Side: Amy (2)

The villainess has been looking more and more pathetic lately, and honestly, it feels great. Her aesthetic is completely different from mine, but she was always so irritatingly beautiful; now, I can visibly see her wasting away.

It was hard to tell at first because she always keeps such a stiff, frozen expression, but since I’ve been facing off with her every day, the change is obvious. Hey, honey, is your skin getting a little breakout?

Having skin trouble at that age? Ah, how tragic. (LOL)

I mean, really. She’s only helping with the performance because she barged in and forced her way into Karl-sama’s group, yet she still has the nerve to voice her own opinions. It’s no wonder Karl-sama hates her even more now.

A villainess should just be our servant and do what she’s told. She’s even been acting as our errand girl lately. How convenient for us.

There was just one problem: the event where the villainess slaps me hadn't triggered yet. In the Scenario, she’s supposed to lose her cool after misunderstanding one of my lines and strike me. I realized I’d have to take the initiative if I wanted to keep things on track.

"Anastasia-samaaa, are you still here...?"

"……"

"Being so stiff and gloomy is why Karl-samaaa is going to lose interest in youuu, you knowoo?"

"……Our engagement is not based on such trifles. It is for the sake of the country."

"Eh—? But that makes Karl-sama sooo pitiful, doesn't it? I think Karl-samaaa, and the citizens tooo, would surelyyy prefer a much moreee charming Queen, don’t youuu?"

Suddenly, the air in the room grew cold. Hehehe, she’s mad. She’s definitely mad.

The villainess possessed two types of Divine Protection: [Ice Magic] and [Knight]. Because she was losing her temper, her Ice Magic was starting to leak out.

Just one more little push.

"Oh myyy? What’s wronggg? You can’t do thataa. A future Queen needs to remember to smile. Smi-le!"

I struck my signature pose, leaning in close to peer into her face with a beaming grin.

"Amy... are you insulting me?"

"No wayyy. Anastasia-sama is so scaryyy!"

The villainess let out a heavy sigh and launched into yet another lecture.

Ugh, seriously? Why won’t you just hit me already?!

"Listen well. This country is built upon a social hierarchy. That is a reality that cannot be overturned, even if we are students of the same academy. Know your place and show some courtesy."

"That’s so strange, thoughhh. Anastasia-sama and I are both human, aren't weee? Everyone is equal before God."

"That is a matter for when we are in God's presence. I am merely telling you to mind your manners. And what is wrong with you, anyway? Clinging so shamelessly to a man who has a fiancée... Do not act in a way that invites such misunderstanding!"

The villainess’s voice was getting louder. I knew it. Even after everything, she’s still in love with Karl-sama.

"That’s not true at allll! Karl-sama and I are just frieeeends. And Marcus, Leo, Oscar, and Claude too—everyone is a precious frieeeend! Please don't say mean things about my friends!"

"I am telling you that the friendship itself is what is inappropriate! If you must have friends, choose men who do not have fiancées!"

"Anastasia-sama, you’re an outsider! Please don't interfere with our friendshippp!"

"What did you say?!"

The air turned frigid. I was certain she was going to strike me this time, but then Karl-sama and the others walked back in. Tch. Talk about bad timing.

"Hey, Anastasia. What on earth are you doing? Weren't you two supposed to be preparing together? I told you not to start any fights. You’re always acting so high and mighty, yet you can’t even manage a simple task like that?"

"Your Highness! This woman was—!"

"Karl-samaaa! I wanted to get along with her, but Anastasia-sama said I was being rude..."

I leaned against Karl-sama’s chest, and he caught me in a gentle embrace.

"You!"

The villainess cried out pathetically, but Karl-sama immediately barked her down.

"Silence! Shut your mouth this instant! That is an order!"

"Gugh..."

"Our relationship is a matter for the world outside. Do not bring such a worthless arrangement into this academy."

"I... understand..."

The villainess went back to her work as our servant, her face returning to that stiff, Noh-mask-like expression.

God, how pathetic. It felt so good to watch.

I left the room with Karl-sama and the others, but I doubled back, telling them I had a bit of private business to attend to.

I waited in the hallway until the villainess walked by, still wearing that same frozen mask.

Honestly, "serves you right" was the only way to describe this.

She tried to pass me by as if I weren't there, so I flashed her a nasty grin.

"How pathetic. How does it feel to have your fiancé stolen?"

The villainess’s eyes widened. Her face flushed a deep, indignant crimson as she swung her right hand back.

Hehe. Finally. Event: Clear!

"A-chooo!"

Just as the moment arrived, an absurd interruption ruined everything.

That gloomy loner let out a sneeze so ridiculously loud it echoed down the hall. The villainess flinched in surprise, and her hand stopped mid-air!

Are you freaking kidding me?!

I worked so hard to trigger that flag! You damn gloomy loner! You're going to pay for this!

"A-ah? Anastasia-sama? And Amy-sama too? Oh, were you perhaps in the middle of a conversation? M-my apologies!"

The loner gave me a totally transparent, fake apology and scrambled away.

Ugh, he’s so annoying. Once I get the villainess exiled, maybe I’ll deal with him next.

He’s just a commoner, after all. I can do whatever I want to him, right?

"It seems that speaking to you is a waste of breath," the villainess said, her face returning to its mask-like stillness as she began to walk away. "But remember this: His Highness is the future King of this country. You, who understand nothing of the roles that royalty and nobility must fulfill, are not fit to stand by his side. Stay away from him."

She walked off without looking back.

God, I’m so pissed! This is all that guy’s fault.

I glared at her retreating back, wishing I could burn a hole right through her.

"What is the deal with that guy? That Allen loner wasn't even supposed to appear in Extra Mode, was he?"

Oops. I was alone, so it didn't really matter, but the thought had slipped out of my mouth.

Still... seriously! How annoying!