“That’s because he’s the Emperor. He’s someone who has spent his life honing the skill of seeing the world through reason rather than emotion.”

Aristie reflexively defended Khalid. Even though she was hurt by his distrust, she didn’t want others to criticize him—it was strange even to herself.

“Aristie, in that case, why don’t you try being a villainess too?”

Roselina urged her angrily, seemingly displeased with her attitude.

“That woman said it, right? That you were a villainess in the novel.”

“She did say that……”

“Then you act viciously too. Who cares if it’s childish? If that woman can do it, what’s stopping you?”

“……”

“You can’t beat a woman like Estelle with ordinary means. Since you’ve already been called a villainess, bite her like a mad dog. I’ll support you all the way.”

“……I don’t know how to do it.”

After being silent, Aristie finally moved her lips after a while. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to become a villainess.

She wanted to crush Estelle even if it meant becoming vicious, but she simply didn’t know how.

One needs to practice being wicked to improve at it—a person who has lived righteously all her life cannot learn to be a despicable con artist in an instant.

“You’re just too kind.”

Roselina, who had been maintaining a gloomy expression, suddenly asked.

“The exchange diary I gave you, have you been writing in it lately?”

“Ah, that?”

Aristie smiled faintly with a guilty expression.

“I completely forgot about it. I’m not used to it……”

“Make sure to write in it from now on. Every time there’s an incident related to that woman. Then when we meet next time, we’ll read it together and devise methods. As you write, clues might come to your mind…… cough!”

Roselina suddenly coughed while speaking, perhaps from excitement. Her already poor complexion had turned even paler.

“Stop talking and rest. You’ve pushed yourself too hard, Rose.”

“Yeah…… I guess so.”

Roselina reluctantly acknowledged and leaned her head on the pillow. Aristie stroked her friend’s hair, which had changed like a withered rose, and asked.

“When do you plan to go down to the territory?”

“Well, with packing and finalizing my parents’ schedule, it will take a full month.”

“That’s good, there’s time. I’ll come visit again in the meantime.”

“Yes. Don’t forget to bring the diary.”

Roselina looked up at Aristie while reminding her again. Even with her watery eyes that seemed about to extinguish, she worried more about her friend than herself.

“Think only of yourself, Aristie. Don’t think about anyone else, only yourself.”

Roselina repeated as if wanting to brainwash her.

“Okay. I will.”

Aristie nodded.

If being selfish could make her a villainess, she was willing to become such a person.

* * *

On his day off, Zephyros was sitting at his regular bar, tilting his glass.

He preferred free romance, and when he wasn’t seeing anyone special, he would act as bait like now, waiting for women to approach him.

It didn’t matter if no women approached. Then he could just barge into his friends’ hangout spots and have a great time.

“Aren’t you Sir Zephyros?”

Coincidentally, today there was a woman who took the bait. Since it was widely known that he had meetings here, it wasn’t surprising if someone called out his name directly.

“Yes, but who are you?”

“I’m Miela.”

The woman sat next to Zephyros with a seductive posture, gracefully curling the corners of her eyes. Zephyros’s gaze lazily swept over the woman from top to bottom.

He seemed quite pleased, but his gaze didn’t linger long before he withdrew it. Then, twirling the glass in his hand, he spoke indifferently.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’re a good match.”

“My, am I not satisfying enough for you?”

“No, you’re very satisfying, but……”

Zephyros tilted his head to look at the woman with a slight smile.

“I make it a rule not to touch married women or those with lovers.”

The woman’s pupils trembled for a moment before settling. If not for the dim lighting of the bar, or if Zephyros had observed her more carefully, he might have caught this movement.

However, the woman concealed her true intentions behind a smile, raising her lips prettily.

“Do I look like that kind of woman?”

“Then would men have left a beautiful woman like you alone? They would have claimed you as theirs long ago.”

Now it seemed that all the words Zephyros had said to the woman were just groundwork for his current flattery. He was certainly skilled at capturing women’s hearts.

“I’m like you.”

The woman caressed Zephyros’s forearm and sweetly tempted him.

“I’ve been waiting for you since the day I broke up with my lover. Of course, other men approached me in the meantime, but I didn’t give in. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to meet you.”

“……”

Only then did Zephyros’s gaze fully focus on the woman. When he called, “Miela,” the woman leaned in and whispered.

“I want free romance like you. Even if it’s just for one night. That’s why I came.”

Zephyros gazed at the woman’s grape-colored eyes with fascination. Then he slowly lowered his gaze.

When his gaze, sliding down her cheek, reached the woman’s lips, he too wore the same smile on his face.

“Follow me. I’ll give you a night you won’t regret.”

* * *

Aristie, who parted with Roselina earlier than planned, headed to the bustling district instead of home. She wanted to buy a gift for Roselina.

The sight of her sickly friend weighed heavily on her mind. Her body had been gradually recovering, only to deteriorate so rapidly. And on top of that, she would soon be returning to the countryside……

‘It would be nice if Rose were by my side.’

After getting off the carriage, Aristie strolled through the streets, imagining shopping with her healthy friend. After visiting stores to purchase gifts, she visited her regular café and ordered tea.

Located deep in an alley, the café was cozy like a hideout, a place she often visited alone.

“Your tea is ready.”

“Thank you.”

Aristie sipped her lavender tea and fell into contemplation. Along with worries about Roselina, the thought lingering in her mind was the advice Roselina had given—how to become a villainess.

It meant converting her shield-like way of life into a spear.

Having experienced all sorts of schemes and tricks, she was practically an expert in defending herself, but taking the initiative to attack others was indeed not easy.

Moreover……

‘If it becomes known that I harmed Estelle, I would face a backlash. Even my revelation to Khalid would be reduced to a lie meant to slander Estelle.’

That would be truly unfair. Because of this, she couldn’t act rashly.

Anyway, without any brilliant idea to attack Estelle, all Aristie could do for now was to vow to actively counter Estelle’s schemes.

* * *

‘……It’s already this late.’

Aristie awoke from her contemplation when dusk began to engulf the city.

She remembered the soldiers who must have been waiting endlessly for her by the carriage while she enjoyed tea alone.

‘I didn’t intend to stay this long. I should have told them to rest elsewhere.’

Feeling sorry for the soldiers, Aristie hurriedly left the café. She walked briskly through the alley, but soon slowed her pace upon spotting an unexpected figure.

Zephyros was walking ahead of her in the alley.

Though the distance made identification difficult, she recognized his back, having seen it many times.

‘Is he on a date?’

Aristie inevitably slowed her pace further. Despite seeing Zephyros often, they weren’t personally close, and having witnessed him with a woman by his side, she couldn’t possibly acknowledge him.

‘I’ll keep my distance until they reach the main street.’

She decided to walk leisurely with that in mind. However, the moment they reached the main street, an incident erupted.

‘Gasp! What is that woman doing?’

The woman who had been walking in Zephyros’s embrace glanced around subtly and suddenly began tearing her own dress!

“Kyaah! H-help me! This man is trying to assault me!”

Then she ran into the street, screaming. The location was a bustling area crowded with people returning home, so a crowd quickly gathered.

The woman they saw was in a miserable state, with her clothes torn and her face covered in tears. She looked exactly like someone who had narrowly escaped being r*ped.

“Miss, what happened!”

“My goodness! Your clothes are all torn?”

“Let me give you something to wear……”

A young gentleman took off his outer garment and wrapped it around the woman. To those asking about the situation, she shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

“He forcibly embraced me and tried to dishonor me despite my refusal! Even when I told him I was married! Sob……”

“Who dares to commit such an act?”

“That man over there!”

The woman promptly pointed to the alley entrance. There stood Zephyros, frozen like a statue, staring at the woman.

He didn’t even think of running away. Why would he flee when he had done nothing wrong?

He was simply too dumbfounded to think, his mind halted. It was clear he had fallen into some trap, but he couldn’t readily guess who would set up such a scheme and why.

What benefit would anyone gain from pulling such a trick on me……?