The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 35

Beatrice and Lila entered the sitting room, greeted by the soft clinking of porcelain and the warm scent of freshly baked pastries. Queen Cecile sat gracefully at the head of the table, already stirring her tea with effortless poise. Across from her, Johanna had arrived before them, seated with perfect posture, a soft smile on her face.

"Ah, there you are," the queen said, looking up as they entered. "I was beginning to think you had gotten lost."

Beatrice, still high on the thrill of annoying Francois, grinned.

"No, Your Majesty. Just delayed by important discussions of a musical nature."

Lila scoffed. "She means she was caught singing something ridiculous."

Johanna tilted her head curiously. "Singing?"

"Let’s not dwell on minor details." Beatrice waved a hand, settling into her seat.

Queen Cecile arched a delicate brow but let the topic slide. Instead, she gestured toward the spread of delicate pastries, fine jams, and neatly arranged tea sets.

"Please, help yourselves."

Beatrice barely needed the invitation. She reached for the nearest tart with unrestrained enthusiasm, earning a bemused glance from the queen.

Lila smirked. "You act like you haven’t eaten in days."

"I’m a simple woman. I see tiny, overpriced desserts, I take them."

Johanna giggled softly, lifting her teacup. "I must say, Lady Beatrice, you always make gatherings... lively."

"That’s one way to put it," Lila muttered.

Queen Cecile took a slow sip of her tea before setting it down.

"I summoned you all here again, because I wished to invite you girls outside of the palace."

Beatrice paused mid-bite, eyes narrowing slightly. "Outside?"

Queen Cecile nodded, stirring her tea leisurely. "Yes. It has been some time since I last visited the town square, and I thought it would be a pleasant change of pace."

Lila leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "You want us to go on a casual outing... with you?"

Beatrice blinked. "Isn’t that like, a major event? The Queen walking through the streets? Isn’t there some kind of protocol? Bodyguards? Secret passages?"

Johanna, ever composed, simply smiled. "Her Majesty has done this before. She believes it is important to understand the people not only from reports but by seeing them firsthand."

Beatrice turned to the queen with newfound respect. "That’s actually kind of cool."

Queen Cecile gave her a knowing look. "Did you think I simply stayed inside the palace all day, doing embroidery?"

"...Maybe a little."

Lila snorted, while Johanna coughed delicately into her teacup.

The queen sighed, setting her cup down. "This will not be a grand affair. We will dress simply, take only a few guards, and observe the town in a relaxed manner."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Relaxed? With Lila here?"

Lila kicked her under the table. Beatrice winced but kept her smug grin.

The queen ignored their antics, turning to Johanna. "I assume you will join us?"

Johanna nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. It would be an honor."

Beatrice, still processing this sudden change of plans, tapped her fingers against the table. It wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, she’d been wanting an excuse to see more of the capital.

The novel had mentioned it often. How the kingdom flourished under the Montague rule, how the people adored their royal family. But she had never actually gotten a chance to explore beyond palace events.

Now, she was going on a royal girls’ trip.

"Alright, I’m in." Beatrice clapped her hands together.

Queen Cecile gave a small, satisfied smile. "Good. We leave in an hour."

Lila groaned. "That soon?"

"You may decline if you wish," the queen said smoothly.

Lila scowled. "I didn’t say that."

Johanna, ever the picture of grace, set down her teacup. "Then we should prepare."

Beatrice leaned toward Lila as they stood. "You realize this is basically a shopping trip with the queen, right?"

Lila huffed. "I realize I’m about to be surrounded by commoners staring at us."

"Oh no. How awful." Beatrice placed a hand over her chest in mock distress. "People looking at your beautiful face? Tragic."

Lila shoved her lightly as they exited the sitting room, Beatrice laughing as she dodged.

Queen Cecile watched them go, shaking her head slightly before glancing at Johanna.

"She is... unpredictable."

"Yes. But perhaps that is not a bad thing." Johanna smiled softly.

The queen said nothing, simply lifting her tea again.

She would soon see just how unpredictable Beatrice Da Ville truly was.

*******

The carriage ride into town was surprisingly peaceful.

Beatrice sat across from Queen Cecile and Johanna, while Lila stared out the window, arms crossed as if the mere thought of blending in with commoners offended her.

"I still think this is a terrible idea," Lila muttered.

Beatrice smirked. "Because you don’t want to be seen outside of a palace? Or because you think we’re all going to cause some kind of public disturbance?"

Lila turned her head sharply. "You. You are going to cause a public disturbance."

Queen Cecile chuckled. "Then let’s hope it is a harmless one."

Beatrice gasped, clutching her chest. "Your Majesty, I am deeply offended by this lack of faith."

Johanna giggled behind her hand, while Lila just rolled her eyes.

As the carriage rolled into the heart of the town square, Beatrice peered through the window, taking in the bustling streets.

The capital was lively. Street vendors calling out their wares, families moving between stalls, and knights on patrol ensuring order. It was exactly as she had imagined from the novel, but seeing it in person made it feel... real.

The moment the carriage came to a stop, the guards moved swiftly, ensuring a clear path for them. Queen Cecile had dressed simply, as had Johanna and Lila, but even without grand gowns and jewels, they couldn’t blend in completely.

Beatrice stepped out, stretching her arms dramatically.

"Ah, fresh air! The scent of overpriced goods and questionable business deals."

Lila groaned. "We haven’t even been here for a full minute, and I already regret coming."

Queen Cecile ignored them, leading the way toward the market. The moment people noticed her, there was a quiet shift in the air. Surprise, whispers, murmurs of respect.

Beatrice watched the townspeople carefully. Their reactions weren’t fearful or overly dramatic, just... warm. The queen was genuinely beloved, it seemed.

"Your Majesty," one of the bakers called, bowing deeply. "It is an honor to see you here."

The queen offered a gentle smile. "Your shop seems busier than ever."

The baker flushed with pride. "Thanks to the stability you and His Majesty have provided, business has been thriving."

Beatrice narrowed her eyes slightly. Stability.

She wondered if these people knew just how fragile that stability was right now.

As they moved further into the square, Queen Cecile stopped at a small fabric vendor, admiring the embroidery work. Beatrice took the chance to scan the crowd.

Johanna was speaking to a florist, listening intently as the old woman described the meaning behind different flowers. Lila, meanwhile, stood near a weapons stall, casually inspecting the craftsmanship of a dagger, looking far too interested for someone on a casual outing.

Beatrice smirked. "Buying that for yourself, Princess?"

Lila shot her a look. "Maybe I’ll buy it for you. A threat and a gift all in one."

"I love a good multi-purpose present."

Before Lila could retort, a commotion broke out a few stalls away.

Beatrice turned just in time to see a small child dart between people, clutching a loaf of bread. Behind him, a vendor was shouting, face red with frustration.

"Thief! Stop him!"

A guard stepped forward, but before he could react, Beatrice was already moving.

"Oh, here we go," Lila muttered.

Beatrice caught up to the kid in seconds, easily blocking his escape route. The child skidded to a stop, looking up at her with wide, terrified eyes. He couldn’t have been older than eight, dressed in ragged clothes, his face smudged with dirt.

Beatrice crouched slightly. "Alright, kid. Let’s talk about your life choices."

The boy clutched the bread tighter, his lower lip trembling.

"I—I just—"

Beatrice sighed. "Relax, I’m not here to throw you in jail."

The vendor, having caught up, stomped over. "That brat stole from me! He should be punished!"

Beatrice stood, raising an eyebrow. "Punished? For a loaf of bread?"

The vendor huffed. "Thieves should be dealt with, no matter their size."

Beatrice glanced at the child again. He looked terrified, his thin frame suggesting this wasn’t his first desperate attempt at food.

She exhaled. "Alright. How much is the bread?"

The vendor frowned. "What?"

"The bread," Beatrice repeated. "How much?"

The vendor hesitated before muttering, "Two silvers."

Beatrice reached into her pocket, pulling out the coins and dropping them into the vendor’s hand.

"There. Consider it paid for."

The vendor, clearly caught off guard, grumbled but took the money.

Beatrice turned back to the kid. "You should probably find a better way to get food next time. But since you’re here—" She tore the loaf in half and handed him a piece. "—you might as well eat."

The child stared at her, hesitant, before slowly taking the bread.

"Th-Thank you..."

Beatrice ruffled his hair. "Now go. And maybe don’t get caught next time."

The boy nodded quickly before dashing off.

Johanna, having witnessed the entire thing, walked up to her with a curious expression.

"That was kind of you."

Beatrice shrugged. "It was practical."

Johanna smiled. "Even so, not everyone would have handled it that way."

Queen Cecile approached, having observed from a short distance. "You have a rather unorthodox way of doing things, Lady Beatrice."

"I prefer to call it efficiency." Beatrice grinned.

The queen studied her for a moment before chuckling.

"Perhaps."

Lila crossed her arms. "I’m just impressed you didn’t cause more trouble."

Beatrice gasped. "Princess, I am a respectable citizen."

Lila snorted. "Sure you are."

Beatrice turned back to the queen. "Well, Your Majesty, I have to say... your field trips are way more interesting than I expected."

Queen Cecile smiled, glancing at the town square. "The world beyond the palace is always more interesting than one might assume."

Beatrice hummed, looking around again. She had to admit, she kind of liked it here. And for a moment, she wasn’t thinking about politics or survival.

She was just... living.

Queen Cecile’s gaze lingered on the bustling market, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"It is easy to forget, sometimes, what life is like beyond the palace walls."

Beatrice followed her gaze, watching as merchants called out their wares and children weaved between the crowds, laughing. She understood what the queen meant. It was one thing to live in luxury, to hear about the lives of the common people from reports and advisors, but it was another thing entirely to stand among them, to see their struggles and joys firsthand.

Johanna, ever observant, clasped her hands together. "It must be nice, being able to live without the weight of court expectations."

"That depends. Would you trade fine silks for patchwork dresses? Gourmet meals for bread and soup?" Lila challenged her.

Johanna hesitated, as if genuinely considering the question.

"I don’t know," she admitted softly. "But I do wonder what it would be like... to live an ordinary life."

Beatrice tilted her head, watching her closely. Johanna had always been the perfect noblewoman. But was there a part of her that longed for something else?

Before she could dwell on it, the queen spoke again. "It is not so simple to abandon duty, but there is merit in understanding the people one serves." She turned to Beatrice. "You handled that situation well."

"It wasn’t exactly complicated."

The queen smiled knowingly. "For some, it is."

Beatrice wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she simply grabbed another pastry from the tray a vendor had brought over.

Queen Cecile glanced toward the sun, which was beginning to dip lower in the sky.

"We should return soon."

Johanna nodded, ever dutiful.

Lila, however, let out a sigh. "If we must."

"But I was just starting to enjoy my career as a heroic bread philanthropist." Beatrice pouted dramatically.

Lila rolled her eyes. "Please spare us."

As they made their way back toward the carriage, Beatrice stole one last glance at the town.

It was strange, really. She had read about this place, imagined it countless times while reading the novel. But now, it wasn’t just words on a page.

It was real. And so was she.

She let out a slow breath before climbing into the carriage, the weight of that realization settling in her chest.