The further I walked, the gloomier this castle seemed to me. And this despite its magnificence. The interior of the estate, or rather palace, was like two drops of water resembling the exterior — rich and terrifying.
The main hall on the first floor was so large, and its ceiling so high, that all the capital's nobles could easily fit inside and hold a banquet. As soon as I saw this with my own eyes, I involuntarily choked on air. The memories of our futile conversations from the time when I still didn't suspect the true identity of the "commoner" involuntarily surfaced in my mind.
"What an idiot I am..."
I couldn't believe that I had actually tried to palm off that pathetic necklace on her, not even realizing the true scale of her wealth. I really was naive and clueless. I don't even know what she thought of me at that moment...
Sighing heavily, it was too late to reproach myself for past mistakes.
I followed the villainess through the luxurious mansion, trembling. From fear and cold, among other things. Despite the size and magnificence of this place, the atmosphere here left much to be desired. However, considering that I was in the lair of the main villainess, this was not surprising. The residence was cold and gloomy. Servants kept their eyes on the floor and wouldn't even open their mouths without permission.
Compared to where I lived before, the difference was more than palpable.
I bowed my head and followed her like a ghost. We went up the stairs, and after a while, the princess stopped before an exquisite, wide door made of some expensive wood.
"I hope you like this room..." she said quietly.
The woman slightly pushed the massive door, and a spectacle appeared before my eyes. Honestly, I barely managed to keep my jaw in place.
"It's huge."
The room was too luxurious and large for a bedroom. The ceiling was decorated with precious stones. And the patterns on the wallpaper were made of lace. There was even a white porcelain bathtub here. All the furniture was incredibly expensive.
Finally, there was even a terrace here.
"Do you like it?" the villainess asked with a worried expression on her face.
I just looked at her, unable to believe that I had actually been given such a room.
When I didn't answer for a long time, stunned by what was happening, the villainess, after hesitating, suggested:
"If you don't like it, I can redo this place however you want. I have enough money, and you can buy whatever you want. I'll pay for all expenses... for anything you like."
"....."
I was astonished by this bold offer. I didn't know what to expect, or if it was really sincere. Because I couldn't just relax and expected some kind of trick every second. But the expression on her face genuinely looked worried. As if... She actually wanted to please me.
I felt cold sweat trickle down my back. The next moment, I hastened to refute her words:
"What? Oh, no... T-the room is wonderful. It's very b-beautiful... and I like everything."
After my words, relief appeared on the villainess's face.
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"Really?" she asked again.
"Y-yes..." nervous, I nodded my head.
"Then good."
As soon as her worries were dispelled, the princess sighed and smiled at me.
The piercing gaze of her golden eyes made me feel like I was in a minefield. Even when I walked behind her as we climbed the stairs, I had the feeling that she was still watching me. As if this person had eyes everywhere.
From this tension, my blood pressure even shot up. It was already the third day I had been in the company of the main villainess.
I finally decided to tell her this.
"I... I'm very tired. If possible, I would like to rest."
I couldn't predict what her reaction to my request would be, but I felt that if I didn't say it now, she would continue to stay here. And I couldn't take it anymore.
Although I expected anything, the next moment the villainess suddenly pulled me towards her, and her cold lips touched my forehead. I was somewhat stunned. Tucking a few disheveled wheat strands behind my ear, she said gently:
"Alright. Please wait a little. The servants will bring water for the bath and food soon." From surprise, my knees almost gave way. I weakly shook my head.
Fortunately, after this, the Crown Princess actually left me alone in the room and went out. As soon as the door closed, I let out the heavy sigh I had been holding back all this time. Touching my forehead, where the kiss was so distinctly imprinted, I shuddered. And what was that?
What was happening to me more and more resembled some kind of madness.
Finally, weakening in my legs that were about to give way, I slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. I inadvertently noticed that the bed frame was made of expensive cherry wood. Compared to these chambers, the room I used to live in at the Duke's estate was more like a closet.
But what did it matter?
An empty sigh escaped my lips.
In this place, I could die at any moment. This thought wouldn't leave me alone.
After a few moments, there was a knock at the door. I tensed up a little, but felt relieved when a maid entered the room. Like all the servants here, she had a pale and slightly frightened face.
"My Lady, I will help you take a bath," the maid politely bowed her head.
For some reason, seeing this girl in uniform reminded me of Elisha. At that moment, my body went cold. When that terrible sight appeared before my eyes again, the feeling of loss weighed heavily on my chest. Remorse and fear churned in my stomach.
I weakly nodded to the servant, agreeing to follow this suggestion.
On my first day here, I soaked for quite a long time in the warm water, with rose petals floating in it. Along with this maid, there was another one whose only job was to keep the water warm. This was definitely luxury.
Such treatment was akin to treating a real princess. However, I didn't feel comfortable with any of it.
After taking a bath, the maids helped me dry my hair, and for a long time they continued to shower me with their desire to please.
"If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to say anything. I was ordered to take good care of my lady."
"And not just today. If you ever need anything in the future, please tell us."
However, I refused all these offers. Instead, I just wanted to be left alone. Hearing my request, the maids immediately bowed and withdrew from the room. Finally left alone, I felt as if thorny vines had pierced me. My anxiety resumed with renewed vigor.
I stared at my new luxurious bedroom with an absent expression.
Scary...
I was scared.
I lay down on my bed and curled up into a ball. The emotions I had been suppressing for the last two days burst forth like a collapsed dam. I even cried a little.
I was only worried about one thing: what would happen to me now? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't read the main villainess's thoughts. Even if everything had gone surprisingly smoothly so far, I couldn't know how long it would last. The princess's unpredictable behavior could come crashing down on me at any moment.
For a long time, I couldn't sleep and just tossed and turned on the huge bed.
By the time the various anxious thoughts stopped swarming in my head, it was already deep night. Moonlight streamed through the drawn curtains. It was very quiet in my room, as in the entire mansion.
I bit my lower lip, and then fully opened my eyes. Sigh.
Well, even if I was terribly scared right now, the unchanging future was a solid fact I had to accept. Was I only left with waiting for my death?
"Whether I try to win her favor or try to escape, either way, death awaits me in the end..."
Resentment at my miserable life continued to consume me with renewed vigor.
And all I ever dreamed of was a carefree life of luxury! Was that really such an unattainable goal?
At that moment, while I was trying to overcome the growing agitation in my chest, one thought suddenly crept into my mind. It was as if I had been doused with ice water. I sat up sharply in bed, breathing deeply.
Indeed... How could I have forgotten about this?
My friend's wedding ceremony was approaching.