The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead

‘Would it be alright if we have dinner together from now on?’

Was he keeping that casual promise I made, even on this day?

If that was the case, it was almost frightening. There was no need for me to be involved today.

‘But it does sound interesting.’

The opportunity to witness the conversation between the male and female leads firsthand. It turned out to be a good thing.

“Let’s go.”

“You’re not refusing.”

“Of course not.”

I chuckled lightly. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to witness the original story.

* * *

Perhaps because it was the first meeting between the male and female leads, the chat window was ablaze with anticipation. It would be the first time they were seeing a proper scene from the original.

I walked to the dining room, filled with excitement, Eric accompanying me as my escort.

“I’ve never seen you so happy, humming to yourself.”

I looked at Eric, puzzled.

“What humming?”

“You were just humming a moment ago.”

“Was I?”

They say when you’re really excited, you hum unconsciously. It seemed I was really thrilled.

[FlowerFlute: I’m getting butterflies hereㅎㅎ]

[Gold2: I’ve been saving points for this momentㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[asdf has donated 500 points!]

– For watching, thanks

[PleaseShakeACarrot has donated 300 points!]

– So excitedㅎㅎㅎ

It wasn’t just me who was excited. Points were already being generously donated, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many more points would accumulate when they actually met! It was natural to hum with anticipation.

Upon arriving at the dining room, I passed through the door opened by Eric and entered.

In the original story, wasn’t it a scene where they couldn’t stop asking questions about each other from their first meeting…?

“……”

“……”

…A dinner?

“……?”

A chilling silence filled the dining room. Only the clinking of cutlery could be heard.

Where was the thumping heart? The first love?

How could a future couple meeting result in such silence?

“Lady!”

Selena, upon noticing me, called out with a brightened expression. She seemed relieved, as if she had found a savior.

It appeared she was quite intimidated by Kabir. He already had a scary look, and sitting silently with his mouth shut only added to his intimidating presence.

“You’ve arrived.”

Kabir also addressed me upon my arrival, then tilted his head in annoyance.

“You were the one who suggested this dinner. Why did you skip out on it?”

“I…”

I was at a loss for words.

Of course, I stepped aside so the two of you could have a good time.

But instead of a good time, it seemed to have been a torment for Selena.

‘I was so looking forward to it, and their first meeting is already a disaster.’

I could already imagine the complaints in the chat window.

Just as I was worried and peeked at the chat window,

[asdf has donated 1,000 points!]

– What’s this, it’s amusingㅋㅋ

I saw a stack of donations.

[OnlyFinley has donated 300 points!]

– Never imagined this, reallyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[PleaseShakeACarrot has donated 1,000 points!]

– This is the fun of watching Nuna’s broadcast!ㅋㅋ

The original story was falling apart, but the angels seemed to be enjoying it.

‘Why are they happy?’

It was clear that disrupting the original story was part of the fun.

But I thought there would be complaints if I interfered with the relationship between the male and female leads in a popular novel. However, the viewers were enjoying it.

‘Does it mean as long as it’s fun, it doesn’t matter how the original story turns out?’

I realized then.

After all, the original story was something I had already experienced.

What these people wanted was something new. A freshness different from the original.

“Ha ha.”

I laughed. Maybe it was out of joy.

“Yeah, Selena. I’m here.”

If it’s going to be ruined, might as well make it spectacular.

It was practically my broadcast motto from now on.

* * *

“Today’s broadcast ends here. Everyone, go to sleep.”

I said my goodbyes and pressed the end broadcast button.

As usual, the manager remained on the viewer list.

“Hello.”

I greeted him, though it felt unnecessary. The manager didn’t respond much.

I flopped down on the bed.

“Finally, a proper story has started. It seems quite different from the original.”

[Manager: What will you do now?]

“We’ll manage somehow.”

[Manager: Right, I shouldn’t ask you about plans.]

“I’m glad you remember.”

[Manager: Sigh]

The manager sighed, even if it was just through chat. I could imagine what expression this unknown angel might be wearing right now.

I pulled up one leg onto the bed, rested my face on my knee, and let out a laugh.

“Will there ever be a day when I meet the manager?”

[Manager: What?]

“Nothing, just curious. About what the manager looks like, what kind of person you are.”

He was the person I had been closest to among all viewers. We used to chat for tens of minutes even after ending the broadcast.

It was always about work, of course. But still, I felt a strong sense of closeness.

“Can’t you tell me even the color of your hair? Just for imagination.”

[Manager: Don’t take an interest in me.]

“Tch.”

As expected, the manager was firm. He always strictly maintained the boundary between professional and personal matters.

Since there was nothing in particular to ask today, and to give the manager some rest, I once again reached for the end broadcast button.

“Rest well.”

As I said goodbye and was about to turn off the chat, a message popped up.

[Manager: Red.]

“Huh?”

[Manager: You said you were curiousㅡㅡ]

“…Your hair color?”

[Manager: Yeah]

Just when he told me not to take an interest. He was kindly answering.

I chuckled and pulled my other leg onto the bed as well, sitting comfortably and asked again.

“And what about your eye color?”

[Manager: Seriously]

[Manager: That’s it, I’m not telling anymore]

“Stingy.”

[Manager: What did I say]

We bickered comfortably as usual.

How is it that we’ve built such a closeness just through text?

The same was true for other viewers.

I’m alone, and there are many viewers. One might think it’s impossible to take an interest in each viewer. But I remembered them all. I spent time imagining what the regulars were like.

‘Have I grown attached?’

Broadcasting for a fairly long time, I inevitably developed a sense of affection.

‘Someday, I’d like to meet them.’

The thought occurred to me spontaneously.

Now that the original story had started smoothly and the broadcast direction was set, my mind was at ease. Perhaps that’s why I found myself interested in the viewers.

Should I talk about it tomorrow?

After visiting Selena first, if there’s time, it might not be a bad idea to bring up this topic during a casual chat broadcast.

“I’m really going to end it now.”

[Manager: Okay]

The manager wrote his usual words.

[Manager: Do your best tomorrow too. You worked hard.]

It was a nonchalant but kind word of encouragement.

* * *

“Selena―”

Humming like I was singing a song, I knocked on Selena’s door. Beside me was Eric, looking tired from being dragged along since morning.

I started the broadcast right after finishing breakfast and washing up. The next thing I did was to visit Selena.

Selena, opening the door, looked surprised.

“Lady, what brings you here so early…”

“Just bored and thought I’d visit.”

And show your face on the broadcast a bit.

As the female protagonist, Selena was liked by all viewers without exception. Even if there was no one as fanatically supportive as Finley, she was generally well-liked. It was good to feature such a character often on the broadcast.

“Do you have plans today?”

“No, not really…”

“Then come for a walk with me.”

I took Selena’s hand and led her away. I planned to take her along my usual walking route.

Selena followed me quietly, though she seemed flustered. She occasionally glanced at Eric awkwardly.

Seeing Eric and Selena together stirred an unexpected feeling in me. In the original story, Eric was Selena’s escort knight, but now he was assigned to me, so Selena had a different knight assigned to her.

‘So, does this mean he won’t die trying to protect Selena?’

That reminded me, wasn’t it about time for his death in the story? I looked at Eric.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing, just checking if you’re still alive.”

“……?”

Eric looked confused.

I gave Eric a grim piece of advice.

“If there’s danger in the future, don’t confront it to the end, just run away.”

“That’s a disgrace to a knight’s honor.”

“Is honor more important than your life?”

“…….”

Eric couldn’t respond to that. Given he had a younger sister, he should know the value of preserving his own life.

The path I took for my walks was always the same. I used to do mansion exploration content, but that got boring, so now I just walked where I liked. It seemed the viewers mostly came to watch me and Eric chat anyway.

But today, I planned to spend time with Selena.

Eric stayed back while Selena and I walked side by side.

Selena seemed awkward being alone with me. Although she wasn’t afraid of me anymore, we weren’t close.

“Selena.”

At my call, Selena, who had been tensely by my side, jumped.

“Yes, yes!”

“Sorry.”

“……?”

Selena was confused by my sudden apology.

I needed to ease things with Selena. So, I apologized on behalf of Anais for everything she had done in the original story.

“I’ve been pretty harsh on you. I want to apologize for that.”

“Oh…….”

Selena’s cheeks reddened as she heard my apology.

“I guess I was blinded by jealousy back then. I’ve reflected on it now and it won’t happen again. If you’re okay with it, I’d like you to accept my apology.”

“Of course!”

Selena quickly responded, vigorously nodding her head.

It was awkward for me, not used to apologizing, and I just blurted it out stiffly. But it seemed Selena genuinely accepted it, which was a relief.

Just when I felt relieved that my relationship with Selena might be improving, a maid approached us.

“What’s the matter?”

It seemed she was Selena’s personal maid, as Selena greeted her warmly.

“The Grand Duke is looking for you.”

“……?”

Selena looked puzzled upon hearing this.