Chapter 7: Hate

The man who once looked like a scrounger is now sitting in a poised manner in front of Diana. Even though he was wearing a neutral medieval shirt, he looked like a noble with his black cargo pants.

"Um... who are you?" Diana asked even though she knew.

"Jonathan Mills. The most charismatic man that makes women gaze at me, looking impressed, just like you." The man smirked.

Diana instinctively turned her expression to being composed and sweetly smiled, "Diana Lucia Lambert. The villainess who'll make changes in her life and tame guys like you."

Jonathan laughed with his deep and strong voice but then stopped as he suddenly realized something, "Wait! Diana... Lambert...? The hugely obese and infamous villain of the Lambert household?! No way....." Jonathan placed his hand on his mouth as he felt surprised and looked at Diana once again from head to toe.

Seriously... did he have to say that?

"Anyway, I've come to make a request for you-"

"Hold it." Jonathan interrupted, "First of all, I don't accept anything from anyone, especially from nobles like you. I've retired and I don't want any more troubles."

Diana stayed silent as she stared at him with a determined look, making him feel regret but Jonathan averted his eyes and said, "I can take any request but I can't with dresses."

"How do you even know that I'm requesting a dress?" Diana sarcastically said.

"Your face says it all... besides, I know that there's a gathering next week."

"Well, I don't know what kind of problems you had in the past with the nobles but couldn't you at least make the dress, for someone who offered their foot?"

"Look here missy, I feel sorry for your fragile and crushed foot but I've already listened to you and that's it. If that's all you're going to say, you can leave." Jonathan said with his arm crossed.

Afterward, Diana was silent and looked disappointed but in reality, she was determined that Jonathan would accept her request.

Jonathan is a passionate man who loves working his art that's why Diana thought it would be easy to persuade him as he just needs a little more push.

"I see, that's too bad. I suppose there's nothing I can do about this anymore."

Jonathan was quite confused with Diana's disappointed yet confident tone. He felt like she was saying it on purpose to make him accept her request but Jonathan was absolute with his decision and he won't go back on his word until Diana took a booklet from Eva and handed it over to Jonathan.

"I don't want this meeting to be meaningless so I should at least give you something as a gift for listening to my request."

Diana says her farewell but as she was about to step out of the room, Jonathan spoke in a serious and deep voice, "Wait. Who did this?"

Diana grins as she happily thought that Jonathan took the bait before facing him back, "I apologize but I can't tell you, even if you'll make the dress. I suppose I'll just find someone else to make the dress."

Jonathan realizes that he fell on a trap after Diana smiled proactively, leaving him speechless. He was impressed and stared hard at the detailed drawing of dresses as he felt his passion for clothes ignite once again after a long time.

He didn't know who designed the dress but either way, he wouldn't let anyone take this outstanding opportunity.

Seeing Jonathan's expression, Diana had no doubt that he changed his mind so she asked with excitement, "So? The materials are ready. I can bring it to you now."

Jonathan was a bit surprised by Diana's excited tone since he still hasn't accepted her request, so he asked with a grin, "What makes you think that I would make the dress?"

"Because you don't want to let the booklet go..." Diana said as she pointed out the booklet that was in Jonathan's hands.

Jonathan stared at the booklet and eventually agreed, "Fine... I'll do it. But I need the materials and your measurements by noon or tonight."

Diana smiled alluringly and gestured Eva to bring the materials inside that's been waiting at the carriage and this surprised Jonathan.

"By the way, here's the design for my dress," Diana said as she handed a rolled paper to Jonathan.

"What?" Jonathan asked as he was confused since the designs in the booklet are already eye-catching enough, "Isn't your design already in the booklet?"

"I wouldn't dare to wear those clothes for a party. I would only look like a clown but with design on my hand, everyone would go nuts!"

Jonathan didn't know what kind of expression he would make after hearing Diana's words but after looking at the design that Diana handed over, he was astounded.

"Hah! You really do have a plan, missy..."

"Of course. I've come prepared." Diana charmingly said.

Diana was indeed fully prepared. During her probation, she planned all of the things she wanted to do in her life and no one's going to stop her.

As the night gradually comes, Diana eventually left the shop and arrived safely at the mansion but felt exhausted, especially when her foot was injured. Eva supported Diana with her shoulders and hands until they entered the mansion.

She quickly wanted to take a bath and get some good sleep but Eric comes blocking her way which made her mood awful.

"It's already dark, where were you?" Eric asked roughly with barely suppressed fury.

Diana didn't have any energy left to respond as she eagerly wanted to sleep, so she simply ignored him but Eric abruptly grabbed her arm that made Diana forcefully face him.

"Tell me!"

Diana snickered before she answered, "Why would I? Why would you care? After mistreating me for the past few years?"

"That was your fault, you started it." Eric gradually tightens his grip on Diana's arm that made her react but she tried to endure it.

"Don't be too arrogant... you and father are the source of my pathetic existence! Both of you were the ones who made me do the things that I didn't like! You guys made me like this! Don't act as if you cared about me."

Seeing that Eric had no response as he was shocked in disbelief, Diana strongly breaks free from his grip and goes upstairs with the help of Eva, "If there's nothing else, I still have some matters to do."

As Diana passed him, Eric noticed her injured foot and suddenly asked about it that caused Diana to stop, "What happened with your foot?"

"Do I have to say it all the time for you to remember?"

Eric was silent as he lets Diana go to her room. Not so far away, Duke Erwin saw the scene right before his eyes and tightened his grip on the handrail as he felt mixed emotions.

Meanwhile, Diana who successfully got into her room and took a bath, finally slumped on her bed, feeling refreshed. Before she slept, she took the novel book to the table and read it again once more, even though she knew what was going to happen.

But as she read the context of the book, every word suddenly changed which made her taken aback.

"What? Did this book just decide my ending?"