I woke up to sunlight stabbing through the curtains like it had a personal grudge.
For one blissful second, I forgot where I was. Then the silk sheets, the embroidered canopy, and the faint scent of lavender hit me all at once.
Right. Still Liriel Noctrya. Still fake villainess. Still three days away frome seeing Cassian Veldt in the flesh.
I groaned into the pillow. Three days. I've survived betrayal, overtime hell, and instant ramen diets. I can survive three days of pretending to be a terrible person.
Mira knocked softly before entering, carrying a breakfast tray. She set it down with caution of someone's defusing a bomb.
"Good morning, my lady."
"Morning," I mumbled, sitting up. Then I remembered—villains don't mumble. I cleared my throat and tried again, deeper. "Morning."
Mira blinked. "You sound... hoarse?"
Great. My villain voice sounded like a sick cat.
I waved her off and attacked the toast instead. While chewing, I caught my reflect in the vanity mirror across the room.
Time to practice.
I narrowed my eyes. Lifted my chin. Curled my lip into a perfect sneer.
...And looked like I was constipated.
I tried again. Softer glare. Subtle smirk.
Too soft. Now I looked like I was flirting with myself.
One more time—full villainess mode. Cold eyes, slow blink, faint superior smile.
There. Nailed it.
Except the smile slipped into something genuinely warm when I thought of Cassian adjusting those intricate black gloves, blue-gray hair falling over his eyes—
Nope. Abort. Villain face back on.
Mira was staring. "My lady... are you unwell again?"
"I'm perfect," I said coolly. Then ruined it by adding. "Thanks for breakfast."
She froze again. Second time this week. At this rate, she'd think I'd been body-snatched.
Which... fair.
—
Downstairs, the moment I stepped into the corridor, the atmosphere shifted.
Servants bowed deeply, their movements sharp and precise.
"Good morning, Lady Liriel."
"Good morning, my lady."
"May your day be prosperous."
I nodded once, lips barely curving.
But inside my head:
Why are they bowing so low? Did I glare too hard yesterday? Oh no—what if I'm accidentally terrifying them? Is that good? That's good, right? Villains are supposed to be scary. Okay, stay scary.
I walked past with measured steps, cloak trailing behind me like a warning.
One maid nearly tripped trying to move out of my way.
I paused.
"...Carefu," I said automatically.
The maid froze, eyes wide, then bowed even lower. "Y-Yes, my lady!"
I continued walking.
Three seconds later, realization hit.
I told her to be careful.
I pressed my lips together.
Villainess do not gently warn people. I am failing.
Whispers followed me through the halls.
"She's different lately..."
"But still terrifying."
"I heard she hasn't caused a scene in days."
"That's what makes it worse."
I resisted the urge to turn around and explain that no, I was not plotting anything dramatic—I was simply trying very hard not to expose myself as a soft-hearted modern fangirl trapped in a noble villain's body.
I reached the main hall just as—
"Cousin."
My soul nearly left my body.
I stopped mid-step.
Slowly, I turned.
Valeria stood near the window, crimson's dress flowing like spilled wine, her smile sharp and deliberate. Every inch of her screamed true villainess—the kind who didn't overthink, didn't panic, and certainly didn't apologize to servants.
Real danger.
"Oh," I said coolly. "Valeria."
WHY IS SHE HERE? WHY IS SHE ALWAYS SO SUDDEN. IS THIS HOW I GET EXPOSED.
Valeria's gaze swept over me, lingering just a second too long. "You look... well."
"Is that so surprising?" I replied flatly.
Valeria chuckled. "No. Just unexpected."
We walked side by side, heels echoing against the marble floor.
"So," Valeria continued casually, "your've been quiet lately."
I kept my expression neutral. "Is that a crime?"
"For you?" Valeria smiled. "Potento."
My stomach tightened.
She knows. She definitely knows something. She's a villain. Villainess always notice things.
Valeria leaned closer. "No unnecessary drama. No public humiliation. No cruel displays."
Her eyes flicked sidewai. "You're either bored... or distracted."
I did not react.
I had trained for this.
I had rehearsed.
"I've simply matured," I said coldly.
Valeria laughed softly. "That's the most suspicious answer you could have given."
We stopped near an open terrace.
From below, voice echoed—knights training in the courtyard.
Metal clashed.
Orders rang out.
My heart betrayed me instantly.
That voice—
No. Not his.
Probably.
Maybe.
My gaze flickered downward before I could stop myself.
Valeria noticed.
Of course she did.
"...Interesting," Valeria murmured.
I straightened immediately. "What is?"
"Nothing." My cousin's smile deepened. "Just thinking about knights."
Cold crept through my veins.
Valeria continued, almost lazily, "You know, emotions are dangerous thingsm especially when directed at people who carry swords."
"I'm well aware," I replied.
I am not emotionally attached. I am simply historically appreciative. There is a difference.
Valeria turned away, satisfied—for now.
"Be careful, cousin," she said lightly. "Affection is a weakness. And weakness..." She glanced back. "...gets noticed."
Later that afternoon, I escaped to the garden, desperate for air.
I sat beneath the shade of a tree, hands folded neatly in my lap.
Calm.
Collected.
Then footsteps approached.
Male. Heavy. Confident.
My breath caught.
A shadow stretched across the stone path.
A voice spoke—close. Too close.
"...Captain said the patrol shifts tomorrow."
My heart slammed.
I froze.
I did not look.
I could not look.
My fangirl instincts screamed. My villainess survival instincts screamed. My Villainess survival instincts screamed louder.
Do not turn around. Valeria could appear anywhere. If she sees my face—
The footsteps moved past.
The shadow disappeared.
I exhaled shakily.
I had not seen him.
And yet, somehow, the moment lingered—heavy, charged, dangerous.
I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling its frantic beat.
"...That was unfair," I muttered.
I lingered in the corridor longer than I should have on my way back, trying to steady my breathing.
Voices drifted up from the servants' stairwell below—hushed, excited whispers.
"...heard it myself. Sir Cassian's new assignment starts tomorrow."
"Closer to the family wings?"
"Right in the inner estate. The captain wants tighter security before the banquet."
A soft laugh. "Some ladies will be very pleased."
I pressed a hand to the wall, pulse racing all over again.
Tomorrow.
Closer.
I slipped away before they could see me, lips curving despite every warning in my head.
Stay composed.
But... my heart, traitor that it was, refused to listen.
That night, alone in my room, I stared at the ceiling.
A knock came.
A maid entered, bowing deeply. "My lady, I thought it best you were informed."
I sat up. "What is it?"
"The knight captain has announced a new assignment." The maid hesitated. "Sir Cassian will be stationed closer the inner estate... starting tomorrow."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The maid retreated quickly, sensing danger.
I remained frozen.
Then—
I covered my face with both hands.
"...I am doomed."
I peeked through my fingers, eyes sharp once more.
But a small, irrepressible curve touched my lips.
You are not a fangirl. You are a menace.
Still.
My heart refused to listen.
~🫶