The Villainess Just Wants To Be Alone

Chapter 2

Theletyia had planned to poison Roveria...

But accidentally drank the poisoned tea herself instead.

I knew this scene.

It happened early in the novel.

"...I'm okay," I said quietly.

At least...

Physically.

Mentally?

Not even close.

Lia released a relieved sigh.

"I'm so glad."

Her shoulders visibly relaxed.

"I was worried something terrible had happened."

Something terrible had happened.

I had died.

...Probably.

Or maybe my body was still lying in my tiny apartment back on Earth.

The thought sent an uncomfortable feeling through my chest.

Mom... Dad...

Would they think I disappeared?

Would anyone find me?

No.

Stop.

Thinking about that wouldn't change anything.

Whether I was dead or alive...

I was here now.

Inside the world of Protecting the Male Lead.

"...Could you help me sit down?" I asked.

"Of course."

Lia guided me back toward the enormous bed.

Everything around me screamed wealth.

The carpet was softer than anything I'd ever stepped on.

The curtains looked like they were made from pure silk.

Even the teacups resting on the table were decorated with gold.

"...So this is how nobles live."

I muttered the words without thinking.

"Pardon?"

"N-Nothing."

Lia tilted her head in confusion before smiling.

At least she didn't question it.

For a few peaceful moments...

Everything was quiet.

Then—

Knock.

The atmosphere inside the room changed instantly.

The maids stiffened.

Lia lowered her head.

Even I felt my heart begin to pound.

The door slowly opened.

An elderly butler entered first.

He respectfully stepped aside.

Behind him walked a tall man with neatly combed blue hair and sharp black eyes.

His expression was cold.

Unreadable.

Authoritative.

I recognized him immediately.

Duke Aleandro Husernien.

Theletyia's father.

The man whose love she had desperately sought her entire life.

Walking beside him...

Was another familiar face.

White hair.

Golden eyes.

Perfect features.

Maximilliam Ludwig.

The Crown Prince.

The future emperor.

The male lead.

If I hadn't known his personality...

I would've admitted he looked unfairly handsome.

The two men stopped a few feet away from my bed.

Neither of them asked how I was feeling.

Neither of them looked relieved that I had survived.

Aleandro spoke first.

"Theletyia."

His voice carried no warmth.

No concern.

Only disappointment.

"You've embarrassed House Husernien once again."

I blinked.

...Seriously?

Your daughter nearly died, and that's the first thing you say?

Before I could answer...

Maximilliam looked at me with open disgust.

"You brought this upon yourself."

His golden eyes were colder than ice.

"Perhaps this incident will finally teach you to stop targeting Roveria."

Silence filled the room.

The maids lowered their heads even further.

No one dared speak.

I simply stared at the two men.

These...

Were the people Theletyia had sacrificed everything for.

One ignored her existence.

The other hated her.

Yet she spent years trying to earn their approval.

How exhausting.

How lonely.

And most of all...

How heartbreaking.

I suddenly remembered something.

In the original story...

This wasn't even the worst they would do to her.

One day...

They would stand together and watch her execution.

Without shedding a single tear.

A strange calm washed over me.

No anger.

No hatred.

Just...

Acceptance.

The original Theletyia had loved them.

I didn't.

I wasn't Theletyia.

I was Yuki Akiba.

And unlike her...

I had no intention of chasing people who would never care about me.

A slow smile spread across my face.

Not one filled with affection.

Nor resentment.

Just relief.

How convenient.

I don't have to love either of you.

Without realizing it...

I'd already made my decision.

I would never follow the original story.

I would never fight Roveria.

I would never chase Maximilliam.

And I would certainly never beg Aleandro for his affection.

No.

I wanted only one thing.

A quiet life.

Far away from the capital.

Far away from these people.

Far away from the ending waiting for Theletyia Husernien.

I'll leave this house.

I'll change my fate.

And this time...

The villainess will survive.