Episode 57. The Villainess’s Reputation (7)

‘What in the world is going on?’

I couldn’t understand why someone was asking to be my friend.

So shocked that I was frozen in place, a choice screen appeared.

▶ How could someone like you be friends with me?
▶ Do you want to get slapped?

‘I let my guard down.’

I should have said something before it got to this point!

Hesitating, I chose the first option with a sense of bitter regret.

“How could someone like you be friends with me?”

“Are you saying I’m not good enough?”

Don’t respond with a question! Just turn around with a look that says, ‘What kind of crazy person is this?’!

But the conversation continued, and I couldn’t stop. I spoke with a displeased expression.

“You are not. Do you think it’s appropriate to speak to me before I’ve even acknowledged you?”

“T-That’s…”

My sharp rebuke made the young lady’s face flush with embarrassment. I crossed my arms and sneered at her.

“Ha, seeing you embarrassed like a well-ripened strawberry makes me feel a bit better.”

The young lady blinked in confusion and then asked in a dazed tone.

“…Are you saying I’m cute like a strawberry?”

“Of course not.”

It means exactly that.

‘Glad you understood.’

She still looked uncertain, blinking as if she couldn’t decide if it was a compliment or an insult. That was exactly the reaction I wanted. I tugged on Percy’s hand.

‘Let’s get out of here. To somewhere without people like that!’

Percy chuckled, clearly amused. I glared at him, but there was no time to argue. I didn’t want to encounter another person and have a similar exchange.

I hurriedly walked towards the ballroom with Percy. However, it turned out to be a poor choice. At the entrance to the ballroom, a black-haired woman I had seen before was waving her hand energetically.

“Princess!!!”

“Emma.”

Emma, whom I had met at the recent tea party, greeted me with sparkling eyes and a wide smile.

“You’re wearing the necklace I gave you! I’m so happy!”

I felt like I’d be cursed if I didn’t wear it.

Later, as I sorted through the gifts, I discovered countless notes. Each one was filled with her passionate words, to the point that it gave me chills.

‘Ignoring such a generous gesture wouldn’t be polite.’

So, I wore the first necklace I had opened, the choker adorned with opal and pearls.

However, simply thanking her wouldn’t be in character for a villainess. I tapped the pearls with my finger and said,

“Was this the one you gave me? I don’t really remember.”

“You don’t remember?! I should have created a cameo of your elegant profile after all…”

This woman! Why is she so obsessed with cameos?!

Fearing she might start talking about carving statues next, I cut her off with a cold voice.

“How could I remember when I don’t even know your name?”

Emma’s eyes widened, then she smiled bashfully and replied,

“You’re just as kind as I thought, Princess.”

“…”

She’s hopeless.

I had just called her Emma but claimed not to know her name, yet she didn’t question my sanity and called me kind instead. I felt a lump in my throat.

Seemingly oblivious to my discomfort, Emma took her place next to me and asked,

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“I’m trying to get into the ballroom quickly. Some stranger just asked me to be their friend out of the blue.”

I was worried I’d encounter more of such requests, but I hoped dancing in the ballroom would at least spare me from such awkward situations.

As I was thinking this, Emma spoke up.

“Wow, it’s already having an effect.”

Effect?

She seemed to know something. Tilting my head, I looked at Emma, who answered cheerfully.

“I published an article about our beautiful friendship in the newspaper affiliated with my father’s trading company!”

“What?”

“I couldn’t bear the world not knowing about your kind heart.”

My mouth hung open. Even the system seemed too shocked to interfere.

The only thought that crossed my mind was,

‘No, there was really no need for that.’

Why would Sienna Liata, a villainess character, need her kind heart broadcasted to the world? The fact that the system allowed this to happen was puzzling too.

‘Is there no way to stop actions initiated by the character?’

I watched Emma, who was smiling brightly. Emma, an NPC not mentioned in the game’s main story.

‘Maybe characters not mentioned in the main synopsis have a lot of freedom in their actions.’

Could I use this to my advantage?

As I pondered, I shook my head. The headache I just experienced was caused by Emma, wasn’t it?

‘So, people are asking to be my friend because of an article Emma wrote? What did the article say…?’

I looked at Percy, who likely knew about the article before I did. He shrugged and said,

“You’re very popular, Sienna.”

You’re brushing it off as popularity?! And why are you so calm about it today when you usually display possessiveness in such situations?

‘Does he find my situation amusing, regardless of what happens to me?!’

Can I really rely on this man?

* * *

Emma’s presence beside me made it easier for other young ladies to approach me without hesitation.

Percy, saying he didn’t want to interfere with my conversations, stepped back and let go of my hand. I watched him retreat, puzzled about his intentions, only to see him join some men outside the ballroom. It seemed they were heading out for a serious discussion.

I learned who those men were through the whispers of the young ladies surrounding me.

“The dukes are having an unexpected gathering.”

“Duke Stewart usually skips such events. They’re all here today.”

So those men were dukes. There are four dukes in this country, right?

‘The Count of Bohan has been vying for a dukedom. The game’s narrative didn’t delve into complicated political machinations since it’s a romance game.’

To secure a dukedom, one needs bribes, connections, and the Emperor’s favor, which greatly stressed the Count of Bohan. He then found solace in the pure and innocent Beth.

‘None of this concerns me.’

I didn’t play far enough to know if the dukes and the Count of Bohan played significant roles in the storyline.

‘Percy can handle it.’

The Percy I knew wouldn’t be easily pushed around by the Count of Bohan.

Setting aside thoughts about Percy and the other dukes, I scanned the ballroom.

‘Where is Julius? I came here to see Julius, but I haven’t found him yet.’

Moreover, the bizarre situation continued while I searched for Julius. The young ladies constantly approached me, and they seemed thrilled every time I snapped at them.

‘Are they starved for someone to scold them? Why are they so delighted when I insult them?’

People are difficult to understand. It’s even harder when I can’t read their minds.

I was simply being a villainess, throwing out nasty remarks, but they seemed to enjoy it.

A passing servant offered me a tulip-shaped glass filled with a golden liquid.

“Would you like some champagne?”

‘Ah, I want a drink.’

My gaze naturally drifted towards the glass. My heart raced at the sight of the drink, as I felt stifled. I wanted to grab it immediately but forced myself to turn away.

“No, thank you.”

I wanted to drink so badly. But I firmly refused.

‘I can’t make a fool of myself again.’

I had made a mess at the last tea party after just two glasses of weak champagne. I vowed never to drink in front of others again.

But my resolve was tested when the young ladies flocked around me.

“Aren’t you thirsty?”

“I heard you love drinking, Princess.”

“It’s a very sweet and mild drink. You don’t have to worry.”

Their sweet smiles looked demonic to me. I looked at them with a pale face.

‘These people are trying to make me drink.’

The drunken incident between Percy and me at the last tea party was more widely known than the supposed friendship Emma had spread. Their eager eyes suggested they were anticipating a repeat performance.

I turned my head sharply and answered coldly.

“I’ve quit drinking. The pests become a nuisance whenever I drink.”

“What are you worried about? You have a brave husband to take care of the pests.”

They meant Percy by “pests.”

As I stood there, facing off with those trying to get me to drink, an elegant lady with her hair up approached, fanning herself gently.

“Are you enjoying the party, Princess?”

“Marchioness Verita.”

But following her was a servant carrying a large wine bottle and glasses. Marchioness Verita stopped before me and theatrically uncorked the bottle.

“This is a very rare vintage wine. I brought it to serve to our special guest, the Princess.”

This is hard to refuse!