The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 15 -

Beatrice had been trying to avoid trouble. She had endured dinner, survived her family's endless scheming, and made a silent vow to lay low until the Da Villes finally left the palace.

Too bad fate hated her.

Instead of quietly escaping, she now found herself trapped in a conversation with her mother.

Ethel Da Ville sat gracefully in one of the palace's private salons, sipping from an expensive teacup as if she hadn't just spent dinner subtly tearing down Johanna's reputation. Beatrice sat across from her, resisting the urge to throw herself out the window.

"Beatrice, darling," Ethel said sweetly, setting her cup down. "That dinner was an opportunity, and you wasted it."

Beatrice barely held back a groan. "Mother—"

"You barely spoke! You let that girl sit there unchallenged while your father and I fought for you."

Beatrice clenched her jaw. There it was. The inevitable why aren't you more ambitious speech.

She forced a smile. "I never asked you to fight for me."

Ethel blinked, her smile faltering for the briefest moment. "Excuse me?"

Beatrice exhaled, leaning back against the couch. "I'm not interested in competing for the throne, Mother. If you had actually asked me, I would have told you that."

Ethel studied her, as if seeing her for the first time. Then, she let out a soft, disappointed sigh. "Oh, Beatrice. You've always had such potential. If only you had a bit more ambition."

Beatrice's grip tightened on her teacup. Potential? Potential for what? To be another pawn for the family? She knew exactly what Ethel meant. The Da Villes didn't care about her, they cared about power. And right now, Beatrice was nothing more than a tool they expected to use.

She set her cup down, forcing her voice to be calm. "I think you should be more concerned about Johanna, Mother. She's not as fragile as you think."

Ethel waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, please. That girl is far too naive. She thinks kindness alone will secure her future." She smiled knowingly. "But kindness doesn't win wars, Beatrice."

Beatrice stiffened. Something about the way Ethel said that made her skin crawl. Before she could respond, a knock on the door interrupted them.

A servant entered, bowing. "Duchess, your presence is requested. His Majesty wishes to speak with you and the Duke."

Ethel smiled, rising gracefully. "Ah, of course. The king and I have so much to discuss."

Beatrice barely resisted rolling her eyes. The second Ethel was gone, she slumped into her seat, mentally exhausted. She had survived another round of family politics.

For now.

KING MARSHALL leaned back in his chair, watching Duke Conrad Da Ville carefully. The room was quiet. Too quiet. Conrad sat across from him, perfectly composed. Beside him, Ethel smiled pleasantly, as if this wasn't a private battle of power between two of the most influential men in the kingdom.

"I hope you've enjoyed your time at court, Duke Da Ville," the king said casually.

Conrad smiled. "It has been... informative."

Silence. Then, Conrad leaned forward slightly. "Your Majesty, I believe you and I have always had a mutual understanding. You rule the kingdom, and I ensure its economy thrives. It has worked well for both of us."

The king's expression didn't change. "It has."

Conrad continued, voice smooth. "Then I trust you understand why my family has certain... expectations."

Ah. There it was.

The king let out a slow exhale. "Let me guess. You expect Beatrice to be considered for the throne."

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Ethel smiled. "Surely it is not unreasonable to consider the benefits of such a union?"

King Marshall's eyes darkened. "That depends. Are you making a request?" He tilted his head slightly. "Or a threat?"

Conrad chuckled, shaking his head. "Come now, Your Majesty. We are simply having a conversation."

The king smirked. "Good. Because I don't respond well to threats."

Silence settled between them. The unspoken message was clear. The Da Villes were powerful. But not powerful enough to dictate the throne.

After a long pause, Conrad simply smiled and stood. "Thank you for your time, Your Majesty."

The king watched him go, his expression unreadable. But the moment the door shut, he exhaled, rubbing his temples. The Da Villes were going to be a problem.

LILA STORMED through the palace corridors, aggravated. Dinner had been awful. Her father was irritated, Johanna was tense, and worst of all, Magnus Da Ville was an insufferable menace.

She turned a corner sharply, only to nearly crash into the very man she was trying to avoid.

Magnus caught her wrist before she could stumble. "Careful, Princess."

Lila yanked her hand back, scowling. "I don't need your help."

Magnus grinned. "I never said you did. But you do seem distracted."

Lila folded her arms. "Maybe I'm just annoyed by certain guests overstaying their welcome."

"So cruel. And here I thought we were becoming friends."

Lila scoffed. "We are not friends."

Magnus smirked. "You're right. Friends don't stare at each other across the dinner table like we do."

Lila's face heated. "I do not stare at you."

Magnus raised an eyebrow. "You really do talk about me a lot, Princess."

Lila opened her mouth, then immediately closed it.

Magnus chuckled. "I'll take that as a victory." He stepped past her, brushing a little too close as he did. "See you around, Princess."

Lila stood frozen in place, glaring at his retreating figure. Why does he get under my skin so easily?!

JOHANNA WALKED through the palace halls, her expression calm. The Da Villes had made their position very clear. They were pushing for Beatrice.

She had known they would try something like this. But what she hadn't expected... was Beatrice herself.

She wasn't fighting back.

Johanna's fingers tightened slightly. She had expected resistance. Arguments. Schemes.

Instead, Beatrice was doing nothing.

Which was somehow worse.

Because it meant people were starting to look at her differently.

Johanna inhaled deeply. No. She had come too far to let everything slip from her grasp. She needed to remind everyone who the true heroine was.

She turned a corner, and paused.

Down the hallway, Beatrice stood alone, looking deep in thought.

Johanna smiled softly. It was time to have a little chat.