I Will No Longer Live As Your Villainess

His neatly combed black hair and masculine features exuded a certain boyish charm. His pomegranate-red eyes were gentle and warm, and his sharply defined eyebrows were impeccably groomed. In her dream, Laurencia found herself gazing up at Marquis Spencer, Teishar.

Flowers need sunlight just as humans need food—wasn’t it that simple?

Laurencia couldn’t understand why Taishar was in her dream, let alone why he was at Count Paul Heredian’s residence. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t make sense of it.

She grasped the amethyst necklace tightly in her hand before shaking her head and letting it go. Had she been unconsciously using its power while thinking of him? Maybe. That might explain it.

“No way. He wouldn’t come to the count’s residence. It’s just a dream.”

Convinced it was nothing, Laurencia laid her head back on the pillow and tried to fall asleep again. She closed her eyes.

“This is ridiculous.”

She drifted off, but soon woke with a start once more.

“Why was Marquis Spencer leaning on me like Leo, rubbing his head against me? And why was I brushing his hair back?”

-Meow.

Leo, now awake, let out a loud meow, seemingly annoyed by the noise.

“Sorry, Leo. It’s just a ridiculous dream.”

-Meow!

In her dream, as she brushed back Taishar’s hair, his crimson eyes gleamed with emotion, shifting his expression from gentle to intense.

She could feel the weight of his gaze, his crimson eyes pulsing as if in rhythm with her own heartbeat. The sensation was so vivid it startled her awake.

Laurencia was baffled. The Taishar she knew was composed and reserved.

Yet in her dream, he yearned for her. His demeanor carried a strange mix of shame and desire, which unsettled her.

Had she not woken up, their lips might have met. The thought of having her first kiss in a dream made her face flush. Embarrassed, she buried her face into her pillow.

“Why am I dreaming about this?”

Even though it was just a dream, her heart raced as though she had arrhythmia, and her face burned with warmth.

“That dream was so strange. I can’t even go back to sleep.”

Wide awake until dawn, Laurencia greeted the morning with exhaustion. Not long after, she was summoned by Anne. Sleep-deprived, her gaunt face looked even more haggard than usual. Anne clicked her tongue in disapproval.

“I called you because there’s something I need to discuss.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve found a young nobleman to escort you and be your dance partner at the debutante ball.”

In her previous life, the second son of a baronet had served as her dance partner during social dance lessons.

“Yes.”

“It’s Lord Roryrolls of the Stopugh family. He’ll also teach you social dancing. Just follow his instructions exactly.”

Anne looked at Laurencia with overt disdain. Laurencia bowed quietly in response.

“I have one question.”

“Yes.”

“How exactly did you drive Julie away?”

“I didn’t drive her away.”

“The maids say you whispered something to her, and she left looking terrified and resigned as head maid. What exactly did you say?”

“I told her I’d let her live.”

Anne’s face hardened as she glared at Laurencia. Julie had been a trusted subordinate, but she left unexpectedly while Anne was away.

“Julie probably left because she thought I was a monster.”

Laurencia chuckled lightly as she replied.

“What did you say?”

“Everyone in Count Paul Heredian’s residence calls me a monster.”

“So you’re suggesting Julie left because she was scared of you?”

“Most likely. If everyone keeps calling me a monster, wouldn’t they be afraid? Better to run away before they get eaten.”

Anne let out a forced laugh. She laughed for a while before abruptly stopping. Walking over to Laurencia, who sat quietly, Anne raised her hand. A loud smack echoed through the room as Laurencia’s head turned sharply from the force of the blow.

“You think making jokes like that is amusing?”

Anne’s face twisted into a scowl.

“I don’t know what leverage you used to drive Julie away, but remember this: there are plenty of others here who’d gladly make your life miserable. Lord Lorirolds will arrive soon. If you embarrass yourself in front of him, you’ll go without food for two days.”

“I understand.”

When Lord Lorirolds arrived at the Paul Heredian estate, he exchanged pleasantries with Anne before being escorted by Ardon to meet Laurencia.

Ardon walked quickly, leading Lorirolds to the parlor.

“Steward, could you slow down a bit?”

“My apologies. Ha-ha.”

Ardon forced an awkward laugh, suppressing the nausea rising in his throat. Lorirold’s round belly was tolerable, but the stench of alcohol and his foul breath were unbearable.

All Ardon wanted was to deliver Lorirolds to Laurencia and make his escape.

“This is the room.”

Ardon opened the door to the parlor and gestured for Lorirolds to enter.

As soon as Lorirolds stepped inside, his eyes swept over Laurencia, who sat quietly on the sofa.

“Not bad at all.”

He widened his eyes, inspecting her frail frame and petite stature. Her thin neck and delicate ankles seemed as if they might snap under the slightest pressure. But her amethyst-colored eyes held an otherworldly allure.

“I am Lorirolds of the Stopugh family.”

“I am Laurencia of Count Paul Heredian’s household.”

“Have you ever danced before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I’ll teach you well.”

Lorirolds licked his lips and swallowed repeatedly. Though she was an illegitimate child, the thought of holding a noblewoman in his arms rather than a courtesan made his heart race. He recalled his earlier conversation with Anne.

Anne had handed him a heavy pouch of coins, telling him he could do as he pleased.

Lorirolds  had promised Anne he would show Laurencia a semblance of kindness and eagerly pocketed the money.

“I’ll teach you everything about dancing.”

Each time Laurencia glanced up at him, Lorirolds’s smile grew wider. Her sunken cheeks and frail body made him feel as if he’d discovered an unpolished diamond buried in the dirt.

“Then I’ll be in your care, Lord Lorirolds.”