Chapter 2: Becoming the Villainess

A trembling maid crept into the massive, luxurious bedroom. She approached the bed, her voice shaking with pure terror.

"M-Miss Elira... please wake up."

Hina blinked her eyes open, staring blankly at the unfamiliar canopy ceiling above her.

She sat up, locking her gaze onto the shivering maid standing by her bedside.

"Who are you?" Hina asked, completely confused.

The maid's face turned entirely pale. Terrified that the notoriously bad-tempered young lady was already angry with her, she let out a small shriek, whirled around, and bolted out of the room as fast as her legs could carry her.

Hina watched her go, thoroughly baffled.

Left alone, she finally took a proper look around the room. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the furniture looked like it belonged to a medieval palace.

She muttered to herself, "What is this place? Where am I?"

She looked down at her hands—they were flawless, pale, and completely unblemished. She touched the silky fabric of her nightgown.

Wait... I was hit by a massive truck last night. How am I even alive?

Her eyes caught a glimpse of a giant, gold-framed full-length mirror across the room.

She scrambled out of bed, rushed over to the glass, and stared at the reflection.

Hina let out a loud, piercing scream.

"Who in the world is that?!"

Staring back at her was a breathtakingly beautiful girl with a sharp, arrogant gaze and an unmistakable aura of nobility.

Hina's breath hitched as reality slammed into her.

"Am I... have I really been reincarnated as the villainess from my favorite manga?!"

She sank down onto a nearby chair, her mind racing.

"This is completely impossible... Last night I literally made a wish to the sky, and now I'm actually a villainess?!"

A slow, brilliant grin broke across her face. She threw her head back and began to laugh out loud.

"Haha... Hahaha! This is the absolute best day ever! From now on, I am going to become a villainess the likes of which this whole world has never seen before!"

Because she had read the manga cover to cover, she retained all the knowledge of the future plot, along with a few lingering memories of the original Elira Vane's past life.

Feeling energized, Hina—now Elira—marched out of her bedroom and headed down the sweeping corridors until she found the grand dining hall.

Her new mother and father were already sitting at the long table, quietly drinking their tea.

Elira walked forward confidently.

"Good morning," she announced cheerfully, sliding into an empty seat.

She picked up a silver fork and smoothly began to eat the breakfast laid out before her.

Instantly, her mother and father's eyes widened to the size of saucers. They froze, completely stopping mid-bite.

"Dear... Elira?" her mother asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you feeling quite alright?"

Elira blinked, chewing her food.

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

Her parents exchanged a horrified look.

"Because... you have never, ever said 'good morning' to us in your entire life. And you never use a fork to eat your breakfast!"

Elira's eyes snapped shut.

Oh, great. I am such a stupid airhead! she scolded herself mentally. I am supposed to be a wicked villainess now! The original Elira Vane was a spoiled, rude noble who never showed manners, and I just acted exactly like my old, polite self, Hina! If I want to become a villainess who goes too far, I have to act exactly like Elira Vane.

Forcing a haughty, arrogant laugh, Elira waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, please! Hahaha! I am just in an exceptionally good mood today, that's all! Obviously, I am still the one and only Elira Vane!"

Her parents let out a collective sigh of relief, though they still looked suspicious.

"Ah... alright. If you say so, dear."

"Anyway, I am going outside," Elira announced, standing up from the table.

She walked out into the courtyard, the cool morning breeze hitting her face.

But as she took a few steps, a sudden thought struck her like lightning.

Wait a minute... in the original manga timeline, the villainess is supposed to attend a high-society school! Ah, how could I forget something so important?!

Panicking, she spun around, hurried back inside the mansion, and ran up to her bedroom.

She threw her wardrobe doors open, tearing through the racks of expensive silk dresses to look for a school uniform.

But there was absolutely nothing there.

Frustrated, she walked back downstairs, found her mother, and asked bluntly,

"Mom, have you seen my school uniform anywhere?"

Her mother made an incredibly confused face, stepping toward her.

"Your uniform? Which uniform, Elira?"

"Ah... my school uniform, obviously," Elira repeated.

Her mother stared at her as if she had grown a second head.

"Elira, in what world do you start going to school?"

Elira froze.

Oh... wait.

A memory from the manga suddenly flashed in her mind.

The original Elira Vane didn't actually start attending the academy until Chapter 10 of the story! It was still way too early!

"No, I... I was just joking," Elira stammered, trying to cover her tracks.

Her mother narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Wait... did you happen to overhear our conversation earlier?"

Elira tilted her head.

"What conversation?"

"When I suggested sending you to the Noble Academy to your father," her mother explained, sighing. "But your father insisted it was impossible and that you would absolutely hate it, so we decided to drop the subject. But... if you actually want to go, then this is wonderful news! From tomorrow onward, you will officially attend the academy."

A bright, genuine smile broke across her mother's face as she walked away to make the arrangements.

Elira stood perfectly still in the middle of the hallway, her mind completely blown.

Wait... this scene never happened in the manga at all! The parents never suggested it early!

A thrilled smile slowly spread across Elira's lips.

"Ah... so that's how it is? It means I can actually change the original storyline!"

She clenched her fists, a dangerous, ambitious glint returning to her eyes.

"I will have to be incredibly careful tomorrow at the academy... because I am going to make sure I become a villainess just like Elira Vane. No... a villainess that goes way too far!"

[Chapter Ended]

To Be Continued.