How to Survive as That Villainess - Chapter 6

Chapter 1: The Villainess named Radel (5)

It has been four weeks since I was possessed. I’m starting to accept reality now. Sometimes I fell asleep hoping that this was a dream and that when I woke up, things would return to normal, but even that has become tiring, so I’m just living in the moment as best as I can. The lessons that seemed daunting at first are still awkward, but I feel like I’ve got the basics down now.

“Finally, this is your last lesson, Radel.”

“Yes, Professor Corse.”

Today was also the final day of my etiquette lessons with Professor Corse. I spoke slowly, just as I’d been taught, and held my posture perfectly. Professor Corse looked at me with a face full of emotion.

“You’ve worked hard all this time. I can say you’re perfect now!”

“Wow, really?”

“As soon as you say that! Don’t lose your posture!”

I got so excited that I completely lost my posture. In the end, the final lesson concluded with a bit of nagging. Professor Corse had always scolded me and nagged a lot, but we had developed a bond over our long time together, so I teared up a bit when saying goodbye to him.

“Well, see you next time.”

Professor Corse also wiped a tear with a handkerchief and gave me a hug. The smell of perfume gave me a headache, but I stayed still, not wanting to ruin the moment.

“Phew, how many lessons do I have left?”

“You still have magic theory lessons.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to do it.”

For some reason, my skills in magic have not improved at all. I guess magic is something you have to be born with. I’ve been learning magic for weeks, but I still can’t even properly cast a simple fireball. This just isn’t for me!

“Even if you don’t want to, you have no choice. You’re in the magic department, after all.”

“Why did I join the magic department…”

Sirius Academy is divided into two departments: one focused on swordsmanship and the other on magic. When you first enter the academy, they decide based on an aptitude test, and naturally, Radel’s specialty is swordsmanship. She probably didn’t know, but having learned swordsmanship, it’s clear she has more talent for it than magic. As for why the villainess, whose specialty is swordsmanship, joined the magic department, the reason is simple.

‘Because Crown Prince Eden Sirius is in the magic department!’

Such a simple and pathetic reason. Paying money to join the magic department just because of a man she likes! Ugh, it’s so annoying! Can’t I change it now?

“But Vivian, where are you going?”

Seeing Vivian dressed as if she was about to go out, I casually asked her a question. Vivian flinched for a moment, then said it was nothing as she slowly backed away. Uh, you look suspicious.

“Vivian.”

I stood up quickly. I closed the distance between us in an instant and pressed her against the wall. Trying the “kabe-don” (wall slam) move I’d seen in movies and dramas on another woman felt strangely new.

“Tell me where you’re going.”

To continue questioning her, I blocked her escape between the wall and myself and asked coldly. Vivian, frozen like a statue, barely moved her mouth.

“The truth is, I was planning to go to a dessert shop.”

“A dessert shop?!”

“Yes. The one near the market…”

Vivian looked down at the floor with a face that said she was doomed. Ignoring her distress, I was filled with excitement at the mention of a dessert shop. I happened to be feeling bored, too. I said to Vivian in an excited voice:

“I want to go!”

“You can’t. You still have lessons left, don’t you?”

“The lessons don’t start for a while. I’ll just go quickly and be right back!”

Vivian furrowed her brow as if she had expected this, pondering how she could possibly persuade me. But it’s a pointless worry because persuasion won’t work on me anyway.

“Please, I’m so stressed from being stuck at home all the time.”

“But… ah, fine.”

For some reason, it feels like we were in this exact situation a few weeks ago… Well, maybe it’s just my imagination. Though it seems like Vivian’s sighing is becoming more frequent, but let’s just chalk that up to my imagination too.

And so, my second outing began.

***

“Please leave the young lady’s safety to us, the escort knights.”

“Ah, yes… Please take care of me.”

I intended to go out alone since I didn’t really need an escort, but Vivian insisted, so I ended up taking the knights with me.

The escort knights, showing off their intimidatingly muscular builds as if they had been constantly training, surrounded me and greeted me. To an outsider, it might look like I was surrounded by thugs. It’s a bit scary.

“…”

The escort knights kept a watchful eye around me and would glare at anyone who even slightly brushed against me. Innocent passersby were startled by the murderous looks and often fled in fear. While I appreciated their dedication to their work, their overprotectiveness was honestly a bit of a nuisance.

Anyway, I enjoyed my long-awaited outing and headed to buy the dessert Vivian requested. Besides desserts, I also needed to pick up some things from the market, so I had to be quite efficient with my time.

Wandering through the market with the list of items Vivian had given me, I felt like a child running errands. I used to run errands all the time when I was younger, haha.

“…Are you perhaps Lady Karel?”

Lost in my memories as I walked, I heard someone with a pleasant voice call out to me. I turned around without suspicion and saw a man with white hair blowing in the wind, standing there with a surprised expression.

His silky, white hair, which was not common in Korea, and his jewel-like golden eyes were enough to capture my attention.

“Aren…?”

In this world, only potential male leads have such striking appearances. So, I could easily deduce the identity of the man in front of me. He is currently the heir to the Tower Master and will be praised as the strongest wizard in history. He’s also actively swimming in Seria’s pond.

I never imagined meeting him in a place like this… Is this an opportunity or a crisis? In the novel, Aren is known for his kindness and being friendly to everyone, making him the most normal character among the otherwise insane male leads. I thought he was the easiest to approach, so maybe I should try to raise his favor a bit?

I glanced at Aren cautiously. He was taller than me, so I had to look up slightly, but he was shorter than Kailon, whom I met last time, so it wasn’t too much of a strain on my neck. His expression didn’t suggest he disliked me; he just seemed curious about why I was in the market.

“Miss, this person is…”

Oh, suddenly one of the escort knights stepped between Aren and me. It seems they mistook Aren for a suspicious person and were trying to intimidate him, which is quite troublesome. Dear knights, that’s the future Tower Master… He could decapitate you with a flick of his finger!

The escort knights, unaware that they were facing the heir to the Tower Master, stared intensely, trying hard to intimidate him. I wished they would stop. More concerned for the safety of the knights than Aren, I spoke cautiously.

“Um, I’m okay, so could you stay back a little?”

I ended up isolating them. The escort knights hesitated as they moved away, seemingly worried about leaving my side. Once they had distanced themselves a bit, I could finally relax. The knights were almost in danger. Although Aren is the icon of kindness, this is a novel. In this world filled with male leads with twisted personalities, Aren is undoubtedly also a dangerous character.

Now, what should I do with this opportunity?