I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 96

Chapter 96

“Alright, let’s give it a shot.”

I muttered softly, clenching my teeth. I closed the book and tucked it back into my dress.

When I lifted my head, I saw Maria. Completely unaware of anything, she sat with her back straight, hoping that the hunting tournament would just end peacefully.

At first… Yes, to be honest, I hated her.

I hated her for taking Ricardo away from me. I resented her, wondering why she was the heroine and not me.

But after meeting her in person, I couldn’t hate Maria.

She had lived a difficult life, yet she remained pure. She looked at me with eyes that sparkled with admiration, and I grew fond of her—the Maria who had shyly confessed that she liked me.

So even when she misunderstood and hated me, I couldn’t give up on her.

I wanted to clear up the misunderstandings, to reconcile with her, and to see her look at me with those sparkling eyes once more.

“Lady Maria?”

“Yes?”

Yes, that was the look.

Though she tried to hide it, conscious of the people around her, her eyes were filled with affection when she looked at me.

No matter how sharp her voice was or how sarcastic her words, her gaze couldn’t lie.

I couldn’t let Maria die.

“Would you like some tea?”

“What?”

Maria looked at me in surprise at my offer, and then blinked as if to ask what the plan was.

“Sure.”

Though she seemed curious, Maria followed my suggestion, perhaps trusting that I had a reason for it.

I glanced toward the forest, but there was no sign of anything unusual.

Still, I didn’t know when the arrow might fly, so I had to act quickly.

Maria, who had been watching the stage, turned toward me as she reached for the teacup.

“…”

She looked at me again, unsure of what I was trying to do.

Her expression was conflicted—unsure whether to follow along or resist, since we were still enemies on the surface.

I smiled faintly, trying to convey that now wasn’t the time for us to fight.

Seeing my smile, Maria reached for her cup and leaned slightly forward. It was at that precise moment, when she leaned closest to me, that I didn’t miss my chance.

“Oh dear!”

Pretending to make a mistake, I tipped my cup, spilling its contents—not accidentally, but deliberately—directly onto Maria.

In an instant, the tea soaked the front and sleeves of Maria’s finely adorned dress.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!”

I quickly apologized to Maria, who was stunned, still trying to process what had just happened.

“What on earth…!”

Maria, ever dutiful to her role, tried to get angry.

“You should change your clothes right away.”

Before she could protest, I grabbed her wrist and urged her to leave.

Time was running out. I had no idea when an arrow might strike, and I grew more anxious with every second.

“…”

“Hurry.”

I spoke firmly, looking into Maria’s confused eyes.

“I’ll see you later.”

Maria, looking frustrated, pulled her hand away from mine, causing droplets of tea to splash onto the table from her soaked sleeve.

As Maria left the table, I could sense people whispering and looking in my direction.

But I didn’t care. I calmly sat back down.

“Shall I clean the table for you?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

I dismissed the maid who had come to clean up, not because I wanted to, but because something far more important awaited me beneath the table.

The book was faintly glowing again.

“Ha…”

I quietly exhaled a sigh, careful not to let anyone hear.

The book had changed, which meant that the plan to kill Maria with an arrow had been abandoned. Now, I had to see what the cursed thing had in store next.

Still feeling eyes on me, I discreetly reached down and flipped to the page.

The letters were still dancing.

“Hurry up, you fool.”

I muttered under my breath, though I knew the book wouldn’t understand my frustration.

As the light finally began to fade, I picked up the book.

It was a noble act. A loyal act. To sacrifice oneself for the life of one’s master.

Panya Risolde gave her life to save Bianca’s.

“Pania?”

I quickly lifted my head, scanning the room for her.

There she was, standing among the other maids, waiting faithfully for her mistress’s call.

She was still safe, for now.

“Hah…….”

I let out another sigh, looking back at the book. The letters, still unsettled, made me feel dizzy.

But it wasn’t just the letters—it was the rapidly changing storyline that made my head spin.

“Get a grip, Bianca.”

I forced myself to focus, staring intently at the book.

I couldn’t let Panya die like this.

“My lady!”

It happened in an instant. Panya threw herself at Bianca, shielding her.

And in the next moment, a large gray wolf attacked Panya.

Was it one of the animals from the hunt that had lost its way? Or perhaps a beast seeking revenge for its kin lost in the tournament?

I didn’t know.

All I knew was that the beast had sunk its teeth into Panya’s delicate neck, and blood was gushing like a fountain from her throat.

“Panya!”

Watching my maid sacrifice herself for me, only to be mauled by a wolf in my place, I screamed in anguish.

I closed the book right there.

Panya’s fate was sealed for my sake. Whatever the story held after that, it didn’t matter. I couldn’t let Panya die.

“Send Panya to a safe place.”

I raised my trembling hand, signaling to Panya. She, ever observant of me, immediately caught my gesture.

“Yes, my lady.”

As she hurried over, her gaze full of concern, I felt a sudden urge to cry.

At first, she was just another servant of our household—shivering at my voice, terrified of me. But in time, she became the one who would place flowers on my grave, even acknowledged by the book as my loyal handmaid.

I couldn’t let her be sacrificed.

“I need you to go home.”

“Home? Do you mean the Croft estate?”

Panya’s eyes widened as she questioned me.

“Yes, I need you to bring me my fan.”

“Your fan?”

“Yes, it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Now?”

“Yes, right now.”

“But if I go back now, the hunting tournament will be over by the time I return.”

Panya was clearly bewildered by the suddenness of my request.

“It doesn’t matter. I need it.”

“But if I leave, you might be left waiting here even after the tournament ends. I could just return home later.”

“Ricardo is here. I’ll go back with him.”

“Uh…”

Despite my insistence, Panya still hesitated, torn between following my strange command and trying to reason with me.

But I couldn’t afford to waste any more time. Who knew when another beast might appear?

“Panya.”

I called her name firmly.

“Yes, my lady.”

She nodded slightly, awaiting my instructions.

“If you don’t bring my fan immediately, you’re fired.”

I looked her straight in the eye as I said it. There was no need for further explanation.

Panya’s eyes widened in shock.

“I-I’ll go right away!”

Clutching her skirts, she turned and dashed off without a second thought. She ran so fast that even if a beast did appear, it wouldn’t have been able to catch her.

For the first time, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction that my servants were afraid of me.

“Good.”

Feeling pleased, I sat back down. Now, I was completely alone.

Lady Larene had already joined another group of noble ladies, laughing with them at a distant table. The sound of their light, carefree laughter carried all the way over to me, suggesting she much preferred their company.

Maria, who had gone to change out of her dress, still hadn’t returned.

If she had a spare gown in her carriage, she might come back soon, but changing a dress was no quick task. It would take some time.

Panya was on her way home, and I had no idea where the hunting party was—neither Ricardo nor Asel were anywhere in sight.

Sitting alone at the table, I began to feel a sudden chill.

“No way…….”

Had the book planned for this all along? Was this a trap to leave me isolated and vulnerable?

A cold breeze swept past, sending shivers down my spine.

And as if mocking my fear, the book began to glow faintly once again.