The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 17 -

Beatrice had been dreading this moment.

The last time this scene played out, in the original novel, it had been a perfect display of Johanna's grace and innocence. She had fallen from her horse, delicate and vulnerable, and Francois had immediately rushed to her side, solidifying his growing affection for her.

And Beatrice? She had been the villain who caused it.

She had startled Johanna's horse, watched her fall, and then pretended to be innocent. It had been one of her worst offenses in the novel, one that pushed Francois even further away and solidified her reputation as cruel and reckless.

Beatrice tightened her grip on the reins.

This time, she was going to dodge it completely.

It was just the three of them. Her, Johanna, and Francois. The royal family often took private rides outside the palace grounds for leisure, and this time was no different.

Except for the fact that Beatrice was actively trying not to die.

She had already planned her strategy: stay far away from Johanna.

If she didn't go near her, she couldn't possibly mess up the timeline.

The moment she mounted her horse, she guided it a good distance away.

Everything would be fine.

And then, of course, Johanna's horse just appeared right beside hers.

Beatrice stiffened. Fate really wanted her dead.

Johanna turned to her with a bright, oblivious smile. "Lady Beatrice! It seems we'll be riding side by side."

Beatrice forced a thin smile. "Lucky me."

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Johanna didn't seem to catch the sarcasm. She adjusted her grip on the reins, her posture effortlessly elegant. "It's such a beautiful day for riding, isn't it?"

Beatrice exhaled sharply through her nose. "Sure."

Just don't get me killed.

The three of them set off, riding down the quiet forest path.

Beatrice focused on one thing and one thing only, surviving.

She kept her posture steady, her movements precise, and most importantly, her distance from Johanna.

Everything was going well.

Until Johanna's horse shifted just a little too close.

Beatrice felt it immediately. The slight pressure of another rider moving nearer, the way her own horse instinctively tensed.

Johanna didn't seem to notice. She was still smiling, still talking about something Beatrice wasn't paying attention to.

Beatrice edged her horse slightly away. Just a bit more distance, just enough to keep things—

Then Johanna's sleeve brushed against her arm.

It was nothing. A small, harmless touch.

But it startled Beatrice's horse just enough for it to jerk its head sharply.

Beatrice's breath caught. She tightened her grip on the reins, instincts kicking in, ready to correct. But the shift in weight sent her balance off.

Her horse reared slightly. Beatrice's body lurched.

And then, she was falling.

The world spun. The wind rushed past her ears.

Beatrice hit the ground hard. A sharp, brutal impact. Pain exploded through her side as she tumbled onto the dirt path. For a brief second, everything was still.

Johanna gasped. "Beatrice!"

Beatrice groaned, the pain radiating through her limbs as she forced her eyes open.

Johanna had already dismounted, rushing toward her with wide, frantic eyes. "Oh my goodness, are you alright?"

Beatrice blinked up at her, dazed.

This... this wasn't supposed to happen.

Johanna was supposed to fall. Not her.

A shadow loomed overhead.

Francois had also dismounted, his blue eyes sharp as he assessed her condition. He wasn't panicked, but there was a slight crease in his brow.

Beatrice winced as she pushed herself up. "I'm fine," she muttered.

Johanna crouched beside her, her hands hovering as if she wanted to help but didn't know how. "I—I didn't mean to—" She bit her lip, clearly distressed. "I'm so sorry."

Beatrice exhaled slowly, glancing at her.

It had been an accident. Completely innocent. But still... it had happened. And Johanna had caused it.

Beatrice forced a tired smirk. "Wow. I guess that makes us even, huh?"

Johanna blinked in confusion. "What?"

Beatrice waved a hand vaguely. "Never mind."

Francois, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "Can you stand?"

Beatrice glanced up at him. His tone was calm and unreadable, but he was paying attention.

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to her feet. "Yeah, yeah. Just a bit sore."

Johanna let out a breath of relief. "I feel terrible. Please, let me help—"

"I said I'm fine," Beatrice cut in, brushing dirt off her riding clothes. "Honestly, I've had worse."

Francois studied her for a long moment, then turned to Johanna. "It was an accident. There's no need to dwell on it."

She had successfully dodged the original plot. But somehow... she wasn't sure if that was a good thing anymore.

Beatrice rolled her shoulders, wincing slightly as the dull ache spread through her back. The fall had knocked the wind out of her, but thankfully, nothing seemed broken.

Johanna, however, still looked horrified.

"I feel awful," she murmured, wringing her hands. "If I hadn't—"

Beatrice sighed. "It wasn't your fault. It was just bad luck."

That was technically true. Johanna hadn't meant to do anything. The moment had been completely innocent.

And yet...

Beatrice couldn't stop replaying it in her mind.

In the novel, she had been the one to deliberately spook Johanna's horse, sending the sweet, delicate heroine tumbling to the ground.

Now, the exact opposite happened. Beatrice had fallen. And Johanna had been the one left untouched.

Was this fate correcting itself?

Francois gave her a long, unreadable look before speaking. "If you're able to ride, we should return to the palace."

Beatrice exhaled, rolling her neck. "Yeah, I'm good."

But as she turned toward her horse, she felt it. A sharp gaze lingering on her.

Johanna was still watching her, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something else.

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Johanna blinked. "Oh, nothing, I—" She hesitated, then gave a small, almost apologetic smile. "I'm just... relieved you're alright."

Beatrice studied her for a second longer.

In the past, she might have doubted those words. But now?

Now, she didn't know what to think.

She just knew that for the first time since arriving in this world, the story had changed in a way she hadn't expected. And that unnerved her.

Francois helped steady her horse as she mounted it again. Beatrice half-expected some kind of lecture about being careless, but instead, he simply said, "Be more cautious next time."

Beatrice scoffed. "Wow, I almost died, and that's all I get?"

Francois looked at her. "You're not dead."

Beatrice rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the corner of her lips from twitching slightly. "Touching concern, Your Highness."

He didn't reply. But as she adjusted her reins, she caught something. A flicker of something thoughtful in his expression before he turned away.

Beatrice frowned. Had she imagined that?

Johanna, who had been quietly adjusting her saddle, let out a soft, nervous laugh. "This was... an eventful ride."

Beatrice snorted. "That's one way to put it."

The three of them set off toward the palace again, the tension lingering in the air like an unfinished conversation.

Beatrice had avoided her scripted villain moment. But somehow, she felt like this wasn't the end of the story.