The Villain Who Fell In Love

The day had finally arrived, and it was their time to step into the battlefield. Emelia stood in front of a long mirror, looking at herself as she fixes her dress. The color of her dress reminded her of the roses by the gardens. Rose-red her favorite color and her mother's. 

Tanya stood beside Emelia, then hands her a black mask, decorated with silver paint decorated with flora doodles and a white feather sticking on the right side.

The door opens while Elliot peaks his head, looking at Emelia to be stunned by her appearance. He walked towards Emelia and kissed her on the cheek. The servants who saw it all gasped in excitement and watches the two. 

"You look gorgeous," said Elliot while Emelia tip-toed, reaching his ears and whispers.

"You didn't have to do that."

"It's to put up a show. They might think we're not getting along," whispered back Elliot, giving Emelia a smile as she lowers her foot back.

"Are you ready to go?" Elliot offers his arm, and Emelia wraps her arms around his. 

When they walked out of the room, the maids in the room squealed while some felt uncomfortable. The rumors were going well, but then some don't support them. They think Emelia cheated on Henry when they were not even in a relationship. 

Building a fake relationship was just a way to protect Emelia. That's because Emelia is now known as Elliot's lover. If word of Emelia getting abused by Henry goes around, then that is where it starts. Henry wouldn't be able to touch a single strand of Emelia's hair. 

The tall silver gates opened upon their arrival by the duke's mansion. It was Emelia's first time coming to this mansion which amazed her by the tall structures that stood over their carriage. The duke's mansion looked as if it wasn't harmed during the war. 

"Have you been here?" asked Elliot, looking at the mansion. 

"I've been stuck in the palace for who knows how long. It's my first time coming to this place," answers Emelia. 

When Henry's parents died in the war, he inherited the title of Duke. But when he inherited the title of the Emperor, he entitled another noble as the duke. He doesn't have any siblings, which is why Henry is spoiled and wants everything as his. 

"Duke Zed, someone whose age is close to ours," said Emelia, closing the curtains back as they arrived by the stairs leading to the mansion. 

Elliot wore his mask on first and stepped out of the carriage, then followed Emelia, who had her mask on by then. Walking up the stairs caught the eyes of the nobles. One tall, handsome figure which any noblewoman knows that he looks handsome. While the other figure looked fragile and courteous. 

When they arrived in the mansion, just like what they expected, many nobles attended. They stood right beside each other and grabbed a drink as they waited for the ballroom dance to begin. 

"You still remember what we need to do?" asked Elliot while Emelia glared at him.

"You don't need to remind me," said Emelia, taking a sip from the champagne. 

Emelia heard a bunch of noblewomen laughing in a corner and looked at Elliot, who nodded his head, telling her to go. From her sight, there was a group of noblewomen gather, talking to each other. And who she needed to get close to was the noblewoman wearing a peach-colored dress with extravagant jewelers on her fingers and neck.

The only person crazy enough to do this was the chatterbox and lady who wanted to stand out the most. It's a good thing this lady is slow when it comes to recognizing people. 

"I'll be back," said Emelia, giving her champagne to Elliot, who watched her from afar. 

When Emelia's appearance and presence were visible in front of the noblewomen, she joined in, saying, "Good day ladies, I have some juicy news for you to hear. Do you want to hear it?" At first, the noblewomen looked hostile against her, but then they changed when she said.

"It's regarding the Princess, Princess Emelia."

Out of everyone, the one who was interested in her was the noble lady wearing the peach-colored dress who goes by the name of Silvana Eclair. The daughter of a former merchant who is now a viscount. She walked closer to Emelia and asked, "What is that information?"

Emelia smirked, "Rather an information, it's a rumor. Haven't you heard that Princess Emelia's lover is the Emperor of the Vivan Empire?" Silvana's brows raised as she knew about this. Who wouldn't?

"And so? We all knew about that. If you're not going to give more, then get lost," said Silvana, about to walk away, but Emelia stopped her.

"Are you sure you don't want to hear this?" asked Emelia, stopping Silvana from her tracks. She turned her back, waiting for Emelia to say it. "Did you know that Princess Emelia was being abused by His Imperial Majesty?" The noblewoman gather gasped out loud, muttering to one another as they didn't believe it. 

"How can we trust this information? It's fake. The handsome Emperor, loving his childhood friend?" Silvana asked Emelia, who flipped her fan open, covering her mouth. 

"I am Princess Emelia's, lady in waiting, and I see it every day. His Majesty storms into her room and abuses her like it's nothing," Emelia said in a high tone. Her character for tonight is the lady waiting of Emelia. 

Personality is cheeky, wild, and energetic, which is the opposite side of hers.  She wanted to slam her head on the wall, but she had to bear acting this way. 

The noblewoman looked at each other and the non-stop muttering continued. Emelia closes her fan and said, "I can show you a proof. His Majesty does abuse the Princess. Not only he abuses the Princess but also his servants. Look, this was given to me the other day."

Emelia sniffled, and the noblewoman started to comfort Emelia, seeing her about to cry. Silvana held her hand and said, "Don't worry, I'll help you."

One weakness Emelia knew about Silvana is how she pities others easily. Taking this to her advantage would be a great help to her. 

"Please don't say it's from me. I beg everyone of you who heard this. I didn't mean to say this. I just don't want the Princess to get hurt," Emelia's voice trembled, and the noblewoman nodded their heads, seeing the fragile-looking lady.

"Don't worry, all the ladies who hear it won't say a word about you. Helping our sisters is our job," Silvana looks to her side, who nodded their heads in agreement. 

Was it this easy to convince them?