The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 8 -

It was a well-known fact that Lady Beatrice Da Ville was despised.

She had been called many things. A spoiled aristocrat, a social menace, a disgrace to noble society.

And, most recently, she had been labeled something far worse. A potential love rival.

Beatrice sighed, massaging her temples as she strolled through the palace halls.

It had only been a few hours since the dance lesson disaster, and yet the rumors had already evolved into something ridiculous.

Apparently, people now thought she was trying to seduce Francois.

She wanted to scream. Because first of all, Ew. No. Absolutely not.

Second, Francois was the one who had chosen her as a dance partner!

And third... well, actually, she didn't have a third point. She was just really, really pissed.

A group of noblewomen walked past her, whispering behind their fans.

"She danced with His Highness..."

"...Trying to replace Lady Johanna?"

"She must have planned it."

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Beatrice inhaled deeply.

Do not react. Do not commit violence.

She had to survive this selection, not get assassinated before the plot even reached its midpoint.

Which meant ignoring them and focusing on her new escape plan.

Step one: Lay low.

Step two: Don't engage.

Step three: Avoid all noble gatherings.

Simple. Clean. Foolproof.

Then, just as she turned the corner, she immediately crashed into someone.

And, of course, it had to be Lila.

Beatrice barely had time to brace herself before Lila shoved her away, eyes flashing.

"Watch where you're going, Lady Beatrice."

Beatrice clenched her jaw. Perfect.

She took a step back, brushing dust off her sleeve. "I'll be sure to announce my presence next time. Maybe with a marching band."

Lila's expression darkened. "Do not test me."

Beatrice resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Too late.

Lila crossed her arms. "You've been making a fool of yourself in public."

Beatrice shrugged. "That's just called existing."

Lila's eye twitched.

Johanna—who had been standing nearby in silent horror—quickly stepped forward. "Oh, um, Lila, perhaps we should—"

"No," Lila snapped. "We won't ignore this."

She turned back to Beatrice, voice dripping with venom.

"I won't allow you to humiliate my brother like this," she said coldly. "So I suggest you drop whatever pathetic scheme you're planning and stay away from him."

Beatrice sighed. "Trust me, I would love nothing more than to stay away from him."

Lila did not look convinced.

"I mean it," Beatrice added. "Your brother is literally the last person I want to interact with."

Lila stared at her, studying her carefully.

Then, suddenly, she smirked.

Beatrice immediately felt uneasy.

"Oh?" Lila tilted her head. "Then prove it."

Beatrice blinked. "What?"

Lila's smirk widened.

"If you really don't care about my brother," she said, voice full of challenge, "then you won't mind proving it in public."

Beatrice frowned. "What does that—"

Then she stopped.

Oh. Oh no.

She suddenly had a very bad feeling about this. And she was almost definitely right.

Because when Lila Montague smiled like that, nothing good ever followed.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "Define prove it."

Lila's smirk widened. "You'll see."

Beatrice had exactly zero trust in that response.

Johanna looked between them nervously. "Lila, perhaps this isn't necessary..."

Lila waved her off. "It's just a small demonstration. Nothing serious."

Beatrice highly doubted that. Still, the fastest way to kill a rumor was to make people stop believing in it.

If this got Lila off her back and shut down the gossip, maybe it was worth it.

Beatrice crossed her arms. "Fine. What's your plan?"

Lila grinned. "Oh, I think you'll enjoy it."

Beatrice immediately regretted her life choices.

The "small demonstration" turned out to be a nightmare.

Beatrice found herself standing on the palace training grounds, surrounded by a growing crowd of nobles, knights, and servants.

Oh, I am going to die.

Lila stood beside her, practically glowing with satisfaction.

A palace knight walked up, offering Beatrice a wooden practice sword.

She stared at it. Then at Lila. Then back at the sword.

"...No."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? You wanted to prove you have no interest in my brother, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but I was thinking something normal. Like signing a letter or standing in a different room."

Lila smiled. "This is normal."

Beatrice glanced at Johanna, hoping for support.

Johanna looked deeply concerned but also completely powerless. Because Lila had chosen the worst possible setting for this stunt.

The knights trained here daily. This was public. If Beatrice made a fool of herself now, the humiliation would be legendary.

Beatrice exhaled. "You want me to... what? Fight someone?"

Lila shrugged. "A simple sparring match. If you win, you can say whatever you want. But if you lose..."

She trailed off, letting the silence speak for itself.

Beatrice clenched her jaw. If she refused, Lila would claim she was running away. If she accepted and lost, it would be public humiliation.

Either way, Lila won. Beatrice sighed dramatically.

"Fine," she muttered, snatching the practice sword. "Let's get this over with."

A palace knight stepped forward.

Beatrice tightened her grip on the hilt, mentally preparing herself.

She was a modern woman. She had never held a sword in her life.

This was about to be a disaster.

And then, just as the match was about to begin, a voice cut through the air.

"That's enough."

The crowd immediately fell silent.

Beatrice turned her head, heart sinking.

Francois was standing there. Expression unreadable. Gaze sharp. And he was looking directly at her.

Oh, come on.