The Lazy Villainess

I run around frantically and then found two maids chatting while walking. I follow closely behind them, trying to act as natural as I could, hoping they don't notice.

Eventually, by following them, I found myself back on the main street. I feel relieved, if I got lost, then that would have been disastrous.

As I casually walk along the road, it occurs to me that my family might be looking for me.

'Oh no!' I exclaimed 'Won't my mother be looking for me now?'

I am in so much trouble…

I start sprinting towards my house. It isn't easy to miss, as my father is one of the ministers in the Emperor's court. The Song Clan was one of the wealthiest in the land. This was particularly one of the reasons Laing thought she was better than everyone else.

I run towards the back of the house when a group of guards run past me, and I have to flatten myself on the wall to avoid them. I can hear them shout, "Quick, search the area!"

I wonder what they are searching for? I sneak inside the back gates only to find a huge commotion. Maids are running every where, and in the midst of it, my mother is frantically crying, while everyone is trying to calm her down. My father is nowhere to be seen, as expected.

I rush towards my mother and appear in front of her. Her crying face triggers something in me. My mother in my previous life never showed this much emotion towards me. I know she loved me greatly, but she was constantly out working. I had to learn how to look after myself at a very young age as my father had died before I was born.

She looks up at me and seeing my face she cries louder. I don't know what to do, I was never much of an social or emotional person. All the maids see that I'm there and frantically start pulling me towards the washrooms. My mother is still crying, and her teary face makes me want to cry too and tears prick my eyes. I think she wants to hug me, but is too afraid to incase I reject her harshly.

'Damn it Laing!' I scold the original villainess silently, 'Of all the people you were mean to, you had to treat your mother badly too?!'

Once inside the bathing room, the maids start to take my uniform off.

What the hell?! No, this won't do. Being the self conscious person I am, I back away from them. I pick up a scrubbing brush and wave it in front of me threateningly. They all backed but continued to advance on me, slowly.

'Now, look here…' I said timidly, holding the brush as my weapon, 'I want to bathe alone!'

"My lady please…" said one of the maids holding out her hands pleadingly, "Let us assist you"

They really want to help, but I am not used to others look at my n.a.k.e.d body. Looks like I must use my villainess face again…

'GET OUT!' I shouted, and put my best angry face. For extra effect I started waving my brush dangerously at them.

They dropped their things and almost ran out of the room. I locked the door after they left. My god, all the maids must hate me now… they might turn against me in the future.

I slowly peel of the maid uniform and reveal my new body. There is a mirror in the room and I stand facing my new body.

'Waaah…'

I have got to say, this villainess has got a GREAT body, perfectly proportioned, with nice toned legs, developing h.i.p.s, a flat stomach, and a developing bosom.

A killer body for a 12 year old. Before the water gets cold, I took a warm bath. I scrubbed my entire body and used some of the items that the maids had left behind.

There was also a rack of clothes. Laing's taste in clothes is too irritating.

'Why are all these clothes so bright?' I muttered, 'My eyes are burning…'

In my last life, I wore simple and cheap clothes. Looks like the habit hasn't died down yet. I chose the most discreet one I could find, a navy blue silk piece with embroidered blue lotuses.

I checked myself in the mirror and brushed my hair. I'll keep it not styled for now. I walk out of the bathing room with a grin on my face and a fresh feeling.

But outside my room was a crowd of maids and my mother. They all look shocked for some reason.

I stop walking and awkwardly stared at them.

'Does mother require something from Lai'er?'

My mother snaps out of her daze and shakes her head and quickly smiles.

"When did Lai'er learn how to bathe herself?" she asked me.

Oh right, Laing couldn't do anything without help. She needed to be dressed and bathed by maids.

My mother turns to the maids and says, "Leave us"

They all respectfully curtasey and move from the area. I think it is time for me to make it up to my new mother.

I turn to her, look down and say, 'Mother, I am so sorry for treating you like this all these years. I promise to look after you from now. Will you forgive me?'

After saying that, I look up to see her reaction. She has a shocked expression on her face. I take her by the arm and make her sit on a bench.

'Mother…?'

She finally looks at me and tears start rolling down her eyes. At this point I understand why the crown prince would have hated the villainess.

I awkwardly lean in and give my mother a hug and pat her on the back a bit.

She is sobbing uncontrollably, so I say softly, 'I'm sorry, I'll be good from now on…'

After a long time, she stops crying and wipes her tears with a silk handkerchief.

'Now then mother,' I say smiling a little, 'You look more beautiful when you don't cry…'

"Is it true what you said, Lai'er?" she said, her voice full of hope, "Will you be good now?"

'Ofcourse mother,' I reply, 'Lai'er will be good'

She smiles a little, and I feel better. I get up and link my arm with her's.

'Its getting cold, mother' I said cheerfully, 'Let's go inside'

While we were walking, she turned to me and asked,

"What made Lai'er change so much?"

'Ah mother, when I got sick, I woke up and saw the way…'

"Ahh…but Lai'er, where did you go this afternoon? We looked all over for you!"

'I just went to town mother, I needed to clear my head' (Oops, I forgot about that!)

"Silly Lai'er, don't you know it's dangerous for a woman to go out by herself?"

'Sorry mother, I'll tell you next time…'

"Next time? Well you listen to me young lady…!"

I laughed lightly, this is the first time I truly laughed since I came to this world. I will do whatever it takes to protect my mother.

And so, arm in arm, we walked happily into the night.