PAINTING THE VILLAIN

The dinner ended peacefully and everyone felt glad because not only did the Duke say he was alright, but he accepted the offer of taking a break and spending their time with them for a picnic.

What's even more amazing is that it seems that Felicia will never be able to join them since the Duke loathes the idea of Felicia being near him. It would be the moment wherein everything is only for Helena.

Helena was in her room, squealing in joy as she successfully made the Duke agree to her wishes. She was kicking her legs in her bed, enjoying the moment that their attention would be solely hers, just like in the past before Felicia tried to act like a snake.

That freak... Why does she have to be engaged with the crown prince? There's nothing special to her! Aside from the fact that she's the legitimate daughter, she's still abandoned and mistreated! There's nothing good with her!

She puffed her cheeks, pouting as she kept on thinking how Felicia still has the gut to marry the Crown Prince even if her personality sucks! She'll never be a good queen if she were to marry the Crown Prince!

No... She'll never let her marry the Crown Prince.

"The crown prince dreamt of me... The crown Prince wants me, not that freak! He even said he'll marry me if I have debuted in high society!" She said to herself, still pouting angrily because of those malicious thoughts.

Felicia is a snake and a vicious manipulator! Why would Felicia blame her when she's too kind?

"I hate her..." She muttered to herself as she stared into her pillow when she was punching softly. Just then, a knock prevented her from punching the poor pillow. She sat in the bed, thinking about who it was since the maids had already gone back to their quarters or cleaned the halls.

"Who is it?" She asked, slipping into her slippers and opening the door. It was Olivia, the maid that was assigned to Felicia. "Oh... It's you, Olivia. So how did it go?" She asked as she smiled sweetly at her.

Olivia smirked, nodding her head as if it was pertaining to something. Helena's smile turned into a wicked grin as she leaned into the door frame. "You did great, Olivia. Wait, I shall go and get my reward." Helena said as she was about to turn and go grab a couple of pieces of jewellery. It's nothing much, all of them aren't even pretty anyway.

It's for commoners to lavish on.

"Wait, Young Lady. Would you like to check it up?" Olivia suddenly asked as she bowed her head in respect. Helena then turned to face Olivia who was bowing her head yet staring at her with a vicious grin.

"What for? Felicia deserves it anyway. Besides, someone might see us." She said, fearing that everyone would put the blame on her if she were to get out and get noticed that she locked up Felicia.

"Why would you be noticed by them? It's not like they like her either. The maids are now resting at their quarters. There's no need to fear everyone." Olivia said with persuasion towards Helena.

Now that she thinks of it, she would enjoy seeing Felicia screaming and begging to let her come out. Just a peek won't be bad, right? Helena thought of an answer to give towards Olivia who was still awaiting her decision.

"Sure... Let's. Do you have the key with you?" She asked Olivia. Olivia then showed the key that Helena gave her to lock Felicia up. Helena seeing the key, smiled and immediately closed the door to her room.

"Lead the way," Helena commanded Olivia to which she obliged and started to walk first to lead Helena to the room where she locked Felicia. Just thinking about the screams Felicia will have sounds fun to Helena who suddenly lets out a giggle.

What fun awaits her if she hears her calling for help? And there's no one to help her! Poor woman, she brought this to herself. If she didn't try to embarrass her and even make her mad, Helena wouldn't have to do this. But that freak tests her patience.

The Dukedom was quiet, it's evident that there were no maids and family members to see her walking at night. The only thing that was lighting up was the candle that Olivia had in her hand while walking towards the room where Olivia locked Felicia.

"Has she been asking for help now? She wasn't there earlier when we were having dinner." Helena said, chuckling to herself as she continued to follow Olivia who was walking in front of her.

"I made sure to lock her up before she could even eat dinner with you. The thought of that dirty little wench sullying everyone's dignity is disgusting, my lady." Olivia said with a mocking voice, humiliating her own master.

"Exactly! I don't know why Daddy is trying to grant her a life that should be mine. That bitch keeps on stealing my light!" Helena said quietly in an annoyed tone, truly didn't like Felicia.

"Exactly, My lady." She said and stopped as they had arrived. Helena who wasn't watching her way, bumped into Olivia's back, hitting her nose and glared at how Olivia didn't tell her to stop.

As Olivia felt Helena leaning into her back after she crashed into her, she immediately slipped the key into her pouch and acted like she too was affected by Helena's accident. Helena never noticed that the key was now in her.

"What's with you?! You should've told me you should stop!" Helena angrily called out Olivia. Olivia then turned her head, looking at Helena with utter disgust but hid it with a smile instead.

"I am so sorry for not telling you, My Lady. I was too caught up that the room was open. It seems that she had escaped!" Olivia said as she kneeled in front of Helena, looking down. She was fidgeting with her fingers, biting her bottom lip as she stared at Helena with an apologetic expression.

"WHAT?! THAT CAN'T BE!" Helena shouted as she pushed Olivia away and looked at the open abandoned room with no lights at all. What? How? How did she manage to escape the room?

"This can't be happening!" Helena said to herself as she slowly stepped inside the room, trying to look in the dark if Felicia was there. All of a sudden, she suddenly felt very cold and as if someone was staring at her. A cold chill started to spread into her body as she hugged herself, feeling scared.

"KYAA!" She yelled as a hand from the darkness held her arm and pulled her inside the room, making her fall to the ground. Just as she was about to stand, Felicia had a smirk on her face while Olivia stared at her with cold emotion.

"Seems like you wanted me to be painted as the villain. Very well, Helena. I will become the villain in this story." Felicia said as she laughed while Olivia started to close the door slowly while Helena was still on the ground, immobilised.

"YOU BITCH! YOU PLAYED ME!" Helena shouted as she stood up but her ankle let her down, making her fall again on the ground. Her ankle was throbbing, making her unable to walk.

"You started this fight, Helena. I was only projecting how villainous I can be." Felicia said as Olivia had really closed the door, locking Helena in this cold and dark room. She could hear Helena yelling but Felicia just stared at the door and started to walk away while Olivia followed her and didn't bother to ask anything.

Olivia felt very glad that no one was watching them lock their beloved Helena in an abandoned room. There were no lights in there, just pure darkness. In Felicia's case, it was satisfying that she finally had put that assuming woman into her place.

"My Lady... D-dont you think you should be scared?" Olivia said, voicing out her concern as they entered the Emerald Greenroom where Felicia stayed. Felicia turned her head, looking at Olivia who was sweating profusely while looking pale.

"You worry too much, she'll be discovered soon. Don't worry. Prepare my bath and let's discuss the next move." Felicia said as she removed her garments. That definitely stressed her out but it was fulfilling at some point.

Olivia obliged to her orders as she sighed, She was hoping that Felicia would protect her if they started blaming them. It's like she's walking in a double-edged sword wherein she betrayed Helena and Felicia might betray her.

After preparing the bath, Felicia walked inside with a towel wrapped around her body. She then removed them as she stepped into the bathtub while Olivia prepared the essentials to help Felicia take a bath.

Felicia felt like she was in heaven as the warm water splashed and covered her body. The stress that was consuming her finally went down as Olivia cleaned her body for her. This is the life that she truly wanted.

"I'm sure that Helena will point her fingers at us. Did you manage to slide the key into her dress?" Felicia asked as Olivia was massaging and putting soap into her arms. Olivia glanced at her and nodded her head.

"I had the opportunity to slide the key into her nightgown with pockets so it's clear. What if she strongly says that we're the culprit? I would be sold, much worse get beaten to death for assaulting a noble, my Lady." Olivia said with fear in her eyes.

"Don't worry. You just need to let them search your body for the key because Helena will point to the key and place the blame on you since she can't blame me other than telling me that I'm the one who commanded you." Felicia said with ease.

"Once she starts blaming and accusing me, she will point you as the accomplice and will call them that you have the key. Let them search for the key that they were talking about and since the key isn't with you. She'll be in a panic. The fact that she had the key, I will try to push the blame onto her since it's very easy. Just trust in me and Helena will suffer another blow." Felicia said as she smirked happily.

"If you say so, My Lady. I will." Olivia said, sighing. This is why she doesn't want to offend her anymore. Such a villain.