Her Thoughts

Awhile later, Lucas open his eyes. He had just regain his consciousness.

He looks around to see the familiar room.

The physicians around him hurried to his side.

"Your holiness, you're finally awake."

One of the physician ran out, to tell the others.

Lucas sat up, looking confused. He looks at his hand as though he still feels the warm sensation of someone touch. Lucas then look around the room. Seemingly searching for someone.

The physician who checked his condition notice Lucas behaviour.

"Who are you looking for, your holiness?"

"A woman...wasn't there a woman here?" Lucas questions.

"Woman??" The physician look confused.

He then remembered, the only woman that had came here was the crown princess.

"Ire...Irene...isn't she here?" Lucas stated the name of that person.

Upon hearing that name, the physician felt awkward. He knew that was the name of his late fiancée.

"No, your holiness. I think you might confused it with the crown princess. She's the only woman who was here." He calmly told Lucas.

"The...the crown princess? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Lucas didn't seem want to grasp the truth.

"Yes, your holiness." The physician still with his frank answer, didn't want to confused Lucas further.

As if something had break inside of him, Lucas look down.

At that time, Michael had arrived in chamber.

"Lucas...thank goodness. You're awake." Michael smile in relief seeing him regain consciousness. He took a sit beside him.

But his smile faltered looking at Lucas expression. He turned to look at the physician beside him.

The physician could only shook his head vehemently and return back to his work.

Michael sighed as he looks back at Lucas.

"Lucas..."

"You shouldn't have save me..." Lucas cuts in.

He glance at Michael. His eyes are devoid of any emotion or compassion.

Michael was stunned. The once bright and warm man he once knew had long gone. As if in front of him now, remains only his soulless shell.

Michael knew he can't talk to him with his current condition. He decided to tell that matter to Lucas another day.

Michael then stood up to leave.

"Take a rest, Lucas. I will see you after you feel better."

As he is about to leave, he heard another words from Lucas.

"Better yet, don't come at all."

With a hint of silent rage in his tone.

Hearing that, Michael left the chamber with a heavy heart.

The next morning, Irene wakes up in a dazed.

Her mind and heart still couldn't comprehend what had happened last night.

Recalled back to that moment, Irene smile bitterly.

Things get so ridiculous, that everything that she had planned for her future ahead has returned back to blank.

All she had been trying to do since arriving in this world, is too avoid dead and finding a way to return back home.

She never wanted to get involved in this plot novel.

Why would things gets so complicated?

What should she do? Should she resigned to her fate, and accepted being with the male lead? Or should she just follows through her plan like she's supposed to?

But how can she casually follows ahead her previous plan, when this world most important characters, which only revolved around them, harbor feelings towards the villainess of this world? And that person is none other than her.

Everything would be fine, if she hadn't involved with the main characters.

With that thoughts, Irene knew that ship has sailed.

For awhile, Irene just stay inside her room, absent minded.

Libby who only came in her room to bring her food, grew worried seeing her young lady in that kind of state.

It reminds her, the condition she had been when she had been brought back at the duke household.

Libby then approaches her.

"Your highness, won't you care to take some fresh air outside? Rather spend your time in this room?" Libby suggested.

"No, it fine, Libby." Irene declined. She rather spend her time inside this room than being outside.

"Then how about going to sanitarium?" Knowing full well how much her young lady wants to be around anything that involved medical knowledge, Libby suggested such as that.

Hearing that, Irene was surprised. She turned towards Libby.

"Can I go? Am I allowed to go?" Irene questions.

Libby smile in delight when she successfully draw her young lady interest.

"Of course you can, your highness. The crown prince even told us to tend to you whatever you need." She told Irene.

Irene had thought that she wasn't allowed to go there anymore. But after hearing that, Irene thought to herself how she had been thinking too much.

"Alright then, let's go." Irene decided to go there.

As they walk out from the courtyard, Irene saw that Sir Lawrence was guarding outside.

"Your highness..." He bow his head towards her.

"You..." Irene had seen him several times now. But she still didn't know who he was.

"Sir Lawrence, your highness. I have been assigned to you by His Royal Highness. Today, I will be your escort." Sir Lawrence introduced himself with a big smile.

Hearing his name, Irene recalled this character. He is the male lead most trusted knight and friend. His strength and fighting skill are a par with the male lead.

Seeing him in front of her, Irene didn't know how to react.

"Well...thank you, Sir Lawrence." Irene nodded her head awkwardly, as he lead her towards the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Irene remains silent.

"Your highness, Sir Lawrence is so charmingly handsome....I can't believe that I finally get to see him in person." Libby happily swoon over towards Sir Lawrence.

Irene only smiles looking at her.

Based on the novel, Sir Lawrence is indeed famous among women. After all, he had achieved a lot at a young age.

But what stirred her heart, is that the crown prince allowing his trusted knight to guard her and even being her escorts.

If it the original story, Sir Lawrence wouldn't be associated with the villainess character. Let alone greetings her so warmly.

The male lead is known for being cold hearted and merciless character.

Only the person he care about will he only shown his affection.

And that person supposedly....the holy priest, Lucas.

But now, her....the villainess in the story had the same privilege as the main protagonist.

Does this mean the male lead is being true to his feelings?

And what he had said to her last night, wasn't just out of a fleeting moment?

Just as she was thinking, suddenly their carriage stops.

"What wrong?" Libby look out from the window.

Sir Lawrence came in front the window with his horse.

"Apologies, your highness. There's another carriage in front blocking the way. I will make sure they clear the way." Sir Lawrence said.

Irene then took a peek outside from the window.

She was shocked to see prisoners in chain walking barefoot while the guards were on the carriage behind them.

A man riding a horse approaches Sir Lawrence.

"Sir Lawrence...what a surprise to see you here." That man bow his head slightly to greet him.

"Lard." Sir Lawrence only nodded his head, as he addressed that man name.

"I see...you escorting a royal. And not the crown prince."

That man then leering over the royal carriage. Seemingly wanting to catch a glimpse of who inside the carriage.

Seeing the way the man gaze towards them, Irene quickly withdrawn from the window. Feeling unsettled with his gaze.

Sir Lawrence look at the man, with a serious face.

"I suggest you clear the way now."

Noticing the tone of Sir Lawrence voice, that man hurriedly adjust his attitude and drew away his gaze.

"Yes, of course." He smiled.

He then whistle, signalling to other guards to move their carriage away.

Even the prisoners in chain had to walk aside.

Finally clearing the paths, Sir Lawrence ordered the coachman to resume the journey.

While that man eyes still glue to the carriage as it left.