Reincarnated as a Villainess: All Eyes on Me

Chapter 6

[Chapter 6: Premonition]

•>>———∘◦❁◦∘———(3rd Person's POV)

'What the hell is all the noise about?' Arthur breathed out a heavy sigh and closed his book. He was far too distracted to r******w due to all the commotion happening outside.

He stood up and went to his window. He opened the curtain slightly to see almost everyone outside. His brows furrowed in confusion but then he remembered that it was today that his siblings would be transported to the neighboring kingdom.

He breathed out a sigh as his gaze lingered on Elora.

He kept remembering that time when Elora had given him a gift. He was initially planning to throw it but when he saw what type of 'book' it was, he was staring at it wide-eyed with shock.

It was the set of books he had planned to buy a long time ago but didn't get the chance to.

'And how did she even know I liked reading? I never once read outside my room, and its not like she had been to my room to see all my bookshelves as well!' Arthur pondered. It surely was a mystery.

He also remembered how Elora tried to get his attention a few times on the past few days. He almost, ALMOST, gave in, but he snapped out of it before he could.

He didn't want to forgive her and he wasn't planning on doing so. Elora had done so much that affected him, if only Arthur could make her disappear then he would've already done it but he didn't have the power to do that.

But he's not gonna lie, Elora had seemed different in the past few days, and he found himself getting intrigued by it. He wanted to know the reason for Elora's sudden change of attitude but he was too caught up in his cold act that he didn't want to ask.

He saw Elora giving Alistair a hug and he couldn't help the frown that formed on his face along with the shake of his head when he saw Alistair's red face.

'How embarrassing for him to show his emotions like that...' He thought. For him, it was better to conceal your emotions and act cold so that others wouldn't think you're vulnerable and take advantage of you. That had always been his way when he saw Elora tricked those around her. He didn't want to be fooled by his sister's pretty face and cruel antics and lies so he had always resorted in concealing his emotions.

Another reason for his severe hatred towards Elora is that he knows, very well, how his father favored Elora much more than him and Alistair. It was obvious why. Elora was the only one among them who resembled their mother more.

He can't remember his mother that well, only clouded memories and glimpses, but he saw how beautiful his mother was on pictures. And he hated to admit how he found Elora beautiful as well.

But he never once looked in Elora's way out of interest, but it seems that things are slowly changing now.

"Desmond." He called for his butler and in just a few seconds he heard a knock on his door.

"Yes my lord?" Desmond bowed his head earning a nod from Arthur without turning away from the window.

"Call Grayson." Arthur ordered.

"Right away." Desmond answered formally, bowing for the last time before leaving the room.

He now saw Elora talking to Grayson with a wink and Grayson staring agape with a blushing face.

'How brazen for her to flirt with the commander force.' He breathed out a sigh of disappointment while shaking his head.

He then saw Desmond coming over to Grayson and calling for him. They disappeared not long after and everyone was now waving at Elora to bid her farewell. Everyone had a fallen expression on their faces, some even have tears, while others waved at her with a sad smile.

'She already swept everyone off their feet huh?' He pondered with raised eyebrows.

He heard a knock and he answered with a brief 'come in'.

"You called for me?" Grayson bowed and Arthur finally walked away from the window when the commotion outside had settled down. He sat on his couch and motioned for Grayson to sit on the opposite side of him as well.

"I'm sending you out on a mission." Arthur said while leaning on his knees to cross his fingers.

"Mission?" Grayson question with his ears perked up.

"I'm gonna need you to go to Sequoia kingdom and spy on my siblings." Grayson's brows furrowed in confusion but Arthur remained his serious and nonchalant expression on.

"But why?"

"I need to check up on them of course..." Grayson's eyes widened and when Arthur realized what he had said, he quickly rephrased his statement as he leaned back casually.

"I need to check up on them and see if they're not doing anything to embarrass our kingdom; they are the prince and princess after all." Grayson nodded his head in understanding.

"I'll prepare the house you'll be staying at, your bills, food, and whatnot. You're only gonna be worrying about them. And make sure to send me weekly reports."

"But what about our kingdom? I am in charge of my troops after all." Grayson asked, worry evident on his tone.

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll put the second best in command for the time being and tell them I sent you off for vacation. Remember, this conversation we're having is confidential. Don't tell anyone of your mission." Grayson nodded his head in agreement and after that and a few more details, Arthur finally let Grayson go and told him to pack his things.

Grayson wasn't gonna lie, he found this 'vacation' rather exciting. Of course always having to see Elora despite from afar, was a delight for him. He wasn't gonna say it out loud, but he was having some sort of a crush on Elora.

In all those times they had trained, he had noticed every little things that Elora did. From the way her facial expressions would change on different occasions, her way of speaking, and even her non-girly ways; he found those attractive. At first, he only thought that he found her interesting, but he now figured that he was having a little crush on her.

'Of course this is nothing more but a little crush. We can't possibly be together...' That thought alone made him sad, but even so, he knew that it was true. They can't possibly be together. She was a princess, and a minor at that. He was also nothing more but a simple, uneducated knight, so the thought of them being together is nothing but a far-fetched dream.

He snapped out of his daze when he realized that they were already entering the gates of Sequoia Kingdom.

'Huh? I've been deep in thought for that long??' He thought with a baffled expression but he then turned all serious when he remembered what he was supposed to do here.

'That's right. I'm here on a mission. This isn't time for my silly childish feelings; this is business.' And with that thought in mind, the carriage entered the border with a confused yet determined Grayson.

∘◦❁◦∘

(Thaddeus' POV)

I can't believe my daughter is already leaving, and although I want nothing more than to pull her out of that school, I couldn't possibly do that. She had always wanted this, so this is what she gets.

Right from the very start she had asked me to enroll her there, I refused. I was worried of course, it might get hard for her since she didn't have any magic and that school is solely for students with magic. But her constant nagging and sulking got to me so I arranged some things that all worked out since I was good friends with the neighboring kingdom's ruler.

It was all worth it for a hug and a sweet 'Thank you father' from her but that was just about it.

*sighs*

17 years. It was 17 years ago when the love of my life died from birth complications, but she gave me a wonderful daughter instead that looked exactly liked her. I vowed to my life that I'd cherish and protect Elora but I guess that was just an empty promise.

Soon after Elora was born I got caught up with all my work. Even though I was happy I got Elora, that doesn't mean I get over the fact that my wife died that easily. Before I knew it, Elora was taken care by countless of maids and was taught by countless of teachers. I didn't get to see her that much, and maybe that was my downfall.

I always wanted to pamper her and in turn have her be affectionate towards me. But she'd gone cold and distant as time went by. She was always quiet and looked as if she was always plotting something with the look she got on her face. I didn't know what or how that happened, but I guess it was partly my fault.

That's why I was so shock when she called me 'papa' for the first time. You see, the word papa here isn't something you'd just use casually. Papa is a casual and affectionate word, while father is more of a formal and reserved word; which is what Elora always used. I brushed it off that one time she was asking for money but then it went on and on, and soon the word 'father' had completely been forgotten.

And then there was that sudden change of attitude. She had completely changed 360°, from being cold and distant to being friendly, cheerful, bubbly, and a lot more.

1 month from a coma and she suddenly changed like that. Its as if she's a completely different person!

I'm not complaining though, I like this new side of her much more since my 'father-daughter relationship' dream had come true.

It was only less than two weeks that I got to spend with her just like a real father and daughter would; at least in my imagination anyway, that's why her departure sends an uncontrollable pang in my heart.

If only I could just send her back here....

*sighs*

But I can't do that! If I did, she might think I'm a clingy father! I don't want her to hate me!!

"Your Highness, are you alright? Your complexion is pale." Kenton asked politely with worry lacing his tone. I didn't even realize he was there.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized that I was in my study room, it was a few moments ago that my daughter had left and here I am already missing her.

*sighs*

I closed my eyes shut and rested my head on my palm while I rested my elbows on the table as I slowly started to feel the familiar headache rising again.

"Kenton, will you please call the doctor." I asked, grunting when the headache was worsening.

"Yes Your Majesty." Kenton bowed before getting out of the room to fetch the doctor.

As much as I hated getting checked up by the doctor and have him disturb my work, Elora's nagging words always got to me so I had no choice but to comply.

'I'm telling you papa! Always have yourself checked up by the doctor! I'm not always gonna be here to give you this massage y'know?' I chuckled when I remembered my daughter's words a few days ago.

After that massaging scene, she'd always come back to my room to give me that wonderful massage again and again. It was a delight, and I'm not lying when I say that it feels like I've gone better with just that.

But now, its as if my pains and distress are coming back again... Is it really just a simple muscle pain just like what the doctor had said??

I shook my head when I heard knocking coming from my door.

I grumbled but let them in nonetheless.

"Your majesty." The palace's personal doctor greeted with a bow. I only nodded my head in acknowledgement and ordered for Kenton to leave us alone.

"To what may I offer my services for you today?"

"I am feeling unwell. There's this intolerable headache in my head that is making me dizzy." I informed with my eyes shut.

"Very well then." He came closer and asked for me to seat on my couch for further assessment of my situation and I complied.

Soon I fell into peaceful slumber with the medicine he had given me.

It was a very strange taste but I guess all medicines taste that way. Just like my wife would always say: 'All good medicines taste bad.'

*sighs*

I miss her...

===

'Be careful my love... danger is on its merry way.'

'Katherine?!'

'Our daughter..... protect her.'

'Huh? What do you mean?! Hey wait! Don't leave!!'

'I would never leave. I'll always be with you and our children...'

>> • <<