Side: Amy (4)

I’d thought the final exams were surprisingly tough and that I’d struggled quite a bit, but what on earth was going on with these results?!

I could accept that the loner got a perfect score, but how the heck did the Villainess get one too? In the game, you weren’t even in second place; you were supposed to be ranked way lower than that!

And third and fourth place were Margaret and Isabella? They’re both the Villainess’s lackeys! Plus, isn't Isabella a total moron from B Class? How did a girl like that end up ranked higher than me?!

Ugh, seriously! This is the absolute worst!

But whatever. It’s fine. Today marks the start of the fun part—the Condemnation Event. Today is the last day that Villainess gets to act all high and mighty. Come on, Anastasia, today is your end!

＊＊＊＊

God, Lord Karl was just as wonderful as I’d imagined. Being chosen as the top student of the year was impressive enough, but calling everyone onto the stage to thank them one by one? Only Lord Karl would do something like that. The game glossed over this part, but seeing it in person... he really was amazing. I found myself falling for him all over again.

He even called me up to the stage and told me he wanted me by his side forever. I was so happy I thought I might actually die.

"And one more thing," he announced. "I have something to declare here."

Oh? What was it? Could it be a proposal?

"Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett, come forward."

Oh, right. I’d gotten a bit carried away in the moment. This was it. The start of the fun, fun Villainess’s Condemnation Event. At Lord Karl’s command, the Villainess stepped forward with her usual mask-like expression. Hehe. Honestly, she looked so pathetic.

"Anastasia, as of this moment, I annul my engagement to you!"

Ahhh, Lord Karl! He was so cool. He’d looked cool on my phone screen, but in real life? He was hundreds of times better.

"Your Highness, are you serious?"

Huh? Hey, why didn’t she look more upset? Lately, she’d been stuck with that stone-faced look, but in the game, she was supposed to be furious and humiliated! Hurry up and start screaming like a loser!

"Hmph. As usual, you’re a woman slow to understand. A woman with a rotten nature like yours isn't fit for me. Amy here, who is kind-hearted and possesses the Healing Power, is the one truly suitable to be my fiancée."

"Your Highness, are you certain about this woman who knows neither etiquette, nor the duties of the nobility, nor the foundations of this country? Do you truly believe someone like her can serve as the Mother of the Nation?"

What the hell was her problem?! Staring at me with that piercing gaze... what was wrong with her? But Lord Karl just gently pulled me close. Hehe. That’s right. My victory was absolute!

"Don't say such stupid things! Her kindness is exactly what this country needs. We have no need for someone like you who spins pointless logic at every turn. In the first place, we know about the numerous harassments you’ve committed against Amy! A woman with a nature like yours is exactly the kind of person unsuitable to be the Mother of the Nation!"

"Is that so? Then Your Highness will take full responsibility for the consequences of this choice, correct?"

Wait! What was with that line? That’s not what she was supposed to say! She was supposed to be more pathetic, right? Come on! Start wailing already!

But as expected, Lord Karl properly disparaged the Villainess.

"I wondered what you would say, but this is why the big-headed Ramsletts are such a nuisance. That’s why no matter how much time passes, the Ramsletts are just country folk who can only grow wheat."

"Your Highness. You may say what you like about me," she said. "However, I cannot overlook an insult against House Ramslett. Please withdraw your previous statement."

"What are you talking about? I only stated a fact."

Oh? Is she mad? This was my chance. The Villainess’s entire family was going to be executed anyway, so I could say whatever I wanted, right?

"S-She’s right, you know? That’s why a person from a family of country folk like Lady Anastasia gets abandoned by Lord Karl!"

But instead of breaking down, the Villainess just looked at me with those cold eyes and sighed. Hey! What was that for?! How dare a Villainess look down on me!

"Amy, do you also intend to insult House Ramslett?"

"Since Lord Karl is saying it, it’s a fact!"

"Then, House Ramslett shall lodge a formal protest against House Braies."

"Using your family’s power is cowardly!"

"This is a waste of time. I shall take my leave."

Wait, what? Why was she trying to leave on her own! She was supposed to get angry here and throw her glove, wasn't she? That’s how the event goes! But Lord Karl understood the scenario properly.

"Wait! It’s as Amy says. If you have any pride as a noble, solve this yourself before crying to your parents. Until then, I won’t allow you to leave this place."

"Your Highness, what on earth are you saying?"

"What are your gloves for?"

Yes! Exactly! You’re supposed to throw your glove here!

"At the very least, they are not meant to be used lightly for something like this."

No! You’re wearing those gloves specifically so you can get triggered and throw them!

"I see. So the daughter of House Ramslett cannot even fight while staking the pride and honor of her house. It seems His Grace the Duke has no talent for raising children either."

Lord Karl snorted in derision, and the important-looking people who had come to the gala were laughing too. Serves you right, Villainess. You’re a complete laughingstock.

"Is Your Highness telling me to challenge you to a duel?"

"Think for yourself. Must you be told everything by me, the Crown Prince? You are a charmless woman as always."

Ahaha. She looked so frustrated. That’s right. You’re going to challenge me to a duel of your own will and lose pathetically.

"I understand."

Saying that, she finally threw her glove at me.

"Hyah! U-Um, this..."

Now I just had to act according to the Scenario. "Here, let me give this back to you..."

"Just how much do you have to mock me before you’re satisfied?"

Wait, why wasn't she blowing up? In the game, she was supposed to get mad and slap me! Why was she looking at me with such cold eyes? Was the game glitching?

"Amy, this means that woman, feeling insulted, has challenged you to a duel."

"Eh? Is that so? But... I don't know the first thing about fighting..."

"Well, fine. I shall accept this duel as Amy’s proxy."

"What? Your Highness? To command a woman to duel and then act as her proxy yourself—are you in your right mind?"

Fufu. The lines were a bit different, but yes! That panicked face was exactly what I wanted to see.

"What are you saying? You challenged her to a duel of your own accord. I am acting as her proxy because I want to protect Amy; it is as simple as that."

"……"

Oh? She went silent. Serves you right!

"I shall also serve as a proxy."

"I’ll do it too."

"I shall do so as well."

"Of course, I’ll fight too."

Everyone! Thank you! As I thought, the Reverse Harem Route really was the best!

"What will you do? Is there a proxy who will fight against the five of us?"

The Villainess looked around the room. But there was no way a fool would act as her proxy knowing their opponents were Lord Karl, the Crown Prince, and Lord Claude, the prince of the neighboring country. No one would be that stupid.

"It seems you have no popularity either."

I couldn't help but smirk. But not yet. It was still too early. She was about to get pulverized by her former fiancé! Serves you right!

"I will act as her proxy."

……Huh?