Dammit really? Really? It just has to be 'that' scene she has to witness...

Closing her eyes, Francheska took a deep breath as she was ready for Rachel to insult her.

"I already told you, this person here is an adult wanna-be! Just like any adult can be they are stupid and dumb! And most of all can't understand a single thing!"

"Rachel it's not like that-- now!" Grabbing her reddening cheek Josephine caressed gently.

"----"

E-excuse me?!?! Can't understand--! Excuse me but to me kid, you are an NPC and to be honest, I am more of the Main Character here! I may be a villainess but at least I have a major role than you! Aughh... if only I could say these thoughts out loud!

"Lady Francheska can't even talk in a conversation. Hah! I guess Mother has missed that part of you."

"P-please don't insult Lady Francheska." Josephine tried to defend.

"----" Francheska could not respond.

Be strong Francheska... words are words. Don't let them get into you.

"She is a daughter of a noble blood but can not even attend a school she wants... AHAHAHHAHAHAHHA"

"Rachel--!"

"----"

Oh, it's on, it's fucking on you kid. I have a big heart for kids because they are so innocent. But the way you are addressing me is strangely the same with my siblings. So I am going to treat you like what I would do to my despicable little shit siblings.

"You are right."

"----!!"

With a smug formed on Rachel's face, she replied, "I am right!" Puffing her chest proudly.

"I act like an adult wanna be for a reason of being what? Mrs. Galkien taught me?" clicking a tongue, "Maybe I should get a new teacher, no wonder my mother has been so disappointed lately..." Francheska's eyes wander from head to toe of Rachel's pose, "Huh... strangely you act the opposite with your mother. Ah... the product of your academy? How disappointing, talk about etiquette..."

"--!!!"

Rachel's face flushed, not sure if embarrassed or angry. What Francheska saw was her words had hit some nerves of her.

If only I could talk much more of my language talking trash is much more satisfying.

"And to question my noble blood and education... ah you are insulting Mrs. Galkien, your mother who was hired to teach me-- who my mother thought has the greatest method in teaching. Maybe building my academy and having them instill the perfect behavior that your mother is so highly proud of might do me well."

"H-hah! Like you can do that!"

"Well... I'm a Hartpinjer afterall."

Walking past the two stunned girls. Francheska did not give a glance and just headed to the door. Walking out, eyes were staring at her. Curious, shocked, confused, and somewhat angry.

"Shelly, bring some ice and give it to Lady Josephine."

With that Francheska left the scene.

Clutching her chest to feel the beat of her rapid chest, she felt blood rising to her face.

Oh my goodness... I never knew talking back would be so satisfying, heart racing, and beautiful! Although talking vulgar words like "fuck you bitch hope you die" in my language would be so much more satisfying to me. Saying those words to a kid would be traumatizing, I'll wait until I get older to say those... augh I kept forgetting I'm my child days. I haven't tried saying words like that in the open... I guess next time, I'll try... hehe.

Returning to her chamber, Francheska was disappointed about her plan. Still, the fact that Rachel sided with Josephine is surprising to her.

Meeting Rachel they clicked together like a peanut butter jelly sandwich. In those days when Rachel and Francheska spent time together, Rachel was aware of Francheska's hectic life, she would complain about how strict and unfair the people of the Hartpinjer household were to Francheska. When Rachel witnessed Francheska slapping Josephine, Francheska was saddened to see how Rachel would unhesitantly take Josephine's side, not even demanding an explanation from her-- insult on the spot.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

The heavy sigh came out of Francheska which had heard Shelly that only made her worry of her lady.

"I'll tell them to have your dinner in your room, my lady."

Francheska is somehow grateful for Shelly's keen sight.

So this is the weight of being the villain... I can't let my feelings get me or have sympathy for a character in a novel. I wonder... what my best friend would do if she were in my situation. Ah... I have to act on my own! I have to prove to myself that I can do it.

With the few hours remaining, Francheska decides to educate herself on what she discovered today in the library.

Recalling the scene, Francheska felt bad for acting the way she did. The slap was unnecessary to shut a person up, Josephine just didn't hear Francheska well. Talking about how low the Galkien house was hurtful and shaming their skills, especially trampling their hard work.

Look at me... I'm even rude for eating in my room. I should go down and apologize for my actions, after all this is an action the Duchess would never overlook.

A knock made Francheska startled on her seat, as an announcement was given.

"Lady Francheska, it's me, Rachel Tolkien. May I enter your room?"

Shocked by the words and voice she had heard. Francheska let the girl in.

Francheska and Rachel exchange greetings, moving to where Francheska was eating. For Fracheska this was an opportunity so that she could apologize for what she had done.

"I apologize--"

"I apologize, lady Francheska."

Rachel's voice apologizing was louder than Francheska's. Rachel became silent as she stared at the girl she snapped earlier, perhaps waiting for a response or she had heard Francheska trying to apologize, either way, she was there in her room for a purpose.

"My actions towards you earlier were wrong. I'm sorry for questioning your lineage..."

Huh, I mean it's okay. It's just a quarrel between kids so I can let that slide.

A smile slowly formed on Francheska's lips, her nervous heart finally felt warm with relief as she wanted to make up for the hurtful words she said.

"It's okay, we can still do the same thing like today... I'm also sorry--"

"Aauughhh just please! Don't seek another etiquette teacher, my mother is good at teaching, she is after all!"

What...? Is this about then-- her mother knew the situation and had her here just to save face, for me not ask the duchess to fire her? Don't tell me, she's here because she's afraid that her mom will enforce punishment if she won't apologize to me???

"...and I still do not like apologizing for the words I have said. What you did to Josephine was out of line! I don't need your excuses for that slap. Still... she profusely told me to apologize to you, but I will not say that word to you."

I know the scary feeling of getting beaten up, I have been there and it hurts to think about the chances of Rachel getting the same experience as me... but I'm tired of understanding other people's feelings. If no one cared about mine, I would take care of that. Today just proves how Rachel's relationship with me is... not one bit sincere...

Hearing what Rachel said to her, broke her heart again. Speechless and numb from the words of a little girl, makes Francheska feel bad for her actions.

Always feels sorry, so guilty of her actions when the truth is that Francheska chose that action because she believed to made the right decision.

I know that she is still a kid. An innocent kid who is ignorant of the world. She has a mind of her own, and I promised myself to stand my ground and my happiness.

Releasing a sigh to ease Francheska's lungs of the tight atmosphere. She made up her mind.

"Hah, you're so stubborn lady Rachel. You don't have to worry... Mrs. Galkien has a special place in my heart. She's like a second mother to me, after all, it's like she made me."

Fracheska's words seemed to have annoyed Rachel, noticing how tightly Rachel gripped the skirt of her dress, slowly crumbling.

Silence is taking over, just as Francheska is showing her coldness to Rachel. Francheska wanted to leave the atmosphere and make Rachel leave on her own, but her sitting still on her chair in the room was unbearable to Francheska.

"Huh? You're still here, what are you waiting for? Do you still have words with me, lady Rachel?" Francheska asked.

"Y-yes! I'm waiting for your apology."

"Apologize? For what?"

"For lady Josephine! I will be the one to tell her."

"You're not lady Josephine, that's only between me and her."

"You're not going to meet her again, you're going to hurt her again!" Hearing those words, wounded Francheska's consciousness.

"It sounds like you're certain of me hurting her. Also, I have been taught that apologizing sincerely to a certain someone, must be only between them. Ironic that Mrs. Galkien taught me that and you failed to understand this."

"---!!!"

"I'm aware we are alone in this room. Hearing your words didn't satisfy me. If you have nothing else to say, leave my room lady Rachel. My departure for tomorrow will be a long one. Please don't tire me out."

Rachel stood up from her seat, as she headed out from the room. She sure made Francheska know that Rachel was furious about how heavy each footstep was.

Shelly comes in to know the well-being of her lady.

"I'm fine, please clean the table," Francheska commanded, after all, she lost her appetite.

With that, Shelly sent some of the maid and cleaned the table, leaving Francheska alone again in her room.

"Augh tomorrow will be a risky move. I just hope everything will go well."

I guess in this lifetime, I will have no friends for now.

----------------------------------------

The bumpy road interrupted the young girl's sleep as the glass of the carriage bumped her head hard.

"I'm sorry, Josephine. The road suddenly became bumpy."

"It's okay, Miss Emily. I think we're almost there, so it's a good thing that I'm awake now. Also after you get back please say to Rachel that I'm grateful for the carriage."

"I will tell her my lady about your words."

Smiling warmly to each other an abrupt movement almost made the young girl fly, and fortunately, Miss Emily was able to catch Josephine.

"Mr. Pace? What happened?!"

"Don't come out you two! A mysterious man is--"

"Mr. Pace?! Mr. Pace?!"

There was no response. As they peered from the inside, Miss Emily could only see trees. Moving the curtains slightly, dark eyes were staring back at her.

Falling from her shock. A man emerges covering his mouth and coming into view. This man is no doubt here to kill them.