Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: She’s Reborn

Word of the confrontation between Ahcehera and Khaterine spread like wildfire through the academy.

It didn’t take long for the news to reach Richard, who was training with a group of students in the combat arena.

One of his squad members, clearly excited by the gossip, approached him with the details.

“Did you hear the news, Captain?” the student asked, barely able to contain their curiosity.

“The Princess just put Khaterine Imee in her place. Filed a report and everything! It’s all anyone can talk about.”

Richard froze mid-motion, his grip tightening on the practice sword he held. “What happened exactly?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of tension.

The student eagerly recounted the tale, embellishing a bit for dramatic effect, but the core details were enough to set Richard’s mind whirring.

Khaterine, disrespected the Princess? Screaming by the lake? And the Princess officially filed a report?

He knew Ahcehera wasn’t one to act rashly, but the situation sounded far more personal than just enforcing rules.

“That’s enough,” Richard said, cutting the student off. He set down the practice weapon and strode out of the arena, his mind racing.

Richard moved quickly and intentionally toward Ahcehera’s office. The nagging sensation in his chest, filled with feelings of worry and rage, would not go away.

He was concerned about how the incident might have affected Ahcehera, but the anger? That was harder to pinpoint.

Was it because Khaterine had dared to disrespect her? Or because it was yet another complication in their already entangled lives?

Why would Khaterine make trouble? Did she know the Princess? When he reached her office, the door was slightly ajar.

He saw Ahcehera seated at her desk, reviewing documents with her usual composed expression, but there was a subtle tension in the way her fingers tapped against the surface.

He knocked lightly, and she looked up. Her eyes softened when she saw him. “Richard. What brings you here?”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I heard what happened with Khaterine.”

Ahcehera leaned back in her chair, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “News travels fast, doesn’t it?”

Richard didn’t return her smile. Instead, he pulled a chair close and sat down, his gaze steady on hers. “Are you okay?”

The question caught her off guard. She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before answering. “I’m fine. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.”

Richard leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

“Your Highness, you’ve always been good at handling things on your own, but you don’t have to. You can lean on me.”

Ahcehera’s expression faltered, just for a moment, before she composed herself again.

“Richard, I appreciate your concern, but this isn’t the first time someone’s challenged my authority. It won’t be the last.”

“But it’s not just about authority, is it?” he pressed. “Khaterine’s actions… this wasn’t random. She’s clearly targeting you. Did you have an unpleasant encounter with her before?”

“We didn’t.” Ahcehera sighed, her fingers brushing against her temple. “And I’ll deal with it. If she thinks she can undermine me, she’ll find out just how wrong she is.”

Richard’s jaw tightened. “If she tries anything else, she won’t just have to deal with you. She’ll have to deal with me.”

Ahcehera blinked, surprised by the fierceness in his tone. “Richard…”

“I mean it,” he interrupted. “I won’t stand by while someone disrespects you or tries to hurt you. You’re… you’re too important to me.”

For a moment, the air between them felt charged. Ahcehera’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a small smile. “Thank you, Richard. Really. But I’ve got this under control.”

Richard nodded, though his expression remained serious. He didn’t fully believe her, but he knew better than to push.

For now, he’d keep an even closer eye on Khaterine, and on Ahcehera, too.

–

Bitch!

Khaterine paced her dorm room, her hands clenched into fists. Her usually composed demeanor was shattered, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and disbelief.

She flung a pillow across the room, watching it hit the wall with a dull thud.

“Why isn’t it working?” she hissed under her breath, her voice trembling with barely contained fury.

“I’ve done everything right this time. I was supposed to fix everything. I have a rebirth, for heaven’s sake! So why isn’t Richmond falling for me? Why?”

Her mind replayed the events of the past few weeks. She’d orchestrated encounters with Richmond, carefully planned situations where she could shine.

She’d tried to remind him of moments from her past life when they’d been closer, or so she thought.

But none of it had worked. Richmond had barely spared her a glance, and when he did, his eyes held nothing but cold indifference.

The memory of his harsh words at the lake resurfaced, and she winced. “Can you respect yourself? Stay away from me.”

Those words cut deeper than any blade. He hadn’t just rejected her, he’d humiliated her in front of everyone.

“Why is this happening?” Khaterine muttered, her voice cracking. She looked at herself in the mirror, her reflection glaring back at her with teary, bloodshot eyes.

“I’m supposed to have a second chance. A chance to make things right. Richmond was mine in the last timeline, why is he slipping away now?”

Her thoughts turned bitter as her mind landed on Ahcehera. The perfect princess. The academy’s golden star. And now, engaged to Richard, Richmond’s younger brother.

“Ahcehera,” she whispered, her voice venomous. “She’s the problem. Everything was fine until she came into the picture. She’s ruining everything.”

Khaterine’s nails dug into her palms as a new wave of rage washed over her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Ahcehera was somehow responsible for her failures.

Her every plan to undermine the princess had backfired spectacularly, leaving her humiliated and powerless.

“This isn’t over,” she muttered darkly, her expression hardening. “If that bitch thinks she can stand in my way, I will find a way to kill her. I’ll make her regret ever crossing me.”

Her reflection in the mirror seemed to mock her, but Khaterine ignored it. She sat down at her desk, pulling out a notebook filled with scribbles and plans.

If Richmond wasn’t falling for her now, then she’d just have to try harder.

“Second chances don’t come often,” she whispered, her voice steadying. “I’ll make Richmond mine again. No matter what it takes.”