Chapter 64 | How to Not Get Executed as an Otome Game Villainess

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was Friday evening.

A summer evening in May.

Outside the window, the maple leaves were tinged with a layer of noble, shattered gold by the setting sun, and several wisps of burning clouds drifted across the sky, so intense that they seemed to herald the grand event opening tomorrow night—the Royal Knight and Magic Academy Summer Ball.

Yes, it was tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the highly anticipated ball would begin.

The academic stress was truly immense.

“L-Lady Loris... Is, is this really okay?”

Misha's voice was timid, coming from the changing room mirror alcove in the dormitory—a space dedicated to dressing.

I was leaning back in my chair in deep thought when I heard her voice and looked over.

Right now, Misha was nervously clutching the hem of her skirt. She was wearing an off-the-shoulder gown of aquatic blue, its waist adorned with delicate silver ribbons, and layers of thin tulle shimmering like water ripples under the sunset's afterglow.

Around her neck hung the pearl-sapphire pendant that Leonhart had helped me buy that day, which I had pretended to casually stuff into her hands.

“Why wouldn't it be?” I coughed, adopting a cold and arrogant tone. “You should know that the closet of a ducal family never keeps out-of-season clothes... I only tried this gown on once last month. The tailor made a slight error in the measurements, so I was planning to throw it in the trash. Since it fits you perfectly, consider it helping me dispose of some garbage.”

—Translation: Don't feel any pressure!

She hasn't had many chances to appear lately. It's probably because I'm not doing a good enough job as the villainous daughter, leaving my villain sidekick with absolutely zero screen time.

Fortunately... well, if I remember correctly, I will need to trouble her for the ball, though it's a negative task. How tragic.

But then again, a villain's sidekick is meant for dirty work anyway. I'll probably find a way to obstruct it, and even though I'm the one giving the orders, we are a community of shared destiny.

At least, dressing up beautifully will leave her with some good memories.

Wearing this to tomorrow's ball, you'll absolutely look stunning!

“...” Misha's eyes instantly welled up slightly.

How could she not know that a gown custom-made by the Royal Capital's top weaving workshop was ridiculously expensive? What was more, the gown's measurements fit her as if it had been custom-made specifically for her body.

“Lady Loris... thank you,” Misha said, bowing deeply. “For tomorrow's ball, I will definitely stay by your side and never leave. I will absolutely not bring shame to the Aldheim name!”

“...Mmh.” Tonguetied, I waved my hand. “Alright, change out of it now.”

After all, this was just a fitting; the actual ball was tomorrow.

“Yes!” Misha nodded, her light brown eyes sparkling with admiration and gratitude.

Watching her back as she walked into the changing room, I went back to pondering the matters I had been thinking about earlier.

As everyone knows, the so-called villainesses exist to make life difficult for the heroine. In an important event like the academy ball story node, I will naturally have my screen time.

If I remember correctly, the World's Will will probably make me do this and that again.

At the ball, I will also try every means to obstruct Liliana.

The plot points in the original game seem... very complicated.

The first move is called 'Deliberately Spilling Liquids':

Pretending to 'accidentally' spill a whole glass of red wine or something on Liliana's gown, preventing her from making a decent entrance.

However, this move will be intercepted by Secretary Meretskov. Whew, I don't have to worry about this one.

Then the second move is 'Hiding the Gown':

Instigating my follower, Misha, to cut the straps of the heroine's gown backstage and hide her shoes in the changing room, leaving the heroine in a desperate situation where she cannot go out or might even suffer a wardrobe malfunction.

Yes, yes, this move is another classic that a villainess must employ. Honestly, it's truly evil, but in the game, my relationship with Liliana was already as incompatible as fire and water.

I'll leave this move for Waldenburg to intercept. I'll just have him wander around that area for no reason.

And then the final move, which is also the most evil one.

But how could the heroine always suffer setbacks?

As everyone knows, at Western-style fantasy balls where status is highly valued, the first dance represents immense social honor.

As the villainous daughter, I will exploit this to leave the heroine isolated and helpless, especially since commoners wouldn't normally get invited by noble men anyway.

To create a sense of isolation.

Leaving Liliana without a dance partner, neglected by the entire room.

This move is called 'Bribing a Social Blacklist.' Under the condition that absolutely no one invites the heroine, Liliana, to dance, she can only stand awkwardly in the corner, enduring the whispers and ridicule of the assembled nobles. This is exactly the scene Loris wants to see.

However, this move will also be neutralized by the male leads.

After all, she is the heroine. Leonhart will invite her amidst this isolation, and Liliana will have two options, accepting or refusing (in the game).

Knowing Liliana's personality, without player control and relying on her own free will, she will most likely refuse the Crown Prince. After all, she would worry that negative rumors might embarrass this incredibly kind soul. While she'd be extremely grateful that he came to her rescue when no one wanted to dance with her, she wouldn't want him to be looked at differently because of it.

That is Liliana's gentle nature.

Mmh, mmh. And so, it will be Secretary Meretskov's turn to make his appearance.

Looking at it this way, although I'll be trying very hard at this ball, Liliana should be completely safe and sound.

I suppose I don't need to worry...

Probably, hopefully.

In short.

For tomorrow's ball, as long as I follow the original otome plot's villainous Loris path—first precisely spilling the red wine onto the heroine Liliana's skirt, which will prompt Secretary Meretskov to play the hero and save the beauty—my villainous mission will be declared a temporary victory.

As for Misha, she will be stopped by the patrolling Waldenburg.

Lastly, my isolation tactic will be broken by Leonhart's dance invitation, and Liliana will wear her beautiful gown, happily eating snacks and making friends at the ball, far away from all bullying and harm.

Now that is what her perfect life in another world should be.

Let's quietly await tomorrow's stage of destiny.

...

At the same time.

As the happy follower "kept" by the ducal daughter Loris, Misha Noren was currently holding the dress she had just changed out of, her heart dancing as she walked through the academy's courtyard corridor.

She was heading to the laundry room for its final ironing and maintenance.

The gentle evening breeze of May blew softly, dispersing the day's heat.

Misha walked along the gray flagstones of the campus pathway.

However, just as she passed the grand statues of past heroes in the courtyard, from behind the bushes around the corner ahead—

An extremely low, sneaky male voice suddenly drifted over.

“...Klaus, let me double-check one last time. Have you tried on the 'premium platinum blonde wig' I borrowed from the Drama Club? Does the head size fit?”

Misha's footsteps froze instantly.

Eh?

What was that noise?

This voice... sounded like Alden Cross from the first-year Magic Department?

She instinctively shrank into the shadow of the statue. Although eavesdropping on others was impolite in this noble academy, as Lady Loris's follower, she had to stay vigilant.

Because there were always people speaking ill of Loris.

She would remember everything in her heart and settle the score one day!

“Alden... shut your damn mouth!”

Another voice rang out, sounding extremely tormented, as if ready to commit seppuku at any moment!

It belonged to a student from Class A of the first-year Magic Department.

The newly rich young master, Klaus.

“Don't you dare bring up that wig to me,” he scolded, his face turning red with anger. “I never thought in my entire life that I, Klaus Heller, would actually touch a woman's thing for something like this!...”

“Oh, my dear friend! Great men do not sweat the small stuff!”

Alden pleaded with great emotion, “Think about it, tomorrow in the changing rooms of the Royal Ballroom, we will perform an elegant rescue for the noble Lady Aldheim!”

“If that Midnight Gown representing the dignity of the ducal family gets ruined, how devastated would Lady Loris be?”

“We must catch the culprit!”

Hiding behind the statue, Misha's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat.

What?! Someone was plotting against Lady Loris at tomorrow night's ball?!

“...But why on earth do I have to crossdress and sneak in?” Klaus's voice was trembling. “If I'm caught sneaking into the ladies' changing room, it'll be a complete social death for me!”

“And if President Leonhart finds out—”

“It is precisely because of Prince Leonhart's presence that you must step forward!”

Alden spoke slowly, his tone deep and solemn:

“Just imagine: if His Highness discovers Lady Loris in tattered clothes, looking all disheveled, he will surely think the ducal daughter is behaving improperly. To protect that secret in the depths of your heart—the secret that 'Loris likes me'—and to prevent President Leonhart from erasing your charm with his Eye of Longinus... Klaus, crossdress! Better a quick pain than a long agony!”

Klaus fell into a deathly silence.

Behind the bushes, only the rustling of wind blowing through falling leaves remained.

Hiding in the shadows, Misha was utterly bewildered by what she heard.

Crossdressing? Sneaking into the changing room? President Leonhart's Eye of Longinus? What on earth was all this?

And... Lady Loris actually liked Klaus?!

Misha's little brain felt like its CPU was on the verge of burning out.

In her impression, Lady Loris clearly selected beautiful accessories and planned schedules for her fiancé, the Crown Prince, every single day. How could she have suddenly shifted her affections and fallen in love with Klaus, who did nothing but flick his bangs at the riding ground all day?

And... sneaking into the changing room in drag, what kind of bizarre kingdom custom was that?

“I... I understand.”

“O warrior, then let me share the information I have. I will also help you in this battle. All you need to do is ruin the gown inside the wardrobe with the 'rose' pattern in the ladies' changing room.”

Alden pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, upon which was drawn a "rose" family crest, not the Aldheim family crest.

Klaus frowned. “Didn't you say I just needed to catch the culprit? Why do I have to ruin this person's dress too?”

Alden took a deep breath and fooled him: “That's where you're mistaken. Actually, this is information I've acquired. The girl who plans to play a trick on Lady Loris belongs to a family with this exact crest!”

“However... because her older sister, younger brother, and younger sister are all here, I can't confirm which one it is.”

“But one thing is certain: on the day of the ball, that culprit will definitely attend! Because she wants to ruin Lady Loris's gown!”

“Therefore, as long as you ruin the gown in the ladies' changing room that day, we can make her look... even more foolish!”

“...” Klaus didn't actually follow the logic.

He felt there were logical loopholes in this, but this was a request from his good brother Alden, and their goal was to protect Loris.

Well, scratching his head.

Klaus had no choice but to accept with mixed feelings.

Then, he left with the paper drawing of the rose family crest, committing it to memory. And, of course, the wig. Damn.

A moment later.

Before Misha could recover from this overwhelming flood of information, from the other side of the courtyard, the crisp click-clack of riding boots accompanied by a proud laugh echoed closer.

“—Alden, how is the information gathering coming along?”

Sharp, nasty, and carrying a familiar manipulative tone.

Misha held her breath again! At the same time, she quietly tilted her head to peek through the gap in the statue!

She saw two girls wearing the deep blue uniforms of the Magic Department walking side by side toward the bushes.

The leader of the two, with stiff, dark brown wavy hair draped over her shoulders and a faint slap mark still visible on her left cheek, was none other than Margaret Horn!

By Margaret's side, Vera Klein was waving a feather fan.

A dark, excited, and twisted smile hung on the short girl's face.

“Lady Horn, Lady Klein,”

Alden called out. His attitude turned somewhat solemn in an instant, for the rewards they had promised him were far too generous. In addition to dealing with their common enemy, both of them had actually agreed to be his girlfriends!

Driven by his desires, Alden had completely capitulated.

“I have already figured out the layout of the preparation rooms in the Royal Ballroom. The preparation rooms on both sides of the first floor are divided by nobility rank. Except for the royal family's changing room, which is independent, the others are shared, and the Duke of Aldheim's preparation room is right next to the royal family's changing room.”

“I also told Klaus that he will pour ink inside the locker with the rose crest to ruin the gown. When the time comes, I'll have to trouble you two to swap out that Aldheim family crest of Loris's.”

“Excellent,” Margaret sneered. Recalling the slap she had received at the beginning of the term, she reached out to touch her cheek, the malice in her eyes almost overflowing.

She would remember that for the rest of her life.

“On the night of tomorrow's ball, the entire nobility of the Royal Capital will be present. First, we will ruin her gown with ink, and when she enters the changing room and opens the wardrobe only to find that pitch-black 'Midnight Gown' ruined...”

“Hmph, I want that arrogant young lady to be completely humiliated in front of the entire Royal Capital!”

“Lady Horn is right,” Vera chimed in, her tone sinister. “If we don't teach her a lesson, she'll really think her duke's family owns this academy, looking down on the rest of us nobles. When she has no gown to wear to the ball, I'd love to see how she maintains that lofty, perfect expression of hers!”

Spilled liquid?! Schemes?! Humiliated?!

Boom!

To the eavesdropping Misha, it felt as though a bolt of lightning had exploded in her mind.

She had truly overheard something absolutely terrible.

So what Alden and Klaus said earlier was true! Those two wicked women, Margaret and Vera, were actually preparing to use extremely despicable schemes against Lady Loris at tomorrow night's highly anticipated Summer Ball!

But didn't Alden promise to protect Lady Loris? Why is he hooking up with those wicked women now?!

This was so strange! Could it be that his earlier behavior was all a facade?

The only one being deceived... was Klaus?

That Klaus... although he sounded bizarre, it seemed like he wanted to protect the changing room through the extreme method of crossdressing?

No, wait! Now was not the time to fret over whether Klaus was going to crossdress or not!

In short, they wanted to completely ruin Lady Loris's purity and reputation!

Misha's fingers clawed tightly onto the edges of the stone statue. Her face was pale, and cold sweat instantly drenched her undergarments.

Lady Loris was so gentle and so noble.

To protect her, a humble daughter of a viscount, Lady Loris had not hesitated to take action in public, violate academy regulations, and even give her most precious, beautiful gown and sapphire pendant to her without reservation.

In Misha's heart, Lady Loris was the most perfect saint in the world!

Absolutely unacceptable!

She would absolutely not allow this bunch of despicable cowards to touch the hem of the Holy Maiden's skirt!

Misha bit her lip hard, even drawing a trace of blood. She had to tell Lady Loris this news and make thorough preparations before tomorrow night's ball began!