The Villainess Doesn't Care

I lay motionless, my mind overwhelmed by painful memories flooding in. As the chaos subsided, I attempted to open my eyes, but to no avail.

"Hey, is she okay?" I heard a voice, a little boy I guess, expressing concern.

"W-will we face consequences for this?" Came a tremulous voice from another. "Don't worry," chimed in a high pitched voice that made me cringe, "She's the black sheep of the Valentine family! An illegitimate child. Even if she were to die right here, right now, we'd probably get away with it." He continued, I barely opened my eyes to see him smirking.

"What the hell did you just say about me?" A scream pierced through the little boys in front of me, as I rubbed my head in annoyance. They all ran away, screaming in surprised and fear.

"Princess Anastasia.." I heard a voice call out to me. I turned to my side and saw a familiar face, a dark bluish hair and red eyes staring directly at me, this novel's cruel villain and the future head tower mage, Xaervin.

"Princess Anastasia," Xaervin called out to me once more, an unmistakable annoyance lingering in his voice.

"Why are you calling me?" I turned my back to him, still sprawled out on the grass. It wasn't so much a question as it was a statement.

"His Highness is calling for you," he replied.

"And?" I responded, sensing his pause without the need to turn around and see his expression.

"I'm sorry—" He began to apologize, but I interrupted him.

"Let him be. Stay here and lay down with me. If it's truly important, he'll send Calix," I said, my voice devoid of emotion.