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

For the next several days, I was unable to get out of bed. The soothing sensation I had felt when Sayvren was around, had disappeared when he did. Each time I regained consciousness, the sensation of burning made me want to scream. The only peace I received was when I was sleeping and even then it was less than peaceful.

The dreams I had were nothing short of nightmarish. Sometimes I would be wandering around in darkness, other times I was being chased by something unseen. Every so often I would hear the sound of someone talking, but I couldn't be sure if it was Alora or something from the nightmares.

Thankfully, after what felt like a week, I woke up and the pain I had been feeling was gone. I expected to feel the left over sensation of being sick, but the absence of it staggered me. I sat up in bed, mouth dry. How long was I out for? What the hell did that sprite do to me?

I glanced around the dark room, stopping when I heard the sound of fabric moving beside me. I glanced over as a light from a small orb flickered on to see Alora, in her nightgown, sitting beside the bed.

"M-my lady!" Alora crowed, eyes wide. "You're finally awake, my lady!"

"Ugh, stop it." I held up a hand, tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. "How long?"

"Three days!" Alora bound up, clapping her hands. "Three days of sleep, my lady!"

"Yeah, sleep." I grumbled, resting my forehead against my palm. "Get me some water."

"Yes, yes! Water is good!" She turned and fled the room, leaving the door wide open.

She could have closed it, that idiot. I groaned covering my nose when the smell of the flowers flooded in. Why was she even here? What happened while I was out?

I shook my head, closing my eyes trying to recall what had happened. I vaguely remembered Sayvren showing up out of the blue and a conversation I had overheard. The problem was, I couldn't recall exactly what was being said. The memories were fragmented, like a mirror that had been shattered.

I remembered a bit about what Justin and Matilda were talking of and the pained look in Sayvren's eyes when the after effects hit me – but everything else was too disorienting to grasp. I shook my head and glanced over when the sound of running feet echoed down the hall. Moments later, Alora appeared with a silver pitcher and a glass in hand.

"I have returned." She grinned, kicking the door close with her foot. "I bring water, my lady."

"Sure, give me it." I helped out a hand, worried she was going to spill it.

Despite my fears, she somehow managed to pour the water into a glass and hand it to me without any issues.

"Why are you here?" I asked, raising the cup to my lips, taking a small sip. The water sloshed against my dry mouth and throat. I coughed a few times, swishing it around before drinking it. I'm surprised I didn't die of dehydration.

"Here?" Alora placed the pitcher on the nightstand then sat down in her chair. "Why would I not be here, my lady?"

"Forget it, you're too broken to even think." I muttered, taking one more drink before setting the glass down beside the container. "Did Martin call on me for lessons or for Justin wanting to see me while I was out?"

"No," She tilted her head. "Yes."

"Which is it?" I snapped. Why the hell did I have to wake up to her of all people?

"Lady Matilda didn't call on you because she's out dancing."

"What? No, never mind. What about Justin?"

"Lord Justin has been busy doing his things." She giggled, rhythmically tapping herself on the thigh. "Mr. Martin told me yesterday that you should get better and feel good soon."

"Did they call a doctor while I was out?"

"A...doctor?" Alora paused, mid tap, narrowing her eyes. "Doctors are not allowed in here, my lady."

"Of course they aren't." I rolled my eyes, looking down at my lap.

If a doctor had come in here, they would most likely realize something was very wrong with the estate. Although, most nobles had a family doctor that either lived at the estate or lived relatively close. Even if there was a doctor for House Blaine, I had no doubt they wouldn't be wasted on a visit to me. If anything, they could have been helping Justin with his killings.

"Is there anything I should be made aware of?" I glanced over at her as my stomach rumbled. Damn it, I'm starving.

"I will get you food!" Alora sprang up, disappearing before I could say anything.

Once again, she left the door wide open as she fled. Frustrated, I covered my nose again, waiting. Half an hour of silence went by before she returned – shockingly carrying a tray of food. In her other hand she held a portable table.

As I shifted my legs over the side of the bed, she set it up without a word. The smell of potatoes, peas, and chicken broth wafted from the surface – making my stomach rumble again. I spooned some up, blowing on it while she walked back to the door, closing it.

"Food!" She grinned, sitting back down. "It is good food."

"Sure." I rolled my eyes, taking a bite. Whether it was good or not, I couldn't say. I was so hungry it felt like a steak dinner. For a while I ate in silence, before returning to my earlier question. "Did anything happen while I was out?"

"Happen?" She tapped her thigh, staring past me. "New vases. Happy flowers. Lady Blaine purchased new dresses!"

"Did anything arrive for me?" I slurped up more soup, pushing down my frustration. "Such as a letter or someone stopping by to visit me?"

"Why would someone visit you?" She giggled. "You're Lord Justin's shining star of love. Everyone knows that!"

Holy shit, what is actually in that brainwashing?

"Did I receive any letters?" I prompted, taking another bite.

I had no idea how Cassius was going to contact me, but I assumed it would be either sending someone to visit or through a letter. He didn't actually express how he'd contact me, but those were really the only two options feasible. If he hasn't contacted me by now, I'm going to storm the castle.

"Letters?" She rubbed her temples, mouth opening and closing. "Letters are words that are written on paper. A paper holds words written by people. Letter..." She trailed off, flickering her eyes around the room. "Letter. Oh!" She slapped her cheeks with her palms, startling me. "Yes! You got a letter my lady!"

"O...kay..." I set the spoon down, appetite completely gone. "Who was it from?"

"Oh. Yes!" Alora walked across the room, opened the door and reached out. She turned back around and walked over, handing it to me.

I took it from her, frowning. The envelope itself was basic white, but what bothered me was that it had previously been opened. Whoever had looked inside tried to reseal it, but they hadn't done a proper job. It was almost as if they didn't care or wanted me to be aware it was viewed.

Is nothing sacred in this damn place? I flicked it open the rest of the way, pulling out the letter. The more I read it the more amused I became. The hand writing was flowery and the words themselves were ridiculous:

Dear Lady Kyla Thornevale,

I hope you are doing well, for it has been a trite time for me these days. It has been many days since I last saw you. Do you remember that beautiful dress you had worn on the day of the banquet? Although we did not get a chance to speak during that time, I had to leave early due to being ill. I have so many questions to ask about who created that outfit! I do wonder if you are still available for that tea-time we promised at our last meeting. Two days from now, I will be hosting a private get-to-together at Rose palace. It will be at one thirty in the afternoon. Please attend if you can!

Sincerely yours,

Lady Nadine Mauve

Nadine Mauve, huh? I chuckled softly, setting the paper down. He's not even trying to hide it's him. I looked back over at Alora, who was staring blankly ahead.

"When did this arrive?"

"Arrive?" Alora looked over, blinking. "When did what arrive, my lady?"

"The letter, you foolish girl." I snapped, crossing my arms.

"The invitation?" She glanced down at the paper. "Oh yes, Lady Nadine sent that letter yesterday."

I let out a long breath, stuffing the paper back into the envelope. Was she the only one that read it or did she report it to Justin? In all honesty, it didn't matter if he knew. The letter contained nothing that would raise anyone's suspicion. The only person that would know who it was truly from was me.

"I wish to sleep more." I set the letter down on the nightstand before laying back down. "Tomorrow, I'm going to be attending the tea party. I'll need a bath and a change of clothes when I wake up."

"I understand my lady!" Alora jumped up, reaching for the table and food. "Sleep well my lady!" She flashed a smile and stomped across the room.

"Finally," I sighed, closing my eyes.

I wasn't tired, but being around Alora was driving me insane. Eventually though I did manage to fall back asleep.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.