The Villainess's Reversal: Evading Destruction, Drowning in Obsession - The temperature difference among the royalty

Faint footsteps echoed through the Royal Academy's Hall of Etiquette. Elicia Valentine stood upon the dais, acutely aware of the royal presences flanking her on both sides. To the left——Crown Prince Lucian Castelnoix. His black hair fell slightly longer than usual, gleaming with an austere elegance befitting the solemn ceremony. A small sigil of the royal house glinted from a piercing in his right ear. His features were refined, but his eyes——a deep forest green——held a sharpness and coldness that seemed to pierce through all pretense. At 185 centimeters tall, he radiated an air of unapproachability in his formal black royal attire. And to the right——Second Prince Estavarl Valentine. His chestnut hair was neatly trimmed, and his amber eyes held warmth. At 178 centimeters, he bore none of his brother's icy detachment, instead wearing a gentle smile. The Grand Hall——the "Hall of Etiquette"——where the kingdom's most important ceremonies were conducted——had gathered roughly two hundred noble-born youths. White stone walls. Morning sunlight streaming through the high ceiling. An overwhelming sea of eyes fixed upon the royal family on the dais. (It's happening. This is the "Royal Audience Ceremony." The first major event in the game.) Elicia's heart beat quietly within her chest. Complex sensations churned inside her. She had to change from the arrogant princess she had been playing. The fear of that transformation. And the anxiety born from uncertainty——would this actually work? Would Lucian and Estavarl truly react as the game predicted? The information she possessed from the game world might not align with this reality. That sense of crisis pressed against her chest. Academy Director Felix Montagne, the Marquis, was reciting the ceremonial words. His voice was solemn, deliberately weighted with gravity. A royal audience. A first meeting with those who would bear the kingdom's future. This was no mere school event——it was a political confirmation ritual within noble society. (I must never show arrogance.) Elicia drew a deep breath. She straightened her posture as befitted a princess, her gaze fixed far ahead. Elegant. Humble. Without a trace of pride——she needed to project that impression. As the ceremony progressed, Lucian's gaze turned toward Elicia. His eyes reflected no emotion. It was the look of someone appraising merchandise. Calculating. Political scheming lay bare in that stare. Estavarl's eyes held nothing of the sort. They were soft, radiating goodwill. His gaze watched over Elicia's every movement like a caring friend. (Just as the game predicted. Lucian is cold, Estavarl is kind.) Elicia confirmed it deep within her heart. The setting that pointed toward the destruction ending. After the ceremony concluded and Elicia descended from the dais, the three royals were guided to an antechamber. A small room in a corner of the academy building, set slightly apart from Celestia Palace. Pale violet cloth hung on the walls, and the window overlooked the academy's central courtyard. Three high-quality chairs were arranged around a table. The antechamber door closed. "Elicia." Lucian called her name coldly. "Something is different about you." His tone was flat, emotionless. Yet those words sent tension racing through Elicia's entire body. (What?) Her breathing faltered slightly without her meaning it to. "Are you scheming something?" Lucian's question carried the sharpness of a blade. His deep green eyes tracked her face. (This is unexpected. This scene never happened in the game. Lucian was only supposed to appraise me at first——he wouldn't make an observation this direct. What's different?) Elicia's inner turmoil was carefully concealed. She could not afford to lose her standing as a princess. "No, Your Highness." Her answer came with surprising composure. Royal training proved useful even now. "I have merely reflected upon myself. I realized how much harm my arrogance has caused those around me." Elicia's eyes met Lucian's directly. She was not lying. It was the truth. And because it was true, her words carried conviction. Lucian observed her for a moment, as if searching for something in her expression. Something flickered in those sharp eyes——another emotion, perhaps——but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by an icy mask. "……I shall observe your progress." With those words, he looked away. Then a gentle voice broke through. "If you have truly changed, Sister, that is wonderful." Estavarl. He rose and approached Elicia. His movements were natural, carrying none of the awkwardness of a formal interaction——more like approaching a dear friend. "I will support you." His eyes reflected pure goodwill. No malice. No calculation. Only simple kindness. "Thank you, Your Highness the Second Prince." Elicia bowed in the manner befitting a princess. Yet even as she held that posture, her mind wandered elsewhere. (Estavarl is truly kind. But is it genuine? Or is it an act? I cannot tell. In this world, nothing appears as it truly is on the surface.) Lucian returned to his seat at the table, gazing out the window at the distant landscape. Whether he was lost in thought or simply passing the time was impossible to discern. Estavarl stood beside Elicia, smiling gently. "I truly believe this is for the best. Seeing your new resolve, Sister——I think our relationship will change as well." His words sounded sincere. And that sincerity only deepened the complexity in Elicia's heart. ——What happened next in the courtyard would carve even greater anxiety into her chest. After leaving the antechamber, Elicia was stopped by Lucian. On the stone steps of the courtyard. With no one else around, they were alone. "Elicia. Whether you have truly changed or are merely acting——I will see through it." Lucian's voice was quiet. All the more heavy for its quietness. "You need not believe me." Elicia answered with sincerity. "I simply wish to hurt no one." Lucian closed his eyes for a moment. In that brief span, something within him seemed to waver——that was the impression Elicia received. But when he opened his eyes again, the familiar mask of coldness had returned. "……I shall observe your progress." He repeated those words and departed. Back in Celestia Palace, Elicia stood before the mirror in her private chamber——the "Hall of Dawn," located in the eastern wing of the royal palace. Evening light bathed the room in soft illumination. She gazed at her own reflection. (Lucian is wary. Estavarl is kind, but I cannot discern if it is genuine.) The princess in the mirror looked exhausted. "This distance is harder to navigate than in the game." Her whispered words echoed hollowly through the room. Then——her chest grew warm. Elicia's hand moved to the ornament hanging from her neck. It was the "Starfrost Necklace"——an antique pendant centered on a deep crimson stone, discovered in a secret chamber of the palace. This necklace possessed an inexplicable power. At times, it grew warm as if warning of the future. When she had acted to avoid the destruction ending before, this necklace had grown warm. That warmth was undeniably real. Yet it faded. No light appeared. But it was certainly there. (What is this necklace? Why does it react?) In the game, it was merely an accessory. But in this reality, it was something more. This world held rules she did not know. Powers she had not discovered. And those powers were hidden within this necklace. Ortan arrived with evening tea. A silver teapot. White porcelain cups. Everything prepared with perfect precision for the evening hour. "You seem fatigued, Your Highness." Ortan's voice was as courteous as always. Yet something seemed hidden behind those eyes. "Thank you, Ortan." Elicia smiled. She brought the teacup to her lips. Warm steam caressed her face gently. (Still, I will not give up. To avoid destruction. To find a path where no one is hurt.) Elicia renewed her resolve in her heart. (What will tomorrow bring?) That question, unanswered, lingered in Elicia's mind as the night deepened.

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Episode 2

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

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