***

THE THREE of us were standing, facing each other.

​​

How should I say this?

It's a different kind of shock about how fate can be that cruel to me...

It also seems like it's a joke that, how many times I tried to avoid this ill-fated life that I have now, it just keeps on going back and haunting me with some face slapping gesture to wake me up with the reality.

So, how did I come up with this conclusion? Well, let me say this. I'm facing a whole lot, different kind of predicament right now.

The group that I belong to, the supposed to be "team" for half a year during my freshman year here, will be soon the end of me.

From what I expect, Edickart, who brought the news that he will be the one in charge of guiding "us" to the trope school activities and tradition that the St. Prisch Academy offers. With his dainty poised, the typical prince-like appearance, everyone was envious.

But not me. *dab*

Anyway...

Because of the tradition, the sophomore students will take two new students that they will handle and observe during the first semester, he will be my so-called "guardian" during the whole six months here. So, I tried to prepare myself for the mental stress that I will get during this freaking tradition.

But hold up! There's more~

I thought that this will be my only worry, but yes... Once again, I was wrong.

I knew that in the story, Elise was supposed to be his partner during this whole ordeal but the events changed, and it was because of me! So, I had this sudden impulse that maybe... that you know, "maybe", Elise will be partnered with someone else.

Alas... What an idiot I am to think that this book's universe... will for once... will heed my call.

Because what I feared the most, happened!

What I expect-- umm no, rather what I WISHED was that my "supposed" to be a partner during this observation is to be with someone else!

Unlike in the original story where a young lady, which has pink hair and blue eyes which also I'm seeing right now!!!

Standing in front of me!!!

Looking all shy and innocent!!!

And is fidgeting none stop to the presence of the Crown Prince!

It's the heroine. Elise Letisha von Acker.

A complete silence... with a hint of awkwardness, shock, and disappointment, enveloped my whole being.

In the end, I, the villainess, Elise, the heroine, and Crown Prince, Edickart, the male lead, walk side by side.

It was a weird and uncomfortable combination, to say the least.

I want this to pass in a hurry. I want to escape!

***

Looking at the magic tower, Evelyn just side glanced Elise and Edickart, who were busy chatting amongst themselves.

The Crown Prince and Elise linked their arms together, he escorts Elise like a gentleman that he portrays he is and leads her while they walk.

"Umm... Your highness, what's that shining building for?" Elise points out merrily to the five-story building.

"That's the main building, where you will take most of the subject. Well, unless you have a swordsmanship or knighthood subject... because we usually have an outdoor class for training." He replied with a smile.

"Then... Then, what's that building for and those big windows?"

This time, Elise pointed at the stone brick facade with it's an oval shape that stood and goes all the way up above the trees. Its size is enormous like a football field with ladder-type chairs. Her eyes shine brightly with each passing time whenever that he paid attention to her.

He chuckled at the cheerful tone and innocent way of asking of Elise.

"That's the Colosseum, we called that the arena of heroes..."

"Arena of heroes? Woah~ that's like being one when you step in there." She said in amazement.

"Hmm... Not really, usually, fights do happen in there. During practical exams, all the departments will have a representative and will fight their way to the top... No one died, but still... It's bloody." Edickart explains.

"That's so scary. And I feel like this academy is too big that I'll be lost when Crown Prince is not here." She shudders at the thought.

Meanwhile, Evelyn, who is the leading candidate for being a Crown Princess, only exists in the eyes of the scrutinizing nobles who were busy observing the funny scene that they are witnessing.

'Well, I knew that it's going to be like this since I saw Elise was part of the group but still... How can she be so dumb? All the buildings have LITERALLY a plaque written in a HUGE FONT. Can't she read? Tsk!' Evelyn thought.

Evelyn didn't expect that her favorite "heroine" in the story of 'A happy ending' can be so innocent to the point of stupidity.

She sighs.

When their company is at the front of the administration building. Evelyn decided that she had enough to show to everyone that she went and did the school's bidding.

So, it's time to end the third-wheeling.

"Your highness..."

Edickart turns his back and looked at Evelyn.

"Oh, your there, Lady Evelyn. I didn't know~"

With his response, Elise sneered at her in the side.

'Oh ho~ dear~, you dare mock this lady? You made the wrong opponent...' She playfully thought. And answered his highness.

"Well technically, I'm part of the group. But as it seems that all the highness has said about the buildings in St. Prisch Academy can be found in the leaflets that the admin office hands out..." Evelyn smirk, tilt her head and she continued.

"I can just read it... Besides, I doubt that I will be lost in this place..." She turns her head to Elise and smiled gracefully.

"...as all the buildings have large signage that even an infant will be able to read. Look..."

Evelyn points out to the golden plaque at the top of the entrance. Embedded with black ink, it clearly says "Administration Building".

"See~" then she continued her mocking tone and switch to attack the Crown Prince.

"I never knew that being called a genius is just memorizing words from leaflets that were handed out to everyone~ then the one who made composed those words in the leaflets must be a genius born in a millennium, truly~ It fascinates me~"

After her speeches, Evelyn smile in triumph. Seeing the two faces scorch like a flame.

'It's within the two reasons, either realization of how stupid they act, or how embarrassed they were. Nonetheless, I still won. Eyy~'

Evelyn wants to yell at them the famous line of her favorite MOBA game.

[Double Kill~ God-Like!]

'I feel like if I keep on doing this, I'll ascend to the highest rank... hohoho~'

Evelyn left them looking dumbfounded.

***

The moon sparkles brightly and it shines over the red roses, tulips, and lilies, that were planted in the beautiful garden of the Emsworth mansion.

It's the night when Evelyn and the Duke talk about his deceased wife...

"Evelyn, do you want to know about your mother?"

Evelyn hesitated to answer his question but decided that it's better to hear it from someone who is deeply involved in the family.

"... Yes, Papa."

He tapped the cold cement stone of the rim of the fountain, hinting that his daughter sits beside him.

"Your mother was a beautiful woman. She's always the center of the noble parties and everyone envied her because of her mana and magic. At that moment, when I saw her, I knew that she will be the love of my life..."

Words that came from his mouth were so unfamiliar to Evelyn that she didn't know his father was once a hopeless romantic...

His sparkling eyes blaze like sapphire, but a hint of madness and emptiness was mixed in.

"I was happy when your mother, decided to accept my marriage proposal. And we were more than happy when we were blessed by two beautiful children..."

" . . . "

Duke Keene then looked at his daughter. He smiled. But the smile was too painful to look at.

"The two of you are like the same peas in the pod. Black hair, sunset eyes, her face... Each passing day, you were resembling your mother more..."

He couldn't deny it anymore to think that he was too broken that he was stuck in the past. And he doesn't know how to get away from it. He clicked his tongue.

While Evelyn decided that she needs to know the sin that his brother is talking about. She slowly approaches the topic...

"Then, Papa. How did mother... died?

A glint of hatred flashed to his eyes with the mention of his late wife's death.

He looked at his daughter.

"She died... protecting you."

With his father's cold state. She knew that she was blamed for it. But Evelyn thought that she has to know the full detail...

"How did she die, protecting me? Did someone try to kill us? Or someone tries to kidnap us that..."

She can't continue anymore, her voice slowly becomes a whisper as she stares at his father who stood up and frowns at her.

"Did I say something... wrong? Papa?"

"I can't tell you any more than this...Just know that your mother died protecting you, so cherish your life. Don't disappoint her!"

He then walks away from the garden leaving his daughter behind.

"Why are his words so kind but his action clearly states that he detests me?"

"... But if what the Duke said are true, that mother died because of me, then I guess I know where they're coming from... "

Evelyn looked up at the moon. It was brightly shining but the light seems not helpful with her complicated feelings.