Chapter 4: Be a true Villainess
Abrielle was questioning herself about how she got into this situation. She was not even lucky to become the heroine but instead the villainess. She should have given the villainess a less tragic ending.
Thunder had abandoned her and she was surrounded by the royal guards. She could not understand why the royal guards were alerted of her escape. From what she remembered the prince was met to arrive close to evening. Since in Darconia, their weddings are at night.
The horses circled her blocking all her way of escape. "We have no intentions of harming you, Lady Abrielle, but if needed, we might be forced to use force. " One of the royal guards said. Abrielle had failed to escape and now her back was aching from the fall.
Today was a shitty day; despite her reluctance to follow them, she had no choice. There was no way she would be able to escape them, although there was a secret of Abrielle she could use, but it was a trump card she had to save for later.
Her hands were clenched by its side, and despite her frustration, Abrielle's determination didn't change. She would change her fate and survive this plot. After all, she was the creator. So she thought.
****
After getting back to the Nightshade mansion, Abrielle was taken to her room where, of course, she was locked, with her every movement being monitored until the wedding.
"What the hell were you thinking about Elle? Do you know what this little plot of yours would have caused me and your father?" The stern voice of Duchess Rebecca Nightshade the mother of Abrielle and the wife to the Duke of the Nightshade duchy, Pierre Nightshade.
The Nightshade duchy had a major political influence in Darconia and the Duke was granted the status of the holy Lord. For generations, they have been the family with the highest holy power, which was a type of magic but on the pure side.
Several high popes have come from the Nightshade family, with the present high pope who headed the holy Temple of the moon goddess Nyxoria. The two main symbols of Draconia were their holy power from the goddess Nyxoria and the fierce strength from the dragons.
It is said the royal family descended from the great dragons while Nightshade descended from the shop goddess herself.
"I am sorry, mother," Abrielle replied, unable to hold her mother's gaze. She knew the implications of her actions and could get trialled for it. There was no way she could explain the reason she didn't want to get married to a man she was formally obsessed with because she knew miraculously what was going to happen in the future.
"Sorry is not enough; reflect on your actions for the goddess's sake. You are already over twenty years old and overdue for marriage. A lot of other girls your age were wedded earlier, but because of your insistence to marry Prince Cedric, your father and I had to do all we could, and you suddenly woke up one day with a sudden change of heart. " Every word Rebecca said where arrows shot at Abrielle's heart.
She was careless and it almost caused her family. She did not have anything to say to refute Rebecca because she was right. "I won't act in such a manner again," Abrielle assured with a firm voice. Rebecca humphed, she had said everything she wanted to say.
"Thankfully, the prince didn't take the matter seriously, and you will not be sent for trial," Rebecca added, which left Abrielle surprised that he ignored her actions. When did the cold-hearted first prince start developing a conscience?
After giving Abrielle an ear full of harsh reprimands, Rebecca left the room for Abrielle to get ready for the wedding that was to take place at the temple at dusk.
Dorothy, Abrielle's handmaid, along with a host of others, started to get her ready, starting with a long bath. Hours of preparation seemed to have gone by and Abrielle was finally ready.
The dress was a white corset dress that was a bit suffocating to wear, but it was gorgeous nonetheless and perfect. The main problem Abrielle had with it was that it had so many layers but this was the fashion of this era.
Abrielle's make-up was delicately done to cover up all the bruises and cuts she had from her escape plan this morning.
Her ginger hair was delicately styled and she had a bouquet of white roses. At this time, Abrielle, standing in the mirror, didn't look like a vicious villain but just a stunning bride. Everything was perfect except for her heart, which wanted nothing to do with this wedding.
"You look gorgeous my lady," the head maid Rukia praised her while the rest stared at Abrielle. "Thank you." She replied to the compliment even though it didn't come from her heart.
"The Duke and Duchess are already at the temple awaiting your arrival. The carriage is also waiting for you." The head maid informed her. Abrielle took one last look at her reflection, not believing how beautiful she was, before leaving the room.
The maids helped her manage the excess flow of her dress to the white carriage prepared for her. After entering the carriage she gave a last glance at the Nightshade mansion. This marriage was going to be the beginning of her hell.
The couch man pulled the reins of the horses, and the carriage started to proceed to the temple. The ride was bumpy due to the road, but in less than an hour, she arrived at Crescentia, the largest temple in the entire Darconia that was headed by the high pope himself, Malakai Nightshade, Abrielle's uncle.
The moon was already out, shining its soft glow below. Abrielle got down from her carriage and walked under its light to the main entrance. Immediately, the doors were pushed open, and everyone's attention was drawn to the lady covered with a white veil holding a bouquet of white roses.
The soft music started to play and she made her procession. The aisle was long and covered in white petals leading to the altar that stood in a water pool. The temple was not regularly like this, but the marriage rights required the bride to walk through the petals, which held a significant meaning to the Darconia traditions.
Abrielle was not wearing any shoes as required and gently stepped on the petals that were soft to the touch. It felt like she was walking on clouds. Her dress flowed on the ground, sweeping through the flower petals.
Her movement was refined, but her heart was heavy; she didn't want to be here, but she had no choice. She glanced ahead to spot her groom dressed in matching white garments. He had a mask on his face but she knew without a doubt he was handsome.
Cedric was standing at the edge of the pool waiting for his bride. Abrielle was not the only one hesitant about this marriage but he needed to gather support.
For a weird reason, Abrielle found him familiar, which was odd because she was certain that even in the past, Abrielle hardly met the first prince, who was always out at war.
Her heart was beating wildly; the closer she walked, the clearer his face. She was a few steps away from the front when she finally saw his masked face very clearly, and her eyes locked with his eyes.
They were golden; Abrielle tried her best to control her reaction as it slowly dawned on her that the stranger she ran into was none other than the prince.
She arrived in front of Cedric, and she gave him her hand, which she accepted. She turned to enter a pool of water together.
As they took the first symbolic step together Cedric whispered something to her ears. "I guess your horse was not fast enough; remember what I said about the repercussions of being caught? I hope you are ready to pay for your actions."
His words were low but she heard it. Her heart squeezed knowing that Cedric was never the type to make fake threats. Then and there, Abrielle's mind was set: if she could not escape by running away, then she would kill the first prince herself.
She was transmigrated as a villainess. She would show them how a true villainess behaves.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone