Chapter 7: Eyes That Belonged to a Villainess (II).
"My work... my hard work..." (Lady Anne) reached for the last unburnt scrap of parchment, fingers trembling as she held what little remained of her carefully gathered information. All of it meant to gain her ally's trust. To prove her worth. But this?
This didn't scream partnership.
"Tell me, how many people have read that file?" (Olivia) stands before the lackey in great determination and the desire to protect. Her voice was cold, unwavering. She stood tall, resolute. She wasn't asking out of purpose, she was drawing a line. "You best give me a specific number."
She's determined to protect the heroine she swore to bully severely as the plot has asked for her to do.
"Hah..."
Lady Anne glares at her, she was having mixed feelings of confusion, betrayal and what's that word?
Disappointment.
She thought that once she made this breakthrough of giving such aid, after that complete failure of her original plan of humiliating that girl. Honestly, she could use a bit of help. "Do you know how long and what trouble I went through to get information that will help you?!"
Olivia looks through the ashes that's fallen on the ground. She feels guilty on burning what Lady Anne has provided but in the end that kind of file- if it's been given to the wrong hands, the heroine's life will be at stake.
"I don't want to cross the line." She muttered.
The lackey couldn't help but laugh dryly at her words.
Crossing lines?
"No offense, milady but the moment you said you'll bully this innocent girl that's already crossing the line. I thought since you were keen on wanting to make this girl's life a living hell, you should do better." She said slowly, voice thick with disbelief, "Why in the world would you want her to be safe? That's the complete opposite of bullying."
The villainess irks, in their current position they don't even know who's bullying who.
Gosh, if only Lady Anne knew of the heroine's other side...
"I've heard bullying was one of your specialties before you've changed. What happened to you? You've become soft." She poked a finger at her chest, wounding the girl in front of her.
Did she really become soft?
Of course we would, she's not the real villainess. She's just a girl from another world trying to continue the original storyline, in hopes once the story goes on its natural course- the story can end and she can get home safely.
"It's... none of your business."
"..."
That was not a good answer.
"Perhaps I was wrong, choosing you for an ally. I thought you'd be more devoted but this is the second time you've excused and abandoned yourself on your goals. That's all that I need to see." (Lady Anne) who values respect the most saw that their future partnership together at her current state of mind will not be fruitful. Could she risk having this woman by her side?
Impulsive, lacking awareness and ungrateful. "At first you invited me to bully this girl- but now when I give you a weapon that you could use on her you dare burn it."
She wanted to leave immediately but the villainess held her by the arm, hoping to wake this woman up. Sure she wanted to bully the heroine but that's only because of the story, if she changes it who knows what will happen?!
"Do you know how lethal using allergies are if they're used on another person? They'll die. That's the last thing that I want for her." (Olivia) knew that the heroine, even though by fate they were destined to be enemies- hell, killing her would be cruel.
Using allergies is just an underhanded tactic, just horrible and disgusting.
"..."
She thought just knocking her a peg, verbal assault or insulting her family would be enough to get the story going.
"You drive me crazy, milady. Sigh... tell me from the start- why is it that makes you want to bully such a delicate flower of the south? You could've just told me in the first place that you wanted her safe, not the opposite, I would not have minded words." (Lady Anne) felt her anger dissipating once she saw the other party's eyes looking guilty. "Instead you had to burn my hard work. Your actions made it clear that having a partnership with you will only lead me to problems."
"..."
Olivia Charlotte Alarie- no, that's not her name.
An ordinary girl who came into this world by mistake- couldn't argue with her. She did ask for help and the other party gave her that help. One would acknowledge the lackey for her good work, they would be adults and talk about this more properly.
She takes a deep breath, calming herself down. "My apologies for my immaturity, you're right. I'm sorry for burning your work. I have overlooked the effort and time that it took you to get this much information about the girl."
Lady Alarie lowers her head down, even surprising the eldest daughter of the Sinclairs.
In position the Alaries would be in a higher ranking.
"It was my mistake, however, in my defense please... let's not use this kind of tactic. I-I know that my actions are confusing but using allergies truly crosses the line at bullying. I don't want to kill her, milady but merely... teach her a lesson for messing with the wrong Alarie." She was humble, straight to the point and even lowered her pride to apologize admitting her mistake.
"..." (Lady Anne) had her knees shaking, this was not the same woman that everyone was talking about. The cruel, cold and sadistic girl has actually grown a pair of kind tits. She thought she would enjoy this tactic more- who knew she... truly had a change of heart.
She didn't believe it at first, after all who can change in merely months of time?
But this is proof enough.
"I had to use my personal connections, and you need not to worry about the number of people who have overlooked this file. Aside from my spy there is no one else. I heard what you wanted. I thought it was a doable and an easy request." She sighs, rolling her eyes mellowing down. "You make it hard to stay mad at you, milady. I never believed it but you've... truly changed."
Olivia is lucky that she's cute and useful.
"...whew."
The villainess managed to sell it.
She smiles relaxing on her chair and then drinking her tea, forgetting what she was mad about because this girl- knows a way with her words. "You're the first Alarie I've ever seen lower her head down."
"...!" The girl from another world stiffened, sweat running over her face and thought she blew it. Right, if you're from the esteemed Alarie family you would never bow down to anyone.
The tea tastes a lot sweeter after getting to see another side of this famed noblewoman, "I guess after being handed down a few responsibilities shaped you well, huh?"
"I-Indeed." She nervously answered, the old villainess would do her daily routines as a noblelady from the Alarie family but she focused her time on partying and hosting banquets, nothing physical or anything about their family business.
A few months ago she changed, now she focuses on herself and the family business.
Even Sebastian the villainess' personal family butler was impressed with her progress, except the time she drank too much wine and fought off a few ladies at a certain party.
"I am grateful for the opportunity my father gave me."
Lady Anne finishes her tea, looking over curiously as to what their plan would be. "Well, now that you burned my work I'm guessing we're back to square one."
Going back to square one is not a bad thing, Olivia was just thankful for the lackey's patience and understanding. "I... know, I am already making preparations for those days ahead."
"In good news, we'll be having our academy days ahead. If you don't like my tactics perhaps we can just leave it to fate there." Almost all of the noble children, including royalty are required to partake in a two to four year education in the magic academy of their kingdom.
"Mm." (Olivia) was an organized and prepared planner, she had her uniform, clothes, accessories, allowance, dresses, school supplies and everything to be perfect because she already knew the plot point ahead she is making sure that her life-
Will not turn in blood.
"..."
She's already taken on the name of Olivia Charlotte Alarie and is slowly accepting it.
"The magical academy... It's only weeks away now." She looks at the monster subjugation form and stands up from her seat, one of her subjects is in need- it would be a dishonor if she doesn't help. "Before the academy, family matters first. I'll be dealing with it myself."
Lady Anne stares at her completely stunned.
She stares at the form she was taking a look at before and realized it was the monster subjugation matter. Is she crazy?
"...A-Are you serious?"
A woman like her is going to fight?
Olivia smiles, considering she has gotten the gist of the Sinclair girl's character it seems she was raised on the belief that a woman can only do a few things. "The Alarie family is well known to train their daughters and sons in the art of war. That includes weapon training, swordmanship, archery and so much more. I have lagged on them a few times but now I have a respectable work ethic."
"I have heard of the glory of the Alarie military but I truly never expected that you erm..." (Lady Anne) scans her from up and down, noticing that indeed she has a tight physical body.
Then does that mean she has abs underneath that dress?
She looks away, having a slight flushed color before waving those indecent thoughts away. "You... work out."
"You'll learn a few more things about me along the way." She said with a calm edge, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll call Sebastian. Tell him that I would like to send a message to my father that I'll be gone for a few days to fix a problem in one of our farm lands."
She turns to her most prized possession after being sent to another world, taking in responsibilities her father has rewarded her with her own sword. "It is my duty as the eldest daughter of the lower branch of the Alarie family to take matters in my own hands."
Olivia inspects the blade before wearing the buckle on her waist. "I suppose I'll be seeing you in a few days, Lady Anne. I'll repay you for your hard work once I get back. I swear on the Alarie family name."
Lady Anne blinks a few times and prays that she doesn't get any cooler.
"O-Oh sure, sure. I'll see you in a few days."
Where did all her anger go?
Just seeing her holding a weapon in her hand somehow... she finds that sort of alluring.
===
Borbón Mansion Gates
===
Meanwhile,
On the gates of Baron Borbón's home, he held his daughter in his hand as he accompanied her into the carriage. "Oh dear Mariana, you'll be safe while you're on the road, yes? I have many guards accompanying you. You don't have to pick your dresses personally... I can have my servants attending to it."
Baron Nathaniel Borbón, a man who has had a weird and mysterious background has adopted a child from the south.
He was... a man who did not desire a wife.
Yet, many had expected for him to find an heir for their legacy.
Mariana smiles fondly seeing her adoptive father worried, being a noblewoman is tiring. It was all lessons inside the home and while she's thankful for her new life being able to eat scrumptious food three times a day she still longed to see the outside. "Si, papa I know but I want to see them in person just in case they need a few fitting. It's my new uniform for the academy after all! I'm quite excited, it's only a few weeks away and that's practically in the blink of an eye."
She missed the feeling of being able to roam around freely.
As just Mariana the orphan girl.
His father Baron Nathaniel blesses his heart being worried for his daughter, there have been many sightings of a new goblin nest but these few days there have been rare attacks. "Well that part of town you're going to is near the Alarie family's territory so you should be alright."
The Alarie family territory.
A smile broke out from her face, grinning from ear to ear.
Baron Nathaniel notices this but says nothing, "Godspeed, may the goddess watch over you my dear.
Mariana kissed him on the forehead and waved goodbye, "I'll see you soon, father. I promise I will return before nightfall. You need not to worry."
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