I Will No Longer Live As Your Villainess

Luance and Lorirolds found themselves locked in a duel over a woman. News of their duel spread like wildfire. The story of two men fighting over a single woman was romantic, no matter who heard it. However, the fact that one of those men was Lorirolds posed a problem.

In high society, no one was unaware of Lorirolds’ notorious reputation—he was interested in any woman wearing a skirt. Everyone knew he was a degenerate. The man dueling him, however, was none other than the Second Prince of the Isther Empire, Luance von Isther.

People were horrified. The worst rumors began to spread—that Luance shared the same inclinations as Lorirolds. Whispers circulated that Luance, too, harbored perverse tendencies, causing a great stir.

The rumors grew out of control. Naturally, curiosity turned toward the woman these two “deviants” were fighting over, and attention began to focus on the illegitimate child of the Heredian Count’s family.

Anne received a letter. The moment she read it, she was filled with unbearable frustration and rushed to Laurencia’s room. She was already on edge from being scolded harshly by Brandt due to Luance fighting a duel to protect Laurencia’s honor.

With a loud bang, Anne threw open the door. Laurencia was gently stroking a black cat on her lap.

“Leo, go downstairs for a moment.”

“Meow!”

Leo hissed at Anne, arching his tail high before gracefully leaping out of Laurencia’s embrace and landing elegantly on the floor. Watching the cat, Anne swore she would catch and kill it one day, glaring daggers at Laurencia.

“You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”

“What exactly?”

“Becoming Lorirolds’ lover—you didn’t do it because you actually liked him!”

“I warned you, Lady Anne. Never cause trouble you can’t clean up.”

“You monster.”

Laurencia started humming a cheerful tune, as if Anne’s outburst amused her.

“Lady Anne, even I didn’t anticipate this. Who would have thought that Prince Luance liked me this much? He’s even terribly jealous.”

Laurencia smirked at Anne, who couldn’t hold back her rage any longer. She grabbed Laurencia by the collar and shook her fiercely.

“You’re not just a monster. Laurencia, you’re a true fiend. A horrid one.”

Anne hadn’t wanted things to escalate like this. All she’d wanted was for Lorirolds to leave an indelible scar on Laurencia. Instead, Laurencia had become the talk of society as a fascinating illegitimate child.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused Ilina?”

Ilina, the flower of high society, was struggling to answer an endless barrage of questions at every tea party and gathering. “Just how young and beautiful must she be for Prince Luance and Lord Lorirolds to chase after her so desperately?” they’d ask.

This was never Anne’s intention. She had only wanted Laurencia to suffer, not for Ilina to endure such hardships.

“Do you know how ridiculous you’ve made me look?”

<“Lady Anne, hurting Laurencia may have been your aim, but you’ve crossed the line. My grandfather will not overlook this matter.”>

<“I was thoughtless, Your Highness.”>

<“Lady Anne, there’s only one way for a thoughtless person to take responsibility.”>

<“What is it? I’ll do it.”>

<“Death. Unless you’re prepared for that, don’t think you can seek easy forgiveness, Lady Anne.”>

“Why were you even born? You should’ve died with your mother. Why are you still alive?”

“I was born because my father’s love reached my mother, and thus, I was conceived in her womb…”

Anne screamed in frustration. She raised her hand high and slapped Laurencia across the face several times, hard.

“Don’t sugarcoat it with words like ‘love.’ You’re nothing but the filthy proof of an affair, a stain on Count Heredian’s name.”

Laurencia was well aware of the truth. Her late mother had never spoken of Brandt. She knew she hadn’t been born out of ordinary love.

Yet, Laurencia chose to believe her existence was the result of her mother’s boundless love, a miracle born of that love. It had nothing to do with Brandt.

Even if others called her a “bastard” or a “monster,” it didn’t matter. As long as she was loved and a miracle to just one person, that was enough.

<“Laurencia, you’re a miracle to Mommy. I love you.”>

Without holding on to that thought, Laurencia would’ve found it unbearable.

“And what now? The mess you’ve caused is beyond fixing!”

“Why should I clean it up?”

“If you don’t, I’ll kill that wretched kitten first!”

Anne’s voice rose in anger.

“I’ll clean it up, but there’s a condition.”

“Saving that kitten should be enough of a condition! What else do you want?”

“Honestly, go ahead and kill the cat if you like. But after that, you’ll have to deal with the fallout yourself.”

Laurencia’s smile vanished. Anne loosened her grip on Laurencia’s collar.

“Speak. I’ll agree to your terms.”

“It’s not much of a condition.”

“If it’s no big deal, then stop dragging it out and tell me.”

“All you have to do is admit the truth. That’ll be enough to free Prince Luance from the rumors.”

“The truth?”

Anne felt her breath catch.

“Let the truth be known exactly as it is. The illegitimate child was starved and beaten by her abuser. Prince Luance, who pitied her situation, persuaded Count Heredian to legitimize her as the count’s daughter. Yet, Lady Anne continued tormenting the illegitimate child, conspiring with Lorirolds to force himself upon her. Luckily, Prince Luance happened to be at the estate, discovered the truth, rescued her, and, to protect her honor, challenged Lorirolds to a duel. Isn’t that just the perfect truth?”

Anne couldn’t bear the thought of letting such facts be known to the public.

“Why are you hesitating? By sharing this slightly embellished truth, Prince Luance will become a kind and warm-hearted hero who helped a poor illegitimate child. His reputation will soar.”

“Are you insane?”

“If I were to cry out this ‘embellished truth’ before the duel at the royal training grounds, Lady Anne and Lorirolds would be exiled from high society. However, at least Prince Luance’s name would be cleared of any rumors.”

“So, that’s your condition, isn’t it?”

“My condition isn’t just about speaking the truth…”

Laurencia smiled brightly.

“Lady Anne must become the most infamous villainess in the history of the Isther Empire. A name that will echo throughout history—that’s my condition.”

“Miyayaow.”

Startled by Leo’s cry, Anne flinched, lowering her head slightly as her body trembled. Leo had crept back to Laurencia’s side, rubbing his head against her legs and meowing to be held. Laurencia opened her arms and picked him up, stroking his head gently with her hand.

“The more of a villainess you become, the more highly people will think of Prince Luance.”

Laurencia recalled the times when Anne and Ilina had trampled on her to boost their own reputations. They had used her as a scapegoat, creating opportunities to appear virtuous by vilifying and degrading her.

“Laurencia, you really are a monster. Someone like you should have been killed long ago.”

Laurencia clenched the fabric over her left chest, her expression darkening as Anne unapologetically called her a monster.

“It was you all who wanted me to be a monster more than anyone else.”

“I never wished for that. You were a monster from the start—filthy, impure, and disgusting.”

Anne smirked, raising one corner of her lips, though her eyes glinted with ominous intent.

At that moment, the door opened, and Luance entered the room.

“Laurencia. Come here.”

With a gesture, Luance extended his hand. Laurencia placed Leo on the ground and moved to stand beside him.

“Good. That’s right. When I call, you come; when I tell you to go, you go. Got it?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Laurencia blushed, a shy smile on her face despite the bruises marking her cheek. Luance looked down at her with satisfaction.

“Did you tell her, Laurencia?”

“Yes, but it seems Lady Anne doesn’t like the terms. Even though it’s clear from my dream that following them would improve Your Highness’s reputation, she seems unwilling.”

Luance’s irritated gaze turned toward Anne.

“Lady Anne, it would be wise to accept Laurencia’s terms.”

Anne felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. She clawed at the fabric of her dress in frustration, her smile twisting as she stared at Luance.

“Your Highness, but…”

“My grandfather mentioned that if you don’t agree with Laurencia’s terms, Ilina may be sent to become the thirteenth concubine of the King of the Western Desert.”

Anne bit her lower lip so hard it began to bleed. Duke Graycan, Luance’s grandfather, was fully capable of carrying out such a threat. He had long been dissatisfied with his daughter not becoming the official empress and with Luance not being named the crown prince.

Anne’s family and Count Heredian owed a great deal to Duke Graycan. They were trapped by countless favors and held tightly in his grasp. Resistance was futile.

“Don’t worry about your family or Ilina, Lady Anne.”

“Do I even have a choice in the matter?”

“We’ll ensure you have a comfortable stay at a convent.”

A convent in name only—it was nothing more than a prison.

“I’ve heard that life in those convents can be so harsh that many end up taking their own lives. I hope you manage to endure it, Lady Anne.”

For a moment, Anne’s mind went blank. She was no fool—she understood exactly what Luance was implying.

“Surely not, Your Highness?”

“What do you mean?”

Anne couldn’t bring herself to ask outright if he was suggesting she end her life in the convent. If that was indeed his message, she vowed silently that she would survive no matter what.

“Please take good care of Ilina.”

“You needn’t worry about that, Lady Anne. I don’t feel great about how things have turned out either. If only you hadn’t overstepped, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s quite unfortunate. Still, I wish you the best of luck.”

Luance spoke as if he were a generous man. Anne felt empty. Who would look after Ilina now that even she had no support? Worry already gnawed at her.

“May I offer you some advice, Your Highness?”

Anne pointed at Laurencia with her finger.

“Once that monster has outlived her usefulness, make sure you kill her.”

Otherwise, she’ll devour you—and Illina, too.