Chapter 40: The Dreaming Girl (1)

Renaria Daches was born into an extremely poor baronial family.

Their tiny, barren territory sustained itself mostly through agriculture and livestock, living a near self-sufficient life.

Though they bore the title of nobility, it was little more than a name, and Renaria had been disappointed—but she waited for the day that would come.

Because Renaria knew.

In the memories of her previous life, the girl named Renaria was a Cinderella who would be chosen by royalty and nobility.

She was a cheerful, hardworking girl, the very image of a lovable heroine.

There would be no fateful encounters in such a rural place.

At the royal capital’s academy, where her parents had arranged for her to attend so she could find a better match and live a better life—

there, she would meet her destined partner.

She would raise her various parameters—intelligence, physical ability, magical power, elegance, charm, social skills—and clear events to aim for a marriage into wealth.

In her previous life, Renaria had thoroughly played a game called “Kimi ni Koishite.”

It was a romance adventure game that had gained immense popularity, spawning numerous sequels and spin-offs.

Among the many otome games, it was her absolute favorite.

She collected both old and new versions, spent heavily on the app version, and even completed the hidden character routes.

At its core, it was a Cinderella story in which the heroine, whose default name was “Renaria Daches,” fell in love with a group of beautiful young men.

Now, she lived a modest life in a worn-down mansion, but once she entered the academy, she swore she would capture a handsome man and live in luxury.

Her family tried to admonish her with troubled expressions, but she refused to listen.

They only wished for her happiness—simple, ordinary peace—and sent her off with that hope.

At best, they expected her to marry a fellow baron, perhaps a viscount, or even a wealthy merchant.

But Renaria aimed for something entirely different.

After all, the game’s handsome princes and noble heirs existed here—

not pursuing them would be foolish.

The princes she had heard of were Lucas and Leold, and the country was the Kingdom of Sandis.

Without a doubt, she was now living in the world she had dreamed of.

Once she enrolled, everything was just like the game.

The characters from the game existed in reality.

Renaria was overjoyed.

They were even more handsome than she had imagined.

Their hair and eye colors didn’t feel unnatural, nor like cheap cosplay.

Having lived in this world for years, Renaria had grown somewhat accustomed to appearances different from Japan.

Still, she disliked the beast-like smell and animalistic traits of beastfolk, as well as the sharp features and exotic atmosphere of foreigners and demi-humans.

Looking around to confirm the cast, she indeed found Prince Lucas, Prince Leold, the teacher Findol, the special student Cain, the chancellor’s son Graham, Duke’s heir Kishtarial, and Count Mikhailis.

They were the main characters—the foundation of the game—so their presence was expected.

“If I’m going to win someone over, it has to be Crown Prince Lucas.”

After evaluating her options, she decided the first prince would provide the most luxurious life.

She would be lying if she said she wasn’t afraid of the villainess Albeltiina, but seeing that arrogant noble girl fall and receive her just deserts in the end was deeply satisfying.

While the game’s heroine Renaria didn’t feel that way, the current Renaria disliked beautiful girls.

More specifically, she hated girls prettier than herself, with power and noble lineage.

Albeltiina fit all of those traits—and had a terrible personality—so Renaria felt no guilt about her suffering.

Though Renaria had debuted in high society, she could only wear outdated dresses repaired again and again.

Meanwhile, high-ranking noble ladies flaunted luxurious silk gowns.

Her debutante experience had been utterly miserable.

In Lucas’s route, Albeltiina always met a tragic fate in Renaria’s happy ending.

At the graduation ball, her crimes were exposed, and even her ducal backing could not save her.

To meet Lucas, Renaria headed straight for the rose garden.

He would surely be there, in the gazebo, seeking refuge from the noise.

The prince of her dreams was beautiful.

Golden hair like shining threads, pale blue eyes, and a refined yet youthful face.

His slender, well-trained body carried itself with elegance.

Just standing there, he exuded nobility.

His fingers gently brushed a rose.

His melancholic profile was breathtaking—but Renaria suppressed her sigh and recalled the game’s scenario, digging up memories she had repeated countless times.

In the game, Renaria entered the rose garden out of curiosity and became lost in the hedge maze.

Lucas, having dismissed his guards to rest alone, would encounter her as she asked for directions.

That was their meeting.

(And then that annoying fiancée Albeltiina shows up right away…)

Pushing that thought aside, she stepped forward.

Renaria successfully made contact with Lucas.

For some reason, Albeltiina never appeared afterward.

She worried internally about a missed flag, but continued focusing on raising Lucas’s affection.

Then one day, a woman named Vivian von Almandine—someone she didn’t recognize—confronted her.

Like Albeltiina would, she warned Renaria not to approach Lucas.

Annoyed at being challenged by a mere “mob,” Renaria learned that this woman was Lucas’s fiancée.

This woman?

Lucas’s fiancée?

Then what about Albeltiina?

Panicked, she confirmed with Joshua, Lucas’s knight, and Graham.

They said Albeltiina von Lattiche did exist—but after being kidnapped, she had been left physically and mentally broken, her face too horrifying to look upon.

Since then, she had never appeared in public.

Renaria felt deflated.

The terrifying villainess wasn’t even at the academy.

Vivian might be strict, but she couldn’t compare to Albeltiina.

Even as Vivian and her group continued to bother her, Renaria steadily captured her targets.

However, two of them did not go well.

Kishtarial and Mikhailis.

Kishtarial, in the game, suffered under Albeltiina’s cruelty—his mother driven to death, himself abused and treated like a servant.

In the R18 version, even his first experience was taken by her on a whim.

He was a beautiful nobleman with a shadowed aura.

In his route, Albeltiina met a horrific end—his resentment ran deep.

To capture him, one needed to confront his trauma and provide emotional support.

But no matter what Renaria tried, nothing worked.

No events triggered at all.

Even when she went to the right locations, he never said the key lines.

Instead of getting closer, he seemed to drift further away.

Eventually, he bluntly told her not to approach him.

Even when Lucas hosted tea parties, Kishtarial stopped attending after a few times.

If Lucas failed, Kishtarial would be an excellent alternative—

perhaps even better, given his prestigious ducal lineage.

But that seemed unlikely now.

The same applied to Mikhailis.

Mikhailis was a young count who had lost both parents early and struggled to protect his house.

His relationship with his sister Jibril had grown strained.

In the game, Renaria would mend their bond—a touching story.

Renaria also liked Mikhailis’s handsome appearance.

Though stiff at first, he would later become passionate and charming.

She was determined to win him over.

But the Jibril before her now was nothing like the game.

She was a radiant beauty—red hair like blazing roses, ruby eyes, and an elegant, confident presence.

She was the star of high society.

Her dresses were cutting-edge designs from “Under the Rose,” showcasing refined elegance rather than outdated frills.

Wherever she walked, eyes followed.

In the game, Jibril was shy and insecure.

Now, she was completely different.

Renaria was confused.

Who was this girl?

That was not Jibril.

Then—

Could she also be reincarnated?

Something had clearly changed.

And that girl must be behind it.

If she interfered, Renaria’s harem would be ruined.

“Hey, Jibril. You’re reincarnated too, aren’t you?”

“…I don’t understand what you mean, Lady Daches. Are you feeling unwell?”

Jibril tilted her head slightly, her expression troubled—but undeniably charming.

It only made Renaria angrier.

“You’re not supposed to be this cute! What did you do!? Are you trying to sabotage me!?

Because of you, Mikhailis and Kishtarial won’t fall for me!”

“That is not my doing.”

Jibril sighed, almost exasperated.

Her elegance only fueled Renaria’s rage.

“Stop pretending already!”

“What are you doing?”

Renaria grabbed Jibril’s red hair, pulling at it until a ribbon with a white flower fell.

At that moment, a voice rang out behind her.

Kishtarial stood there, his aqua-blue eyes cold.

Behind him stood a black-haired attendant.

“What do you think you’re doing to my friend, Renaria Daches?”

“I—Kishtarial…”

“I don’t recall giving you permission to address me so casually.”

“S-sorry… Lord Kishtarial. It’s nothing, just a small argument…”

“And don’t address Jibril so casually either. You’re just a baron’s daughter.”

His cold words struck her down instantly.

The attendant picked up the fallen ribbon.

“Are you injured, Lady Jibril?”

“No, though my hair is undone. Still better than being cut.”

“If you permit, I can fix it. Though the ribbon is dirty now.”

“Can it be cleaned?”

“Yes.”

“Then please take care of it. It’s important to me.”

“Understood.”

They continued speaking as if Renaria didn’t exist.

Her anger and hatred swirled uncontrollably.

Soon, Mikhailis arrived as well.

He scolded Jibril gently, yet with warmth.

After a brief exchange, he declared:

“This matter will be reported to the academy. And your family will be formally protested against.”

Renaria’s body trembled.

Then they left together.

Just before disappearing, Mikhailis said:

“That ribbon is important to Jibril. Take care of it.”

—Julius.

Renaria turned sharply.

She glimpsed a tall, slender man with black hair and glasses.

“Julius…? Julius Fran!? Albeltiina’s servant?”

He was a hidden capture character in the game.

A brilliant yet weary servant who carried out all of Albeltiina’s dirty work.

When captured, he would take revenge on her.

His cruel yet alluring smile in that moment had captivated fans.

“Wow… Julius was here! I actually like him. Wait—does that mean Kishtarial’s route is progressing?”

Renaria’s mood instantly brightened.

Julius was normally composed and polite—but would show a sharper side to those he trusted.

Sometimes even insulting them with a smile.

Yet when the heroine was in trouble, he would become incredibly gentle.

That gap made him extremely popular.

“If I clear Julius’s route, I might meet that person too…

I wonder if there are other hidden characters!”

Recently, Lucas had begun eating her homemade sweets without a taster.

That meant his affection was rising.

Even if events were unstable without Albeltiina, she could still raise affection through gifts.

If Lucas ate them, others like Leold and Graham might as well.

It was efficient.