1.

0. The Villainess of the Rose Cross Mansion.

Knock, knock, knock.

With a short knock, a maid revealed herself.

“Miss Elze.”

The maid called me cautiously.

I lifted my gaze from the documents I had been focused on.

“A new student has just arrived.”

“Okay.”

I raised my head and stood up.

As if she didn’t expect me to move myself, the maid widened her eyes.

“Um, then about this student…”

“I plan to meet them in person.”

I firmly replied and walked out of the room.

An incredibly magnificent view greeted my eyes, almost unbelievable for a boarding school.

Crystal chandeliers sparkling like jewels, reflecting light.

Wallpapers intricately woven with gold thread into vine patterns.

The furniture placed throughout the building was also of the highest quality.

One could say it was an interior designed to cater to the tastes of the upper class.

“Where is the student right now?”

“We haven’t been able to bring them inside the school yet. They’re resisting quite strongly…”

“I see.”

I headed straight for the mansion’s exit.

Amidst the pouring rain that seemed to poke holes in the sky, a young man was shouting loudly.

“Let go of this! Put it down!”

The young man struggled frantically in the hands of the guards holding him.

Under the dim light of a flickering gas lamp, a wet, vibrant blond hair shimmered brightly.

With azure blue eyes like an icy sea, they scanned their surroundings sharply.

“Who the hell are you all?! Why are you…!”

Though he appeared youthful with an immature appearance, his fierceness matched that of a fierce beast baring its fangs.

Observing his demeanor from a distance, I gave a slight nod.

“Render him unconscious.”

One of the guards nodded and swiftly struck the back of the young man’s neck with his palm.

Thump!

As if he had briefly opened his eyes, the young man slowly collapsed to the ground.

I issued another command.

“Close the door.”

Creak! Clang!

The ornate wrought-iron door, adorned with blooming rose vines, made a noisy sound as it closed.

I gazed down at the young man sprawled before me, wearing a desolate expression.

Now, this man would not be able to leave Rose cross Boarding School for several years.

At least, that was how the events unfolded in the ‘original’ story.

“For now, keep him in solitary confinement.”

“Understood.”

Finally, I turned my body away from the young man.

Rose cross Boarding School is a peculiar place in many ways.

That’s because it is not truly a boarding school.

Here, people with intriguing backgrounds are forcibly confined, and as an excuse, they are admitted to a prestigious school under the pretext of education.

They even claim that there are no age restrictions for studying, accepting even those pursuing lifelong learning.

In other words,

It means that adults of any age can be drawn here.

Succession competition, inheritance battles, illegitimate children, and more…

The stories that bring people here are diverse and varied.

And among those brought here, no one has ever escaped the boarding school.

They are meticulously monitored to ensure they never leave.

In other words, this place is…

A kind of trash can that conceals the flaws of the upper class.

Rose Cross Boarding School.

Also known as the Rose Cross Mansion.

One day, when I opened my eyes, I found myself becoming the wicked woman in charge of Rose Cross Mansion.

And the young man who has been brought to this Rose Cross Mansion…

He is one of the male protagonists in this world, a man who will brutally tear me apart and kill me in the future.

Lucian von Kalleid.

* * *

<<Trampled flowers are the most fragrant.>>

It was a decadent romance fantasy novel I had read in my past life.

The three handsome and impressive male protagonists become obsessed with the heroine, eventually succumbing to a maddening love.

Thus, their intertwined story unfolds, filled with love and hatred, struggle and obsession.

So, what role did I take on in this world?

‘I’m the typical antagonist who causes conflict in a romance fantasy novel.’

The recognized antagonist from the original work, Elze Lefarian.

To summarize her life in a single line,

She is the lover of Male Protagonist 3, the owner of Rose cross Boarding School, who becomes obsessed to a devastating extent and eventually meets her downfall.

Elze’s actions in the novel can be roughly described as follows:

Acting on behalf of Male Protagonist 3, who frequently absents himself, Elze reigns as a tyrannical antagonist in the boarding school.

Naturally, she subjects Lucian, Male Protagonist 1, to all sorts of abuse as well.

Building up a pile of death flags, Elze eventually meets a tragic fate as the heroine appears, leading to her cruel abandonment by Male Protagonist 3.

Driven by jealousy towards the heroine, she inflicts harm but is ruthlessly crushed by the enraged three male protagonists.

Of course, I don’t want to live like that.

I have only one goal.

To safely leave this decadent romance fantasy world and live a good life on my own.

If the heroine appears anyway, the three male protagonists will naturally be captivated by her, and I can easily forget about them.

So, it would be best to slip away at an opportune time, keeping an eye out for the right moment.

‘It would be best to crush any death flags involving the male protagonists in advance.’

Therefore, the survival strategy I have devised is:

‘To establish good relationships with the male protagonists before fleeing.’

I have no intention of tormenting the heroine or obsessively pursuing Male Protagonist 3.

But you never know, right?

Things might get terribly twisted despite my intentions.

Among the vocabulary I learned while devouring dozens of romance fantasy novels, there is a term called “the power of the original work.”

It means that the story will somehow follow the original plot.

If, by any chance, that power or whatever it is comes into play and the male protagonists suddenly turn against me, attempting to kill me…

‘In such a dire situation, it would be best to appeal to their conscience by maintaining good relations with the male protagonists.’

So, for now…

‘Let’s focus on the male lead closest to me.’

I swallowed my dry saliva and stared at the ornate door with a tense gaze.

It was the solitary confinement cell where Lucian was being held.

Click.

As I inserted the key I had brought into the cell door and turned it, the sound of the lock clicking in place sent a chilling echo.

And finally…

The door was opened.

---

2.

1. I’m a Villainess, but I want to live.

I cautiously entered the room.

Thud.

After closing the door and turning around, the sight of a well-arranged room greeted me.

In the center.

A young man sat there, radiating an aura like a wild beast.

It was Lucian.

“Oh, so you’re already awake.”

I struggled to suppress the sigh that wanted to burst out.

I had tried to examine his severe wounds while he was unconscious, but it seemed I was too late.

Now I was in trouble.

The moment he noticed me, his lips twisted into a sneer.

“Ah, so you’re the woman who ordered me to be knocked out.”

Lucian shot back at me and started to approach.

However, Lucian couldn’t fulfill what I had intended.

Clang!

The chains connected to the bed made a loud noise as they restrained Lucian.

A fierce anger surged in his azure eyes.

“What the hell is this?”

Clang, clang, clang!

Unable to overcome his frustration, Lucian violently shook his tightly bound wrists.

But there was no sign of escape.

In the end, Lucian gave up and pressed his lips together, leaning against the bed.

“Who are you all, and why have you imprisoned me?”

Was it because of his rising fury?

His voice, mixed with a metallic tone, was low and filled with intense anger.

“Whose orders did you receive to dare commit such a reckless act?”

“…”

“Dare you kidnap the Duke of Kalleid and think you can survive?”

Lucian questioned fiercely.

I stared at him with an expressionless face, then unexpectedly replied.

“The Duke’s cousin.”

In an instant, Lucian opened his eyes wide.

A chilling silence fell.

“…”

“…”

I met Lucian’s gaze with a composed expression.

“You asked whose orders I received to do this.”

“…”

“That person is the Duke’s cousin.”

As I gave my indifferent response, astonishment flickered across Lucian’s face once again.

Silently, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

“Well, to a young man who has just reached adulthood, it must be quite a shocking truth.”

The age of adulthood in the Empire is eighteen.

And Lucian, at most, had just turned eighteen a few days ago as a green youth.

Well, here’s the gist of the story.

The Kalleid Dukedom was a renowned and long-standing noble family in the Empire.

However, tragedy struck when Lucian’s parents, who should have supported the Dukedom, passed away in an unforeseen accident.

To protect Lucian, who had lost both parents at a young age, an older cousin, who had a close relationship with the Dukedom, became his guardian.

Initially, it was a contract where the cousin would act as the guardian of the Kalleid Dukedom until Lucian reached adulthood and then return the title to him…

‘But that cousin betrayed Lucian.’

It was such a calculated and ruthless act to strip him of his title that Lucian was officially recorded as leaving overseas for recuperation.

In reality, he had been imprisoned in this boarding school all along.

‘Meanwhile, the original Elze had been steadily accumulating villainous acts…’

Like an empty-headed villainess, she tortured Lucian to relieve her stress.

Honestly, even if Lucian was brought to the boarding school, he is currently the only heir of the Dukedom.

To abuse him without considering revenge or consequences.

Looking at the development itself, it may seem improbable, but…

‘In the first place, the original Elze was only placed as a villainess to create conflict, so there’s no need to meticulously adhere to plausibility.’

Anyway, let’s return to the original story.

After countless trials and tribulations, Lucian finally awakens to transcendental abilities that are inherited only by the direct line of the Duke.

And so, he demolishes the boarding school and escapes.

In reality, losing both parents was the cousin’s scheme, so I am determined to seek thorough revenge…

‘And then the person who saves the mentally and physically exhausted Lucian is the heroine.’

…From then on, an immense obsession with her begins, but anyway.

I glanced at Lucian out of the corner of my eye.

Lucian’s face was filled with despair as if the ground beneath his feet had collapsed.

After a while, Lucian sneered coldly.

“Don’t spout nonsense.”

However, his sneer was more of a pretense to hide his restlessness rather than a truly calm demeanor.

“My cousin wouldn’t do that.”

“Duke.”

“Who sent you? Who told you to come between my cousin and me?”

The imposing figure of the Duke Kalleid, which had been surrounding him like armor, suddenly disappeared.

Lucian appeared as an inexperienced young man.

His deep blue eyes shook desperately.

“Do you really think I will be deceived by that?”

Well, I understand why he wouldn’t believe my words.

For Lucian, the cousin was a precious person who stood in place of his lost parents.

However…

“Do you even know where this is?”

Before Lucian could finish his words, I, as a villainess, who had a life planned just as diligently, interrupted him.

“It’s Rose cross Boarding School.”

Lucian froze in place.

I asked with a bitter tone.

“Duke, you’re aware of it, aren’t you? What kind of place Rose cross Boarding School is.”

A boarding school from which you can never leave.

A place that eliminates people who are inconvenient to keep in the family but too risky to kill.

To the nobles, this boarding school was a necessary evil, so even though they knew of its existence, they all kept quiet.

Is that all?

The owner of this boarding school itself was dangerous.

Dante de Sa B. Offenheir.

He was the man who, in the original story, was the object of Elze’s obsessive love and the one who subdued the Empire’s underworld after a long battle.

Upon hearing that, Lucian seemed to realize something.

“Then… you are Lady Lepherian.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded calmly.

Lucian couldn’t hide his desolate expression any longer.

Actually, such a reaction was expected.

Elze Lepherian.

She was the lover of Marquis Offenheir and claimed to be the caretaker of Rose cross Boarding School in place of the Marquis.

My very existence was proof that this place was indeed Rose cross Boarding School.

“By the way, the fact that the Duke is here is a secret known only to a few in our boarding school.”

“That means…”

“The Duke has entered our boarding school as discreetly as possible.”

Ha.

Lucian held his forehead and let out a bitter laugh.

“Duke.”

I tried to say something to the disheartened Lucian, but…

“Don’t call me so casually.”

Lucian shot me a venomous glare with his hardened right eye.

Hmm, it seems like now is not the time for a conversation, right?

But he doesn’t seem physically unwell, at least based on appearances.

After quickly examining Lucian from top to bottom, I lightly nodded.

“I’ll leave for now.”

“…”

“Just one thing, please understand.”

I concluded calmly.

“I am on your side.”

Upon hearing those words, Lucian’s angry expression was replaced with a stunned gaze.

“Well then, rest well.”

After giving Lucian a smile,

I left the solitary confinement cell.

* * *

‘I am on your side.’

I pondered over the words I had said to Lucian as I walked slowly through the corridor.

Well, I do have plans to manipulate and control Lucian as I please in the future.

However, that statement was sincere and completely truthful.

Because…

‘Lucian is the most important person for me to escape from the boarding school.’

Dante fundamentally wants this golden goose, the boarding school, to run quietly and safely.

That’s why he has meticulously prepared numerous safeguards within the boarding school.

An ordinary person cannot penetrate those safeguards.

Well, someone like me, that is.

However, that statement implies that someone with the protagonist buff like Lucian can eventually break through those safeguards.

That’s why I needed Lucian.

To form a good relationship with him and escape together when he eventually breaks free.

That was my plan.

…Of course, because Lucian is the male protagonist who will eventually tear me apart, I also need to show myself in a favorable light.

So the position I chose was…

‘To be the only collaborator willing to help Lucian.’

But right at that moment…

“Ms. Elze!”

A voice filled with hostility sharply called out to me.

I narrowed my eyes and turned around.

A middle-aged man with a snake-like ominous impression was staring at me with fierce eyes.

Victor.

Like me, he holds the position of caretaker, a position unique to the boarding school.

And as a character from “Trampled Flowers,” he particularly dislikes the “villainess Elze.”

Approaching me with heavy steps, the man growled as if threatening me.

“Could you please stay quiet for just one day? How dare you meet Duke Kalleid without my permission!”

…Look at this, can you believe it?

 

---

3.

It’s as if he’s saying that meeting Lucian requires his permission as if it’s obvious.

I responded with an expressionless face.

“Why should I seek your permission?”

“W-What did you say?!”

“As far as I know, the duties of a caretaker include monitoring the ‘special student’ assigned to them.”

Special student.

It refers to the student who is treated with utmost importance in the Rose Cross Boarding School.

Usually, when a student has the potential to cause a significant impact if their status is revealed to the outside world, they are designated as a special student and managed accordingly.

Upon hearing that, Victor frowned.

“Who authorized you to take charge of Duke Kalleid?”

“Well, I authorized myself.”

“Do you think that makes any sense?”

Victor clenched his fists.

But I didn’t bat an eyelash.

“You’re extravagant, ignorant, and don’t do any of the duties of a caretaker. You even find a small piece of bread wasteful.”

In an instant, Victor stiffened his shoulders in surprise.

Of course, these were all the criticisms he would often pour behind my back.

I smiled brightly, counting on my fingers as I spoke each one.

“So, I thought of treating you to my presence after such a long time. Is there a problem?”

“Well, um…”

Victor, who had momentarily had an angry expression, gritted his teeth and spoke.

“But it’s still not allowed. You know very well how important Duke Kalleid is as a student. I won’t allow…”

“For heaven’s sake.”

I burst into laughter as if I were listening attentively.

“Victor, is there something wrong with you?”

“…Yes?”

“Not Even Marquis, but a janitor blabbering about needing his permission. How amusing.”

I concluded my words with a cool voice, laced with laughter.

At my mockery, Victor’s face turned red with anger and shame.

However, he couldn’t hide his puzzlement.

‘Marquis.’

Perhaps it’s because of that title.

It must be quite unfamiliar for me to casually address Dante as “Marquis.”

In the original story, Elze was fixated on calling Dante by his real name.

Allowing oneself to use each other’s names in a romantic relationship is a proof of their deep affection for each other.

In the original, Elze seemed to take pride in being able to call Dante by his real name.

‘I don’t understand why people enjoy being close to a crazy male lead.’

I mocked inwardly and shrugged my shoulders as if showing off.

“If you have any complaints, well… Shall I report it to the Marquis this time as well?”

When I poked at his usual behavior of threatening me, saying, “I will report it to the Marquis,” Victor bit his lip until it bled.

“In that case, what will the Marquis say? Will he praise you for being diligent in your duties as a caretaker, or…”

I looked up at Victor’s face, as if subtly teasing him.

“Will he be angry, thinking that you are wasting his precious time?”

“…”

Facing a rare moment of speechlessness from Victor, I delivered the final blow.

“Well then, I believe that Duke Kalleid is under my responsibility.”

With a sweet smile directed at Victor’s distorted face, I passed by him without hesitation.

* * *

The next day.

I went to find Lucian again.

“Hello. Did you have a good dream last night?”

“…”

Lucian just stared at me with a wary look in his eyes and didn’t answer.

‘I’m on your side.’

I had hoped that he would at least confirm the truth of the words I said yesterday.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I asked a question.

“Excuse me, but may I help you take off the Duke’s clothes?”

At that moment, Lucian lifted his head in surprise.

‘Is this woman crazy?’

Seeing his skeptical gaze, I pointed subtly to the first aid kit I had placed next to me.

“You rolled on the floor while being restrained yesterday. I want to check if you have any injuries and treat them if you do.”

I shrugged my shoulders and added, “Besides, you should change your clothes.”

Due to the rain-soaked garden from yesterday, Lucian’s clothes were completely covered in mud.

They must feel quite damp.

However, as the prickly male lead who only shows tenderness towards the female lead in the original story, Lucian responded with a curse.

“Just get lost.”

But if I had backed off with just this kind of reaction, I wouldn’t have even considered trying to manipulate Lucian to be on my side from the beginning.

With a sly smile, I provoked Lucian.

“Don’t worry, younger boys than me are not my preference.”

“….What?”

Then Lucian’s expression became subtle.

It seemed like his pride was hurt.

‘Provocation was the answer after all.’

Lucian was the youngest among the three male leads.

Being at an immature age just past adulthood, even a light provocation like this could easily scratch his pride…

‘Wait.’

Suddenly, I narrowed my eyebrows.

Under Lucian’s collar, faint stains could be seen, mottled and discolored.

‘…Is he injured?’

I immediately grabbed hold of Lucian’s shirt.

“What are you…!”

“Stay still.”

I quickly unbuttoned Lucian’s shirt.

“Let go of that!”

Lucian reflexively tried to swat my hand away.

His eyes shot venomous glares at me, but I didn’t back down either.

“As the caretaker of this boarding school, it is my duty to take care of the Duke’s well-being.”

Lucian is the most important card that must be kept in hand.

It would be troublesome if he got seriously injured.

“I have no impure intentions. I just want to check for any wounds.”

I spoke firmly.

Lucian pursed his lips and furrowed his brows.

While discreetly observing his reaction, I approached him cautiously, like approaching a fully grown wildcat.

Though he appeared uncomfortable, he didn’t resist further.

“Here, I’m going to use scissors.”

I inserted the tip of the scissors into the part where the chain and fabric were connected, and once again made my request.

“Don’t move. It might hurt.”

Snip!

The fabric fell down.

At the same time, my eyes widened.

It was understandable, considering the wounds that were revealed on his body…

‘…You must have been in pain.’

It was more serious than I had thought.

Not only were there bloodstains all over, but there were also bruises in various places.

‘He must have been restless yesterday.’

I bit my lower lip lightly.

“Even though you are hurt so badly, you refuse treatment. You’re stubborn for no reason.”

“It’s annoying.”

Lucian gave me a disdainful glare.

I let out a deep sigh and turned Lucian around.

“Still, you need to take care of your health.”

In front of me was a dense back with well-defined muscles that made it hard to believe he was still an immature youth.

It was like a sculpture created by a god.

Seeing that beautiful body covered in wounds, a sense of pity naturally welled up within me.

“You need to be in good health if you want a chance to escape from the boarding school someday.”

“… ”

Then, I felt Lucian’s gaze on me, as if he was unexpectedly glancing back at me.

Of course, as soon as our eyes met, he immediately redirected his gaze to the wall.

But still, well…

Even if he just stops opposing me and silently cooperates, it would be a significant achievement, wouldn’t it?

I wiped Lucian’s wounds with a clean towel dipped in water.

Taking an ointment on my fingers, I carefully applied it to the area where the bruises were particularly severe.

“Ah…”

Lucian couldn’t help but let out a painful groan.

Surprised, I quickly stopped my hand.

“Does it hurt?”

Lucian gritted his teeth and turned his head to the side.

“Mind your own business.”

Hmm, he’s prickly.

“If it hurts, please let me know.”

I made my request once again, but Lucian didn’t even respond.

However, I noticed his occasional subtle shoulder tremors, indicating that he was in quite a bit of pain.

After a while, when I finished treating him, I took out the clothes I had prepared.

They were the uniform shirt and pants of the boarding school.

“Duke, it may be uncomfortable for you to move, so let me help you change.”

“… ”

A complex expression briefly flickered across Lucian’s face.

The reluctance to continue being in contact with an unwanted member of the opposite sex, the feeling of helplessness of having to wear the detestable boarding school uniform, and the frustration of being unable to refuse due to his own circumstances.

But even that was temporary.

“… Fine. Go ahead.”

Lucian glanced at his bound hands for a moment, muttered a curse, and nodded his head.

As I helped Lucian change clothes, I suddenly looked up at his face.

I hadn’t noticed it in the darkness yesterday, but the bruises on his face were more prominent than I had imagined.

To have bruises on that national treasure-level beauty… It’s a shame. What should I do?

“…You must have been hurt.”

With a sense of pity, I absentmindedly wiped the bloodstains off Lucian’s bruised lips.

“… ”

In an instant, Lucian’s pupils sank into pitch darkness.

“What… are you?”

Doubt and confusion, fear and frustration, the sense of betrayal towards the cousin he was deliberately avoiding, and a glimmer of hope that he couldn’t let go of.

All of this was directed towards the immature young man who had just emerged from the crossroads of adolescence.

“I already told you.”

I relaxed my gaze.

“I’m on your side, Duke.”

Hoping that my smile can capture even a tiny bit of his heart.

---

4.

The dried rose-colored hair, which had been spread out long, slipped out of the door.

Thud.

The door closed.

Lucian, left alone in the room, gazed intently at the closed door.

“Elze.”

Lucian quietly uttered that name.

“…Elze Lepherian.”

As the heir to the prestigious Kalleid Ducal Family, it was only natural for him to hear various rumors about nobles.

Thus, Lucian already knew about Elze’s existence.

The mischievous daughter of the talented composer Lepherian, a disgrace to the family.

She refused to accept a strategic marriage proposal and ended up becoming the lover of the arrogant Marquis Offenheir.

Through her audacious actions, she used the powerful Marquis as her backing.

Eventually, she was branded as a ‘villainess’ and became the subject of ridicule…

However, the woman he actually met was slightly different from the rumors.

[Yesterday, you rolled on the floor while being suppressed. I want to check if there are any injuries and treat them if there are any.]

A delicate touch, caring for her wounds.

And…

[You need to be healthy, so you can one day escape from the boarding school, right?]

…What did that mean exactly?

Her appearance showed no trace of the ‘villainess’ he had imagined.

“…”

Lucian was a little confused.

‘No, this is probably just to lower my guard.’

He shook his head, trying to dispel his complex feelings.

It seems like various incidents have weakened his heart considerably.

And, of all things, it was due to the simple kindness of the caretaker he met at the Rose cross boarding school.

…Seeing himself being so softened like this.

But then.

‘Wait.’

Lucian felt a strong sense of discomfort.

He carefully watched the closed door with his blue eyes.

‘…Now that I think about it.’

When Elze left the room that time.

Lucian didn’t hear the sound of the door being locked.

‘Could it be that the door is open?’

He cautiously stood up from his seat.

Thanks to Elze extending the length of the chain, it was not uncomfortable for him to move, and he could easily approach the door.

He reached out and grasped the doorknob.

Thud.

The door opened surprisingly easily, as if it was unlocked.

‘Why… didn’t she lock the door?’

It was probably a mistake.

Lucian, swallowing his dry saliva, looked down at the iron chain binding his wrist.

‘This iron chain can be undone easily.’

Lucian was the sole heir of the Empire’s most prestigious noble family.

In other words, it meant that he had experienced a considerable amount of kidnapping and blackmail from a young age.

Because of that, he had learned various handy skills for situations like this.

A thin iron pin, for example, a hairpin or a clothespin, would be enough to easily unlock the chain around his wrist.

Moreover, this room was extremely luxurious, so it would be easy to find something to use to undo the iron chain.

Lucian, who surveyed the room with the eyes of a hawk, nodded.

‘Alright, it seems like I can escape.’

Confirming while being dragged along, the surveillance at the boarding school was quite strict.

He might not be able to escape outside the building and could be caught.

But that doesn’t mean he has to stay here quietly.

Lucian gritted his teeth.

‘Brother.’

His cousin, who had always been kind to him.

His caring older cousin who took care of him in place of his parents.

Is it true that his cousin betrayed him, and what on earth could be the reason for the betrayal?

And if he really betrayed him…

“I won’t just let it go.”

A blue fire glimmered in Lucian’s eyes.

But at the same time, there was one thought holding him back.

‘Damn it.’

Lucian clenched his fists tightly.

In truth, he already knew.

The chances of successfully escaping were extremely low, and if he were to escape outside the room…

‘Elze Lepherian.’

The fact that the woman would be in trouble.

That’s why, despite this golden opportunity, he hesitated to run away.

‘However…’

Lucian took a short deep breath and opened his eyes wide.

The once-confused blue eyes had now calmed down, as tranquil as a winter sea.

‘There’s no reason for me to be loyal to that woman.’

Although Elze had shown him various favors, there was no reason for him to stay obediently in this damn boarding school.

But…

[As I mentioned, I am on the Duke’s side.]

Her voice, as soft as a feather, clung persistently to his ears, leaving him with no choice.

‘Damn it.’

Lucian bit back the curse in his mouth and swiftly slipped out of the room.

* * *

A tumultuous day was finally coming to an end.

However, “coming to an end” and “ended” were entirely different things.

Having safely returned to my comfortable bedroom, I briefly glanced out the window.

Everyone was deeply asleep in the night.

The area outside the window was still tranquil.

‘When will it happen?’

Lucian, being a clever male protagonist, would probably have noticed something odd in the room by now.

The fact that I left the room without locking the door.

I sparkled with interest.

‘In that case… How will Lucian react?’

Escape.

Or not to escape.

Either choice wasn’t bad for me.

But if Lucian attempts to escape…

‘He’ll fail.’

But why did I pretend to make a mistake and leave the door open, leading Lucian to escape?

The reason was simple.

‘Hope must be crushed in advance.’

Since he has only recently been brought here, he might obediently stay quiet for now.

But Lucian will likely attempt an escape soon.

However, if he manages to escape perfectly…

Well, that’s not the case.

If he continues to attempt escapes without succeeding, it will only increase Dante’s vigilance.

According to the original story, Lucian can’t escape this boarding school until he awakens his nobility’s abilities.

So, it’s much better to pre-condition him that escape is impossible.

More precisely, I must engrave the idea that a collaborator, or rather, without ‘Elze,’ escape is impossible.

Moreover, as a caretaker at the boarding school, I hold some influence…

‘Lucian will find it difficult to keep rejecting me continuously.’

But if he doesn’t attempt to escape, that’s not bad either.

At least, it means he trusts me enough to stay inside the room.

However…

‘Is that really possible?’

I shrugged my shoulders.

Lucian and I have only known each other for a few days at most.

Whether it’s trust or simple liking between humans, the basis for his actions is too shallow.

Besides, am I not the villainess who obsessively clings to Marquis Offenheir?

Even if I spoke a few flattering words, it’s unlikely that Lucian would immediately develop favorable feelings towards me.

I’d be relieved if he didn’t disdain me…

And at that moment.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Someone forcefully knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

As soon as I gave permission, a maid rushed into the room.

And then, she urgently shouted to me.

“Miss Elze, something has happened!”

“What is it?”

“One of the special students tried to escape…!”

“Ah, I see.”

I smiled coldly.

Everything was going according to plan.

* * *

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of my high heels echoed resplendently in the lavish hall.

Tap.

My slow steps finally came to a halt.

With a solemn gaze, I looked down at my feet.

Right in front of the pointed tip of my shoe, I saw Lucian, helplessly rolling on the floor like a dog.

“Kuh, let go…!”

Lucian struggled desperately, but it was all in vain.

Two large guards clung to him, exerting all their weight to pin him down.

With only the strength of an eighteen-year-old who recently came of age, there was no way for Lucian to escape the guards’ grasp.

“Hmm.”

For all the grand escape he attempted, he couldn’t even cross the boarding school’s fence.

Which means…

‘It seems my plan didn’t go off-track.’

It was the plan to pre-condition him that escape is impossible.

As evidence, Lucian’s face was stained with a mixture of defeat, anger, and despair.

“Miss Elze.”

At that moment, Victor approached me.

“Isn’t Miss Elze partially responsible for this student’s escape problem?”

His snake-like eyes scrutinized me up and down.

There was not a hint of favor in his gaze.

No, rather…

‘Does he really have to be so blatantly pleased?’

Victor’s expression seemed to shout out that he wanted to catch me red-handed.

“According to what I heard, Miss Elze left the solitary cell door open for that student. How could you overlook checking the doors?”

“So?”

In true villainess fashion, I narrowed my eyes and glared at Victor.

“Are you here to scold me?”

“No, how could I?”

Victor pretended to step back.

“I just wanted to kindly advise you to be more careful in the future. Also…”

A sinister smile slowly spread across Victor’s face.

A wicked smile.

“Considering the severity of this incident, I think we should report it to marquis Offenheir.”

---

5.

As if he had already captured the victory, his attitude was relaxed.

And it was reasonable for him to act that way.

After all, Dante was the only one who could control the mad dog of Rose Cross.

<Please, don’t do that. I was the one who did everything wrong…>

In the original work, Elze feared Dante’s rejection intensely.

<So, don’t say it to Dante, at least.>

It was understandable since, to Elze, Dante was like a god-like existence.

He saved her from being sold off as a strategic marriage, giving her the status of “Dante’s lover,” which provided a foundation for her not to be manipulated by others.

Although Dante only acted towards Elze as if giving a cheap toy to a crying child due to her bothersome begging for affection.

Even those trivial things were precious to Elze.

‘And Victor took advantage of Elze’s obsession with Dante for his own benefit.’

For example, he would use it to manipulate her like now, threatening with statements like, “I’ll tell Dante.”

But I was not the “original Elze,” who passionately loved Dante.

“Do as you please.”

“….Yes?”

Victor, feeling stabbed, widened his eyes.

Towards him, I drove the nail in again.

“Do as you please.”

Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect Victor to report to Dante at all.

Dante had complete control over Rose Cross Boarding School.

So, the current situation was bound to reach Dante’s ears.

Moreover, it was a well-known fact that Elze was incompetent.

‘Besides, Dante doesn’t have any expectations of me anyway.’

Thus, before orchestrating this incident, I had already weighed my options.

Instead of being seen as a foolish woman by Dante, who had no expectations of me whatsoever, I decided to stomp on Lucian’s hopes of escaping.

By doing so, I would prevent any potential disaster that might occur later.

It was a much more advantageous decision for me.

“Oh, Marquis Offenheir will be disappointed in Miss Elze!”

“Disappointed?”

I smiled brightly.

“Why would he be disappointed now?”

“… Miss Elze?”

“Marquis Offenheir never had any expectations of me from the beginning.”

At my nonchalant response, Victor looked greatly confused.

Anyway, I glanced briefly at Lucian, whether he spoke up or not.

“Then, should we just put that student back in solitary confinement?”

“There’s no need for Miss Elze to personally intervene. I can take care of it.”

“No, it was my mistake.”

I shrugged lightly.

“I made the mistake, so I should handle the aftermath too.”

Then, I covered my mouth and exaggerated a yawn.

“I was just about to fall asleep, and now I’m being called out. I’m tired. Can’t I just put the student away and go to bed?”

Without waiting for an answer, I turned around.

“Move aside.”

I gestured with my eyes to the two guards pinning down Lucian.

“….”

As the guards hesitated and stepped back, Lucian lying face down on the floor came into view.

His proud face was filled with humiliation.

I spoke calmly, “However, before going to bed.”

“….”

“We should give some punishment to the child who made the mistake, right?”

Lucian clenched his teeth tightly.

And then, *smack!*

A sharp slapping sound reverberated through the air.

It was because I had slapped Lucian’s cheek fiercely.

His once pale cheek turned bright red in an instant.

“Huff.”

At the same time, Victor gasped.

‘Even though he is a member of the Kalleid family, can she really slap someone in front of everyone like that?’

He might be thinking something like that.

Lucian, who received my slap, just hung his head in silence.

His cheek was probably throbbing with pain; perhaps he couldn’t even speak.

I grabbed Lucian by the collar, getting right in front of his face, and squeezed it tightly.

“I feel really bad because of you, disturbing my nap.”

It seemed like Lucian thought I had taken advantage of him.

His blue eyes were filled with despair, and he looked like he was sinking into darkness.

Feeling somewhat sorry, I turned away from Lucian, pretending to look at the guards.

“You and you.”

I immediately handed Lucian over to the guards.

“Take this ill-mannered child with you.”

Then I swiftly turned around.

Clack, clack, my steps moved on, passing by Victor.

His naive face was etched into my eyes.

It seemed like he had taken a hit.

Well, I quite liked that dumbfounded expression of his.

* * *

After putting Lucian back into the solitary cell again.

“Everybody, get out.”

With just one irritated command, I dismissed the guards.

Though the guards hesitated for a moment, it seemed they didn’t want to deal with the hysterics of the villainess.

They politely nodded to me and left.

“….”

Lucian sat crumpled in a corner of the cell, his head buried deeply.

It seemed like he was feeling quite guilty.

‘Hmm, is this still my fault after all?’

Even though it was true that I planned all this to make him realize he couldn’t escape without me, seeing him in such a pitiful state didn’t make me feel particularly good.

‘His cheek is quite swollen.’

I gazed at the cheek I had slapped with a bitter feeling.

The once bright red cheek was now turning a bluish hue from the forming bruise.

‘At least he doesn’t seem to be seriously hurt or have trouble moving.’

Perhaps, unlike the first time I dragged him here, the guards handled Lucian with more caution this time.

They must have calculated that if he got hurt again, it would be difficult to treat him.

“I’m sorry for hitting you.”

I offered an apology first.

Though it might sound insincere, I truly meant it.

“Shall we start by treating your cheek? There’s some ointment for bruises in the first aid box I gave you earlier.”

Then, Lucian quickly raised his head.

He bared his fangs and growled.

“Don’t pretend to care, it’s disgusting.”

“…I understand your anger. I may have overreacted a bit to prevent suspicion from the people at the dormitory.”

“Overreacted a bit?”

Lucian retorted as if listening to nonsense.

“Can this be dismissed as just overreacting a bit?”

“My Lord.”

“In this trashy school, I should be hearing your dog-like excuses while being stuck here.”

Lucian shot me a sharp gaze.

“Overreacting, you say. Just move on?”

A blue flame flickered deep in his eyes.

I could easily read what emotions Lucian was feeling right now.

Self-loathing, frustration, betrayal, despair.

And even fear of being trapped in an unfamiliar place and confined.

… For the barely adult Lucian, it was an overwhelmingly heavy burden of emotions to handle.

But…

‘Now is not the time to pity Lucian.’

Without a word, I faced Lucian and spoke.

“It must be miserable for you.”

“What?”

Lucian’s expression was instantly flabbergasted.

I smiled arrogantly.

“No matter how much you struggle, you’ll never be able to escape from this school on your own, my Lord.”

I bent down and looked directly into his trembling blue eyes.

Then I calmly asked, “You must have realized that by now, right?”

“What did you say just now…!”

Clank!

Unable to contain his anger, Lucian hastily stood up, but the chains tightened around his body.

As I faced his miserable state, I twisted my expression with satisfaction.

“Look, even now, my Lord, you are trapped in this cell like a tied-up dog.”

“You…!”

Lucian growled, baring his fangs like a beast.

But I didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

“Do you want to break free from being treated like a leashed pup? Then make a decision.”

Snapping.

Lucian couldn’t contain his anger and ground his teeth.

I looked at such Lucian with an affectionate gaze.

“Do you want to firmly grasp a certain way to escape from here, or…”

My smile became even deeper.

It was a villainous smile, akin to a venomous rose.

“…do you want to waver weakly and end up being trampled?”

With that last remark,

I stood up.

As I bid farewell to Lucian for the last time, I elegantly concluded,

“The decision is up to you, my Lord.”

Click!

The door closed.

Lucian’s face, filled with despair, disappeared through the gap in the door.