My Fake Engagement With The Villainess Turned Real
Chapter 16, The Strings Behind The Curtain
As I stepped out of the nurse's office, the lingering medicinal scent clung stubbornly to my clothes as if it were a second skin. The air outside felt almost oppressive, weighed down by the gravity of the situation. My escort, a squad of guards clad in their ceremonial uniforms, flanked me on all sides. I cast one last glance over my shoulder; Ethan remained behind those sterile walls, monitored closely by the head physician, whose expression was as bleak as a winter sky. The final image I held of him was etched in my mind, a hand tightly clutching a crumpled apology letter, his face a tumultuous sea of shame and confusion.
The heaviness in my chest only deepened, an inconvenient reminder of the turmoil unfolding within our lives.
Beside me, Leticia maintained her position like a steadfast shield, her focus unwavering as she expertly filtered out the world around us. Her eyes, normally so warm and inviting, softened each time our gazes met. Yet, the moment anyone from the academy dared to approach, her demeanor transformed into something sharp and predatory, like a hawk spotting its prey, cold and unforgiving.
As we made our way through the bustling academy courtyard, the whispers of fellow students fell like daggers around us, each remark cutting deeper than the last. It seemed as though rumors could spread faster than lightning here, and today had given the gossips enough fodder to ignite a scandal strong enough to burn through the entire capital.
"He really challenged the ducal heir?"
"Is he trying to court death or something?"
"Why is the villainess defending him?"
Each careless comment felt like needles against my skin, and I instinctively lowered my head, wishing to become invisible. In that moment of despair, Leticia reached out, her fingers gently lifting my chin, an act of defiance against those unkind words.
"Do not shrink yourself," she insisted, her voice steady and soothing, yet the undertone of protective ferocity was palpable. "You did nothing wrong in this situation."
Before I could find my voice to respond, a figure appeared before us, clad in a navy overcoat that seemed to command respect and authority. The emblem emblazoned on his chest glimmered in the sunlight, depicting a majestic dragon with its wings outstretched, a regal symbol that set my heart racing and my stomach churning.
"A Royal Knight," I whispered, my breath hitching.
He bowed respectfully to Leticia first, then turned his sharp gaze toward me.
"Lord Valtara," he began, his tone crisp and formal, "Her Majesty requests your presence at the palace."
In that moment, time seemed to freeze, and my heart plummeted into a chasm of dread.
"Me? There must be some mistake," I stammered, incredulity mixing with anxiety.
The knight shook his head with the precision of military training, his expression unyielding. "There is no mistake. You are to accompany us immediately. Lady Leticia, her throne has also requested your attendance."
Leticia's eyes narrowed, brimming with both intrigue and trepidation.
"For what purpose?"
Her sharp question sliced through the stillness, a warning that this was no ordinary summons.
"That will be explained once you arrive," the knight replied, the firmness in his tone allowing no room for argument.
This unexpected situation was spiraling far beyond the bounds of a simple school disciplinary issue. A challenge duel between nobles escalating to a royal audience was far from the norm, unless, of course, someone had orchestrated it with ulterior motives in mind.
A reassuring hand tightened around mine. Leticia's grip was fierce and possessive, a silent promise of protection against whatever awaited us beyond those palace gates.
"We will go," she declared, her voice steady and unwavering. "But if this is yet another scheme to separate us, I swear I will turn the palace upside down."
I noticed the knight flinch, though he masked it well. His expression softened for just a heartbeat, but it was enough for me to perceive the underlying concern.
We were ushered into a lavish carriage bearing the royal crest, its interior adorned with luxurious fabrics and opulent embellishments. As we rolled deeper into the heart of the capital, the city whirred past my window, an ever-changing canvas of life and vibrancy. Towering marble walls came into view, interspersed with spires of gold and silver that glittered in the sun like shards of fallen stars, illuminating our path to the Royal Palace.
It was magnificent, a sight I had only ever admired from a distant vantage point. The aura surrounding the palace was heavier than I anticipated, imbued with centuries of authority, responsibility, and unyielding tradition.
Upon entering the grand hall, my eyes were immediately drawn to a figure seated upon an exquisite chair, crafted from crystal and shimmering softly as light filtered through the space. The older woman, regal and formidable, with dark red hair cascading like molten flames, commanded the room with a gaze that had the power to dissect armies and motives alike. Even without a crown perched atop her head, there was an air about her that left no room for doubt regarding her identity.
Queen Veridiana Amaranth.
Leticia executed a perfectly measured bow, embodying the grace expected from nobility. I quickly followed suit, my knees trembling as they threatened to buckle beneath the weight of the moment.
The Queen's voice rang out first, her tone steady yet imbued with an authority that demanded attention. "I understand there was an incident involving a challenge duel. One that nearly resulted in tragedy."
With a sense of urgency, Leticia stepped forward, her posture unwavering. "Ethan was the aggressor. Valtara defended himself. It is imperative that you punish the correct party in this matter."
A subtle smirk played upon the Queen's lips, not one of humor, but one steeped in calculation, as if she was piecing together a puzzle only she could see.
"I am aware of the circumstances," she replied, her gaze shifting to fixate on me directly. The intensity of her scrutiny made me feel as though I were being laid bare, every thought and fear exposed for her consideration. "But this incident has revealed something far more concerning."
Her words sent a chill racing down my spine.
"You, Valtara, are becoming a threat."
My blood turned to ice in my veins. "Threat? I do not understand," I gasped, bewilderment clouding my thoughts.
"Not to the kingdom itself, but to the carefully woven narrative," she clarified, her eyes narrowing slightly, catching the shimmering light with a predatory sparkle.
Leticia stiffened beside me, her grip on my hand tightening to an almost painful degree. "What do you mean by 'narrative'?" she pressed, her voice laced with concern.
The Queen rose gracefully from her chair, her steps deliberate and slow as she approached us like a thundercloud ready to break.
"Leticia is the designated villainess of this kingdom's story," she stated, her tone somber yet uncompromising. "She was meant to be betrayed, cast aside, and eventually executed. Her downfall is what was intended to unite the noble houses and secure stability within our realm."
As her words hung heavily in the air, I felt as though the stage had been set, unaware of the roles we were expected to play in a script we had not written. In this moment, the stakes felt higher than ever, the strings of destiny tugging at us with unseen force. The question that loomed large was whether we could rewrite the narrative before it unraveled entirely.
Leticia's expression transformed, becoming as frigid as the depths of winter, leaving no room for doubt about the gravity of the confrontation unfolding between us.
"So you admit it," I accused, my voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with the tension of the moment. "You planned to destroy me."
The Queen's gaze was unwavering, fixed like a predator eyeing its prey. "It was the most efficient path," she responded coolly, her voice dripping with authority and a hint of annoyance. "That was, of course, until you chose to interfere."
I felt a swell of indignation rise within me. "I have done nothing but try to survive in this treacherous environment," I protested, desperation lacing my words as I sought to justify my actions.
"And therein lies the crux of the issue," the Queen replied, her tone shifting slightly, betraying an irritated edge. "By daring to act out of turn, you have usurped the role designated for the heroine. You have disrupted the natural flow of events, and as a result, the future has become a chaotic enigma, increasingly difficult to predict."
She advanced, closing the distance between us, her presence overwhelming and suffocating. I felt the world around us shrink as she stepped into my personal space, her dark authority looming. "You are not supposed to exist," she declared, her voice slicing through the air like a knife.
A chilling sensation crept down my spine, reverberating with a sense of foreboding that made my heart race.
Suddenly, Leticia surged forward, positioning herself protectively in front of me. Her fierce glare could have softened granite, revealing a fierce loyalty that was palpable. "If you lay even a single finger on him," she warned the Queen, her voice steady and resolute, "this kingdom will crumble before the sun sets on this day."
The Queen halted, an amused smile flickering across her lips, a slight curve that hinted at unexpected intrigue. "Interesting," she mused, her tone condescending. "Your devotion has already twisted itself into something beyond my predictions."
With that, she turned away, striding back to her throne with the grace of a sovereign accustomed to absolute control. "For now, I will allow this engagement to continue," she declared with an air of finality. "But heed this warning, Valtara: the more you defy the narrative, the more ferocious the backlash will become. The world itself may very well turn against you if you venture too far from the path assigned to you. Fate is not fond of being rewritten, and it punishes those who meddle with its design."
With a deliberate gesture, she signaled to the guards, her expression reverting to one of cold superiority. "You may go. However, be prepared. The next act is on the verge of commencing, and it will demand your full attention."
Leticia seized the moment, her grasp on my arm unyielding as she pulled me away from the oppressive atmosphere of the throne room. Once we had distanced ourselves from those who might overhear, she finally released the breath she seemed to be holding. There was a palpable tremor in her voice when she spoke, her tone now layered with urgency. "Promise me something," she implored, her eyes reflecting her apprehension. "No matter what anyone says, do not pull away from me."
Her vulnerability laid bare before me felt like an intimate bond shared between us, and her words resonated with a fear of losing what little we had left in this precarious world. "I will never let you go," she reassured me, her voice barely above a whisper, and I could see the determination flickering in her gaze.
Nodding, my heart raced with both anxiety and hope. "I promise," I swore, feeling the weight of our unspoken pact settle between us.
She leaned in, resting her forehead against mine. In that brief moment, the burdens of the world outside slipped away, and I felt an overwhelming sense of calm envelop us, a fleeting sanctuary amidst the storm.
However, as we stepped through the towering palace gates, reality jolted back into focus. Something was amiss; the sky fluctuated overhead like a malfunctioning screen, casting an ominous glow that made my heart pound with uncertainty. Buildings in the distance blinked in and out of existence, as if the very fabric of reality was straining under the weight of its own contradictions.
The Queen's words echoed hauntingly in my mind.
The story was indeed changing.
And from the look of it, the world was not too pleased about it.
To be continued...