The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 30

The ride back to the palace was quieter than before. The morning air had warmed slightly, and the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves against the dirt path filled the space between them.

Beatrice didn’t mind the silence, not at first. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it wasn’t a peaceful quiet. It was a weighted one.

Francois was thinking about something. She could tell. He had that look, the one where he wasn’t just silent, but calculating.

Johanna was the same. If Beatrice hadn’t been paying attention, she might have assumed everything was normal. But she was paying attention.

Lila, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care about the tension. She rode ahead, completely unconcerned, enjoying the morning like this was just another uneventful outing.

Beatrice exhaled. Fine. If no one else was going to break the silence, she’d do it herself.

"So," she said, glancing at Francois. "Are we just ignoring the fact that you received a mysterious letter mid-ride?"

Francois didn’t even turn his head. "Yes."

Beatrice groaned. "Oh, come on. That was way too suspicious."

Lila, without looking back, added, "Everything he does is suspicious. You get used to it."

Beatrice squinted at Francois. "Is it bad news?"

"It’s nothing that concerns you."

"Wow," Beatrice muttered. "That sounds exactly like something that will concern me later."

Francois didn’t deny it.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "If this ends up being something important, and I find out you knew all along, I’m going to be very dramatic about it."

Lila snorted. "When are you not dramatic?"

"I’ll be worse," Beatrice warned.

Francois sighed, as if already regretting his life choices. "Noted."

Beatrice huffed but let it go, for now.

She glanced at Johanna, who had remained silent through the entire exchange. The girl was staring ahead, deep in thought, her grip on the reins just a little too tight.

Beatrice tilted her head. "And what about you?"

Johanna blinked, startled. "What?"

"You’re quiet." Beatrice squinted at her. "Too quiet."

Johanna hesitated. "I was just thinking about today’s ride."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And?"

Johanna hesitated for a fraction of a second before smiling. "It was enjoyable."

Beatrice frowned. She was lying.

Not outright, not in an obvious way. But it was there, in the way her posture was just a little too composed, the way her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Beatrice let it go, but the thought stuck with her as they finally approached the palace gates.

The moment they arrived, a servant stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Highness," he addressed Francois. "The king has requested your presence immediately."

Beatrice arched an eyebrow. "Ah, so it was important."

Francois shot her a look before dismounting. Without another word, he handed his reins to a stable hand and strode off.

Lila dismounted next, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh. "Well, that was fun. Let’s do it again sometime. Preferably with less whining."

Beatrice scoffed. "If I recall correctly, you were the one complaining about being out too long."

"Details." Lila waved a hand. "Anyway, I have things to do. Try not to get lost again."

Before Beatrice could fire back, Lila was already gone. Beatrice sighed. Fine. That just left—

She turned.

Johanna was still there.

The girl was standing beside her horse, adjusting her gloves, moving slower than usual. Almost like she was hesitating.

Beatrice frowned. "Are you okay?"

Johanna stilled for a brief moment before giving another soft smile. "Of course."

Beatrice didn’t believe that for a second.

But Johanna didn’t wait for further questioning. She gave a polite nod, then walked toward the palace.

Beatrice watched her go, her unease growing.

Something was off. Something was changing. And she had a feeling she wouldn’t like whatever was coming next.

Beatrice lingered by the stables a little longer, watching as Johanna disappeared into the palace. A stable hand approached, reaching for her reins, but she barely noticed. Her mind was elsewhere.

Something was definitely wrong.

Johanna was too measured. Too careful. It wasn’t just today, Beatrice had been noticing it ever since the fall. Before, Johanna had always moved with quiet confidence, radiating that soft but unwavering composure.

Now? Now she seemed hesitant, like she was second-guessing herself.

And Francois.

He had always been unreadable, but there was something different about him lately too.

Beatrice exhaled, rubbing her temples. "Great. Everyone’s acting weird, and I’m supposed to be the unhinged one."

The stable hand cleared his throat awkwardly. "My lady?"

Beatrice blinked, realizing she was still holding onto the reins of her horse. "Oh, right. Here. Take him before I make a bad decision and try riding again."

The stable hand gave a cautious nod and led the horse away.

Beatrice turned toward the palace, reluctantly making her way back inside. She needed something to do, something normal to distract herself.

Which was why, twenty minutes later, she found herself in the library.

The royal archives were expansive, filled with centuries’ worth of records, historical accounts, and enough boring political texts to make her want to fling herself out of a window.

But Beatrice wasn’t here for politics. She was here for her notes.

She had been documenting everything she remembered about the novel, writing down key events, character interactions, anything that might help her predict what comes next. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to forget details. Some things were slipping through the cracks.

She pulled out the small notebook she had been keeping hidden beneath a stack of older records, flipping through the pages.

The palace selection. The horseback riding incident. The shift in Johanna’s demeanor.

Beatrice tapped her fingers against the desk, deep in thought.

There were still major events that hadn’t happened yet.

The novel had followed a very clear arc... Johanna’s steady rise to becoming queen, the trials she faced along the way, the relationships she built.

But Beatrice had already changed things. And now, she wasn’t sure what would come next.

She leaned back in her chair, staring up at the high ceiling. "This is getting complicated."

And it was only going to get worse.

Before she could dwell on it any further, the library doors creaked open. Beatrice quickly snapped the notebook shut, shoving it beneath a nearby book.

When she looked up, Francois was standing in the doorway.

Beatrice blinked. "...Do you live here?"

Francois gave her a flat look. "No."

"Could’ve fooled me."

He walked further inside, glancing at the shelves. "What are you doing?"

Beatrice smiled innocently. "Educating myself."

Francois glanced at the massive tome on her desk, one that she had very clearly placed there as a cover. He raised an eyebrow.

Beatrice followed his gaze, then looked back at him. "...You don’t believe me."

"No."

Beatrice sighed dramatically. "Wow. The lack of faith."

Francois ignored her, turning his attention to the bookshelves. "I assume you’re looking for something specific."

Beatrice hesitated. "...Maybe."

"You’re trying to predict something again."

Beatrice leaned back against the chair, crossing her arms. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

Francois didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her.

Beatrice shifted under his gaze. "...What?"

"You’re worried about something."

She scoffed. "I’m always worried about something."

He tilted his head slightly. "Not like this."

Beatrice rolled her eyes. "Look at you, pretending you know me."

"I don’t need to pretend."

Beatrice opened her mouth, then immediately closed it.

Nope. Not dealing with that.

She cleared her throat, quickly changing the subject. "Anyway! Shouldn’t you be doing something important right now? Running the kingdom? Brooding in a dark hallway?"

Francois sighed, clearly deciding not to push her further. "I met with the king."

Beatrice perked up. "Ooooh. Secret prince business?"

Francois gave her a look. "Hardly."

"I don’t know. Sounds suspicious to me."

Francois exhaled sharply. "Everything sounds suspicious to you."

"And yet, I’m usually right."

Francois didn’t argue.

Instead, he turned slightly toward the shelves, idly running his fingers along the spines of the books. His posture was relaxed, but Beatrice could tell his mind was elsewhere.

It only made her more curious.

"What did the king want?" she asked.

"Nothing of concern."

Beatrice groaned. "Again with that?"

Francois smirked slightly. "Yes."

"Fine. Keep your royal secrets."

"I intend to."

Beatrice narrowed her eyes at him, but before she could push further, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.

They both turned.

Johanna stepped into view, stopping just at the library entrance. She blinked in surprise at the sight of them.

"Oh. I didn’t expect to find you both here."

Francois straightened slightly. "Did you need something?"

Johanna hesitated, then shook her head. "No, I was just passing by."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. Johanna didn’t pass by the library. She had always been the type to move with purpose.

Before Beatrice could say anything, Johanna offered a small smile. "I’ll leave you to your studies."

She turned to go.

Beatrice frowned. "Wait."

Johanna stopped.

Beatrice hesitated. "...Are you okay?"

Johanna seemed surprised by the question. "Of course."

Liar.

Beatrice knew a fake smile when she saw one. But before she could call her out on it, Johanna gave a polite nod and disappeared down the hall.

Silence settled between Beatrice and Francois.

"...She’s acting weird," Beatrice muttered.

Francois was still looking toward the door. "Yes."

Beatrice exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Okay. That’s it. I need a drink."

Francois raised an eyebrow. "It’s barely noon."

"And I’m barely sane. Let me cope."

Francois just sighed.

Beatrice stood, stretching. "I don’t know what’s going on, but something’s definitely happening."

Francois watched her carefully. "And what do you intend to do about it?"

"Oh, I’m gonna be so annoying."

Francois pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course."

Beatrice just smirked.

Whatever was coming next, she’d be ready.