Villains also get Second chance

"So how is life here?" Rosella asked, nibbling her cake.

"Even after being a knight, you are such a gourmand," I replied with a laugh, avoiding her question.

"Hey, it's not my mistake. You know chocolate cake is my Achilles heel," she replied stuffing one more piece in her mouth.

I just laughed at her antics, just how did I miss this innocence in the past.

"So, you must be happy now, getting married to the man you love. You even forgot your childhood friend and family," she complained with a pout.

'Just how many times would she ask about my conditions here in different ways. She was not that chatty in the past. Had I made a mistake being friendly with him.' the devil in me smirked as I regretted over being nice with her.

"Saying the one who is still busy with her sword, what happened to count Dylan, whom you were going to confess to" see even without being rude I can shut anyone.

She pouted but said nothing.

"Your highness" greeted Penny entering the parlour room.

"Your highness, lady Isabella is here," she informed me, looking at the door in a panic. The girl must be treated badly looking at the way she was frightened.

"Ask her to wait," I replied. I did not want to create a scene in front of Rosella. At least not on the day of her joining.

"Yes, your highness" she replied, though her face turned pale. I know this look well, as I also used to torture the maids of Cassius's chamber when they did not come with a positive reply.

We nobles are not taught to hear no as an answer.

She bowed her head and went out of the chamber. By the silence did not stay for long as Isabella entered in clicking her heels on the marble floor, and behind her were my two new maids, doing every possible attempt to stop her.

That has never happened before. So that was what Lina meant when she said that the girls were not trained enough.

"Lady, you can't go in, please lady Isabella listen" they continued pleading with her.

'Huh rather than pleading, you should just drag her out by clutching her hairs. hmph'

I raised my hand stopping Daisy and Penny from creating a further scene.

"What kind of rude behaviour is it, lady Isabella? Have you forgotten who I am? Or have you forgotten your place in the palace?" I asked in the coldest tone.

Only then did I notice, her face and neck was covered with small red blisters. I quickly tried to scan her body, but everything was covered by her blue floor-length gown, she had even worn gloves in her hands.

"My apology, your highness." but there was no regret in her voice. If any, it was coming through gritted teeth.

"What is the matter, lady Isabella, you are looking worried?" I asked, stifling a laugh looking at her face.

She clearly realised my mocking gaze as she fumed further, "just look at my face your highness, my whole body is covered with it. It's all because of you."

I raised a brow, I turned my body towards her, leaning back on my chair, chair of the head. I put my one leg over the other and raised my chain, forget about Isabella even Rosella was stunned for a second as no lady sat like that. It was the posture of the emperor, "me? Hah, mind your tongue lady Isabella, don't forget who you are talking to! I can send you to prison for spoiling my image, speaking lies about the archduchess. Breaking the code of conduct of the palace and now glaring at me and intimidating me, it would be taken as you are here to harm me, lady Isabella.

You are the daughter of marquees but we both know the title will be passed to your brother the eldest son of marquees Wiltshire, and then you will be just a noble by name.

While I am the archduchess, I am second to the empress of Forchestire but rest of you are all below me.

No one would be able to save you, not even the one whom you think they could. So, it's best not to get on my bad side, otherwise, you may not realise how you get destroyed." Everyone was stunned as there was a pin drop silence covering the whole area.

The whole place was frozen until I spoke again,

"So, I am asking you once again, why are you here lady Isabella?"

But she said nothing, or should I say she had nothing to say, her face was white as she stood there lost. She had thought she would come here and act pitiful after all her condition is the one which could gain sympathy, pale face, weak stature, and those wet eyes.

She must have thought she could sow the seed of hatred in everyone's heart for me.

But what she did not know was, I had been a victim of this scene in my last life. As she had played the victim card many times, I even believed that I was in the wrong.

But not anymore, since she wanted me to prove villain then allow me to show her how a villain would react.

"What now, are you playing mum, or your tongue also got blisters? In any case, I am busy here. So either speak or excuse us."

"Penny, Daisy" I called the dumb standing maids, they needed to be trained to be like me, who could handle these small pests.

My gaze brought them out of their stupor as they walked forward and bowed their head.

"Yes, your highness" they spoke in a chorus.

"Lady Isabella is not feeling well, take her to the royal physician" I ordered and they bowed.

Moving forward they called her but she did not respond as her eyes were fixed on me. But instead of fear I just stared back, the cold hard stare that was ready to shatter all her pretence if she spoke more.

"I want to plead for justice." Finally, the girl spoke when they held each of her hands to drag her out.