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

By the time we reached the opera house, Justin had gone silently. Unfortunately, Sayvren decided that was the perfect time to make snide comments about the man. Several times I had considered squeezing Sayvren until he disappeared – but I refrained with sheer will power.

Justin stepped off the carriage first, offering a hand to help me. I shot a look at the sprite before, reluctantly releasing him.

"Did you have to smother me?" Sayvren grumbled, flying out ahead of me. "That was extremely uncomfortable."

Shut up, shut up. I groaned inwardly, taking Justin's hand and stepping down.

Nobles, dressed in their finest attire, walked inside, chatting with their dates. Justin slid my arm through his, leading us forward. "I made sure to purchase box seats," he said, proudly. "Worry not about the noise. Many of us choose to chat before the start."

I didn't ask. I thought, watching Sayvren fly into the building before us. What is that sprite up to?

Two servants by the doors, opened them, and stepped back – bowing. Justin pulled me closer, as we stepped inside. True to his word, the lobby was full of nobles, talking rapidly. The noise was hushed, but loud enough to be unable to actually understand what the conversations were about.

Sayvren flew up toward a magical chandler, sitting on the edge and watching everyone with a blank expression. Should I find a way to slip out to kick him out? I don't trust him to not cause problems.

"Good to see you here, Lord Justin." A man chuckled, walking over. "I see you brought your fiancé."

"Yes, my lord." Justin turned us, forcing my eyes to look away from Sayvren. "Viscount Vance, this is Lady Kyla."

"Hello, young lady." The Viscount smiled, raising my hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"You as well." I forced a smile, resisting the urge to recoil from him.

The Viscount, from what I could recall, wasn't a bad man – rather he was a good person. The problem was his adoption of Paulita. He doted on his adoptive daughter like she was his own and had rose tinted glasses on when it came to anything about her. It had been a cute quirk in the novel, but his hatred for Kyla stemmed from his love.

Has Paulita not expressed how "evil" I am to him yet? I thought, pulling back my hand as he released me. I don't remember when he started being overly hostile toward me.

"You must be similar in age to my daughter." He smiled, waving a hand over his shoulder. "My dear, come greet Lord Justin and his fiancé!"

Well, shit. I felt my back stiffen as Paulita walked up beside her father. Her hair was pulled tight into a bun and the dress she wore had so many frills it could sink a ship. The color of her gown was bright canary yellow, with pink trimming. Why is she here? That wasn't in the novel either.

"Oh, Lady Kyla!" Paulita sprang forward, grasping my hands. "How are you doing?"

"Oh, you're already acquainted?" The Viscount chuckled. "How nice!"

"She's a lovely person," Paulita smiled – one that didn't reach her eyes. "On the inside too."

"How about we let them catch up, Lord Justin?" Viscount Vance turned, motioning Justin over. "We can talk a bit about the mines before the show begins."

"Of course." Justin leaned over, whispering quickly in my ear. "Do not cause problems." He squeezed my shoulder in one quick vice grip, before walking off.

Asshole. I flinched, tugging my hands out of Paulita's grip.

She blinked a few times, a frown on her face before she turned her head up – plastering a fake smile on her face. "How are you doing, Kyla?"

"Kyla?" I arched a brow. "Did I ever tell you to drop formalities, Lady Paulita?"

"N-no." She pouted, wringing her hands together. "I just want to be friends with you."

"You're joking, right?" I laughed, crossing my arms. "Why would you even assume we would be friends?"

"B-because we are." She sniffled, tears brimming in her eyes. "I-I apologized for last time and I thought that we could start over!"

With each word, her voice began to raise, drawing the attention of several of the women in the crowd. She's doing this again?

I took a step forward, touching her shoulder lightly. "Your fake tears only make you look like a fool." I whispered, near her ear. "If your plan was to cause a scene to get sympathy, it won't work. I'd advise you to stop her antics and grow up."

"M-my what?" She hiccupped, flinching. "I-I don't-"

"Enjoy the show, Paulita.." I said, walking away from her.

A few women glanced between us as I walked through the crowd, only to turn back to each other and begin to whisper. Annoyed, I moved through the crowd, avoiding bumping anyone, worried the vial would somehow explode in the bag.

After several minutes, I reached a section where less people loitered around, and let out a long sigh. I can't wrap my mind around that girl. There's something...off about her but I don't understand what.

"You humans are cat-like." Sayvren's voice floated to my ears, seconds before he appeared beside me.

"Why are you here?" I hissed, keeping my voice below a whisper. "I have enough things to worry about without you being a pain in the ass."

"I was bored," he shrugged, glancing around the room. "I heard one of the maids talking about how operas were fun so I wanted to find out."

"Where do you even go half the time?" I shot him a quick look, careful to keep my lips from moving too much.

"Here and there." He yawned, covering his mouth. "I'm going to the seats to wait. There's too many people here."

"How do you even know where to go?"

"I briefly pick-pocketed the death-man, while you were chatting with the sunflower." He winked, floating away. "See you inside!"

"Just leave." I muttered, rubbing my temples.

He's giving me a migraine. I took a few breaths, scanning the crowd once more. I had no idea when the showing would begin, but I hoped it was soon. My stress-level was rising and the longer it took to start, the longer it would be before I could go back home and create a plan.

I turned my head to the left, freezing when I saw a familiar tall figure, standing beyond the crowd. He looked bored, talking to someone that looked antsy. Beside him Tyrine stood, looking frustrated.

For a moment, I worried about Tyrine being around Cassius, but shook off the feeling rather quickly. What are the odds that he's here? I never thought him, of all people, would come to the opera. He had attended one once with Paulita, but he expressed his distaste for the entire art form.

Well, whatever the reason, now's the best chance to speak to him. I slipped into the crowd, heading toward the crown prince. How I would pull him away from the crowd, I had no idea. That would have to be something I would figure out once I reached him.

I shifted around the groups of people, freezing when I saw Paulita approach the trio. The antsy man stopped mid-sentence, flustered when she bowed slightly, turning a smile in Tyrine's direction.

What is she doing now? Tyrine may be a male lead, but she wasn't supposed to meet him – not officially yet. Should I use her advances to pull the crown prince away?

Before I had the chance, I heard Justin calling me. Frustrated, I turned my head in his direction. He walked over, smiling slightly.

"Come, let us get to our seats. The opera is about to begin." He took my hand, placing it in the crook of his arm.

Damn it. I tossed a look over my shoulder as we, and others, began to flock toward several different doors. I was so close.

Justin walked us to the furthest door, speaking about how Viscount Vance and Lady Paulita would be joining us in our seats. I swore internally again, glancing back for what felt like the hundredth time. Why is Paulita and her father joining us?

As we slipped inside the door, Cassius turned his head – locking eyes with me. I opened my mouth – intending to silently tell him to meet me outside, but Justin pulled me forward. A wall appeared between us, blocking off any chances of communication.

Great, just great. I sighed, kicking myself. I shouldn't have stopped at all.

Justin led us up a flight of stairs, cane clicking with each step. As we reached the box seats, staff pulled back a curtain, opened a hidden door, and bowed. We walked in wordlessly, with Justin directing me to sit on the far left.

He then turned back to the staff, requesting a bottle of champagne and two glasses. The staff member, eager to obey, bowed deeply before disappearing. I sat down in the seat, careful to not bump the bag on the chair's arm.

At least the Vance family isn't here yet. I glanced around the room, searching for Sayvren. Despite looking several times, I couldn't see the sprite anywhere.

I hope he's not causing trouble. I sat back, closing my eyes. Even if he is, it doesn't matter.

Not only had I missed my chance to give Cassius the vial, I would once more be forced into close proximity with Paulita.

Justin lit up a cigar, sat back, and began to puff – looking relaxed.

I wish I could feel at ease. I shifted, looking away. I wish I could disappear like Sayvren.

I had no idea what to expect once Paulita showed up, but I really hope she doesn't try something again.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the night's events would be anything but boring.