I Got Reincarnated as the Villainess
Venom with a Smile
The toasts had begun. Glasses lifted. Smiles stretched tight like corsets.
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
(tilting her head, smiling sweetly) You know, Elara, I used to envy you
Used to. Sharp choice of words.
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(returning the smile, sharper) Really? That’s so touching. Why ever would you envy me?
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
(carefully) You always seemed so… powerful
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
Untouchable
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
Everyone talking about you
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(laughs softly) Talking about me and talking to me are very different things, darling
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
I don’t confuse pity with admiration
A few of the noble ladies nearby chuckled under their breath. Pretending not to listen while absolutely listening.
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
(flicker of tension) Oh, I didn’t mean pity. Of course not
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
You’ve… always been so strong
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
Especially after what happened with Lady Evelyne…
The scandal. The whispered rumor.
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(soft, deadly calm) You mean your cousin, don’t you?
Selene blinked. Not expecting that.
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(voice like silk hiding a blade) How is Evelyne these days?
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
Last I heard, she was... what was it... Recovering nicely at your father's summer estate?
A murmur rippled through the gathered nobles.
Selene Mercer (Fl Bff/Nl Fl)
(gritted teeth, perfect smile) Of course. Lovely, as ever
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(leaning closer) Good
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
Because if something had happened to her, I’m sure you’d want justice served, wouldn’t you?
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(smiling wider) We wouldn’t want anyone spreading false stories, now would we?
One of the ladies nearby let out a snort she tried to cover with her handkerchief.
Lady Lorn
(nervous, eager to please) Oh! But I did see Lady Evelyne at that garden party last week! Quite healthy
Lady Lorn
Such a pretty girl...
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(lower, sweet as sugar rot) See?
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
No need for pity after all
Across the room, Kieran Vale watched her with quiet, growing interest.
And Adrian—Adrian was too busy smiling at his reflection in the nearest polished glass to notice the blood already pooling at his future wife’s feet.
Elara Quinn (Fl/Nl Villainess)
(softly, only for herself) One down
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