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

Waiting for the servants to retire for the night was torture. For several hours I lay in bed, listening to the sounds of the manor. When the full moon rose higher in the sky, the distant shuffle of footsteps faded and died off completely.

Finally, I never thought they would go to sleep. I tossed the blanket off and sat up, fully clothed. Laying around and waiting had done something conductive – despite my impatience. The first location I wanted to check was the off-limits garden. The problem was, if it was locked I was going to need something or someone to help me break in. The only solution I had come up with was calling on Sayvren.

I haven’t spoken to him since he refused to help me leave the shack. Will he even heed my call?

I touched my hand lightly, contemplating if I should actually try and get his help. He’d been useless so far – I could just be wasting my time. No, I don’t have time to be picky. Help is help and right now that’s all I can hope for.

“Sayvren, I know you can hear me.” I spoke out loud, feeling foolish.

Several minutes ticked by without so much as a hint he had indeed heard my call.

“Sayvren,” I took a deep breath, “I summon you.”

Several more minutes passed by in silence, and I was about to give up and leave when the air before me swirled and Sayvren popped in. His face looked worn and exhausted. He rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times.

“Oh, you’re finally calling on me, huh? Did you miss me?”

“Why didn’t you answer the first time?” I pushed off the bed, poking his chest. “And where have you been exactly? I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

“Don’t poke me,” he flew back, crossing his arms. “I’ve been busy, but I couldn’t come because you used the bond to kick me out.”

“What?” I crossed my own arms, mirroring him. “What are you talking about? When did I…” I trailed off, as a flicker of a memory passed quickly. The last time we spoke, we replayed quickly – pulling out a groan.

“Is that really all it takes to keep you from coming to me?”

“Yes.” He floated crossed his legs, scratching his face. “Bonds are sacred and those bound to their contractor have stipulations to follow.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this in the first place.” Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair. “If I had known that I would have been more cautious.”

“You didn’t ask. Wait, don't glare at me like that,” he held up his hands, palms facing me. “It’s been millennia since I formed a contract with anyone. I forgot, okay? I’m sorry.”

Forgot my ass. I sighed, rubbing my temples. How can he conveniently forget everything? How has he survived this long?

“Anyway,” Sayvren turned, looking around the room. “This isn’t your old room. Where are we?”

“Are you also bad with directions?” I said, voice flat. Was summoning him actually a good idea?

“That’s not it,” he flew over to the door and wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Something strange is happening here.”

“You think?” I walked over to him, motioning toward the door. “I need to investigate something and I need your help.”

“Really?” He grinned. “You’re finally ready to stop being such a pissy person and-”

“I’m already regretting calling you.”

“Alright, alright. I’m only kidding – sort of. What do you need help with?”

“The staff in this building are being brainwashed.” I reached up, readjusting my hair to keep it from falling in my eyes. “There’s a building I need to check out and I might need your help breaking in.”

“Oh? A sleuth mission?” He linked his fingers together and stretched outward – reminding me of a cat. “I can do that. No problem.”

“Can you also keep an ear out for the surroundings as we go there? I can’t be caught.” I reached for the door knob, waiting for an answer before opening it.

“Yeah.” Sayvren nodded. “No problem.”

Here goes nothing. I opened the door slowly, peering out. The endless darkness, save for the glow through the window, stretched endlessly. No servants moved around, not even a single noise of a rat. I looked over at the sprite, asking silently if it was safe.

At his nod, we entered the hallway quietly. The stillness as we walked was almost deafening and the shadows seemed to reach out – embracing everything. We moved silently through the manor, stopping occasionally and listening near the stairs. The further we moved, the more unsettled I became.

No servants at night were to be expected, but the strangest part was there was absolutely no one. No one waking up to use the bathroom, no guards roaming the halls. This doesn’t make any sense. I didn’t dare voice my thoughts in case someone did happen to hear me, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling something was off.

When we reached the ground floor and cleared the manor, I led us down the same path I had followed previously. The cool night air – warmer than last night – caressed my skin as we moved toward Matilda’s garden. The closer we got, the more weeds sprang up, showing the lack of care. Strange that she wants no one near it, but this far away? I scanned the area, realizing we were about a yard away from the entrance. What are you hiding, Matilda?

“The lack of care here is appalling.” Syvren snorted, making me jump.

“Keep your voice down.” I hissed, looking around.

“There’s no one here,” he shrugged. “At all. We’re fine to talk.”

“I still would rather we not speak.” I turned, walking faster. No one may be here now but that doesn’t mean someone won’t show up.

Sayvren floated up beside me, frowning. “This place feels off.”

“Off? In what way?” I glanced over, already knowing the answer. I don’t know if it was from the bond or not, but there was a strange heaviness to the air. It was far thicker than before and had a faint earthy smell I couldn’t place.

“It’s hard to explain to a mortal.” He tilted his head, muttering something to himself. “It’s similar to when you have a stomachache and a feeling of death that lingers around a graveyard.”

“Great,” I grumbled, shivering. “I’m so glad I made this decision.”

“It’s worse through the gate.” He flew ahead, hovering near the bars. “I don’t think going inside is a good idea.”

“Story of my life, really.” I shrugged, coming to a stop beside him.

The garden beyond could scarcely be called anything of the sort. Dead trees, bent and crooked lined a single haphazard path. Rotting flower beds littered the area while dried up bushes decayed nearby.

I stepped onto the path, looking over my shoulder. Sayvren hadn’t moved, instead he remained just outside, eyes bouncing from the flowers to the trees.

“Are you coming?”

“I…guess so.” He flew up beside me, scowling. “To kill plants for nefarious purposes is a sin.”

“So, the reason it looks like this isn’t from neglect?” I inquired, following the winding path.

“No. This only happens as an after effect when combining something that doesn’t exist naturally.” He floated ahead, glancing around. “I smell something up ahead.”

He didn’t wait for an answer and flew so fast that he disappeared down a short hill. Damn it, Sayvren, can’t you wait? I picked up speed and paused when I reached the crest. Down below a tall structure covered in windows, gleamed under the moonlight.

“Why isn’t she using the greenhouse attached to the manor?” I murmured, walking down the incline.

The closer I got to the building, the worse the feeling became and the stronger the scent of Casa Blanca lilies became. Sayvren, floated to a stop before the greenhouse door, talking quietly to himself.

“What are you muttering about?” I asked, stopping beside him.

“There’s a lock on it.” He pointed at the doorknob, making a semicircle with his finger.

I leaned forward, confused. “Sayvren, there’s nothing there.”

“There is,” he insisted. “You just can’t see it.”

I reached for the handle and tried to turn it. While the knob itself moved, the door refused to budge. “What type of lock is invisible?” I let out a breath, stepping back. “Is it magic?”

“Yeah. But it’s-” He broke off suddenly, turning his head. “I hear people.”

“What?” I turned around, giving the area a once over. No shapes stood in the dark, nor did I hear any sound at all. “Damn it. How far away?”

“Not far. I think if you hide now you won’t be seen. Maybe.” He shrugged. “I told you coming here was a bad idea.”

“Save it for later, Sayvren.” I walked around the building, searching for a place to hide.

The majority of the options were too obvious and wouldn’t hide anything let alone a fully grown person. I turned to the right, eyeballing a large half-fallen tree. The top portion was completely missing and split, but the size of it could potentially work.

I ran toward, ducking behind just in time. The sound of men's voices echoed from the top of the hill. Sayvren flew over, sitting on the tree. He yawned, covering his mouth. Must be nice to be invisible. I crouched lower, pressing my hands to the wood.

“Eh, why did it have to be tonight?” One of the grumbled as they made their way down the hill. “I could be sleepin’ or enjoyin’ my time in the arms of that bar tender from Mernch.”

“Don’t matter much.” The other shrugged, “We just gotta do it an’ then we can get paid. ‘Sides, Missus Sally isn’t ever gonna give you the time of day. Yer too ugly.”

“Shut up, Rektek.” The first one grumbled, coming to a stop by the building.

I dipped my head lower, feeling my heart pounding against my ribs. Fear of being caught had my senses on high alert. Just do whatever you’re doing and leave.

“Eh, what’s that phrase again?” The man asked, scratching his head. “Eplulp or something?”

“Don’t you pay mind to anythin’, Rodney?” Rektek snorted, pressing a hand against the door. “It’s Ascara.” He grinned when a small popping noise sounded. The door popped open and he slapped Rodney on the back. “See? I actually listen when I’m told stuff.”

“It isn’t my fault.” Rodney grumbled stepping inside. “They change the code every day.”

“Stop whinin’ and lets get the package.”

Package? What package? I wondered, head spinning with possibilities. Who even are they?

Rektek laughed, following in behind the other man. The door slapped shut behind them, and the night was once more cast into darkness.

I shifted, leaning against the tree – waiting. Is she supplying the blackmarket with her flowers? It wouldn’t surprise me if so. Many of the corrupt nobles had direct ties to the market, but even those that weren’t selling items had a habit of purchasing illegal items.

“Oh. They’re back.” Sayvren tapped my head. “With something big.”

I didn’t answer and lifted my head again. The door creaked open and both men emerged, carrying a large black colored fabric in their arms. It took all of three seconds to figure out what mystery lay beneath. The sharp scent of blood and rotten flesh stabbed through the air, making my stomach roll and my body freeze.

I plugged my nose, grimacing. So Matilda really was involved in Justin’s murder sprees.

I slid back down, bark scraping against my back. The men continued to bicker back and forth, until their voices and the smell started to fade away. Sayvren didn’t say anything as I stood, but his eyes never left the two men for even a moment.

“So, now what?” Sayvren asked as I walked around the tree.

“Now,” I said, pressing a hand to my stomach. “We go inside.”

“Even after seeing that?” He floated over, landing on my shoulder. “That isn’t the only smell coming from inside.”

“I don’t have a choice.” I sighed, picking him up. “We have to get in there.”

“Sure, amazing, fantastic.” Sayvren floated over to the door. “You sure?”

Am I sure? No. I walked up beside him.

Someone had to and that someone just happened to be me.