Chapter 42: The Dreaming Girl (3)

One day, Renaria obtained information that Jibril was heading somewhere, unable to hide her excitement.

Apparently, a friend had come to visit her.

Having already suspected that Jibril was a reincarnator, Renaria began monitoring her movements.

That said, all she did was have her own followers—who were in the same class as Jibril—report anything unusual.

Jibril’s group of attendants, who often stayed by her side, speculated that if she was this happy, then her guest must be someone truly remarkable.

There were many who looked at Jibril with admiration and envy, calling her the “flower of high society.”

Regardless of rank or year, students were captivated by her beauty and refined sense.

Her conduct as a lady was graceful and elegant, and she was highly regarded by teachers and peers alike, with excellent academic performance as well.

Jibril had no weaknesses.

But what about this “friend” of hers?

Renaria had them investigate, but little information surfaced.

Still, it seemed the person was wealthy.

The carriage was a first-class luxury model from the Rose Brand.

The white dress she wore was also the latest design from Rose Brand.

They even learned she had both a manservant and a maid with her—but the most crucial details remained unknown.

What irritated Renaria most was the fact that some insignificant nobody was wearing a dress she herself could hardly obtain.

It was a petty resentment, but Rose Brand was extremely popular and always in short supply.

Even when she begged Lucas and the others, she couldn’t easily get one.

“Renaria, don’t be so angry. I’ll look into it right away.”

As she fumed at her useless underlings, Graham attempted an awkward consolation.

“Right away” was too slow. She wanted answers now.

Noticing his golden eyes watching her with concern, she suppressed her irritation and played the heroine.

“I’m not angry. I’m just worried. Jibril doesn’t get along with me very well.”

“Really? Oh, the rose garden is in full bloom right now. Would you like to go see it with me?”

“The rose garden?”

Honestly, while flowers were pretty, Renaria preferred jewels and dresses.

Especially expensive, extravagant things—they drew admiration and made her feel exalted.

Flowers wilted quickly, sometimes had bugs, and were simply troublesome.

But as “Renaria,” refusing the invitation would be unnatural.

“I’d love to! Thank you for inviting me!”

When she smiled brightly, Graham relaxed and nodded happily.

He was the son of the prime minister, after all—someone worth keeping.

He was less overbearing than Lucas, and easier to ask favors of.

Maintaining a constant pleasant demeanor was exhausting, but Graham seemed to feel pressure from his position, so it was best to keep him satisfied.

To secure Lucas’s route, she needed to maintain a certain level of affection from both Graham and Leold.

She had come this far in building her harem—Lucas might be the main target, but the others had to be maintained as well.

Even after marriage, she wanted to live luxuriously, surrounded by handsome men.

Renaria believed she was someone special.

Men worthy of her should serve her.

Being lumped together with ordinary people irritated her.

The Sandis Kingdom had a royal harem.

Previous kings had filled it with lovers and concubines.

The current king had only two queens, leaving it mostly empty.

In that case, the future crown princess Renaria could make good use of it without complaint.

As expected of an otome game, not only were the main targets handsome, but even hidden characters unlocked under certain conditions were attractive.

Even among background characters, there were good-looking ones.

Since Julius existed, surely others would too.

Just thinking about it excited her.

Lost in such fantasies, she arrived at the rose garden.

The hedges formed a maze filled with vibrant blooming roses.

They were certainly beautiful—but to Renaria, nothing more than that.

After one glance, she was already satisfied.

Still, she exaggerated her delight like a proper heroine.

Seeing Graham’s satisfied smile, she sighed inwardly. Being a heroine wasn’t easy.

At the gazebo within the garden, Graham gave her a necklace—deep blue, the same color as her eyes.

The gem was small, which bothered her, but it came in a luxurious Rose Brand box, so it must be valuable.

The design was undeniably cute.

“It’s beautiful… Are you sure I can have something so lovely?”

“Yes. I thought it would suit you.”

So Graham had completely fallen for her.

Smirking inwardly, she threw herself into his chest.

Then, pretending to be shy, she pulled back slightly—prompting Graham to draw her in more strongly.

As she collapsed against him, he cautiously wrapped his arms around her back and gently laid her down on the bench.

His pale blue hair brushed her cheek, and his golden eyes burned with desire.

She paused for a moment—but decided it didn’t matter.

Findol wasn’t teaching this afternoon, and Lucas had been irritable lately, leaving her unsatisfied.

He seemed to be trying to marry her, but others weren’t approving.

“N-no, Graham… we shouldn’t…”

“I know you love His Highness… but…”

Graham was meant to be one of her future lovers anyway.

He was an intelligent, handsome man—perhaps not quite like Julius, but still very much her type.

Placed beside Lucas, their contrasting types only made it better.

And if Lucas became king, Graham would become prime minister.

He would be easy to summon—and useful.

Despite loving his lord’s chosen woman, Graham struggled, his refined features twisting in conflict.

He removed his monocle, and soon their lips met as clothing rustled softly.

The forbidden nature of the act thrilled Renaria.

She had given herself to Lucas first—surely sampling a little elsewhere wouldn’t be discovered.

But midway through, an elderly servant appeared and drove them out.

She was furious, but when threatened with being reported to the academy, both of them fell silent.

At best, they would face suspension—at worst, expulsion.

If Lucas found out, neither of them would escape punishment.

When they returned to the royal salon, Lucas was there as usual, and Renaria felt a quiet sense of relief.

Had they continued, Lucas might have sent knights to search for them, leading to an awkward encounter.

Hiding her agitation, she approached him with a smile.

Lucas, unaware of anything, handed her something—a formal invitation for a tea party under his name, just as she had requested earlier.

Now she had an excuse to approach Kishtarial and Mikhailis.

Previously, she had been told not to slander Albeltiina—but what was wrong with speaking the truth?

Even if she was a recluse, that villain couldn’t have reformed.

Mikhailis and Jibril even seemed to agree—she didn’t understand why.

Why was it wrong to call a villain a villain?

No matter how noble her status, Albeltiina was nothing more than a depraved woman.

If others were being deceived, wasn’t Renaria kind for warning them before it was too late?

Even if Kishtarial disliked her approaching him outside of class, he couldn’t refuse an invitation from royalty.

He had come before under similar circumstances.

But her expectations were quickly crushed.

This time, he rejected the invitation even more harshly than usual.

Worse, he seemed to be shielding someone behind him—

a woman.

His demeanor was sharper than ever toward Renaria, clearly warning her off.

Yet toward the woman behind him, his voice turned soft and sweet like honey.

The brief glimpse Renaria caught was filled with warmth and affection.

He had never looked at Renaria like that.

She had never heard his voice sound so gentle.

Mikhailis, too, stayed close to that woman—

speaking to her with a softness and warmth Renaria had never seen.

It was as if she were the only one in their world.

As if that woman were the heroine.

The heroine of “I Fell in Love With You” was Renaria Duches.

Only her. Everyone else was just a supporting role.

The handsome nobles should love her—

whisper sweet words to her—

give their hearts to her alone.

Left behind, anger bubbled within Renaria.

She didn’t know who that country girl was, but she would make her regret mocking the true heroine.

Once that woman was reduced to ruin, Kishtarial, Mikhailis—even Jibril—would come begging for mercy from Renaria.

They would plead for help.

Even Jibril, who was normally proud and unyielding, treated that woman differently.

She mercilessly eliminated any woman who approached her brother—but showed not the slightest hostility toward this one.

Ah, this was going to be fun.

A dark smile spread across Renaria’s face.

To make it happen, she needed Lucas to act.

Lucas moved quickly when she clung to him in tears.

He immediately issued orders, had the woman’s location identified, and commanded her capture.

The knights tried to stop him—but they couldn’t restrain an enraged prince.

Graham, Cain, and Leold, all devoted to Renaria, sided with him as well.

Pretending to be comforted by them, Renaria could barely contain her laughter inside.

“I’ll find her soon, Renaria.”

Lucas held her gently, telling her not to cry.

She clung to his chest, hiding the upward curl of her lips.

If she got careless and he grew suspicious, this delightful spectacle might end.

That insignificant girl interfering with Renaria would become the perfect spice—

a tool to make Renaria even more adored.

It was an honor, really.

She might even remember her name for a few days.

“Your Highness, a carriage matching the description is heading for the gate.”

“Stop it! Drag that woman out!”

“Your Highness, please wait!”

At the long-awaited news, Lucas eagerly rushed toward the carriage.

The knights, led by Caleras, hurried after him in panic.

But no one could truly stop him.

He was royalty—the first in line to the throne.

No one in the academy could restrain him—except Renaria.

And that Renaria was the one urging him on.

The woman who had insulted her had only one path left—

to be utterly humiliated and grovel at Renaria’s feet, begging for forgiveness.

Left alone in the salon, Renaria let her tears vanish instantly.

Covering her mouth, she failed to suppress her widening grin.

Lucas had moved exactly as she wished.

Ah, how easy it was!

Of course—it was because she was the heroine!

Drunk on the scent of victory, Renaria reveled in her triumph.

Unaware that her behavior now closely resembled the very “villainess Albeltiina” she despised.

A figure consumed by desire, believing themselves above all consequence, was more grotesque than anyone else.

Renaria Duches had become the very flower of evil within the academy.