A Guide to Raising a Villainess-Chapter 111: Departure

After that incident in the forest, the imperial hunt was officially canceled. The decision was made swiftly and without any attempt to maintain the appearance of the previous order, as if reality itself had left the court with no other choice. The news spread through the palace with astonishing speed, passing from mouth to mouth, and literally turned everyone’s ears.

The corridors were filled with hushed voices, anxious glances, and hurried footsteps. The courtiers, who just yesterday had been discussing the weather and upcoming entertainment, were now whispering about conspiracy, betrayal, and the safety of the imperial family. No one expected that such a thing could happen in the very heart of the empire, under the protection of the imperial guard, in a place that was considered almost the safest in the entire state.

When the news reached me, I must admit I was not particularly surprised. It was entirely to be expected. How could such an event continue after an attempt had been made on the life of the emperor’s own nephew in the middle of an imperial hunt?

The very thought of it seemed almost inconceivable.

Now, of course, all the attention of the palace was focused on this case. All conversations and gossip boiled down to one topic: who could have dared to attack Prince Richard de Stone?

There were many theories. Some claimed that it could have been saboteurs from neighboring kingdoms, others that it was the work of internal enemies seeking to destabilize the empire. But the truth remained unclear.

It was clear that the imperial guard had been given a direct order to find the culprits, whatever it took.

It was said that at dawn, soldiers had moved into the royal reserve, cordoning off the entire area and beginning a thorough search.

In the palace, on the other hand, things were in turmoil. Servants ran through the corridors, guards reinforced security, and court ladies exchanged anxious speculations about who could be behind the attack.

It seemed that the very atmosphere in the palace had changed — becoming wary and saturated with a vague expectation of something that no one could fully understand or predict.

I, for my part, felt nothing special about it. Rather, I was still experiencing the confusion that had settled in my heart after the recent events. The excitement also did not leave me.

I did not fully understand what exactly had happened and why it had happened to me. Was it just a coincidence, or was there something more behind it?

In any case, after the announcement of the cancellation of the hunt, the palace began to empty rapidly. One after another, the distinguished guests left their chambers, accompanied by servants and guards.

I also saw no point in staying there any longer.

The events of the last few days had exhausted me both mentally and physically. I just wanted to go home — where everything was familiar and peaceful, where I didn’t have to be constantly on guard.

"We should go home as soon as possible," I said when I finished packing the last of my things. "There’s nothing left for us to do here."

"Yes, Auntie," Ruby replied, also packing her things into her travel bag.

We exchanged brief glances, and I smiled weakly, trying to cheer her up.

The next day, when the sun was just beginning to rise above the palace walls, we were ready to leave. Our luggage was packed, and the carriage was waiting.

However...

"Auntie, is something wrong?" Ruby’s voice was soft, but I could hear the concern in it.

I blinked in slight surprise and looked up, as if emerging from my thoughts.

"No, nothing... Why do you ask?"

"You seemed a little distracted," she replied, frowning slightly.

Oh, really?

I was momentarily taken aback, feeling her words strike a chord inside me. Perhaps she was right. All morning, I caught myself mentally returning to recent events — to that night, and especially to the person to whom I now, in essence, owed my life.

No matter how hard I tried to push these thoughts away, they kept coming back, like a persistent echo.

"I’m probably just tired," I said, trying to hide my pensiveness and forcing a smile.

But inside, I still felt a subtle sense of unease.

Even though Ruby and I were about to leave, I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious. Thoughts of our impending departure filled me with conflicting emotions.

After all, was it right to leave without even seeing Richard? He had saved my life, and I hadn’t even thanked him properly. Was that how well-mannered people behaved?

Besides... he was injured. Not seriously, but still. Out of basic courtesy, I should have visited him to make sure he was all right. After everything that had happened, simply leaving without saying a word seemed... wrong.

I involuntarily ran my hand through my hair, smoothing it, and exhaled deeply, trying to calm my inner tension.

Yes, I should have done that. At least out of a sense of duty.

"Ruby," I said after a short pause, trying to keep my voice calm, "can you wait for me downstairs for a moment?"

"I’ll finish one thing and come down."

The girl blinked in surprise but quickly nodded.

"Of course, Auntie."

I smiled weakly at her, trying to hide my own agitation, though in reality my thoughts were still far away from here.

***

The palace corridors seemed unusually quiet that day.

When I approached the prince’s chambers, a servant was standing by the massive door. His posture was impeccable, but his face showed signs of fatigue — obviously, the last few days had been difficult for everyone who served at court.

"Lady Weinstein?" The man recognized me immediately and seemed a little surprised by my appearance.

"Yes," I nodded, trying to speak confidently, although for some reason my heart was beating a little faster. "I would like to see His Highness, if possible."

The servant bowed his head respectfully, pausing for a moment as if choosing how to respond.

"His Highness... has spoken of you, milady," he finally said, his voice soft and polite. "But I’m afraid he cannot receive you at this time."

"He can’t?" I frowned slightly. "Has something happened?"

"Nothing serious, milady," he hastened to assure me. "After his return, His Highness took the medicine prescribed by the doctor. He is now resting. Sleep will help him regain his strength."

I paused for a moment, shifting my gaze to the closed door.

It was quiet. Not a sound came from inside.

It seemed that Richard was indeed asleep.

Finally, I exhaled quietly.

"I understand," I said at last. "In that case, there is no need to disturb him. Please convey my wishes for his speedy recovery."

"Of course, milady," the servant replied with a slight bow."I will convey everything to His Highness as soon as he wakes up."

"Thank you," I said quietly, and after a moment’s hesitation, I took a step back.

The servant bowed respectfully again, and without another word, I turned and headed back down the long corridor.

My footsteps echoed softly in the empty space.

Although I sincerely wanted to say goodbye to Richard in person before leaving, it seemed that it was not meant to be. Perhaps it was for the best.

In his condition, he needed rest, not unnecessary conversation. Well... it was fine. I could visit him next time, when he was feeling better.

When I finally stepped out into the inner garden, the sun had already risen completely above the palace, bathing the stone arches and columns in a soft golden light. The morning breeze stirred the leaves gently, and for a moment everything around me seemed unrealistically peaceful.

Ruby was standing by the carriage, next to our packed luggage, talking animatedly with a footman.

When she noticed me, her face lit up, and she waved cheerfully.

"Auntie!" she called.

I smiled faintly and waved back, feeling a vague and lingering sensation deep inside.

Meanwhile, everything that had happened over the past days was still on my mind.

The sudden attack in the forest. The mercenaries. Their composure and coordination left no doubt that this had not been a random assault. Someone who knew exactly where we would be that day was behind it.

A strange feeling of unease had not left me since that moment. It all seemed too well thought out to be a mere coincidence. And yet I couldn’t understand who would want to carry out such an attack — and why. After all, if the prince had truly been the target... then why was I there?

Could it be that all of this was just part of something bigger, something still hidden from prying eyes?

I exhaled quietly, trying to dispel my growing anxiety, but my thoughts kept returning to the same conclusion.

In the end, it seemed that I had no other choice.

If the palace couldn’t figure this out, he was the only person I could turn to.

I looked up at the blue sky, where light clouds drifted slowly in the wind, and exhaled softly.

Yes. It seemed that I really would have to ask Serpens for help.