouldn't have just left it with their name and status.'

"Ah,"

Ivan smirks, turning towards Lucien with his finger on his chin. "I didn't think you were pretty sharp, my lady."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Lucien still refused to face him even though his response sounded like an insult to her.

"Whatever you may think of, my lady." Ivan smiles back with a little bit of satisfaction.

"And as for the reward, I will let you know later." Ivan faced the path, both hands behind his back.

Lucien scuffed under her breath making Ivan turn toward her. "Is something the matter, my lady?"

"My apologies, however," Lucien finally turned toward Ivan with a challenging look. "If you are able to reach up to my anticipation, your reward will exceed your expectations." Even though there were no rays to reflect her jewel eyes, it was somehow shimmering with a dark gaze. Ivan only stretches his thin lips in return.