Title: Villainous Villainess
Summary: A true Redgrave indeed. In which Angelica is every bit villainous as the role entailed.
Character: Angelica
Rating: Probably M
Foreward:
1) OOC Angelica, if it wasn't obvious.
2) No Luxion. Otherwise, none of this shit would work.
I sat in the room with two of my vassals. In front of us was a small individual with a bag over her head. She had long since stopped struggling as the reality of the situation dawned on her. Nothing on her part could save her. Only divine intervention could save her.
I snapped my finger, and the male vassal went to remove the bag.
As soon as the bag came off, the girl took a large gulp of air and frantically tried to take in her surroundings. Her eyes eventually trained on me.
"Angelica?! What's the meaning of this?!"
"My. How informal of you to refer me by name, Ms. Lafan. It's rather rude to address your betters by name."
"My apologies," she hastily said.
It wasn't good enough. I nodded, and my vassal struck the girl.
"I believe you are missing the point. It's Lady..." I trailed off.
"Redgrave," she said through grit teeth.
She was struck again.
"Say it properly, Ms. Lafan."
"I apologize, Lady Redgrave," she gasped.
"That is much better. Now was that so difficult?"
"No, Lady Redgrave."
So she could learn. It was disappointing how fast she did. The struggling and defiance were what broke the tedium after all.
"Do you know why you are here, Ms. Lafan?"
"For overstepping my reach and approaching His Highness, Lady Redgrave."
"A good guess, but not quite. You see, I do not care that you approached His Highness. I wouldn't have minded even if you had slept with him. He is his father's son. But I have heard how you have been describing me to him. You have such an unflattering opinion of me even though we have never met."
Of course, I would have removed her regardless of her words against me. But it was for an entirely different reason.
"I apologize, Lady Redgrave."
"Of course you do, Ms. Lafan. You're not quite as dumb as you present yourself to His Highness and friends. But alas, you did what you did, and an appropriate punishment must be meted out."
"Please forgive me, Lady Redgrave," the girl sobbed.
"Oh, but I do forgive you, Ms. Lafan."
She looked at me hopefully. Her despair would be delicious.
"After all, you did flaunt your relationship with heir Fields. You'll be the lead role in offing the Offreys for me."
"Anything, Lady Redgrave," she begged.
"It'll be the role of a lifetime," I said with a toothy smile.
The meaning did not escape her. Such a smart girl. She would have made a fine vassal.
Pity.
She began screaming and begging for her life before her head was bagged again. She was removed from the room to her final resting place.
Alas, my fun for the evening was over.
"Katherine, is there anyone of note amongst the first-year students I should know of?"
"It's too early in the year, Lady Redgrave. The students have yet to distinguish themselves."
How disappointing. I suppose it was to be expected when nobles prioritize lineage over accolades. That being said, I knew of two students I wanted to hear more about. Had Katherine overlooked them due to their statuses?
"What of the scholarship student?" I asked more directly.
"We have potential recruits punishing her accordingly for not introducing herself to you," Katherine said dutifully.
How droll. My vassals and potential recruits contented themselves with schoolyard bullying. I needed to find better help. As it stood, my current vassals could hardly think for themselves, and what thinking they did was far too shallow for any use aside from hired muscle. If I only had thugs under my command, I would be no better than Stephanie.
"Kindly stop punishing the girl. It's rather unbecoming."
"My Lady?"
"Punishment is meant to remind people of the law. Punishing the girl's ignorance is simple brutality, especially when no one would help a commoner. The Redgraves are not brutes."
"My apologies, My Lady. Forgive us for this misstep," Katherine said hurriedly.
"Next time, be more thoughtful."
"Of course, My Lady. I'll do better next time."
"Considering you harmed the girl under my name, we will look after her. It would not do to leave her a negative impression of the Redgraves. After all, the crown enrolled her into the school for a reason, even if the reason was not revealed to us."
"Yes, My Lady. We'll arrange a meeting with the scholarship student."
"See that you do. Moving on, what of Sir Bartfort?"
"He is... dull, My Lady."
"How so?"
"He's the typical frontier Baron, My Lady. Spineless and groveling."
How odd. The Queen had shown me the details of his expedition. It painted a much more flattering picture. I would not have expected an adventurer of his caliber to be ordinary. Something was missing from the equation.
"I think I would like to meet him," I hummed.
"I heard the news, Your Highness," I said gently to my fiance.
"Angelica, why are you here?" he said while trembling.
"Your friend just passed away. Why would I not be here to console you? I am your fiancee, after all."
"Even if I had overstepped my boundary with Marie," he bitterly said.
"Your Highness?"
"I'm sorry. I'm just distraught. I knew Stephanie could be cruel, but what she did..."
"What did she do?" I said with feigned concern.
"It was awful. Marie... Her body was so broken. She succumbed to internal bleeding. The investigator suspects she was left to bleed to death. It was done to prolong the suffering as much as possible."
"That's horrible," I said while covering my mouth to hide my smile.
My body shuddered in delight. Taking my delight as horror, he held onto me. What a gentleman, I thought sarcastically.
"It was. This travesty cannot go unanswered. We've opened an investigation into Stephanie. She will answer for her crimes," His Highness said resolutely.
"Of course, Your Highness. But might I ask? Why do you believe Stephanie to be the culprit?"
"Marie was brilliant. She left us a hidden message underneath her body. She only gave us a partial, but she gave us enough. In blood, she wrote Ofr."
"I see. She must have been someone destined for greatness for being able to act under such duress. It's a shame her life was cut short due to Stephanie's cruelty."
"Yes, she was great," His Highness said as he wet my shoulder.
"Just know, Redgrave will stand by you every step of the way. I will stand by you."
"Thank you, Angelica."
How dull. How boringly simple.
I was sitting in a simple room with only two chairs and a couch. The boy I wanted to meet was standing by the doorway.
"Do come in, Sir Bartfort," I said genially to the boy.
He was tense. It was obvious that he was reluctant to be here. But he did as his superior indicated.
"To what do I owe the pleasure..."
"You are unfamiliar with etiquette?"
"I apologize for any rudeness I might display. I'm the second son of an illegitimate line. I wasn't expecting to be a noble. I still don't think I should have become one since the loot I acquired was well below the minimum for becoming a Baron," the boy babbled.
Despite his panic, he still spoke clearly and concisely. I could even tell he was aiming for a demotion. No one sane would lay out why they are unqualified unless it was intentional. Katherine missed the words behind the simpering tones.
"You are not the only student to find themselves lost. Considering your circumstances, it is understandable. Just the other day, the scholarship student called me by name. It was a novel experience, and her flustered expression was amusing. I have an idea. Why don't you call me by name for today? It was such an interesting experience that I wish to experience it again."
"Of course, Angelica," he said hesitantly.
"Why don't you take a seat," I said as I gestured to the chair across from me.
He dutifully did as I asked.
"Now then, Sir Bartfort. Do you know why you were called in today?"
"No. Your vassals did not inform me of the details."
"It's regarding the murder of Ms. Lafan," I said while paying close attention to his body language.
"Horrible thing."
It was slight, but I noticed he stiffened. It was a controlled reaction. It was something someone did when they had something to hide. Considering what I knew, this was interesting.
"Yes. We have been interviewing students to gather information related to the event or events believed to be perpetrated by the suspect."
"Offrey," he said uncomfortably but with a more relaxed body after he heard the 'reason' I provided.
I could tell he didn't believe the evidence. Not wanting to give up the chase, I played along as the investigator.
"So you've heard the rumors."
"Yes, Angelica."
"You seem uncomfortable, Sir Bartfort. Is there something you are not telling me?"
"More concerned as to why I am here. I don't recall any interaction with the Offrey heiress," he deflected naturally.
"Something you may not have known about Stephanie is that she had a nasty habit of tormenting those she believes to be reaching beyond their station. Ms. Lafan was seen to be too friendly with her fiance, and the scholarship student is the first commoner to study here. It is only natural we would check on you to see if you underwent anything similar."
My prey's body didn't relax. It all but confirmed to me he knew.
"As I said, I've had no interaction with the suspect."
"Then I suppose that closes the book on the investigation."
"I'm sorry I could not help more, Angelica," he said with a minuscule foot movement.
"There is one more thing," I said as I got up.
"Yes?"
I leaned over the boy and placed my arms on the armrests to trap him in the chair.
"What gave me away?"
"I don't know what you mean," the boy stammered.
"Don't be like that, Sir Bartfort. After confessing, it's obvious I know that you know. It's only sporting to answer when you've been caught," I said with a smile.
After a sigh, he stopped quaking. He looked into my eyes defiantly. It was such a stark change that it gave me pause. Was this the adventurer hidden underneath the sheep's clothing?
"Torture to such a degree implies professionalism. Letting your victim write your name is an amateur mistake. It was a setup," he said unemotionally as though he were reading a textbook.
"You have a keen eye Sir Bartfort, but you have yet to indicate why you think I was responsible."
"The torture was personal."
"That still only narrows it down to the remaining fiancees."
"Except only one person benefits from the downfall of the Offreys. They do oppose the Redgraves last I checked."
"You've done your homework, but then answer me this, if you thought this was a setup, could it not be that I was set up? Many would love nothing more to see my family fall from prominence."
"With how actively you have been helping your fiance avenge his lover," he scoffed.
"Impressive, Leon. I must say, I can see how you have made a name for yourself already. Now the question is, what to do with you? I can't just let you go knowing what you do."
He watched me with intelligent eyes. He didn't rise to my bait. Neither did he succumb to despair. He especially didn't do the stupid thing and attack me. He knew he had to play my game and waited for an opportune moment. What fun this will be.
I rose and paced around the room.
"I could just silence you now. It would be easy to frame you as the murderer. Stephanie always did have her lackeys do it."
He still didn't rise to the bait.
"Then again, it would be troublesome without Stephanie spilling the beans. We would need to frame her suicide first. With an open investigation, you can see how troublesome that would be. Perhaps I could just let you go. After all, who would believe a frontier Baron over the future Queen?"
Leon still didn't rise to the bait. His value went up.
"But I rather like you, Leon. It would be a shame to lose a gem such as you. What say you to work for me?"
"And what's stopping you from changing your mind later on?" he finally said.
"True. The words of a criminal don't hold much weight, do they? Perhaps a gift of your choosing would prove to you my sincerity. So what will it be? Money? Status? Glory? Policies? Assassination? Women?" I said as I with one hand twirling my bangs.
Looking at him, I saw his eyes drift lower than my face. Looking down, I noticed I had used my remaining arm to hold myself, accentuating my chest. I could work with this. It might even be enjoyable.
I edged closer to him.
"See something you like?"
His eyes quirked in disbelief.
I drew closer until I stood in front of him.
"I'm not opposed to such an arrangement, Leon. If anything, I'm rather interested."
"You can't be serious."
I leaned over him and placed my hands on the armrest again. Unlike last time, I let my body draw near rather than cage him.
"Oh, but I am. Out of everyone I met, you are perhaps the first I would willingly sully this body with."
"But what about the prince?"
"What about him? Such a dull puppet. The thought of tainting my line with his is positively dreadful. If not for status, I would have cast him aside long ago. Oh, I just thought of something. How does cucking your prince sound? Having your child take the throne? I need not ruin my family bloodline with inferior stock, and our lineage will live on as the rulers of this land."
The boy gaped but didn't respond. Did not the idea of ascension tempt him? Different values of a former Baronet, I suppose.
He was still interested in the proposition. At least his body was if what I could feel below was of any indication. However, I could see the skepticism in his eyes.
I pressed my face to be right before his face and looked deeply into his eyes. I pressed one hand onto his chest to keep me steady. I could feel how strong his heartbeat was in my palm.
"Perhaps you would like to partake in a sample," I said before crashing my lips into his.
His tongue told me I had him.
I had not expected my first experience to be as pleasurable as it was. I had to, regretfully, stop the fun early to apply the contraceptive charm. It was a rather esoteric and forgotten spell that fell out of fashion due to having a short timeframe of effectiveness. It would not do to bear a child so early and before laying with the prince.
With the mood ruined out of necessity, we were both getting dressed.
"Seeing how you've taken your payment, I have your first job."
"Yes, My Lady," he said while tasting the formality on his lips.
"Please. Call me Angelica. We are sleeping together, or as long as you tickle my fancy."
What was not said was that my interest was dependent on his performance. We both knew.
"Of course, Angelica."
"Now then, back to what I need. Recently, I have taken the scholarship student under my wing."
"Olivia?" Leon interrupted.
Feeling gracious, I did not reprimand him.
"Yes. The poor dear was on the verge of quitting school when I found her. Rather silly of the nobles considering the royal court publicly announced their sponsorship of her."
He gave me a thoughtful look.
"I'm curious. What exactly do you think I will be asking of you?"
"Be her friend and bodyguard," he said.
"Do explain. I would love to know what's going through your mind."
"She's a valuable asset by mere association with the royal court. Her isolation imposed due to classism threatens to cause her to leave, thus losing a potential piece. A bodyguard would stop any harassment. A friend of similar background goes a long way to help her emotionally."
For some reason, I felt he was not completely honest with me. Perhaps he knew more about her than he let on. Not that it mattered if he would do as I wanted anyways. It was good to have someone of worth under my employ.
"Bravo, you nearly hit the mark."
"Nearly?"
"I need you to be anything she needs. Friend, bodyguard, brother, father, lover. Whatever she needs."
"Lover?!" he said with a shocked expression. How cute.
"What? Did you think I would mind you claiming another woman? It's not as if we are getting married. So long as you are 'respectable' and she clean, you can lay with any woman not opposed to me."
"It's just that I did not expect you to tolerate anyone poaching what you may consider yours."
"And I don't, but this and that is different. Because you will know that you belong to me, even if you were to marry the girl, you will always know that you belong to me. Nothing Olivia could do can change that."
I saw his face reddened as the implication of being mine settled. I need not worry about disloyalty from him.
Continuing, "Besides, we must consider your situation as well. It would not do for a vassal of Redgrave to be unattached, Leon."
"But our status?"
"A mere trifling issue. Adoptions can be arranged easily enough. That is, of course, if dear Olivia desires you in such a manner."
"... Will she be involved?" he asked hesitantly.
"Concerned for your future wife?" I asked with a feeling of amusement.
"Angelica," he grumbled.
"Careful now, Leon. I may be a tolerant woman, but you need to mind your manners," I said testily to his attitude.
"Of course, Angelica," he said while swallowing his pride.
"If it eases your conscience, I do not have plans to have her enter the fold. From what I can tell, she is much too pure a soul. Having her under my employ would only alienate her. She will remain on the sideline for her potential value alone."
"I see. Thank you, Angelica."
Good boy.
"If that is all, you can head back to your room," I said dismissively.
As he got up to leave, I frowned at what I saw. He was hunching and adopting his weak persona again. It disgusted me.
"Before you go, Leon," I said to gain his attention.
He turned to look at me.
"Do sharpen yourself up. Stop hiding the lion that you are. A vassal of Redgrave should only bow to one."
My words had an effect as he stood up a bit straighter. It seems it would take time to coax his interesting side to become his day-to-day demeanor.
Deciding to motivate him more, I said, "There's the man I wish to lay with."
AN
1) I don't write sex scenes, so don't bother asking/demanding. The most you will get is the before and after.
2) This chapter came to be when I found how easily the title words rolled off the tongue. To think wordplay generated something psychopathic is somewhat amusing.
3) I asked myself how villainous I should make Angelica. The answer was yes. Monologues, bragging, sadism, minions, dishonesty, superiority complex, dominance, unfaithfulness. She has it all. But in all seriousness, it's weird to call Angelica a villainess when she doesn't show any negative behaviors. Having a temper and fighting for your fiance aren't villainous traits.
4) Many acts seem to be within the realm of believability with what we know of the game's setting. Several do occur within the canon. Forcing it all together made this Angelica.
5) Writing this story would be difficult since killing Marie shot the canon out of a cannon. Additionally, school events don't seem fitting for this story.
