Who Made Me A Villainess

Who's Family?

As she watched her younger half sister disappear behind the rose bushes Jeanette realized this was her golden opportunity. As she was unfamiliar with the Palace it could take days for her to run into her father but if Athanasia was going to see him now.

Gathering her skirts the brown haired girl raced after her half sister. In her heart Jeanette couldn't help but think her sister was rude for not inviting her to join them. Even if Princess Athanasia had lived in the Emerald Palace since she was young it wasn't polite to flaunt her closeness to the emperor.

Following far enough behind that she wouldn't be noticed by her sister or her attendants they left the maze of roses. Finally arriving at a rather plain looking palace Jeanette watched Athanasia enter before leaving her hiding spot. Looking around she expressed her confusion, there was no way such a plain palace without maids or guards could be the palace of the emperor.

'Could this be the Emerald Palace? Does my sister not have any maids at all? No wonder she was so quick to flaunt her relationship with the emperor when she lives like this!'

Feeling pity for her half sister Jeanette quickly followed her inside wanting to console her.

'She must have lied about having breakfast with the emperor trying to hide her embarrassment from me.'

Bursting into the room Jeanette walked in confidently freezing in shock when she was met with a face she hadn't seen since the debutante.

"Fa-Father! Ble-blessings and gl-glory to the sun of Obelia."

Floundering in shock she barely remembered how to greet the emperor. With her head bowed in a reverent curtsy she wasn't able to see when Princess Athanaisa covered her mouth in shock or the strange gleam in her eyes. Raising her head to look at the emperor Jeanette became even more nervous at his unchanging expression.

"You, ... what are you doing here?"

Despite his uncaring facade the emperor's voice was sharp, catching the young girl off guard.

"I thought you were taken to the Ruby Palace. Are you truly so arrogant to think the Emperor's palace is yours to explore as you wish?"

Annoyed by Jeanette's inability to answer, Claude became more irritated. Even though it was quite common for Princess Athanasis to visit the Garnet Palace, for princess Jeanette who had only just entered the palace it was disrespectful to come without being called. Surprised by the interruption the servants also glared at the brown haired girl.

" ... your just like your mother."

At the mention of her mother Jeanette froze unsure of how to respond. Her Aunt Rosalia had always told her stories of how her Father had showered her mother with love. But in the Palace the maids laughed at the hated Penelope who had been chased out.

Seeing the brunette's conflicted expression the first princess broke the tense silence.

"Daddy, I don't think that's it at all. Before coming to meet you I ran into Jeanette in my rose garden."

Even though the golden haired girl was defending her Jeanette couldn't help but feel something was off in the younger girl's voice. It was as if there was a barrier between her and them that she couldn't cross.

"She must have just been curious when I told her I was coming to see you."

Smiling lightly Athanasia tried her best to suppress her dark feelings. Not only had Jeanette tainted her roses with her presence, but now she was trying to use her once again. Sneaking a look at the Emperor the younger girl was disappointed to see he looked more annoyed than angry.