The Villainess's Reversal: Evading Destruction, Drowning in Obsession - Episode 1

Sunlight streamed through the window. Elicia Valentine, awakened by that light, remained motionless, staring at the ceiling. It had been a nightmare. In the dream, she stood in the audience chamber of Celestia Palace. Before her was Crown Prince Lucian. His deep green eyes were cold as ice, reflecting not a shred of emotion. "Elicia Valentine. I hereby dissolve our engagement." With those words, the nobles surrounding her burst into cruel laughter. High-pitched voices pierced her ears. Calls of her name. Insults. Soon it became like a wave, overwhelming Elicia. ——That was the dream. Elicia slowly rose. The hem of her nightgown fell to the floor. The private chamber "Dawn's Room" in the eastern wing of Celestia Palace, positioned high above. The walls were lined with pale crimson silk, and the window frames gleamed silver. Luxury befitting a royal chamber. Yet her gaze was fixed not on the beauty, but on her reflection in the mirror. Long, jet-black wavy hair. Only one lock on the left side was unnaturally dyed silver-white. Eyes of deep amethyst. Skin transparent as glass. Height: 168 centimeters. A toned body honed by royal sword training. "……It's real." The voice that escaped felt like it wasn't her own. No—that was wrong. This was her voice. A voice with depth she had never heard in her previous life. Elicia slowly approached the mirror. Faint burn scars ran across her left shoulder and back. They ached slightly when touched. This too matched the game's settings perfectly. And around her neck hung a silver star-frost necklace. Elicia's hand gently touched the necklace. It was warm. Or perhaps as warm as body temperature. Or maybe slightly warmer than that. "What is this……" Something deep within her consciousness issued a warning. But she couldn't discern what it was. A knock sounded at the door. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Highness." Chief Steward Ortan entered. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, tall with an impeccably straight posture. His black uniform was flawlessly maintained, a silver badge gleaming on his chest. His gray eyes held a depth that revealed nothing. "Good morning." Ortan's tone was as perfect as always. As a chief steward serving the royal palace, there was not a hint of cloudiness to it. "Breakfast is prepared. Additionally, there is an event at the Royal Academy this afternoon, so it would be advisable to ready yourself accordingly." Elicia studied him. In the game, Ortan had been merely a background character. But observing the sharpness of his gaze and the subtle nuances in his speech, she sensed this was no simple person. "Understood." Elicia replied. And in that moment, she reconfirmed that this was reality. The game "Princess of Radiance." In that otome game she had played in her previous life, Elicia Valentine was a villainess. Arrogant and cruel, she relentlessly bullied Alice, a commoner girl and the heroine, was despised by the royals, and ultimately met a destruction ending—exile from the kingdom. She had been reincarnated into that game's world. Why? How? She had no answer to those questions. But one thing was certain—— If things continued as they were, she would be destroyed. "Your Highness?" Ortan called out quietly. Elicia came to her senses. "My apologies. I shall take breakfast." Breakfast was laid out on a white table. White bread, butter, jam—simple fare. A little fruit. A cup of black tea. Everything was at the perfect temperature, arranged with perfect precision. When Elicia sat, Ortan positioned himself behind her—the standard arrangement whenever royalty was present. "Regarding today's event," Elicia inquired. Ortan answered quietly. "The Royal Academy will host the year-end 'Royal Audience Ceremony.' Approximately two hundred noble children are expected to attend. In addition to Your Highness, Crown Prince Lucian and Second Prince Estavarl will also be present." Elicia, bread in her mouth, heightened her internal vigilance. Crown Prince Lucian. Cold and emotionless, skilled in political maneuvering. In the game, he was a character like frozen ice. His announcement of the engagement dissolution to Elicia served as the trigger for the game's destruction ending. Second Prince Estavarl. Kind and sincere, an idealist who even desired marriage with a commoner. In the game, he was the one who ultimately ended up with the heroine Alice. "I see. Very well." Elicia answered quietly. And in that moment, what surfaced in her mind was—— Elicia's actions within the game. 'Alice? There's no way someone like you would catch the eye of royalty.' 'For someone of no noble birth to aim for the position of queen candidate. You should give up.' 'That desperate face of yours is painful to watch. Why don't you just give up?' A succession of such words. A villainess who destroyed everything through arrogance and cruelty. That was the Elicia of the game in her previous life. But now it was different. "Ortan," Elicia called out. "Yes?" "Starting today, I will change." Ortan's eyes narrowed slightly. "……What manner of change would that be, Your Highness?" "Until now, I have been arrogant. I hurt those around me without hesitation. And the result of that——" Elicia stopped her words. Destruction. But she wouldn't voice that. "The result of that has impoverished my heart. From today onward, I will hurt no one. I will be humble and kind. I will become such a person." For just a moment, Ortan's expression became strange. Was it surprise? Or some other emotion? Elicia couldn't judge. But it quickly returned to the chief steward's perfect composure. "Understood, Your Highness. I believe that to be a most admirable resolve." The response was flawless. Yet deep within those eyes, there seemed to be some hidden emotion——or so it felt. After breakfast, Elicia stood before the mirror. She was dressed in court attire—a crimson velvet dress with silver embroidery. Handmaidens arranged her appearance. They combed her hair. Amethyst earrings were fastened. A silver filigree bracelet was placed on her wrist. And she confirmed the star-frost necklace once more. In the game, this necklace had been merely an accessory. But what was the discomfort she felt this morning? Its warmth—was it not merely heat transfer, but something with a different meaning—— "Then I shall depart." Elicia stood. Before heading to the Royal Academy, she decided to walk alone through the Moonlight Corridor. The corridor was long and quiet. High windows lined both sides, and morning sunlight poured in like golden threads. Only her footsteps echoed through the hallway. From one side's windows, the cityscape of Reveria was visible. The capital of the Fiorenza Kingdom. Population approximately 180,000. A concentric walled city spreading outward from Celestia Palace at its center. The inner ring's royal district, the middle ring's noble district, the outer ring's commoner district. All arranged in perfect order. The Radiance Management Edict. The words surfaced from her game knowledge. A law making the mining, trading, and use of radiance crystals subject to royal permission. Through this, commoners were rendered nearly incapable of learning radiance arts. Royal power was absolute. The social structure was completely fixed. Elicia contemplated this as she gazed upon the city. "I must survive in this world." She whispered. That was when it happened. The star-frost necklace at her neck grew faintly warm. "?" Elicia placed her hand on the necklace. The temperature was rising. No—the light—— A pale silver-white light emanated from the necklace. "What……?" The light illuminated the corridor for mere seconds. Then it vanished. Completely. Elicia's hand gripped the now-cold necklace. Her heart pounded fiercely. In the game, this necklace was supposed to be merely an accessory. Yet this phenomenon defied explanation. "This world……" Elicia thought. "Is it not completely identical to the game?" That realization brought both unease and hope. The information she possessed might not be entirely trustworthy. That could undermine her plans for destruction avoidance. But simultaneously, might it not also offer a path to salvation—— Gripping the necklace, Elicia renewed her resolve. "There are truths in this world that I do not yet know." That must be true. Which was precisely why she could not afford to be careless. She must not completely trust her game knowledge, but constantly observe reality. Remain constantly vigilant. Always choose her actions carefully. The scenery visible from the Moonlight Corridor remained beautiful as ever. Back at Celestia Palace, Elicia spoke directly to Ortan. "From today onward, I will change. At the Royal Academy and toward everyone, I will be kind. I will show no arrogance whatsoever." Ortan's expression showed surprise for just a moment. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Very well, Your Highness. That is a most wonderful resolve." The response was perfect. Yet there seemed to be some other meaning in the tone of his voice. Standing before the mirror, Elicia gazed quietly at her own face. "The arrogant villainess Elicia Valentine ends today." She whispered. "From now on, I will hurt no one. And I will avoid destruction. I swear this resolve here and now." The star-frost necklace swayed gently at her chest. In the carriage heading to the Royal Academy, Elicia desperately recalled her game knowledge. Important events at the Royal Academy. Encounters with Lucian and Estavarl. How to interact with Alice. Everything should lead to the path of destruction. But the light from the necklace in the Moonlight Corridor—— That phenomenon did not exist in her game knowledge. Which meant this world was more complex than she thought. More dangerous. And perhaps more paths to salvation lay hidden within it. The carriage approached the Royal Academy's main gate. Vast grounds. The main building "Radiance Tower" came into view. The radiance in the practical training building "Forging Tower" glowed faintly. And at the center, the "Courtyard of Silence." Known as a rose garden. "We have arrived, Your Highness." Ortan's voice came from beside the carriage. Elicia took a deep breath. "Then I shall begin my new life." She descended from the carriage. In that instant, the gazes of many noble children fixed upon her. Everyone was watching Elicia Valentine——the First Princess——. But within those gazes was not fear or disdain, but curiosity. No—that was not it. It was—— Elicia realized something. Her resolve was already beginning to give something to those around her. She would not understand the meaning of that until later. But for now, Elicia did not yet comprehend it. What she gazed upon was only the Royal Academy before her——the first battlefield for avoiding her own destruction——. The star-frost necklace grew faintly warm once more.

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Episode 1

Name: The Villainess's Reversal: Evading Destruction, Drowning in Obsession
Author: Novelia

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