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

The sound of movement outside the door pulled me from a fit-filled sleep. I opened my eyes and rolled over, partially dazed. Is it time for lessons already?

I glanced at the window, surprised to see the sun was high into the sky. What? What time is it? I pushed off the bed, stifling a yawn. Slowly, the events of last night flashed through my mind, stiffening my back. Right. I need to find an excuse to go to the palace. What were the chances I'd run into Cassius?

A light knock sounded on the door, before it opened slightly. "Good afternoon, my lady." Alora's voice floated in before half her head peeked inside. "It is almost lunch time."

She nudged the door open and walked in, a simple pink sundress in her arms. "You are summoned to lunch with Lord Justin."

"What about lessons?" I stood, walking across the room, taking the dress out of her hands.

"Lessons?" She blinked, several times, cocking her head.

"With Matilda." I moved forward, closing the door. I know she's mentally checked out but what the hell?

"Oh," Alora clapped her hands, giggling. "Lady Blaine is out. She left last evening to visit a friend of hers."

"Someone like her has friends?" I muttered, changing quickly.

"What was that, my lady?" She fished out a hairbrush from her pocket, staring at it. "Is this the right brush?"

"Do you know why I was summoned to lunch?" I leaned forward, grabbing the brush out of her hands.

"Um, for food?" She stared, watching me brush my hair like a dog watched a bug flying around.

"You don't say." I braided my hair, thrusting the brush back into her hands. I was far too tired to deal with her weirdness. I wanted to lay back down and sleep for a week. "You can leave."

"But I should walk you there." She slipped the brush back into her pocket, bending down and touching my feet. "You need shoes, my lady."

"I can go to my closet and get the shoes myself." I turned, walking toward the door.

"No! You must not go through the halls without shoes!" She ran past me, pulling open the door, and sliding out. "We can't let you get dirty."

I didn't have a chance to answer, she hightailed it down the hall. I poked my head out in time to see her disappearing around the corner. A few maids that were cleaning the floor turned and offered large dopey smiles. Shivering, I moved back inside, hiding from their view. So creepy.

A few minutes later Alora reappeared, huffing, a pair of off-white slippers in her hands. "Shall I put them on for you, my lady?"

"No." I grabbed them, bending over and slipping them on. "Let's go."

"Oh, okay." She grinned, turning on her heel.

I let out a frustrated breath about to step out – pausing when I saw the dresser beside the bed. Should I carry the vial with me, just in case? Locked or not, I didn't trust Alora, or one of the other maids, to discover it. No, I can't risk Justin seeing it. I shook my head, closing the door.

We walked wordlessly down the hall – well I walked. Alora's step was...awkward, to say the least. Her movements looked jerky, slightly robotic. Other maids appeared to be in a similar situation. A few of them stood around buckets, staring at them dazed.

Don't make eye contact. I forced myself to look away, choosing to focus on the ground. When we arrived, Alora announced my appearance, bowed wobbly, and fled back down the hall. I walked inside to see Justin, already eating, at the head of the table.

"You're late." He said, watching me walk across the room, and sit down beside him. "Did you sleep well?"

"What?" I glanced over at him, heart skipping a beat. Did he somehow know what happened last night?

"Did you not?" He waved in a servant before taking a bite of his food. "It's not a difficult question."

My mind began to spin, quickly going over everything that had transpired. No one had caught me on the way there or back – other than Alora. Did she say something? She seemed like she was too out of it to function.

"It took me a while to sleep. I was reading some of the materials Lady Blaine gave me and lost track of time" I shrugged, praying I didn't look as freaked out as I felt.

If he knew, I doubt he would have asked nonchalantly. Given how secretive he was, or pretended to be, he wouldn't have left me alone until the morning. Still, the worry left a knot in my stomach.

"Ah, yes." He chuckled to himself. "Mother is a stickler for education. She will be away for a few days, so I do hope you don't slip up on your studies."

I didn't answer, choosing to push around my food, pretending I was eating. He began to ramble about Matilda, bragging about his childhood. Relief washed over me, seeing how he didn't have a clue about my midnight adventures.

What's really strange is his attitude. I glanced over a few times, popping a small piece of potato in my mouth. Why is he being so friendly? The black fabric from last night wound through my mind and I froze, appetite completely gone. What did a fresh body smell like? Did he kill someone last night?

"What do you think?" Justin asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Sorry?" I glanced over, setting down my fork.

"About tonight." He frowned, swirling the liquid in his glass. "Were you not listening to me at all?"

Who would willingly want to listen to you?

"I apologize, I was so focused on eating that I must have missed what you said."

He stared at me for a moment, contemplating something before a small creepy smile touched the corners of his lips. "I knew you weren't the smartest person in the room, obviously, but you turn more into an air head when sleepy."

Is he...trying to be funny? I stared at him worldlessly, unsure how to even respond.

"Tonight is the opera." He sat back, taking a long drink. "It'll be their first opening show after a year. Everyone will be there and it will be a good time to mingle with other nobles. Have you been to an opera before?"

"No."

"I assumed as much." He grinned, setting down his cup. "The troupe that will be singing tonight are famous, although they are originally from the Kingdom of Ocen, they still can carry a tune."

Kingdom of Ocen? I glanced down, running quickly through what I remembered of the novel. Eventually a faint memory passed through my mind. It wasn't a large Kingdom nor did it play a large role in the story. It was mentioned once when Paulita wanted to get a harp and decided to order it from there as they were known for their arts and music.

"It may be a boring affair." Justin reached over, placing a hand over mine. I cringed, barely managing to keep from jolting backwards. "Still, you will get another chance to speak with other women and make a better impression."

He stood, adjusting his shirt. "We may also run into the royal family, as Duchess Lovine is a lover of the arts. Perhaps she will even mingle with those who are in her faction." He walked toward the door, chuckling to himself. "We will leave this evening. Do try to take a nap, you look ghastly."

At least I'm not in a good mood from killing someone.

I pushed the food away, waiting for the sound of his footsteps to fade away. Ten minutes later, after I was sure he was gone, I left the room, walking quickly to mine. Some of the maids wished me a good afternoon. When I reached my room, I walked inside, slamming the door closed behind me.

Did I have to go to the opera? I padded across the floor, sinking onto the bed. Maybe I can play sick and sneak out? No, that won't work for several reasons.

I let out a breath and laid down, turning over my options. Unfortunately, I had no solution or way to get to the castle.

"Guess I'm going to an opera." I muttered, feeling my eyes start to close.

I don't even like opera music. I yawned once more, slipping into a deep sleep.