I Reincarnated as the Villainess and I Refuse to Follow the Plot

After today's events, and things not going how I calculated, I need to take a breath to realign my thoughts. I rushed through the gardens, politely offering smiles when they were required and happy greetings – as is expected of me. The more I saw these complete and utter fools, the more I wanted to open up a hole below their feet and send them into a void.

Why must they never change? I scoffed, tossing my hair back out of my face. Everyone is a rat or has a rat in their employ.

I took a hard left, leaving the gardens behind. At least it's warm today. I thought, hiking up my skirt and walking up a rolling green hill. Grass poked at my ankles as I moved, but I didn't care. After several minutes I reached the top of the hill and crossed to a large bent oak tree – one that always brought me comfort when I was in a mood.

"Hello, old friend." I rested my petite hand against the bark, gazing up at its leaves. "You're the same as always."

The wind blew, ruffling my hair and bringing a bittersweet smile to my lips. If only things could be as simple as this.

I walked around the tree and leaned against it, sighing. "I want to go home, eat some snacks, and figure out my life. Why must I be here?"

A sharp pain stabbed through my head and I let out a soft whimper, squeezing my eyes shut. What is with these damned headaches? They'd been plaguing me for weeks now and none of the doctors seemed to know what was ailing me. Perhaps I'm not eating enough.

I opened my eyes slowly, and looked down at the castle below. People walked around in the direction I had come from, no doubt whispering and spreading gossip. I sighed again and turned my head the opposite way. Best not to think on it too much.

I turned my head away, looking toward the crown prince's palace. I had arrived at the castle early, planning to accidentally run into him but he had been nowhere to be found. His aid hadn't been helpful either. I let out a breath of air, starting to turn away, when I saw two people standing very close together in his garden.

I moved forward, crouching down to try and get a better view. He tilted his head, catching the sunlight just right. It's Prince Cassius. I smiled slowly, only for it to dissipate moments later. Who is that woman beside him? The distance was too far for me to accurately tell. I'll have to find out.

I stood up, and walked down the slope, holding my arms out for balance. A few stumbles and almost falls, I reached the bottom. I darted behind a tree, peaking out. I couldn't hear their voices, but I finally realized who she was – Kyla Thornevale.

"Why is she with him?" I asked quietly.

Another sharp stab of pain slammed through my head, staggering me. I gasped, grabbing my head as the world began to tilt. What is going on…Why…now…

"That bitch." I whipped my head up, slamming a fist into the bark of the tree. "Who do you think you are to approach him? He's mine."

She thinks she can wag her tail at him and he'll just jump? I bit my lip and the sweet bitter taste of blood filled my mouth. I swore and brushed my sleeve across my face – never once removing my eyes from them. Should I just kill her? Save myself some time?

"No, no no." I laughed quietly to myself. "Not yet. I can't. It's not time yet."

Another pain stabbed through my head and I swore, slapping my palm against my forehead. "Not now. Stop it. Stop it."

I groaned, smacking again and again and again. Why? Why?! It shouldn't be like this. It couldn't be like this. Did I mess up? Did I forget something? Did I make a wrong turn? Why? What? Why?

I tugged my hair, panting. "I have to though." I muttered. "I need to though. Don't I?"

I took a step forward, no plan in mind – nothing to follow. I shouldn't or should I? What outcome would work? What one would not? I had no answer.

"Don't interfere." A calm voice said behind me.

Why is he here? Why? I spun around, feeling my face begin to flush, and sweat drip from my brow.

"Why are you here?" I ground out, stomping toward him. "Why do you always show up at the worst times? Well?" I swung out reaching for his small sprite body. To my complete and utter shock – my hand went through his body. "No." I hissed. "You stupid thing. Tell me you didn't."

"I don't answer to you." The sprite let out a breath, sitting mid air. "Haven't you learned your lesson yet? Hmm?"

"Don't you dare condescend me." I snarled, grabbing the loose strands of my hair. When did I put it up in such a childish style? This morning? Last night? I don't remember. "You can't even do anything." I grinned, tilting my head. "You can't. You can't. You can't."

"I don't need to." He snorted. "You're beginning to crack. You've re-"

"Shut up, you sniveling, spineless entity." I pointed a finger at it. "Begone from my sight! I will…des…troy…"

Another pain, sharper and stronger than the last split through my head – causing me to fall forward. The ground rose up faster than I could process and I landed against it, scratching my hands. A loud ringing echoed through my ears and then suddenly – as fast as it had begun – it stopped.

"What…am I doing?" I blinked several times. Why am I on the ground? I stood slowly, looking around. When did I walk here? Did I fall down the hill?

Gently I touched my head, seeing if there was a bump. I sighed with relief when I found nothing at all. "Thanks gods. I was worried there for a moment." I let out a breath and turned to face the castle.

I had only taken a single step forward when I felt a cold gaze looking directly at me. Shivering, I looked in both directions until I found the source. Prince Cassius stood at the edge of his garden – his cold gaze burning into me.

Oh no. I hiccupped, bowing quickly. I've angered him in some way.

I peeked up – feeling my heart pounding madly in my throat. I need to leave. Right now. He's very, very upset..

I deepened my bow, grabbed the ends of my skirt and ran off as fast as I humanly could. He's scary. I hiccupped again, picking up speed.

I didn't want to humor what would have happened if I waited a moment longer. The Prince is a monster… and I did not want to end up his prey.