Voyage Of The Villainess

"You may now open your eyes, Lady Malaya," Dorris exclaimed, her voice had a hint of excitement.

As Malaya gently opened her eyes, she was in complete awe at the girl that was reflected in the mirror.

"Wow, is this really me?'" Malaya couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. She stopped herself from touching her face to not ruin the makeup.

"Yes!" Dorris kept nodding her head. Seeing her lady's amazement, she became prouder of the work of art she created.

The makeup was light, yet it was enough to complement Malaya's already gorgeous face. 

Her beautiful ocean dark blue hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders with small waves at the end, and with her dazzling clear aquamarine eyes, it was like she fully transformed into a water fairy. 

She then stood up. Her long, off-shoulder light blue gown perfectly matches her features. She only dressed brilliantly like this once in this life. In her previous life, she was a bit more boyish, therefore she never wore such lovely feminine clothes on special occasions. Not that she ever went to such gatherings in the first place.

She turned around with grace befitting for any high noble lady. "Now, I really look like the exact villainess in the novel," Malaya muttered.

"Milady, did you say something?" Dorris exclaimed. 

"Nothing...I am just talking to myself."

"Then, Milady here are the earrings you requested from your Lady Cynthia," In Dorris 'hands, was a small jewel box containing two small dangling with a single light blue gemstone. Malaya with her hands covered with light blue gloves picked it and wore it right away to her ears.

"Perfect, now everything is ready now," a smile escape from her lips. "Let's go now," Malaya then turned towards the door of her room. Rather than teleporting this time, she felt like just walking from here to the academy grounds. Maybe it was for her, to savor her remaining time as being a student at this academy. After all, four years is not really a short time.

"What about your escort, Milady? Is his highness will not..." Dorris covered her mouth for realizing something. She almost forget the relationship between the two and looked at her lady with pity. 

"Let's go now, Lady Malaya!" Dorris said firmly. "With or without an escort, Milady is still far better than everyone. That good for nothing prince doesn't deserve you Milady!"

Malaya chuckled at Dorris' words as she patted her head. "Thank you, Dorris. But don't say that out loud or you will be convicted with lese majeste,"

"I'm sorry, Milady!" Dorris exclaimed with cheerfulness, not really sounding apologetic. Malaya started to walk out of her room.

The other girls who were now in the hallway of the room kept whispering to each other as they look at her with either contempt or disgust whenever she passed them. 'I felt like it's been so long since I experienced this again.' Malaya couldn't help but chuckle at this on her mind. 

She and Dorris would soon now reach the exit of the dorm when Malaya's sight was caught by some familiar green head back of the person. 'Hmm...is that?'

The said person turned around and his golden eyes met Malaya.

"Lady Malaya," Oliver called out. "I came here to escort you to the ball," he politely said as he lend out his hand that was wearing white gloves. He was also wearing a dark green suit that perfectly matched his physique.

Malaya was a bit perplexed. Though a bit suspicious as to why he would escort her, she still accepted his hands. "It would be my pleasure, Sir Oliver." 

It would be rude for her to decline his offer. And not that she had someone to escort her, to begin with, so this would be fine too.

Dorris bowed down at the entrance of the dorm and watched as her lady started to depart towards the buildings of the academy.

On their way, both of them were just quiet but when they reached the middle of the pathway, Oliver finally broke the silence.

"Lady Malaya, I have been meaning to ask a question?" He started speaking.

'Hmm...so he did have some purpose for escorting me.'

"Are you going to ask for forgiveness for almost hitting my neck?" Malaya said.

"No not that," Oliver said still maintaining his placid expression. "And besides I don't even do anything, you collapse on your own." 

"Hahaha, yes, yes. I'm just kidding, you're too serious," Malaya chuckled a bit awkward. "Go ahead and ask."

This was the first time that both he and Malaya could leisurely talk like this. And he was quite surprised at how it seems easy-going she was. But he also got the feeling that this will be his only chance to ask something that was bugging him all this time.

"Why are you doing this?" Oliver asked.

"I am doing a lot of things, Sir Oliver. What particular thing are you asking me that I'm doing?"

---⚓⚓⚓---

Oliver pursed his lips. Since he was young as the grandson of the headmaster of the academy he was trained to observe everything in his surroundings. To read people, from their expression, hidden motives, and such. Along with it, he met so many people with malicious intent to him due to his looks and status. And develop quite a trust issues to every people. But somehow it change when he started going to the academy and met two different women with contrasting personalities.

One was the Saintess, Cheong Hyun Jae, who completely stole his heart with her refreshing and kind nature. Hyun Jae was like an open book, her expression was honest as her heart. She was the kindest person Oliver met and the one that gave light to his dark world. 

But then rumors started to circulate around the academy that Hyun Jae was being harassed and bullied. And the one who did this was no other than this girl he was now escorting. And it added to the flare that they saw Hyun Jae's clothes sometimes with stains and mud. And her things were also always got destroyed or missing. Then oftentimes, she receive letters that was containing threats and means words.

He was greatly infuriated by this. And started his own investigations.

Malaya Venizever Marina, the youngest daughter of the Marina Duchy. Born without any magic in her. Since this was the case, then she might have used her own power and wealth to bully Hyun Jae.

After all, the Marina Duchy was the third wealthiest and powerful city in the empire. The first being the Hacien and the second was the Pacerana. So he has to be extremely careful with his investigations or it might cause some conflict between the Morayana and Marina.

However, no matter how many times he investigated, the shreds of evidence of those who harrassed Hyun only led to other minor nobles, whom he had already eliminated. Ruthless? No, this was his own method of protecting those he cares about and loves. Always certain that the root of the problem is entirely removed, or else it will simply produce more vexing weeds. That was his belief. But although he had done all of that, there was still no substantial proof to convince him that Malaya was tormenting Hyun Jae.

So, how did the rumors that it was her spread? There should be a source for every rumor. Or was it because Hyun Jae was always spotted with the crown prince? Or perhaps... he had a nagging sensation that someone was orchestrating these events from the shadows....