Villains also get Second chance

Ian pov

I knew that I was being careless. I didn't even know what I was trying to do. I should not have asked for duchess duties. And what did I even mean by controlling the staff. I really wanted to beat myself for speaking foolishly.

I walked into the office with so many thoughts in my mind. I knew his highness was doubtful yet he did not ask a single question for which I was grateful. Or else I didn't even know how to answer it.

"Lord Ian."

"Yes, Sylvia"

"Olivia is here again." when she told me that Olivia wanted to meet me, unconsciously a smile bloomed on my lips. Though i know that she did not want to meet me but the person in charge of duchess duties, yet i wanted to see her face when she would see me sitting here. That day she had asked guards to throw me out, saying I was a fraud. 

Now I wanted to see her reaction.

"My lord, I know that you are busy but this is her fifth time requesting an audience. Shall I deny or let her in?" she asked and I nodded.

"Send her in"

"Yes, my lord"

Sylvia was my cousin's sister. I called her for help from my palace when I took charge of her.

The girl entered with furrowed brows. Her eyes were down casted yet I could see anger bubbling in them.

"Lady Isabella" she wished, bowing her head and I had to give it to her to wish people without even looking at who was there.

"I wanted to request my dismissal." she added once she was done greeting the non existent Wiltshire.

"Why, you can not demand dismissal anytime you want." I replied and finally she looked above bewildered.

Her eyes met mine and stilled. She did not look away and so did i. We continued to look at each other as if a spell was casted.

How much time had passed when she finally coughed to get rid of the embarrassment. I also composed myself and asked

"Why do you want to be dismissed?" 

"I was appointed under her highness as her personal dress designer. Since she had left the palace, I did not think I am further required here." she said in a further composed tone.

"Hmm, let me see," I replied as I took out her file. I have already read the file multiple times. "Your appointment is under the dukedom, not under the personal name of her highness. Even the gold coins spent on you are given from the treasure of the duke's palace. So, you are officially the staff of the palace.'' I lied. The money was the personal money given by her highness. There was nothing mentioned it was from her allowance or the money she brought from marquess palace. 

But I knew that her highness would be disappointed if the girl left, so I had to make sure that she continued to work here.

"Ha! I still want to be dismissed. It did not matter under whom I was appointed. The person I was working for has already left. For whom will I design dresses now? Or do you want me to just stay here and do nothing?" she asked in a sharp toone.

That day I had thought that she was talking so sharply because she did not know who I was. But even today when I was sitting in a higher post, her tone and behavior was the same.

"In that case, I will accept your dismissal letter." I replied with a nod, instantly bringing a smile to her face. You just have to return the 600 gold coins spent on you." I added making her smile fade and her face turned pale.

"Six .. six hundred gold coins" she asked as if I had said one million gold coins.

"Yes, 200 gold coins were given to master Edgar for your dismissal and 400 gold coins were taken by your parents in the meantime. In fact, they are about to come in two days to ask for money. A letter is attached to your file. If you do not believe me, you can see yourself '' I offered, though I know she could not. 

Commoners are not educated. They can not read or write anything. As cruel as it sounds, education is very expensive. So it is limited to nobles and higher society of commoners.

"Yes, thank you." she replied as she forwarded her hand, making me surprised. I was glad that I did not lie about the letter or the amount spent on her.

So I passed the parchment paper containing the record of the amount spent on her. Not only did she read it well. She was even able to calculate the amount and confirm that I was not lying to her.

"I.. i will arrange money soon" she replied, passing me the letter back.

"Then I will request you to go back and continue making dresses. Even if her highness he's not here I will make sure to pass your designed dresses to her.`` I replied  and she nodded, though she was looking lost.

"I have another request, sir.."

"Ian, lord Ian" 

She nodded her head and continued, "I have another request lord Ian, I want to meet my family when they will come to ask for more money" she said in a tone that was hardly hiding her bloodlust. 

"Alright, I will call you when they come." she nodded and bowed her back as she left. But this meeting was not at all like I had expected.

In fact, it had left so many questions in my mind. She would not be just any commoner, as the file had written. No commoner could handle herself like that or read and calculate that proficiently even if they have been taught by their masters. 

"Sylvia."

"Yes, lord Ian" 

"I want you to check the background of this girl again. I want every detail about her no matter how small it is" i ordered and though she was looking confused she nodded her head and left.