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

I woke up the next morning to the sound of maids sprinting down the hallway. Confused and drowsy, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Bright early morning sunlight beamed through the room, indicating it was a few hours after sunrise. Why are they making so much noise so early? Yawning, I sat up and padded to the door, wishing I could go back to bed. With how much racket they were making, it would be impossible. The closer I got, the louder the muffled voices had become.

Is someone important coming to visit?

I reached for the knob and opened the door a crack, startled when four maids darted by – faces completely pale. A man, in butler attire, shot me a dazed look before picking up speed. In both directions people were fluttering around, moving awkwardly or stopping to stare blankly at the wall.

What the hell?

I took a step out into the hall, making eye contact with one of the speed-walking maids. "What's going on?"

"Going on?" She blinked a few times, tilting her head. "Nothing. Nothing to worry about, my lady. Nothing at all."

"What do you-" I broke off as she sprinted past me – disappearing in the crowd at the end of the hall.

Seriously, what the hell is going on?

I turned to the right, carefully sidestepping. A brief thought passed through my mind as I shifted over, hugging the wall. The way they were rushing reminded me of a distant memory of when I was in college. Clustered halls, stressed and burnt out students, the sensation of extreme anxiety.

That's something I don't want to ever experience again.

I shook my head, taking another step forward. Half-way down the hall, a wall of maids stood, clustered in my path. I looked around them quickly before moving to the left. Unfortunately, I didn't take into account two other maids flying down the hall.

One of them slammed into me, tossing me against the wall. I let out a loud curse, reaching out and grabbing a windowsill, I had almost rammed against.

"Watch where you're going." I snapped. "What is wrong with you people?"

"Watch and watch." The maid that slammed into me giggled, sprinting away.

I don't know why I even bother speaking to these people. I huffed out a breath, hand gripping the wooden frame. They're impossible. I went to move forward again, when movement outside drew my eye.

In the yard, a group of twenty-five to thirty grounds keeping staff stood, eyes cast downward. Before the group, Justin and Matilda stood. I couldn't see their faces but the stiffness in Justin's back and the rigid spine of Matilda spoke loud enough.

What are they doing though?

I leaned forward, straining to hear their voices. Unfortunately, with how much noise was happening behind me and the thickness of the glass, I couldn't hear a damn thing. Matilda raised her hands, moving them rapidly through the air as her mouth moved.

Justin shifted forward, motioning toward the group with a thick cane in his hand. I recognized what exactly it was right away, and felt my back stiffen. The specific cane he held had been used in many households to "fix mistakes" or "punish" staff that had stepped out of line.

Matilda glanced at her son, pointed toward one of the staff members and snatched the cane out of his hand. She stalked forward, slamming the end of it against one of the men's heads. Nausea welled up in my stomach as she continued, slamming it repeatedly over different spots on his back and legs.

What if this is because of me? A faint voice whispered through my mind, spiking my anxiety. No, that's not possible. There's no way they would know I took something. Despite my thoughts, I couldn't shake the chill that ran down my spine. I knew these people were meticulous and insane, but I may have misjudged just how much they were.

I need to find out what's happening. I pushed away from the window, turning. A quick blur of movement shifted before me, seconds before a face appeared, inches from my own. I yelped and jumped back, handing flying to my chest.

"Damn it," I gasped, heart pounding against my palm. "You scared the hell out of me."

"Gooood morning, my lady." Alora, the source of my fright, beamed. "I was on my way to wake you up! Imagine my surprise when I ran into you here!"

"Alora," I took a deep breath. "Do you have the ability to think before you-"

"My lady!" She gasped, cutting me off. "Why are you out in your nightwear?"

"My, what?" I glanced down. Right, I came out in my nightgown.

"We must fix this!" She grabbed my hand, pulling me behind her. "We must make you presentable!"

"Stop tugging me." I grumbled, pulling out of her grasp. "I'm more than capable of walking on my own."

"But, my lady, you must dress for breakfast." She spun around, hands pressed against her cheeks. "You must, you must."

"Why?" I sighed, walking past her. "I don't have lessons today or I'd have been woken up already."

"For breakfast of course!" She trailed after me. "With Lord Justin!"

"What?" I glanced over my shoulder at her. "He looks like he's busy right now."

"Oh, silly!" Alora giggled, bouncing around me and tugging open my door. "Today is breakfast with the family."

"I'm sorry, it's what?" I stared at her, freezing in place. "What did you just say?"

"Family! Breakfast!" She skipped over, grabbing my hand again. "The Lord and Lady want to share a bite with you."

"What?" I asked, shocked. "What do you mean?"

"My Lady," Alora grinned, sighing. "You are to have breakfast with the family!"

That's not what I was asking. I thought as she tugged me into the room. Did they suspect me?

Alora, oblivious as always, started helping me undress. Half-way through taking my nightgown off, she realized she forgot to bring me clothing and ran from the room.

I sat down, mind racing over the possibilities. Even if the events happening weren't related to me – something I highly doubted – something was happening. Matilda always took her breakfast alone and then forced me into her ridiculous training.

This place is going to give me an ulcer. I ran my hands down my face, letting out a long breath. I'll find out either way when I get to the dining room.

A few minutes later, Alora burst in with a pair of slippers and a high-neck blue dress. She chatted about nothing as I got dressed. By the time she finished my hair and makeup, I was actually looking forward to being away from her.

Once she stepped back proclaiming I was done, I left the room without responding to her. I glanced around as I stepped into the hall, surprised to see no one in sight. The silence itself was almost as eerie as the quick chaos I had woken up to.

When I reached the window, I paused briefly to look out. The area they had been standing in was completely empty. I guess they finished punishing them. I shivered continuing on. By the time I reached the first floor, I ran into Martin – who was just beginning to climb the stairs.

"Oh, good morning, my lady." He sniffled, taking a step back. "I was about to come get you."

"Good morning." I offered a small smile, walking down the last stair. "My maid informed me of breakfast."

"Follow me." Martin pulled out a handkerchief, blowing his nose. "I hope you slept well."

"I did." I shrugged, following as he began to move through the hall. "Martin, can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly," He glanced behind him, smiling. "What's on your mind, Lady Kyla?"

"This morning, I noticed a...disturbance outside."

"Ah, yes. That." He sighed, slowing his pace. "It's nothing to worry about. The person at fault has been punished."

I opened my mouth to ask him for what, but he stopped at the dining room, knocking lightly on the door.

"Lady Kyla has arrived."

"Send her in." Justin's curt voice responded from inside.

"Enjoy your breakfast." Martin opened the door, motioning me inside.

I really don't want to go inside. I moved past him, walking in despite my desire to turn around and flee. Matilda sat at the end of the table, the seat reserved normally for the lady of the house. Justin sat in his usual seat, sipping on his drink.

"Good morning." I said lightly, taking the seat I normally used.

"It would be a far better morning if you arrive on time," Matilda snapped, forking up a steaming potato. "How many times must I drill into that small brain of yours about punctuality?"

"Mother, please calm down." Justin sighed, waving at a servant and indicating to bring me a plate. "You'll get indigestion."

"I will not." She huffed, gingerly taking a bite. "She needs to learn how to act before the wedding."

"You can simply increase her training." Justin sat back, turning his eyes toward me. "You must heed mother's words, Kyla."

Heed her words my ass.

"Yes." I answered, hand curling into a fist in my lap. "I understand."

"Do you understand anything?" Matilda sneered, waving her fork in my direction. "How dare you talk back."

"Was I talking back?" I asked before I could stop myself. "I believe I was acknowledging Lord Justin's words."

Probably shouldn't have said that. My mind turned back to how I'd reacted to Cassius in the past, making me frown. Was his boldness rubbing off on me somehow?

"This is exactly what I keep telling you about," Matilda whipped her gaze to Justin. "That mouth on her and her lack of common courtesy."

The servant returned before Justin could answer and placed a plate of food before me. I thanked him quietly, and picked up my fork. I didn't have an appetite, considering my companions, but I still pushed the food around, forcing myself to eat.

"Eat your food properly." Matilda snapped, narrowing her eyes at me. "Did I not teach you already how to use your utensils? Bastard child or not, you should be able to comprehend the bare basics!"

I tossed her a level look, debating on my options. I wanted to tell her off, but doing so would only cause another problem. Still, the urge was so strong, it took all my willpower to remain silent.

"Mother, great-aunt Gerty sent a letter last evening." Justin spoke up, patting his mouth with a napkin. "With today's annoyances, it slipped my mind. She's requesting you to visit for a few days."

"Hmm? She thinks I have time to visit when our household is a mess?" Matilda huffed, pushing her plate away. "I have to acquire a new...device for my hobby. With that thief running amuck, who's to say someone else won't be foolish and choose to touch what's mine?"

Device? I peeked over at her as I took a bite of food. What is she talking about? I replayed the events of breaking into the greenhouse quickly. I doubt she was talking about the vial. There had been quite a lot on the shelving. Oh. She must be talking about the lock.

A sharp stab of guilt wound through me as I recalled the staff member being smacked. I didn't have the liberty to care about the man, but I couldn't help the feeling regardless. A wave of relief mixed in with the guilt and I sat my fork down with a sigh.

"Worry not mother." Justin stood, walking around the table. He bent down, kissing her cheek. "I will handle that. Please visit her, she is old and frail."

"Fine." Matilda stood, linking her arm through her sons. "Only because you asked, my son."

They continued to talk quietly as they left the room, closing the door behind them. Tension I hadn't realized was in my shoulders relaxed so suddenly, I sagged back against my chair.

I took a deep breath, running my hands down my face.

What was the point of inviting me to this breakfast? I mused, slowly standing up. Was it a threat? A warning?

"Who knows." I muttered, walking from the room.

For now, I was clear of suspicion and that was enough for me.