The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 34

Beatrice had a lot on her mind lately. Political tensions, impending doom, the usual. But today? Today, she was in a mood.

Her 22nd birthday was coming up. Well, technically, Beatrice Da Ville’s birthday was months away, but in her heart? Bea Elisha Park was about to turn 22, and that was something to celebrate.

She spun around her chambers, arms outstretched, belting out, "I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling twenty-two!"

Lily, standing in the corner folding linens, blinked. "...My lady?"

Beatrice ignored her, too deep in the moment. She grabbed a hairbrush off her vanity, using it as a makeshift microphone.

"Everything will be alright if—"

The door creaked open.

Beatrice turned, still mid-spin, still clutching her fake microphone, only to make direct eye contact with Francois.

He stood in the doorway, completely still. Silent. Staring.

Beatrice froze. Lily froze.

Francois... blinked.

A very long, very painful silence stretched between them.

Beatrice, not one to be embarrassed easily, cleared her throat. "Ah. You weren’t supposed to see that."

Francois remained expressionless. "Clearly."

Lily slowly stepped toward the door. "I... I’ll just leave you two to—"

"Absolutely not. You stay here." Beatrice grabbed her arm.

Lily looked trapped. Francois, on the other hand, tilted his head slightly.

"Was that... a song?"

Beatrice coughed. "Maybe."

Francois narrowed his eyes. "I’ve never heard it before."

"Oh, it’s very exclusive. Limited edition. Only the most refined ears get to experience it."

"Are you lying to me?"

"I lie very convincingly." Beatrice grinned.

Francois exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Of course you do."

Lily, finally recovering, frowned at Beatrice. "My lady, what is that song?"

"A prophecy!"

Francois let out the tiniest sigh, like he was regretting every life choice that led him here.

"I should have expected that answer."

"You really should have."

Lily, still deeply confused, gave a hesitant nod before turning back to her work.

Francois, however, wasn’t done with her yet. "Why were you singing about turning 22?"

Beatrice hesitated.

Crap.

He was way too perceptive for his own good.

"Oh, you know. Just felt 22 today." She shrugged.

Francois raised an eyebrow. "You are not 22."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know when your birthday is, Lady Beatrice."

Beatrice huffed. "Details."

Francois studied her for a moment, and she could tell he was trying to figure her out. She needed to redirect. Fast.

She grinned. "You know, you would have made a great 22."

"What does that mean?" Francois frowned.

Beatrice just patted his arm. "It’s a compliment. Take it and move on."

"You are very confusing."

Beatrice smiled. "And yet, you still come find me."

That shut him up. For once.

Lila’s voice rang from the hallway. "Did I just hear you singing?"

Beatrice groaned, dropping her imaginary microphone.

"Oh, for the love of—how big are your ears?"

"Big enough to catch that disaster of a performance." She glanced between Beatrice and Francois, who still looked mildly baffled. "Wait. You saw it?"

Francois sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Oh, this is fantastic." She turned to Beatrice, smirking. "Do it again."

Beatrice gasped. "I will not."

"Coward."

Francois, clearly deciding this conversation wasn’t worth his time, turned to leave. "I have things to attend to."

Beatrice perked up. "What, secret prince business again?"

Francois didn’t dignify that with a response, but Lila, fully enjoying this, nudged Beatrice.

"You should follow him. Sing at him. See if he cracks."

"Tempting." Beatrice considered it.

Francois shot them both a glare over his shoulder. "Do not."

Beatrice wiggled her eyebrows. "Oh, you’re scared." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Francois left without another word.

"You make my brother’s life miserable," Lila cackled.

Beatrice sighed dramatically. "It’s my greatest passion."

Lily, from the corner, finally spoke. "Are we just going to ignore the fact that none of that made sense?"

Beatrice beamed. "Yes."

Lila plopped onto the chaise, stretching like she had all the time in the world.

"So, tell me, Beatrice, was that a battle cry I heard, or are you secretly auditioning to be a court minstrel?"

Beatrice huffed, flopping dramatically into a chair. "I was vibing."

Lila snorted. "That wasn’t vibing. That was an assault on music itself."

Beatrice gasped, clutching her chest. "How dare you? That was an iconic song."

"Oh? And where exactly did you hear this... iconic song?" Lila raised an eyebrow.

Beatrice froze for a split second before waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, you know. Around."

Lila tilted her head. "Around?"

"Yes. In the... streets."

Lila blinked. "The streets?"

"Yep. The streets."

Lila turned to Lily. "Has she finally lost it?"

Lily, looking far too used to this nonsense, just sighed. "I stopped questioning her a long time ago."

Beatrice clapped her hands. "See? Lily gets it."

Lila shook her head. "You do realize you were just caught singing about turning 22, right? You’re not 22, Beatrice."

"Not technically." Beatrice shrugged.

Lila narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

Beatrice stood, suddenly very interested in the books on her desk.

"Nothing! Nothing at all."

Lila squinted at her. "I hate that you’re so good at lying."

"It’s a gift."

Lila scoffed, but before she could press further, a knock sounded at the door.

A maid stepped in, bowing. "Princess Lila, Lady Beatrice. Her Majesty requests your presence for tea."

Lila groaned. "Ugh! More royal obligations."

Beatrice perked up. "Wait. Tea? As in pastries?"

The maid hesitated. "Yes...?"

Beatrice grabbed Lila’s wrist. "Let’s go."

"Since when do you care about tea?"

"Since always!" Beatrice grinned. "You don’t understand, Lila. This is a culinary event. I need those little cakes."

Lila sighed but let herself be dragged along.

As they made their way to the sitting room, Lila smirked. "You do realize I’m never letting you live this down, right?"

"Oh, please. By next week, you’ll be begging me to sing again." Beatrice tossed her hair.

"I would rather be thrown off a horse."

"Well, that can be arranged."

Lila snorted. "Try it, and I’ll arrange for Francois to personally escort you away from this palace."

Beatrice froze. "You wouldn’t."

Lila grinned. "Try me."

"You fight dirty."

"Always."

Beatrice groaned, but secretly, she was having way too much fun.

Maybe turning 22 in a completely different world wouldn’t be so bad after all.