The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband
Chapter 55: Too close for comfort

Chapter 55: Too close for comfort

The Danbury’s manor glowed with bright lights making the cold winter night lively, its frost-covered walls glinting in the moonlight. Soft classical music from the violins and piano could be heard from a distance. Abrielle was a bit nervous knowing this was the first time she was going to be attending a public event since her transmigration.

She knew she would be fine because the real Abrielle was a socialite, and she had most of Abrielle’s memories, so everything would be like.

"Don’t tell me you are nervous." Cedric sneered from her side, drawing her attention to Cedric, who was dressed in a matching outfit like her. "I am not nervous." Abrielle retorted then added. "It is the first public appearance I am having after the wedding."

"I know you will be great. Just put on your best fake smile," Cedric taunted; he understood her concerns were because of his reputation. Sigh, this was the first time he thought about the fame around his name which is thanks to the queen.

Cedric stepped out of the carriage first, adjusting the cuffs of his black coat lined with gold and red embroidery. His lips quivered into a faint smirk as he turned back, extending a gloved hand toward Abrielle. From an outsider’s view, they would look like a perfect couple. Abrielle scoffed at the thought.

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the edges of her fur-lined cloak. Hazel despised moments like this, it seemed like so many eyes were on them. One of the reasons she became an avid reader and later a writer was because of her social anxiety.

But the watchful eyes of the gathering crowd left her no choice. With a reluctant sigh, she placed her hand in his and stepped down from the carriage.

Her stunning gown shimmered in the torchlight, a perfect match to the glittering tiara pinned into her ginger hair. Despite her unease, she was stunning, and she knew it. She caught Cedric’s lingering gaze and immediately looked away, her cheeks flushing. There was something in his gold eyes that felt intense. What has been wrong with her lately? Get your thoughts together.

"You look stunning tonight, dear wife," Cedric said, teasingly with a weird warmth in his voice Abrielle could never get used to.

"Save your flattery for when the guests are around," Abrielle muttered, pulling her hand free as soon as they reached the steps.

"Ah, but it’s so much more fun to watch you blush," Cedric replied, falling into step beside her. His tone was light, but there was a glimmer of mischief in his gold eyes that set her nerves on edge. Sigh this was the other side of Cedric that rarely shows when the devil within is asleep.

"I am not blushing, you seem to be in an awfully good mood." she snapped, quickening her pace toward the grand entrance.

"yeah, believe what you want to, and of course, I am in a good mood. Why won’t I when you are accompanying me.," he drawled, a hint of laughter in his voice. "It must be the cold, then. Such a pity, your cheeks are prettiest of red."

She shot him a glare but said nothing, her hands clenching the folds of her cloak. How she had ended up married to this infuriating man was her cowardness she would never stop resenting herself for.

Inside, the manor was warm and the peak of luxury; Chandeliers dripped with crystal icicles, evergreen garlands intertwined with silver ribbons adorned the walls, and white roses overflowed from glittering vases. The air hummed with music, laughter, and the clink of wine glasses.

Abrielle barely had a moment to take it all in before the steward announced their arrival.

" First Prince Cedric and Princess Abrielle of our wonderful homeland Darconia."

All eyes turned toward them, and the hall went silent; the blood-lusted demon had arrived. Abrielle stiffened under the scrutiny, but Cedric, ever the picture of poise, extended his arm toward her.

"Shall we, darling?" he asked with a devilish grin, his voice just loud enough for those nearest to hear.

She hesitated for the briefest moment, then forced herself to take his arm. "You don’t have to act so happy," she muttered under her breath.

"Oh, but I am," he whispered back, his grin widening. "It’s not every day I have to piss some people off with the fact I am alive ." Cedric gave the weirdest reply ever but he was wrong. He pissed her off every day with that fact.

"That is an oddly weird thing to say, dear husband."

"I thought we already established the fact that I am weird," he replied smoothly as they descended the staircase.

Abrielle was a natural when it came to things like this something Hazel is grateful for. She loathed how easily Cedric manoeuvred through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and exuding effortless charm.

Duke Rudeus and his wife, Duchess Fiona, approached them with a wide smile. " My highnesses, Your presence brightens the entire hall. The princess is looking especially stunning today." He complimented.

Abrielle and Fiona chuckled lightly. "That’s sweet; we wouldn’t have missed the opening event for the world," Abrielle replied. She was naturally known as a proud lady because of her looks.

"You’re too kind," Rudeus said, turning to Abrielle. "My lady, your gown is exquisite. It’s was made from the best befitting of a princess, it reminds of red roses in the middle of spring." He complimented Abrielle, she smiled at him despite knowing the fact he was just buttering her up.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice very confident making it hard to believe she was nervous a few minutes ago.

Cedric leaned in, his voice low but unmistakably amused. "See? It’s not just me who notices."

She clenched her teeth, wishing she could vanish into the crowd.

"Duke Rudeus," Cedric continued, drawing attention away from her, " you did an excellent job organizing the hunt. It’s nothing short of magnificent."

"Fiona is to be thanked for all this." Rudeus praised his wife while beaming and launched into an explanation of the evening’s festivities, Abrielle took a steadying breath. She could endure this. She had to. But as Cedric’s arm brushed hers, a fresh wave of irritation and something she couldn’t quite name washed over her.

The night was just beginning, something was weird about her today. She kind of enjoyed his annoying tease.

The night drawled, Cedric engaged with other important figures while she stood by his side but she was starting to get suffocated. She lightly tugged his coat to call his attention. "I want to go to the powder room." She informed him. He nodded in affirmation.

"If you can excuse me, I have to leave for a bit." She announced to the others then made her way out of the hall. She had to take a break to sort herself out because of her strange thoughts.

From a distance from the powder room, she could hear other ladies chattering about something, but as soon as they sensed her presence, they went silent and left.

She was puzzled, "don’t mind them. They were just talking about how you tried to run from your wedding, dear sisters-in-law." She heard a baritone voice chiming from her side.

Abrielle’s attention was drawn to the speaker, and she immediately spotted Alfonso in a green coat that seemed to make him more charming.

In this world, the more good-looking a character is, the more dangerous they are. Abrielle had a wary smile remembering how she treated him earlier.

"Prince Alfonso I wasn’t expecting to see you close to the powder room. Do you have a lady you are waiting on?" Abrielle asked. Alfonso smiled at her, taking gentle steps.

There was something about him she just didn’t like despite his charming sunny personality. It wasn’t as dominating as Cedric but her senses told her he wasn’t any less dangerous.

Every member of the Von Drakkar family was dangerous. "The lady I was waiting for is already by my side, Abrielle or should I call you Aby." He said sweetly, with his eyes sparkling, which puzzled Abrielle.

"I rather you don’t call me that. I have no idea what you speak of but I will appreciate it if you make way for me." Abrielle retorted at him, taking a step back wary of his closeness.

Alfonso chuckled and reached out his hand for Abrielle causing her to back against the wall. He entangled his hands in her beautiful ginger hair that seemed golden under the soft candlelight.

"There is no need to be in a hurry, Aby, I came here for you. My eyes had been on you since you arrived but there was no way I could approach my brother’s wife when he was by your side." He sniffed her hair whispering those words akin to a threat to her.

"You are too close, your highness." Abrielle cautioned as she shoved him away. Alfonso stepped back and smiled sweetly at her. "But not close enough. I never imagined Cedric would get married to Lady Abrielle Nightshade, it kind of makes me jealous."

" I prefer if you are not too close, I am a married woman," Abrielle warned, ignoring his weird words to walk away. She froze when she felt Alfonso’s grip on his arm.

" Being married doesn’t change a thing we both know you won’t be married for long. Cedric literally has a sword at his neck." This stunned Abrielle, Alfonso was acting out of character.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.