Chapter 21

16 years old - that was when the original story would begin.

The young, hopeful and pure heroine, Yui Armina (adopted daughter of the Armina family) would start the high school life she’d always dreamt of. There, she would endure abuse from nobles and rivals alike, including her ‘vile, villainess’ sister, Raena von Armina, but she’d have encounters with young bachelors and fall in love.

However, said heroine was currently clinging to my left arm as I walked hand in hand with Victoria on my right…and with Yuri sat on top of my head in her fairy form.

How did we end up in this situation?

Victoria met us by our carriage and so, naturally, I invited her to come with us. In said carriage, Yui was very ‘insistent’ on sitting by my side.

As was Yuri.

Victoria laughed it off, or so I thought.

When we were getting out of the carriage, Victoria ‘accidentally’ stepped on Yuri’s toes and ‘fell’ in such a way I had to catch her.

“Thank you very much, Lady Raena,” Victoria said with a less than subtle smirk as her fingers ‘somehow’ ended up intertwined with mine.

So, Yui ‘upstaged’ her and took my free arm.

Not to be left behind, Yuri turned back into her fairy form and sat on my head.

An interesting way to debut myself at the academy.

I was happy, but a little tired.

The school day hadn’t even started.

Rumours would spread but let them.

It’d be more fun that way.

And there were certain ‘annoyances’ that needed to be dealt with.

But that could wait.

Our arrival was quite loud, but our arrival could still not match the debut of the original male leads.

First came Lord Cain, our country’s future king. Then, there was a much more serious looking Lord Michael, the next duke of Wessex and the soon-to-be ex-fiancé of my Victoria. The future emperor of another nation, Ah-rahm, the next prime minister, Cederik Cullen, and my cousin, Marcus.

Outside of Prince Cain and Lord Michael, I had not seen or interacted much with the other male leads as Yuri called them, but I could see why they were popular, even before all off their admirers began squealing.

Prince Cain and Lord Michael were handsome men with high standings in society, meaning that anyone lucky enough to become their bride would live a life of luxury and security.

Ah-rahm, with his regal clothes and exposed upper six-pack, wore an arrogant smile and silky black hair was a striking figure. Even from a distance, I could tell that he was someone worthy of his position.

His aura exuded confidence and strength. His eyes were scanning the crowd and making quick assessments of all those who entered his gaze.

He saw me, smirked and then turned away.

…Interesting.

My cousin, Marcus, gave me a small wave but he looked more cute than handsome.

As for Lord Cederik, he was too busy reading a book to even glance at his admirers.

“My, Prince Cain looks so handsome!”

“Lord Michael won’t lose in looks, but that stern gaze~! Ah, I love it!”

“Prince Ah-rahm looked at me! He looked at me!”

“No, he was looking at me!”

“No, it was me!”

“…Lord Cederik is always so serious…but I do like that kind of thing.”

“How cool!”

“They’re so amazing!”

“I wonder who will become their fiancés?”

“How cool!”

“Who do you think Prince Cain will chose?”

“Well, naturally, it’d have to be a princess from abroad of a duchy, right?”

“…Normally, but I’ve heard Lady Raena and Lord Cain aren’t close at all.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Ladies, your whispers are loud, and your eyes are as wide as an owl’s at night.

Well, I would welcome them all, only to assess their worth.

I guess that’s where Lord Ah-rahm and I shared some common traits.

A woman with lots of men chasing them is scorned and called a harlot, whereas a man who spends many nights with many ladies is praised.

What about a woman chased by women?

It was definitely befitting of a villainess.

“Good morning, Lady Raena.”

“Good morning, Lord Michael.”

He was smiling, though I could tell he wanted to laugh at the ridiculous sight before him.

“It’s quite hot today, so do be careful.”

“…Thank you for your kind words. How are the prince and the others in your circle of friends faring?”

Yes, by some strange circumstances, one that Yuri could only describe as ‘otome-game logic’, all of the male leads made quick friends before school started, and they would all eventually become members of the student council. As would have Yui in the original scenario had circumstances not changed.

“Prince Cain’s fiancé candidate list has been revised for the sixth time. Lord Ah-rahm and Princess Claudia’s engagement has been finalised and will be announced shortly. Everyone else is just excited to start school soon.”

“Who are the most likely candidates for Lord Cain’s bride to be?”

Lord Michael gave me a thin smile. “Nothing is certain, but there are lots of rumours you and Yui-”

“Not happening.”

“Oh, Lord Michael, you jester.”

“No way in a million years!”

Yui, Victoria and Yuri all rejected Lord Michael’s words, and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing.

Lord Michael, however, burst out into a chuckle. “I don’t think those rumours will last long once people see you guys like this.”

“That’s my hope,” I said.

“While I have this chance, allow me to formally apologise for my past behaviours.” He bowed a little to me. “I’m no longer the same man I was back then, so I’ll do my best to earn back Lady Victoria’s affections, as difficult and long as a road it might be.”

It’s an unclimbable mountain.

“I appreciate your words, but my heart belongs to Lady Raena,” Victoria said.

“For now.”

“Forever.”

Lord Michael was a little deterred, but he left us in good spirits.

As for I and those clinging to me, we went towards our classroom.

All the highest scorers and the most prestigious nobles were put into Class 1. Of course, that included all 4 of us.

Yuri seemed uncomfortable once she’d transformed back into a human - did coming to a school remind her of things she’d rather leave forgotten?

There were many parts of Yuri’s life I didn’t know about, and I did want to ask.

But ever since her less than positive expression when I made a snide comment years ago, I didn’t dare tread into that territory again.

I’d like her to open up to me eventually, but I didn’t want to sour our relationship.

Not again.

If that happened, I’d-

“Onee-sama, look, we’re sat next to each other!”

“So we are, Yui.”

“Yuri’s right on the other side too…” Victoria sighed. Alas, only I am away from Raena during class.”

“He-heh!”

“Yui.”

“Ah, sorry, Onee-sama.” Yui cleared her throat and smiled ‘warmly’ at Victoria. “It’s such a shame, Lady Victoria, but we will try our best not to miss you.”

“The Angel of the Armina Duchy, my ass.”

Oh wow, Victoria - to use such vulgar words, even beneath your breath.

However.

“That’s okay. I’ll make sure to visit as soon as possible, and.” Victoria pecked my cheek. “I’ll get my fill elsewhere.”

That little cheek kiss has definitely gotten under Yui’s skin.

Yuri looked a little embarrassed and fidgeted a lot, but-

Whispers.

Faint, but they were there.

I could hear them all, but I wasn’t acknowledging them.

Not yet.

Not until the fruit was prime for picking.

As we sat down, Yui leant in close to my ear.

“I’ve memorised their faces.”

“Well done.”

Yui was elated by my prince.

As classes began, I realised two very important things.

The first was that I was far ahead of the curriculum being currently taught.

The second was that Yuri felt out of place, both at my side and in this school.

I know it’s hard for you right now, but I promise it’ll get better soon.

***

The school day ended very well.

There were many whispers about us, about the male leads and other things.

“Crude.”

“Disgraceful.”

“Unfit.”

“Unworthy.”

“Commoner.”

“Vulgar.”

“Harlot.”

“Villainess.”

“Angel.”

There was oh so much I learnt today and -

I chuckled to myself.

So much I needed to prepare for.

Mother and father’s support and connections would prove invaluable, as would Victoria and Yui’s intelligence.

No one speaks ill of me or what’s mine.

No one.