She had blonde hair. Red eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone they gazed upon. A beautiful figure that commanded attention.
And yet, despite all that beauty, she had everything needed to be called a villainess.
Villain vibes radiated from her very presence.
I recognized that face.
I had seen it on the novel's cover. Back in my previous life. And I had recalled that face countless times since arriving in this world.
I never intended to forget it.
She had been on the front of that cover. As a main character. Or rather, as the villainess.
There were two people depicted on that cover. I was one hundred percent certain she was one of them. Though I didn't know what that positioning signified.
And if this world was based on a novel, then there had to be a story.
If there was a story, then there must exist heroes. Heroines. Villains. Villainess. Side characters.
And stories always had calamities. Threats. Risks.
Things I was totally unaware of.
She was the Astrea Clan Head. She definitely held immense power in this world.
I just had to be on her good side. Watch how the story unfolds from a safe position.
I would surely become strong. Stronger than anyone. Capable of handling anything the future threw at me.
But until then?
I just had to survive. And fuck.
She began her speech. Elegant. Commanding.
"Thank you all for attending."
Her voice carried across the hall without effort.
"And I hope you all know why this banquet is being held." She paused.
"So let us not waste any time. Let us get straight to the point."
Cold. Authoritative. No room for argument.
I was thinking to myself.
'I never actually asked what this banquet was about.'
I turned to Ms. Gatherer. Whose name Celestine had revealed as Freya.
Though I was pretty sure that was fake too.
"Do you know the purpose of this banquet?" I whispered.
"Was it her daughter's birthday? Or maybe a marriage announcement?"
I rubbed my chin. "She would be prime marriage material from what I've heard in the news. A quite hot one too."
Freya's voice turned scolding. "You don't even know why you're here?"
She shook her head. "Forget it. Just don't say your assumptions out loud."
Her eyes narrowed.
"If anyone hears you talking about her daughter like that... before the Clan Head could kill you, her daughter would kill you first."
I made an unbothered face.
"That's what I hate about these princesses. They're the most unique creations in the world."
I counted on my fingers.
"The dumbest. The most arrogant. Cruel. And of course, lazy."
I looked at her.
"So if you know how many hateable traits this one has, can you tell me?"
I grinned. "Based on that, I'll decide whether I want to lure her into my love trap... or just leave that trash princess alone."
She clenched her fist. For the infinite time now.
Wasn't even looking at me. Just slowly trying to calm her anger.
Before I could ask why she was reacting so intensely—
THWACK!
A fist connected with my face out of nowhere.
I stumbled. Completely unaware of what had just happened.
Then I looked at my attacker.
And smiled.
Because standing before me, red-faced with fury, was the father of the twins I had beaten to death.
Count Edwards.
"You SCUM!" He charged at me again. Fist raised.
"What have you done to my sons?!"
His punch came fast. Aimed at my jaw.
But I was faster.
I sidestepped. Watched his momentum carry him forward.
Then grabbed his wrist.
TWIST!
Rotated his arm behind his back in one fluid motion. Locked it there.
CRACK!
"AGHHHHH!" He screamed in pain. His shoulder straining against its socket.
"Eren! What's happening?!" Mother's voice cut through the commotion. She rushed over. Shocked at seeing this nobleman locked in my grip.
She tried to release him. Pulling at my hands.
Seeing her do that, I let go.
The count stumbled forward. Clutching his arm.
Mother immediately bowed her head slightly."I am so sorry, Count Edwards, for this behavior of my—"
"What are you doing, mother?" My voice was angry. Sharp.
She flinched.
"How are you apologizing to this mongrel?"
She looked scared. Scared of my tone.
But then, while still in pain, the count charged at me again.
His other hand was dangling now. As if dislocated from my earlier twist.
Yet rage drove him forward. His working fist swung toward my face.
Before it could connect—
THUD!
My punch buried itself in his chest.
He flew backward. Crashed to the marble floor dramatically. Both hands clutching his sternum.
"Guhk...!"
He couldn't breathe. Could only gasp and wheeze.
I was enjoying this.
I looked around. Every single gaze in the hall was fixed on me.
Then a voice came from the stage.
Cold. Commanding.
"What do you two think you two are doing?"
Aaliyah.
Her red eyes were locked onto us.
"Creating a ruckus in my banquet. Disrupting the peace."
She descended a few steps.
"And worse... showing violence right in front of me while ignoring me completely."
Her voice hardened. "Guards. Throw them both in prison."
The guards began closing in. Armored. Armed. Approaching from all sides.
Until the count threw himself forward.
Bowed before the Clan Head. Face pressed to the floor.
"Your Highness... my..."
Tears started dripping from his eyes.
"My both sons were brutally beaten by this bastard!"
He pointed a trembling finger at me.
"They are in a state... a state that is truly horrifying for a father to see!"
He sobbed.
"I spent everything! Everything on the best healers in the capital!"
His voice cracked.
"After they tried everything—their summons, their healing items they only managed to put my sons' lives out of immediate danger!"
He slammed his fist against the floor.
"But the injuries! Those horrifying injuries! They can't even fix those!"
Tears streamed freely now.
"After hours of healing... one of my sons is still in a coma. The other barely managed to speak a single name."
He looked up. Pointed at me with hatred burning in his eyes.
"The name of the one who did this!"
All eyes turned to me.
I stood there casually. Hands in my pockets.
"Tsk."
I shrugged. "Your Majesty, this is all her fault."
I pointed at Celestine.
She stiffened. Eyes going wide.
"She stopped me. Otherwise, both father and sons wouldn't be in such pain right now."
I tilted my head. "Because of her intervention, I had to stop mid-way."
I smiled.
"If it weren't for her... they wouldn't be suffering in such a terrifying state. Because I would have sent them straight to heaven."
I paused.
"Sorry. I meant hell."
The count hissed from the ground.
"How dare you...!"
But the guards were already closing in on me. Surrounding me.
One of them spoke. Voice hard.
"Show some respect to Her Majesty. Bow down before you get executed right here."
I looked at the guard.
Then at Aaliyah.
"Not happening."
I turned to face the Clan Head directly.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty."
My voice was calm. Unapologetic. "But I fear that this head won't bow."