How to Survive as That Villainess - Chapter 23

Chapter 3: A Well-Timed Day (9)

The biggest event at the academy, the Goddess’s Party, was approaching. Encouraged by the history professor, I had started helping with student council duties, and I was currently being worked harder than the student council members themselves. Of course, the other members weren’t slacking off. It’s just that the amount of work required was beyond imagination, and I had many complaints.

“I’d like you to work in the palace later.”

“Rather die first.”

The Crown Prince seemed quite pleased with my work and kept offering me scouting opportunities whenever he had the chance.

Honestly, I was tempted by the prospect of a stable job, but it was clear that I’d just be exploited by that wicked Crown Prince, so I kept refusing earnestly. Even now, I’m being bombarded with work, and if he becomes Emperor, how much more will he make me work? I’m already exhausted from the deluge of tasks, and on top of that, I’m stressed by Seria, who visits the student council room occasionally. She brings food and gifts that she made herself for the Crown Prince, but it’s hard to bear being single in comparison. Eden, who is also busy, can be seen barely managing to attend to Seria. Still, Seria stubbornly shows up and disrupts things.

“Honestly, Seria is a nuisance.”

A female member, known for her charisma, said in exasperation. There were quite a few female members in the student council, and she was among them. It was clear she wanted Seria kept out as much as possible.

“…Understood. I’ll do what I can.”

Eden’s pretty face was filled with exhaustion. He sighed and said that, then went back to his work. Eden must be having a hard time too, dealing with Seria, who keeps coming with a smile even when told outright not to. Looking at it, I felt sorry for Eden.

“I don’t mind. She brings food.”

“Yeah, and it’s a pleasure to look at her!”

Seria’s male followers started chatting with smiles on their faces. Since it was almost all praise for Seria, I reluctantly took out my earplugs from my pocket after a long time. The student council room felt like there were several Alecs in it.

The male members praised Seria, while the female members worked with displeased expressions. In this very strange atmosphere, I quietly worked and sighed. It was surprising that this atmosphere had come about because of one person.

I wonder if Seria will come today; she brought tomato sandwiches and hung out yesterday. I hope she doesn’t come today. Each day is filled with anxiety. Speaking of tomato sandwiches, Alec suddenly comes to mind. That traitor. I still get angry thinking about the sandwich incident, but being the bigger person, I forgave him. 

Actually, I felt sorry for him because he was rejected after asking Seria to be his partner. I felt pity when I remembered Alec’s face lighting up at the prospect of being introduced to a female student council member. Just because someone is a woman doesn’t mean it’s good, does it?

I took off the earplugs after thinking about Alex. It was almost time. What time? Time for me to go home! I excitedly put on my outerwear and said to the Crown Prince with a bright and clean smile, 

“I’m leaving now!”

“Already? Well, go ahead.”

Eden looked at the clock on the wall and frowned. With so much work and a situation where even a helping hand would be welcome, it would be harder for him if I left. But I wasn’t the type to help with student council work without going home. I was tired too, and had plans later. The envious gaze of the female members watching me was intense. Ignoring their pleading looks to take them with me, I patted their backs silently. I hoped they would escape from the ruthless president!

“Oh, Radel?”

Damn it. When I opened the door, Seria was standing there. My heart almost leapt out of my chest.

“Hello.”

Seria greeted me with a bright smile. She was beautiful and undoubtedly a pleasure to the eyes, but why did seeing her add to my stress?”

Suddenly, I turned around to see the boys cheering, and the girls simultaneously holding their heads in frustration. I sighed and quickly passed by Seria. If I stopped here, something bad was sure to happen!

I would survive. Therefore, I must escape. Thanks to taking a break from exercise for a few days, my ankle had fully healed. My physical condition was now at its best… or at least, I could run to some extent. As I prepared to run with the mindset of a marathon runner aiming for first place, I heard a voice from behind.

“Are you going home now?”

“No.”

Oops, I answered reflexively. How good I was at answering without thinking. I should have paid more attention to what Vivian usually says!

“Then where are you going?”

She was asking questions with great persistence. I wanted to ask if she was planning to follow me, but since the student council room was a den of Seria’s followers, I needed to avoid this situation as quietly as possible.

“I have someone to meet, so I’ll be going!”

So, I decided to give a quick answer and run. Although Seria had a natural talent for magic—though not as much as Aren—her physical abilities were average for a girl. Therefore, my running skills, developed through constant practice and evasion, were far superior. 

Thus, I ran as fast as I could. Seria did not follow, but I kept running anxiously.

***

To get as far away from Seria as possible, I ran as hard as I could but tripped over a rock and tumbled. Embarrassed and unable to move, I lay still on the ground while I could hear the laughter of the boys behind me. They saw everything… Is this the end of my academy life?

Just when I was thinking that, Huan showed up at the perfect moment and chased the boys away. 

“Hey, get up!”

“Aren’t you going to help me up…?”

If you’re going to help, you might as well do it like the male lead and offer a hand. But as usual, Huan was avoiding any physical contact. I barely managed to get up and touch my hair, realizing how messy it must look without even needing a mirror.

Ugh, I almost died of embarrassment.”

I recalled what had happened earlier while stretching before dancing. It was still an embarrassing situation upon reflection. I was really glad Huan showed up at such a crucial moment. Although he didn’t help me up, he did manage to show up at the right time like a true male lead.

“Be more careful! Do you want to spend the party day resting at home?”

Huan was also stretching and preparing to dance, and his nagging was just as relentless as Vivian’s.

“What’s with the stretching before dancing?”

When I heard a voice and looked up, I saw Alec peering down at us from a second-floor window of the academy building. He was holding what appeared to be milk and drinking it vigorously. Is he trying to grow even taller? That cowardly guy.

“We have to stretch before we dance.”

“Why?”

“Otherwise, you’ll get stepped on.”

Alec tilted his head, seemingly puzzled by the brief explanation. But after watching us take the dance lesson, he nodded in understanding.

“Scary…”

After witnessing our intense dancing, Alec left a one-line review. Then he stared at me in shock while I wiped the sweat off with a towel.

What’s wrong?

“Why are you avoiding me these days?”

“I’m not avoiding you.”

Just as I was about to grab Huan’s hand to continue dancing, I heard voices arguing from behind the academy building

Curious about what was happening, I crept closer and saw a couple arguing with an intense atmosphere.

“What are you looking at?”

“Huan, be quiet.”

Huan seemed displeased with me eavesdropping, but I chose to ignore it. Watching a fight is always entertaining. As I watched with interest, I felt a sense of familiarity with the strikingly purple-haired woman. I had seen her somewhere before…

“Huan, do you know who that noblewoman is?”

I asked Huan, who was now also eavesdropping. Huan is well-connected and knowledgeable. I suspected he might be the one with the most information in the academy. Huan thought for a moment before responding.

“That purple-haired noblewoman is probably Lady Rachel. She’s famous for her wealth.”

“‘What about that man?’

“He’s her fiancé.”

There was no further explanation. Perhaps Huan didn’t know much about him. In any case, they were engaged, so why was the atmosphere so tense?

“What’s going on with Seria these days?”

“It’s not really any of your business!”

I remembered seeing Lady Rachel somewhere before. She had been talking with Seria in the classroom, and they had discussed her engagement issues back then. I think I get the situation now.

“Don’t bother me!”

The fiancé was extremely agitated. Lady Rachel, almost in tears, clung to him, but he shoved her away mercilessly, causing her to fall pitifully. Oh no, that awful man!

Just as I was worried that Lady Rachel might get hurt, Alec came running over.

“What’s going on? Why is it suddenly so quiet?”

“It looks like Alec, who was bored upstairs, came down when we went to watch. Alec, with his innocent smile, saw Lady Rachel lying on the ground and his eyes widened in surprise. Then, seeing Lady Rachel’s fiancé with a fierce expression, he was horrified.

“W-What’s going on? Is he a thug?”

“A thug?”

The man was bewildered by Alec’s sudden accusation. It seemed he was shocked by being called a thug. Ah, but… a thug? The man’s image fit that description quite well.

“Is he your friend?”

The man, who had suddenly been labeled a thug, pointed at Alec and asked Lady Rachel. Lady Rachel, still on the ground and almost in tears, shook her head from side to side.

“I don’t know who he is, but just ignore him.”

The man suddenly started threatening Alec. Alec, the epitome of helplessness, stood there petrified. Oh no, my friend is in danger! I need to step in.

“Aah, it’s a thug!”

“Oh my, a thug is threatening us!”

I suddenly jumped out from where I was hiding and shouted. It seemed like Huan had guessed my intention and started shouting too.

“Who’s a thug…?”

“Aah! Save me!”

“Oh my, the thug is coming closer!”

As the man approached, looking incredulous, Huan and I screamed with all our might. I was amazed by how loudly Huan’s voice was, and I let out one final scream. Fortunately, having just eaten, I was able to yell loudly.

“You crazy people!”

The man hesitated and then ran away. Enjoying the sense of victory, I set aside the terrified Alec and went over to Lady Rachel. I was sure Huan would take care of Alec.

“Are you okay?”

“You are… Lady Radel.”

Lady Rachel, who was crying tears, looked very disheveled. It seemed like the fight with her fiancé was not an isolated incident. I helped her up from the floor.

“I was so scared, Senior Huan…”

Alec was clinging to Huan, trembling. Huan was grimacing and struggling to get him off. Oh, Alec clinging to Huan looked more awkward than I had expected. I quickly turned my head and handed a handkerchief to Lady Rachel.

“Are you feeling better now?”

I waited for Lady Rachel to calm down as she sat on a bench. She nodded while sniffing, though her pale face still looked pitiful.

“Thank you, Lady Radel. I didn’t realize you were such a kind person.’”

Lady Rachel faintly smiled and wiped her tears with the handkerchief. She looked utterly exhausted.

“Should I help you?”

From a third-party perspective, I understood that the issue was Seria after overhearing the conversation. Of course, the behavior of the fiancé was also problematic. Dealing with two problematic individuals seemed challenging, but Lady Rachel shook her head.

“It’s okay. I appreciate your concern.”

Saying that, Lady Rachel stood up, bowed, and started to walk away unsteadily. As I watched her precarious state with concern, Alec’s voice suddenly came from the side.

“Wait, would you like to be my partner?”

“No.”

Alec was instantly rejected. Lady Rachel was more resolute than expected. I suppose the fiancé was supposed to be her partner. Even if their relationship is strained, it seems to be an unspoken rule to pair with one’s fiancé. Alec set a new record for the quickest rejection, falling heavily to the ground as if everything had been burned away. Hey, are you crying?