The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 45

The De Silva family’s arrival was as grand as expected. Their carriages rolled into the palace courtyard in an elegant procession, the family stepping out with effortless grace, their coats embroidered with the house’s signature silver detailing.

Beatrice stood at the entrance hall with the rest of the court, her posture poised, her expression carefully neutral. She had been expecting this. She knew exactly how this was supposed to go.

House De Silva was old, influential, and held one of the strongest military forces in the kingdom. They were also some of her family’s most vocal critics. Which meant today was going to be exhausting.

Queen Cecile greeted them first, offering the usual formalities. Lord and Lady De Silva bowed, exchanging pleasantries, their words smooth yet always laced with that quiet superiority.

And then, just as Beatrice anticipated, their attention shifted.

"Lady Johanna," Lady De Silva said warmly, her tone dripping with affection. "It has been far too long. You grow lovelier each time we meet."

Johanna smiled, ever graceful and ever perfect.

"You flatter me, my lady. It is always a pleasure to see you again."

The admiration didn’t stop there. Lord De Silva joined in, commenting on Johanna’s poise, her intelligence, how she truly embodied the qualities of a future queen.

Beatrice resisted the urge to sigh. She had read this scene before. She had lived it in Johanna’s story.

And she knew exactly what came next.

A sharp shift in tone. A lingering glance in her direction.

"Lady Beatrice," Lady De Silva said, her words polite, but the coolness beneath them unmistakable. "I see you are still here at court."

"Surprised?" Beatrice smiled pleasantly.

The old woman’s lips twitched at the corners, as if holding back amusement.

"Merely curious."

Beatrice knew what that meant. Curious how she was still standing, still playing the game. Curious how she hadn’t already been cast aside, as she was meant to be.

It was almost entertaining how predictable they were.

Beatrice prepared to endure the rest of the visit, already resigned to being overlooked, dismissed, treated as an afterthought.

But then...

A voice, smooth and deep, cut through the air.

"I must say, I’m pleased to finally meet you, Lady Beatrice." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Beatrice blinked.

She turned slightly, only to meet the gaze of Lord Gabriel De Silva, the eldest son of the family. Tall, composed, and strikingly handsome. Everything a noble heir was expected to be.

And he was looking directly at her.

Beatrice barely managed to keep her expression neutral.

What.

She does not remember any exchanges between her and Gabriel De Silva in the novel. He had never once expressed interest in Beatrice Da Ville. In Johanna’s story, he had been nothing more than another courtly presence, a name in passing, a man focused on his duties.

So why...

Beatrice met his gaze, offering an easy, practiced smile.

"Oh? Have you been waiting for an introduction, Lord Gabriel?"

A small smirk touched his lips. "I admit, I’ve been curious for some time."

Lady De Silva stiffened ever so slightly, though she masked it well.

Beatrice’s mind raced. Something was changing. Again.

She kept her smile, but her mind was already scrambling for answers.

This wasn’t right. Gabriel De Silva was supposed to be indifferent to her, another nobleman who barely acknowledged her existence. And yet, here he was, giving her his full attention.

"You flatter me, my lord," she said smoothly, keeping her tone light. "I was under the impression that your house had little interest in my family."

Gabriel tilted his head slightly, amused. "Not all of us hold such rigid views, Lady Beatrice."

Oh.

Beatrice wasn’t sure what was more shocking. The fact that he was talking to her like this, or the way his parents seemed distinctly uncomfortable about it.

Lady De Silva’s smile had tightened. Lord De Silva glanced at his son with mild disapproval. But Gabriel didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t care.

Lila, standing just to Beatrice’s right, leaned in slightly and muttered under her breath, "What is going on?"

Beatrice barely resisted the urge to kick her.

Instead, she gave a polite laugh. "Well, Lord Gabriel, I do hope I live up to your expectations."

"I have no doubt you will." Gabriel’s smirk deepened.

Oh, this was getting ridiculous.

Before Beatrice could figure out how to shift the conversation, another voice cut in. One she had been expecting.

"Lord Gabriel."

The air in the room shifted.

Beatrice turned her head just as Francois stepped forward, his expression unreadable, his gaze landing squarely on Gabriel.

Gabriel, to his credit, remained perfectly composed. He inclined his head slightly.

"Your Highness."

Beatrice watched the brief exchange with mild fascination. There was nothing outright hostile about it, but something unspoken passed between them. Something sharp, something weighing the space between their words.

"Lady Beatrice." Francois turned his gaze to her.

She arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Your Highness?"

A pause. A slow, measured glance between her and Gabriel.

"I wasn’t aware you were already so well-acquainted with the De Silva’s heir."

Beatrice barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes.

"Neither was I, but life is full of surprises, isn’t it?"

Lila coughed to cover a laugh.

Gabriel, still maddeningly at ease, chuckled. "I suppose it is."

Francois didn’t look away from Beatrice. His gaze was steady, unreadable, but there was something there. A flicker of something she couldn’t quite place.

Beatrice, as always, refused to blink first. Lila, sensing the tension, clapped her hands together.

"Well! This has been an absolutely fascinating turn of events. We should really do this more often."

Lady De Silva shot Lila a look that said absolutely not.

Beatrice exhaled, tilting her head. "Well, Lord Gabriel, it was truly enlightening to learn of your interest. But I do hope you won’t let it cause any... familial strife."

Lady De Silva stiffened. Gabriel only smiled.

"I can handle a little strife, Lady Beatrice."

Of course he could.

Beatrice sighed internally. This was going to be a problem.