The Villainess Refuses to Follow the Script-Chapter 27

Lily was convinced her lady had a very active imagination.

Between the dramatic sighs, the cryptic mutterings about plot developments, and the way she occasionally stared at people like she was waiting for them to deliver a dramatic monologue... Beatrice Da Ville was, without a doubt, a little odd.

But Lily had long since accepted that her lady was just like that.

Which was why, when she walked into Beatrice’s room that morning and found her hunched over a notebook, scribbling furiously with an intense, almost deranged expression, she didn’t even blink.

Instead, she set down the breakfast tray and sighed. "My lady, you look possessed."

Beatrice, without looking up, muttered, "Not now, Lily. I’m documenting history."

Lily glanced at the notebook. "History?"

Beatrice nodded gravely. "Yes. The most important text of our time."

Lily stepped closer, peering at the page. From what she could see, it was a chaotic mess of scribbles, crossed-out words, and dramatic underlining.

"...That just looks like nonsense."

Beatrice finally looked up, scandalized. "Excuse me? This is a masterpiece in progress."

"My lady, I thought you were writing poetry the other day, and it turned out to be a list of people you find annoying."

"That was poetry," Beatrice huffed. "But this—" she tapped the notebook. "—is serious work."

Lily sighed, choosing not to question it. "Well, whatever serious work this is, it can wait. You have absolutely nothing scheduled today."

"Nothing?"

Lily shook her head. "Not a single obligation."

Beatrice gasped. "Then I’m bored."

Lily hummed, far too used to this reaction. "If you’re that restless, perhaps you could find something useful to do?"

Beatrice considered that.

Then, after two whole seconds of deep thought, she declared, "I’m crashing Francois’ lessons."

Lily sighed. "Of course you are."

The royal tutor barely acknowledged Beatrice’s presence when she strolled into the study hall and flopped into the seat across from Francois. It was clear that she was not supposed to be there, but also clear that no one had the energy to stop her.

Francois, who had been reviewing documents, barely spared her a glance. "What are you doing here?"

Beatrice rested her chin on her hands, grinning. "Moral support."

Francois raised an eyebrow. "Moral support."

"Yes." She gestured vaguely at his textbook. "I am here to encourage you in your never-ending pursuit of knowledge."

Francois gave her a blank look. "That sounds fake."

Beatrice placed a dramatic hand over her chest. "I am everything but a liar."

The tutor cleared his throat loudly, effectively ending their nonsense before it could escalate. "If you two are quite finished, we shall continue."

Francois immediately straightened, ever the perfect student. Beatrice, however, sighed deeply and propped her cheek against her palm.

She was already regretting this decision.

Half an hour into the lesson, she had resorted to doodling in the margins of her notes. A very unflattering sketch of Francois stared back at her, complete with an exaggerated scowl and tiny scribbled insults.

She was very proud of it. Unfortunately, Francois noticed.

His gaze flickered to her notebook, then back to her. "What are you doing?"

Beatrice smiled sweetly. "Taking notes."

Francois leaned slightly closer, catching sight of the doodle. He stared at it. Then at her.

"...That is not note-taking."

Beatrice grinned. "Depends on the subject."

Francois exhaled sharply, looking back at his work. "Unbelievable."

The lesson dragged on, and Beatrice was running out of ways to entertain herself. Even doodling Francois in progressively more ridiculous outfits wasn’t enough to hold her attention anymore.

She sighed wistfully, staring at the window. "Do you think the flowers ever look at us and think... ’Wow, their lives must be so boring’"

Francois didn’t even look up. "No."

Beatrice pouted. "You could at least pretend to have an imagination."

"I have better things to do."

She scoffed. "Like what? Memorizing more tax laws?"

Francois gave her a pointed look. "Understanding tax laws ensures a stable kingdom."

Beatrice gasped dramatically. "Oh no. You really are boring."

Before Francois could retort, the tutor slammed his book shut, glaring at them both. "Lady Beatrice." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Beatrice straightened immediately, pasting on her best innocent noblewoman expression. "Yes, Professor?"

The tutor did not look amused. "Perhaps you would like to explain the significance of the Montague trade reforms of the last decade?"

Beatrice blinked. Then blinked again.

Ah. Right. That was today’s lesson.

She cleared her throat, stalling. "Well, obviously, the trade reforms were... um... very reformative."

Francois sighed. The tutor pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lady Beatrice," the tutor said slowly, "would you please try to take this seriously?"

Beatrice put a hand over her chest, deeply offended. "I am always serious."

Francois let out a quiet snort. Beatrice gasped. "Was that a laugh?"

"It was not."

"It was!" She pointed at him. "I heard it. You laughed!"

"I did not."

Beatrice grinned triumphantly. "Denial is a river in Egypt, my prince."

"Enough," the tutor groaned, rubbing his temples. "Lady Beatrice, I highly suggest you leave the session."

Beatrice sighed. "Fine, fine. I’ll pay attention." She gave Francois a smug look. "But just so you know, I did hear you laugh."

Francois ignored her, flipping a page in his book. But the slight twitch at the corner of his lips did not go unnoticed.

Beatrice smirked to herself.

Maybe today wasn’t so boring after all.