I Will No Longer Live As Your Villainess

The goddess Ella issued an oracle, saying she would send a giant serpent to the earth to defeat the seven monsters tormenting humans. Terrified, the monsters hid, and humans began a hunt to find the hidden monsters.

Recalling Daniel’s story, Luance grabbed a handful of Laurencia’s red hair.

“You’re the monster born for me, Laurencia. So you’re mine. Forever.”

At the tea party hosted by the Empress to introduce Charlotte as the prospective Crown Princess, Illina drew attention as people showered her with pity. Despite being an illegitimate child, she was even praised as a kind young lady for being considerate.

Charlotte was slightly shocked that the situation she had feared had actually happened. She couldn’t believe Illina had gone as far as to make Laurencia physically unfit to attend the tea party.

“Lady Paul Heredian, is Lady Laurencia severely unwell?”

“Yes.”

“Could you explain why she’s in such a severe condition? Could it be because of Lady Anne’s mistreatment?”

Illina slightly nodded at Charlotte’s question, her large eyes quickly welling up with tears. People patted Illina on the back comfortingly.

“Don’t say any more, Lady Illina. You’ve been through so much.”

“No, Princess Charlotte. I really wanted to bring her with me.”

“Such a fine young lady raised properly under difficult circumstances. How commendable.”

“You’re too kind.”

“You must have wanted to attend the tea party with Lady Laurencia, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then, above all, you must wish for Lady Laurencia’s safety.”

“That’s right, Your Highness. Although I am an illegitimate child, I wish for my sister’s safety and happiness more than anything.”

“Hearing you say that warms my heart, Lady Illina.”

“Thank you.”

“I can’t just stand by and do nothing, then.”

Smiling at Illina, Charlotte whispered to a maid beside her. The maid quickly left the room, and soon, Marquis Taishar arrived at Charlotte’s side.

“Marquis Taishar Spencer.”

“Yes, Princess Charlotte.”

“Take all the healing scrolls you have and go to Count Paul Heredian’s estate. Use them on Lady Laurencia, who is severely injured due to Lady Anne’s abuse, and bring her to the palace.”

Charlotte smiled brightly at Illina.

“Lady Illina, your kind heart for your sister touched me. I’ll grant the wish you shared with me.”

“Princess Charlotte, there’s no need for you to go that far…”

“Don’t feel burdened, Lady Illina. Thinking of the kind heart it must have taken to protect your poor illegitimate sister from such a terrible mother, no number of healing scrolls would be wasted.”

Illina’s face grew paler and paler.

“Think of it as my gift to you. I’d like to get closer to such a kind young lady as yourself. And surely, you also wish for Lady Laurencia’s speedy recovery?”

As Illina’s forced smile became increasingly stiff, Charlotte’s lips curved upward. At that moment, Empress Ines, who had been sitting quietly next to Charlotte, also nodded subtly in approval. It was a sign of permission. Illina’s face turned ghostly pale.

“Yes, but my mother—”

“Don’t worry about that, Lady Illina.”

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

“I will issue an imperial decree to Marquis Spencer to bring Lady Laurencia of Count Heredian’s estate to the palace.”

With the Empress herself stepping in to issue the decree, Illina had no choice but to accept. Attending the tea party, she couldn’t inform Luance or anyone else of the situation. Her mind was consumed with the thought, What do I do now? She felt as if she were sitting on a bed of thorns.

Anne stared blankly at Marquis Taishar Spencer, who had arrived at the Heredian estate with the Empress’s decree.

“This is an imperial decree from Her Majesty the Empress.”

Accepting the decree handed to her by Taishar, Anne instinctively bit her lower lip.

The decree stated that Anne’s interference with Laurencia’s attendance at the tea party would be dealt with after Luance and Lorrirols’s honor duel. It also ordered Taishar to confirm Laurencia’s mistreatment and escort her to the palace if necessary.

Anne’s complexion turned deathly pale. Her vision blurred with despair. If Luance found out that Laurencia had been taken to the palace, he wouldn’t spare her or Illina.

“What do you mean, take Laurencia? That’s absolutely out of the question!”

“Do you intend to defy the imperial decree?”

Anne clenched her fists tightly as she faced Taishar, whose cold demeanor was unyielding.

“I won’t bother asking the Countess to guide you to Lady Laurencia’s room. Steward.”

“Yes. I am Airden, the steward of the Paul Heredian household, Marquis Spencer.”

“Lead me to Lady Laurencia’s room.”

“My apologies, but Lady Laurencia needs to continue resting…”

Taishar gazed down at the steward with an impassive expression. The people of the count’s household seemed not only reluctant to lead him to Laurencia but also frightened. Taishar found their fear peculiar. What are they so afraid of?

“Ensuring her rest won’t be an issue. Lead the way.”

Airden tried to think of another excuse to stop Taishar from reaching Laurencia’s room.

“Is repeating the same thing twice a specialty of the Paul Heredian steward?”

“N-no, not at all.”

Airden glanced at Anne for guidance. Seeing her resigned expression, her head bowed in defeat, he knew he had no choice.

“Lead the way, Airden.”

“Yes, madam.”

As he guided Taishar, Airden stole glances at the imposing figure following him. Taishar had long, elegant limbs like a mountain goat, lustrous black hair that seemed perpetually damp, large ruby-colored eyes that gleamed brilliantly, and full lips that added to his charm. He was undeniably handsome, so much so that every maid they passed blushed and cast lingering glances his way.

“Steward, how is Lady Laurencia’s condition?”

“She just needs a little more rest…”

“A little rest, you say…”

Airden’s voice trailed off. An uncomfortable silence filled the air, and sweat began to trickle down his back. The oppressive aura Taishar exuded felt like a thorned cushion pressing relentlessly against his spine. Airden’s steps quickened nervously.

“This is Lady Laurencia’s room.”

After knocking, there was no response from within. The room remained eerily silent.

“It seems she’s still asleep.”

Taishar pushed the door open and stepped into the room. He strode to the bed where Laurencia lay and suddenly noticed a small tree behind her.

“A tree?”

To Taishar’s eyes, the tree was small and withering, its branches frail and brittle, as if they would snap with the slightest touch. The ground where its roots clung was barren and blackened, like a desolate swamp swept by a sandstorm. How did this tree take root in such a place? Is there no way to save it? As these thoughts raced through his mind, Taishar recalled the words of his father, Magus.

Covering his mouth with one hand, Taishar instinctively stepped back.

Taishar’s fiery red eyes glowed as his trembling lips whispered, “I’ve finally found her.”

A wave of euphoria coursed through him as his heart began to pound wildly. However, that joy was short-lived. The tree’s branches continued to crack, snap, and wither. His heart sank with dread.

“I just found her…”

Looking at Laurencia, he saw her dire state. Her head was wrapped in bandages, and her body was covered with bruises. There wasn’t an inch of uninjured skin. Taishar urgently pulled out a scroll imbued with healing magic and tore it open above her head. He continued ripping scroll after scroll over her legs, body, and face.

A radiant light enveloped Laurencia’s body. Taishar used every scroll he had. When he glanced back at the tree behind her, he noticed a single leaf sprouting from one of its previously broken branches.

Taishar’s mind raced with a singular thought: I must take this fragile tree with me, protect it, and ensure no one else sees it. Alongside the joy of finally finding the goddess Ella’s child, a murderous rage burned within him toward those who had hidden and abused her.

“No wonder Father couldn’t find her.”

Gently, Taishar wrapped the sleeping Laurencia in thick blankets and carefully lifted her. His heart ached. Despite being bundled up, Laurencia was far too light. Her gaunt cheeks told the story of prolonged starvation and abuse. A surge of emotion swelled in his chest.

“Meow!”

A small black kitten suddenly appeared, rubbing against his leg and crying softly.

“Is this Laurencia’s cat?”

The kitten meowed again, refusing to leave. With no other choice, Taishar picked it up. The kitten climbed up his arm and nestled into the blanket, curling up beside Laurencia.

“Fine. You can come along too.”

With Laurencia in his arms, Taishar opened the door and stepped out. Airden froze at the sight, unable to stop him. The overwhelming aura Taishar exuded made him shrink back instinctively. Moreover, with the Empress’s decree in hand, no one dared to interfere as Taishar carried Laurencia out.

“If I could take her straight to the Poloid Empire…”

That would be ideal. But for now, he resolved to take her to the palace, ensure she received proper care, feed her nourishing food, and nurse her back to health. This thought quickened his steps. His only desire was to bring Laurencia to safety—nothing else mattered.