Chapter 1: The Villainess’ Splendid Graduation Ceremony
I have always had strange dreams.
Scenes of being packed in an iron box and transported somewhere, sparkling showcases, and myself running around frantically in response to unreasonable demands.
A single “book” gave me a ray of comfort in such daily life.
I realized that it was memories of my past life when I entered the academy.
* * *
The prestigious Royal Academy, where noble children of the St. Legrand Kingdom spend three years from the age of 15.
The graduation party was being held grandly in the hall.
As expected of a school for nobles, although it was called an academy, the building was built luxuriously like a small castle.
However, it wasn’t because of the interior design by a well-known artist that the venue looked even more opulent tonight.
“I’m relieved to have reached this day safely.”
“It’s quite an accomplishment to see them off with pride.”
The teachers waiting in the hall whispered to each other with glasses in hand. Their expressions were uniformly proud smiles. They were waiting for tonight’s main characters.
At that moment, the students cheered.
“Look! It’s the seniors!”
The red door opened, and the graduates who had just received their diplomas appeared. Amidst the applause, the graduates elegantly matched in pairs.
As the last one did, a tall student with shining blonde hair appeared, and the applause grew even louder.
“Prince Serge!”
“Congratulations on your graduation, Your Highness!”
Under the chandelier’s light, the young man smiled gracefully. As soon as his sweet mask floated a smile, the girls in front of him stumbled and let out a yellow cheer.
Serge Louis Legrand. He is the younger brother of the king in this country.
While elegantly escorting a female student, the beautiful prince waved his hand with a smile. Amidst the noise of the female students’ excitement, however, a different kind of unrest was spreading among some of the students.
“Hey, hey. The student that His Highness is escorting…”
“Y-Yeah. That’s true.”
Quietly but surely, the unrest was spreading throughout the hall.
And it’s no wonder. At graduation parties, it’s mostly common for the prince to escort his fiancée or a woman who is a candidate for that position.
Serge doesn’t have a fiancée yet. However, there is a young lady who is considered a candidate. They had thought that Serge would escort ‘her’.
However, what Serge is escorting is the Baron’s daughter, who is hardly comparable to royalty. Moreover, she was originally supposed to be an orphan taken in by the church.
Flora Hermeia. That’s her name.
Now then. Ignoring the surprised students, Serge walked briskly with Flora. The prince, who was at the center of the graduating students lined up in a row, put his hand on his chest and smiled at everyone.
“To all the students and the teachers who have led us up to this day, we are grateful for providing us with this opportunity tonight, for the sake of us graduates.”
In response to Serge’s words, the graduating students elegantly bowed in unison. Amidst the applause, the prince looked over everyone with his gentle, sky-blue eyes narrowed.
“We have gained great knowledge at this academy. We have broadened our horizons, gained lifelong friends, and sometimes an irreplaceable partner. The time we spent here will become a treasure that will support us from now on.”
When Serge said “partner” and looked at Flora with a sweet gaze, Flora blushed and smiled happily in return. After gazing at each other for a while, he spoke up.
“On this beautiful day, I apologize for taking just a little bit of time. ——I, Serge Louis Legrand, am engaged to Miss Flora Hermeia, who is here with me.”
The teachers had probably been informed beforehand, as they applauded with gentle smiles. However, most of the students looked at each other in confusion.
Flora Hermeia. She had often been seen with Serge, and rumors had frequently circulated that they were in love.
At that moment, the prince unexpectedly let out a sigh of relief.
“And one more thing. I have come here today to put an end to it.”
The name he spoke next made the students hold their breath.
“Margaery Du Noel!”
In response to Serge’s urging to come forward, a young lady stepped out from the line of graduates.
She had beautiful silver hair that seemed to capture the stars in the night sky, deep blue eyes that shone with thoughtful light, skin as white as silk, and lips that were lightly tinted with pink. Everything about her was beautiful.
She was an impeccable, perfect lady. She was Marquis’ daughter, Margaery Du Noel, who had long been regarded as the prince’s partner, and was the daughter of the Prime Minister.
Margaery slowly turned towards Serge. Her steps were graceful, befitting the kingdom’s top lady. And yet, the tension in the hall increased with each of her steps.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve heard about this before.’ The current students dig up their vague memories.
There is a faction that does not approve of Flora, who is from a commoner background, being friendly with Serge and the students from prestigious families. Therefore, she was frequently harassed behind the scenes.
‘This is unbelievable.’ The current students gasped.
Marquis’ daughter Margaery was regarded as more suitable than anyone else to be Serge’s fiancée. Even if she hated Flora, who became intimate with Serge, bypassing her, it wouldn’t be strange at all.
The harassment that Flora received—’could it be that Margaery was behind it?’ Perhaps the prince is trying to reveal it in front of everyone from now on.
The current students are excited. If it goes as expected, the entertainment that will begin from now on will be top-notch. Scandals are the best entertainment when viewed from a third party’s perspective.
They secretly send hopeful glances to Margaery, who walks with a dignified look ahead.
They have been waiting for this. Like a love story that female students like. Like a big twist ending that depicts a love between people of different social status.
The moment when they become witnesses to the dramatic scene where Prince Serge condemns Margaery, the villainess!
Margaery, who was walking calmly, finally stands in front of Serge. Her posture is straight and beautiful, facing the prince with dignity while exuding a tense atmosphere.
The bright sky blue of Serge and the deep sea color of Margaery intersect.
At the moment when the expectations and tension of the gallery reach their climax, Serge and Flora move.
——And the two of them knelt before the villainess Margaery!
“Margaery, I offer you my eternal respect. I, Serge Louis Legrand, deeply appreciate you.”
As the students looked on in astonishment, Serge looked up at Margaery with sincere eyes. He kissed her hand with respect as she stood there with a beautiful smile.
“It’s thanks to you that Flora and I are together. If you weren’t a true friend, I would have kept my hidden feelings and faced today alone.”
“That’s all in the past.”
Margaery slowly pulled her hand away and urged them to stand up. Holding Serge’s and Flora’s hands, Margaery smiled with love.
“I just wanted my two dear friends to be happy.”
The teachers burst into applause, and even the students who were completely left behind clapped their hands for the time being.
‘What on earth is going on?’ Instead of a condemnation event, the parties are holding hands and smiling at each other in harmony.
Flora hugged Margaery with a beaming smile. Margaery was also happy, although surprised with her eyes wide open.
In such a dreamlike and beautiful scene, Margaery made a powerful victory pose that didn’t seem like that of a Marquis’ daughter, hidden under the compassionate smile of a saint.
(——Perfect. It’s going according to plan!!)
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