The Villainess's Reversal: Evading Destruction, Drowning in Obsession - The Suirei Society and the Lonely Prince

The memory of the library still lingered in the corner of her mind. The cover of the book Lucian had offered. The warmth of his fingertips when they touched. Two days had passed since then, but every time Elicia Valentine recalled that sensation, she found herself staring at her own hand. (I'm overthinking this. The crown prince is simply wary of me. That book was mere coincidence.) She told herself this as she walked along the stone path. The royal academy's courtyard—the place known as the "Courtyard of Silence"—had rose gardens arranged in neat rows, bathed gently in the afternoon light. Students were sparse, with only someone reading a book visible in the distance. Elicia stopped beside the rose garden. The reason was simple—she had spotted a gathering in the distance. The "Emerald Peak Society"—a coalition of reformist nobles supporting the second prince Estavarl, advocating for expanded commoner recruitment and the opening of luminous arts. An organization of roughly eighty members. About thirty of its core members had assembled around the stone benches on the eastern side of the courtyard. Young nobles of both genders. Though their voices didn't reach her, the abundance of gestures made it clear the discussion was heated. And at the center of it all stood Estavarl Valentine. Chestnut-brown short hair. Calm amber eyes. A slender frame of 178 centimeters. The family crest tattoo on his left hand was visible on his rolled-up sleeve. He had taken the role of listener. Each time someone passionately argued a point, Estavarl would nod slowly and smile softly. Not imposing, yet undeniably—present. Elicia observed him from a distance. (Did the Estavarl in the game have a face like that?) In the game "The Radiant Princess," Estavarl had been a gentle romance option. In the player's memory, he was always smiling, kind, nothing more and nothing less. But now, watching from this distance—something felt different. Behind his smile, she could see something faint. Too pale to call it exhaustion. Too quiet to call it loneliness. Yet there was definitely a thin shadow mixed into that smile. (He too carries a burden.) The moment that thought surfaced, Elicia felt a slight shock. She thought of herself. Reborn into this world with memories of a past life, desperately moving to avoid a destruction ending—always concerned with "how she was perceived," "whether things deviated from the game's progression," unable to tell anyone the truth. Wearing the mask of a princess, continuing her calculations in solitude. Estavarl too, in a different way—was trapped in a cage called expectations. Elevated as the banner of the reformists, smiling at everyone, careful not to hurt anyone, pushing down his own feelings. (Both he and I are becoming alone while trying to meet someone's expectations.) The roses swayed in the wind. A sweet fragrance brushed past her nose. Elicia placed her hand on the edge of the flower bed and continued to gaze. It wasn't that she wanted to look. It was simply—she couldn't look away. Then Estavarl suddenly looked up. Their eyes met. Elicia instinctively averted her gaze. But she was a moment too late. Estavarl was already looking at her. And—he narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling gently. Something in her chest pulsed violently. (Why is he smiling at me now?) Estavarl quietly withdrew from the gathering. Someone called out to him, but he waved them off lightly and walked toward her. Elicia had no time to escape. No reason to escape either. Yet standing to greet him felt oddly embarrassing, so she unconsciously straightened her posture. "Sister, what brings you here?" Estavarl's voice was soft. Without pressure. Simply by being there, it somehow eased the tension—that kind of voice. "No... I was merely observing your gathering." She maintained her polite tone as a princess. But inwardly, she smiled wryly at herself for not being able to give a more natural response. "I see." Estavarl stood beside Elicia, gazing at the flower bed, his eyes lowered slightly. "Are you interested in reform as well, Sister?" His eyes held hope. It tightened her chest a little. "Reform... I believe it is a wonderful thing. But I still lack understanding." She spoke honestly. Despite having game knowledge, she couldn't claim to understand the "Emerald Peak Society's" specific positions—not as real-world problems in this reality. What actual impact would the abolition of luminous arts regulations or expanded commoner recruitment have? Knowledge from books and the living world were different things. Estavarl was silent for a moment. Then— "I'm happy just hearing you say that, Sister." That smile pierced her eyes. It wasn't false. He truly meant it. And because she could tell—she didn't know how to accept it. (Why is he kind to me?) In the game, Elicia Valentine had been cold to Estavarl. She had treated him as an obstacle. According to the game's progression, their relationship should have been one of conflict. Yet he—from the moment they first met—looked at her with eyes like these. Estavarl took a step closer. "Sister, if there is anything troubling you, please tell me." The words were casual. Unforced. As naturally as habit, he simply said it. But the center of her chest—grew gently warm. Elicia couldn't speak. She tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come. She searched for the words "thank you," confirmed them in her mouth, but they wouldn't become sound. Estavarl smiled gently once more, as if accepting her silence, and returned toward the gathering. Someone was calling his name. Elicia watched his back as he left. His chestnut-brown hair dissolved into the evening light. —Then, slowly, she sat down on the edge of the flower bed. (I must not draw closer.) She told herself this. In the game, Estavarl was destined to be with the heroine Alice. Within the scenario leading to that ending, she must not interfere. Elicia Valentine's role was—to clear the path. To not obstruct. She understood. And yet. (Did that smile exist in the game?) That was what kept catching on her mind. In her memories as a player, Estavarl had been gentle and kind. But—had he ever looked at her with eyes that seemed to see through her loneliness? Had his voice when calling her "Sister" ever held such warmth? This world was not the same as the game. Lucian's behavior in the library, the light of the starfrost necklace—none of it had existed in the game. The evening sun began to stain the courtyard red. Rose petals glowed orange. In the distance, the voices of the Emerald Peak Society continued. Elicia placed her hand on the starfrost necklace. An unconscious gesture. A habit she was aware of—touching it when tense. —The necklace grew faintly warm. "Again..." A pale light seeped through her fingers. It faded quickly. But it had been there. This necklace always glowed at moments when something changed. Elicia looked down slightly. (What am I feeling?) The question had no answer. Only the evening sun continued its quiet descent. The voices of the gathering still echoed. Estavarl's smile remained in her chest.

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Episode 4

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

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