The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 18 -

The pain hit first. A deep, throbbing ache spreading through Beatrice's back and shoulders, like she'd been hit by a truck.

Which, in a way, she had. A horse-sized truck.

She groaned as she peeled herself out of bed, wincing as every muscle in her body protested. "Oh my god. I feel like I got jumped in a parking lot."

Lily, her maid, gasped from the side of the room. "My lady! Are you alright?"

Beatrice waved a weak hand. "Yeah, yeah. I'm just... experiencing life very painfully right now."

Lily looked unconvinced. "Perhaps I should call for the royal physician—"

"Absolutely not." Beatrice swung her legs over the bed and instantly regretted it. "I just need to walk it off."

The second she stood, her knees nearly buckled. Okay, so maybe walking it off wasn't the best plan.

Lily hovered beside her, concerned. "You're certain you don't need a doctor?"

Beatrice straightened up with all the dignity of someone who absolutely did need a doctor but was too stubborn to admit it. "I'm fine. My body's just reminding me that gravity is a thing."

Lily sighed. "At least let me help you get dressed. You have a luncheon with the royal family today."

Beatrice groaned dramatically. "Great. More sitting upright and pretending I don't want to lie face down on the floor."

Lily, used to her nonsense by now, simply grabbed a dress.

As Beatrice endured the process of getting ready, she replayed the fall. It had been an accident. Completely innocent.

And yet...

Beatrice had never seen Johanna look that shaken before. The golden heroine, always so poised and perfect, had been genuinely rattled.

Beatrice frowned at her reflection in the mirror. "Weird."

Lily paused. "My lady?"

Beatrice shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking about how fragile my mortal form is."

Lily gave her a look but didn't question it.

By the time Beatrice arrived at the royal dining hall, she had perfected the art of walking like she wasn't in excruciating pain.

Lila was already seated, lazily stirring her tea. She took one look at Beatrice, raised an eyebrow, and smirked. "You're walking like an old man."

Beatrice sank into a chair with a dramatic sigh. "I feel like one."

Lila hummed. "I suppose you'll be staying away from horses now?"

Beatrice shook her head. "Nope. I'm getting back on as soon as possible. If I don't, the horse wins."

Lila snorted. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Beatrice gestured vaguely. "Next thing you know, the horse is running the kingdom. Total monarchy takeover."

Lila rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot."

Beatrice grinned. "And yet, I'm still the most interesting person in this palace."

Before Lila could retort, the doors opened, and Francois stepped inside.

Beatrice immediately sat up straighter, schooling her expression into neutral indifference.

If Francois had any lingering concerns about the accident, he didn't show it. He took his seat across from her, glancing her way briefly before speaking. "You seem to be moving well."

Beatrice forced a pleasant smile. "Oh yes, I'm thriving. Completely ignoring the fact that my body currently feels like a badly drawn stick figure."

Francois blinked. "...What?"

Lila choked on her tea.

Beatrice waved a hand. "Nothing. Don't bother about my culture."

Francois stared at her like she was speaking in tongues.

Lila, still coughing, muttered, "I have no idea what that means, but I hate that I found it funny."

Beatrice winked. "You'll catch up eventually, Princess."

Francois, choosing to ignore whatever just happened, turned to Lila. "Where's Johanna?"

Lila's amusement faded slightly. "She said she was feeling unwell this morning."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Huh."

Johanna? Feeling unwell? That was... unexpected.

Lila sighed, setting down her teacup. "She was acting strange after the accident. Maybe she just needs rest."

Beatrice wasn't convinced.

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

Something about Johanna's expression yesterday, the way she watched Beatrice after the fall had stuck in her mind.

She didn't doubt that Johanna had been shaken. The fall had been a surprise to everyone. But there had been something else...

Something Beatrice couldn't quite put her finger on.

She drummed her fingers against the table, lost in thought.

The story was changing. And she had no idea where it was going next.

Lila sighed, tapping her fingers against her teacup. "I wouldn't overthink it. Johanna's probably just shaken after seeing you fall. She's always been a bit... sensitive."

Beatrice hummed, staring at the untouched plate in front of her. "Maybe."

But deep down, something wasn't sitting right.

In the novel, Johanna had been frail but unshakable. No matter what Beatrice did, whether it was spreading rumors or sabotaging her, she had always maintained her sweet, graceful composure.

Now, just witnessing Beatrice fall was enough to make her feel unwell?

It didn't add up.

Francois, ever the picture of royal composure, sipped his tea before speaking. "Regardless, she'll recover." His voice was perfectly neutral. "She always does."

Beatrice glanced at him. That was a strange choice of words.

Lila seemed to notice it too, tilting her head slightly. "You almost sound like you expected this."

Francois set his cup down with a quiet clink. "I simply meant that Lady Johanna is resilient. She will be fine."

Lila raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.

Beatrice, on the other hand, did not like that answer.

It was too vague. Too calculated.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You sure about that?"

Francois met her gaze, unreadable as ever. "Are you doubting her?"

Beatrice shrugged, leaning back against her chair. "Not doubting. Just... reevaluating."

Francois didn't respond, but something flickered in his expression. He wasn't ignoring her question, he was considering it.

That was new.

Beatrice exhaled, shaking her head. "Whatever. Not my problem."

Lila rolled her eyes. "And yet, you're still thinking about it."

"Because I have critical thinking skills," Beatrice shot back.

Francois, for the first time that morning, actually looked amused.

It was subtle, just the slightest twitch of his lips, but Beatrice caught it.

She frowned. "What?"

Francois simply picked up his teacup again. "Nothing."

Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "No, that was something. You looked like you were about to smile. Are you capable of that?"

Lila snorted. "He has emotions. He just refuses to use them."

Francois ignored both of them, drinking his tea like the emotionless prince robot he was.

Beatrice sighed dramatically. "And they say I'm the mysterious one."

Lila smirked. "Oh, no one says that. You're the annoying one."

Beatrice gasped, clutching her chest. "How dare you."

Francois placed his cup down. "She's right."

Beatrice gaped at him. "Et tu, Brute?"

Francois just looked confused. "What?"

Beatrice waved him off. "Nothing. Culture."

Lila groaned. "Not this again."

Beatrice just smirked, but deep down, her mind was still racing.

Johanna was unwell. Francois wasn't surprised.

Something about this was off.

And Beatrice didn't like it.