Villains also get Second chance

Rosella silently followed me as we walked back to my chamber. All the maids walked with us following at a distance.

That we failed to notice that one of them did not belong to the duchess chamber.

Walking back to the sitting room, I settled on the sofa, followed by Rosella.

"Lina, bring us a light dinner here."

"Yes, your highness."

As she nodded and walked out I looked at other maids, who were standing in every corner of the house.

"All of you, can go and take a rest. You would be tired of the journey." I offered them a kind smile.

They all were surprised at my kind gesture but at the same time hesitated. Right now except for being kind, I needed privacy. So I continued smiling as I spoke further, "it's alright, just help Lina in serving dinner, then we are free to have rest. I have my knight with me who would protect me better than you."

This time they finally nodded and scurried out.

I finally looked at Rosella who was looking at me amused.

"What is it?" I asked, raising a brow.

She shook her head, "you are getting better at it, sweet-talking. You used to run behind us to bite us at every matter."

I bit my lip to stifle a laugh and gave her a fake glare, but she was not at least a bit intimidated.

"You are also getting better at being comfortable here" I taunted but she just shrugged her shoulders.

"Didn't you say to be comfortable and talk normally when no one was around. As you are forgetting how to talk normally.'' Her reply left me tongue-tied.

Then maids entered serving the food and went out bowing.

"Did she also go?" I asked Rosella in a whisper and she nodded.

"Who was she?" she asked back in the same low voice.

"Cassius's maid. He is trying to be sneaky now." I chided and then bit my lip as I realised I told her the truth.

But then again, I am sure she had heard enough gossip today to already have a gist of the matter.

"Tell me, Marianne, were those rumours true?" her nonchalance was long gone as she was boring holes into me with all the seriousness.

I took the wine from the table which I rarely drink and took a sip as I nodded.

As if my reply hit her hard. She was still expecting me to deny so that we would laugh together. Her insides burned from anger at my calm reply as I could see her eyes getting red.

"Your highness. This is a serious problem. You know how minimal the position will be if you do not have his highness sexual favour."

"I know. But this is something I can not do within my power. No matter how much I try to gain his heart, he will not change. I would rather plan for the distant future."

"Ha, it's been only a year, how are you so sure, put some more effort into it. It's not that he is allowed to have a mistress," she spoke the harshest word could be used for the other women.

'I had tried my whole life and in the end, I died.' even if I would say that, would she understand.

"It's better that I gain power first," I spoke adamantly, cutting her point.

"Ha... I don't think things are going exactly as you want," she spoke, mocking me.

"What do you mean?"

"You did not hear the gossip, as you were happy in your bubble, people were talking. They were claiming you would soon be punished in an attempt to murder, even if not, your image would be tarnished."

Same as aunt told me, Rosella told me that Elena was telling everyone that I had tried to kill Isabella a few days ago. She told everyone that Cassius had an interest in Isabella, as she was more intelligent, brave and smart. I tried to hurt because I got blinded in jealousy.

I clenched my fists as I heard all the information.

"It's okay Rosella, I had all the proofs ready for the case. We just had to think of a way to prove the claims of Monique Elena was false," I replied starting eating the dinner as she followed.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked me with suspicious eyes.

I nodded, I have more than enough proof.

"Then we can use the tea party empress had asked you to invite."

That's when I realised the meaning of her gleaming eyes when she forced me to throw a party. So she was trying to help me.

"You have to show that there was everything fine between you and your husband. even if not, there was nothing going on between Isabella and his highness."

Like it was that easy! Cassius would never help me, I was sure about that.

"Or, we can show that she is trying to take my place and mentally pressuring me to leave my position to her. In that way, she would be announced as a homewrecker and no one will pity her in the future.`` I spoke as it was much easier to do.

She nodded her head, "well, that is also a good plan. But how will you do that?"

"Just by putting a bit more spices in the pie.'' I laughed as I spoke.

Her eyes widened, "so you had actually done that? Oh my."

We both continued laughing, finishing our dinner as I told her the details of that day.

As she finished and stood up ready to go back, she stopped, looking back she spoke gravely.

"His highness infidelity may just be as a deviant for now Mary, I wish you won't close your heart."

"Is that so"

I replaced my answer with vague words. No Rosella, this was not a deviation. If it had been about deviating, he would not have been so cold to me in the past. I would not have lost my life for that man.

My heart had already been closed for him a long time ago.