The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead

“A gift?”

“Yeah.”

Watching Ian’s sly grin made me feel a bit uneasy.

Was this ‘gift’ actually a form of revenge for all the responsibilities we had dumped on him? The thought made me feel a bit guilty.

“What is it?”

“I’ll show you on the wedding day.”

“Then you shouldn’t have mentioned it at all.”

Hans grumbled, but Ian didn’t seem to care.

“You’re going for the dress fitting tomorrow?”

“You heard already?”

“I’m curious about Hans’s reaction. Isn’t he going to cry?”

“Hardly.”

The angels amongst themselves chuckled and chatted.

Hans’s reaction. I had already experienced it during our human realm wedding, so I had no high expectations.

What reaction could Hans possibly have? When I appeared in the wedding dress, his response was very straightforward.

“It’s nice. Shall we go with this one?”

“Yes.”

It almost ended there, but the attendants strongly suggested trying a few more dresses.

I didn’t have much sentiment towards dresses, so I wasn’t offended or anything by Hans’s reaction.

“I’m hungry.”

I was more of a person concerned with immediate meals than weddings.

* * *

“Oh my, a celebrity has arrived.”

The next day at the dress shop. As Hans and I entered, the staff greeted us.

My broadcasts were only accessible to the angels at the company. So, the angels outside the company should not know about me. This made me curious.

“Am I famous?”

“Of course. It’s extremely rare for a human to visit the Celestial Realm.”

Even without the broadcast, it seems I had become famous in another sense. It was impossible not to be.

“Is it the first time a human has come to the Celestial Realm to marry an angel?”

“At least since I was born, it’s the first.”

“That’s so romantic— I can’t wait to hear all about it today.”

Perhaps because they worked at a wedding shop, the staff seemed very interested in romance.

‘I don’t really have any stories to tell…’

Hans’s and my relationship was very straightforward, so there wasn’t a novel-like story to share.

“Madam, please come this way!”

The staff excitedly led me away. Hans just waved his hand from behind, accustomed to the process.

Trying on dresses was exhausting. Why does it take so much time and effort just to put on a dress? It was beyond my comprehension.

“We’ll also style your hair to match the dress!”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

My hair was short anyway, and it wasn’t the main ceremony, so I didn’t see the point in getting it styled.

“What are you talking about? You have to make your boyfriend fall for you all over again!”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

The staff was unbothered by my reluctance.

Everyone was so excited, except for me, who was rather indifferent. It almost felt like our roles had been reversed.

Eventually, I had no choice but to be led by the staff.

The beautifying process was always tiresome. It might be enjoyable for some, but definitely not for me.

‘It takes so much time and money, and it’s not even productive. It doesn’t feel rewarding at all.’

Even after seeing my dolled-up face, I felt no particular thrill.

Still, it’s a procedure everyone goes through, so I guess I had to go along. I meekly followed the staff’s lead.

After getting all dolled up, I finally stood behind the curtain, holding a bouquet and waiting for it to open.

Then the curtain drew back.

Soft classical music played. With heavy eyelids from the thick lashes, I slowly lifted my gaze.

Hans was sitting on a sofa. His eyes turned towards me.

“…”

Hans’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out.

His reaction was starkly different from when I was Camilla. Puzzled, I asked,

“What’s wrong, why are you so surprised?”

“It’s just…”

He covered his face with the back of his hand.

“…Definitely different from when you were Camilla.”

His ears had turned a deep shade of red.

I let out a small laugh.

I hadn’t expected Hans, of all people, to react like this. It was cute to see him show such an endearing reaction.

Seeing Hans like this made me think that maybe, occasionally getting dolled up wasn’t so bad.

Looking pretty for the one you love felt more pleasant than I thought.

I gently stroked Hans’s hair as he approached me. He accepted my touch bashfully but quietly.

I’m marrying this man.

* * *

As the honeymoon period was coming to an end, it was time for us to return to the human realm.

Hans and I became even busier during this period.

‘Congratulations on your marriage!’

We were constantly being called upon by the angels.

Every angel we met handed us a gift. It happened so frequently that I started to wonder.

“Is there a tradition here of giving gifts before a wedding?”

“Yes.”

So it was true…

It was a casual remark, but turned out to be accurate. I chuckled wryly.

“It’s not so much a tradition of the entire Celestial Realm, more like our company’s culture. The atmosphere is like that here.”

“Everyone’s so close…”

During birthdays, they even write on rolling papers. Despite the company’s size, everyone seems to get along well.

* * *

The angels weren’t the only ones giving wedding gifts.

The first thing we did after returning to the human realm was to meet with Jamon.

“I’m sorry…”

He coughed awkwardly, seeming embarrassed.

At the time of Camilla and Owen’s wedding, Jamon was away in a neighboring empire and couldn’t attend.

“The Duchess attended on your behalf. That’s enough.”

“Still, it’s not just anyone’s wedding, it’s yours…”

Jamon too seemed to have a certain fondness for us. Like Irmin, he still seemed to see me as a seven-year-old child.

“I’ll give you a small gift, at least.”

No more gifts, please. After receiving so many in the Celestial Realm, the thought of more gifts was almost nauseating.

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“Unless you’re handing over your ducal title, I’m not accepting gifts.”

“That’s definitely not happening…”

Seems like Jamon isn’t ready to give up his position either.

“Then just lend me Aurora for three days.”

“What for?”

“Just want to feel like I have a daughter.”

“That’s not happening.”

I was rejecting everything he offered.

“But about Aurora? She didn’t even come out to see her aunt.”

“She’s at the Ducal residence.”

Aurora was Jamon’s daughter, about the same age as Lumi, and they were quite close, visiting each other’s estates regularly.

“Sigh.”

Complex thoughts filled my mind as I leaned back in my chair.

It was unsettling to see people I’ve known since being Anais become parents.

“I wish everyone would age a bit slower…”

“That sounds like something you’d say to a pet.”

I ignored whatever Jamon said.

“You’re not exactly young yourself. I hear Kabir is eager to step down from his ducal duties. Any news of an heir?”

“It’s too early for heir talk.”

I replied curtly. Jamon had just initiated what would likely be a frequently heard topic.

I did want children, but not as Camilla.

It would complicate things. I disliked such complexities.

“Rather than creating an heir the traditional way, like when Owen became the heir of the Ducal family, I’m thinking of choosing one of the kids we’re raising in the Tower.”

“You know that’s a decision you need to be careful with.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be confirmed with the Emperor, the Duke, and the Earl.”

It was Kabir’s lineage I had inherited, and it couldn’t be ruined. But with Ian to take care of things, I wasn’t too worried.

“If you really want to give a gift, just invite me for a meal sometime.”

As I got up to leave, Jamon looked at me.

“Are you leaving?”

“I have work to do at the Tower.”

Hans was working hard too, so I couldn’t justify slacking off any longer.

After bidding farewell to Jamon, I returned to the Tower.

“…”

Alone now, I found myself lost in thought once more.

Time had indeed passed by a lot.

It was nice to see everyone looking happy, but I couldn’t say I felt entirely pleased.

The thought that a day might come when I would have to part with them brought a tinge of sadness.

* * *

The day of the wedding in the Celestial Realm arrived.

“You look so beautiful—!”

A bunch of angels who had come to the bridal room were making a fuss.

Clicking away, they took photos. The corners of my mouth, forced up for the pictures, started to twitch.

“Why do you look so tired?”

“It’s exhausting…”

“Just hang in there today…”

Poppopo was the only one who seemed to understand how I felt. Maybe because she herself had recently gotten married, she seemed to empathize with my situation the most.

“By the way, didn’t OnlyFinley and Carrot come with you?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t contacted them today.”

“Carrot has to officiate too.”

We finished the rehearsal yesterday, so there shouldn’t be a problem. But it was getting to the point where their absence was becoming worrisome.

That’s when Hans peeked into the bridal room.

“We should start moving soon.”

“Okay.”

The ceremony was to be held outdoors, so the bridal room was a bit away from the actual venue.

It was tricky to move in a wedding dress, so we had to take a car.

Hans and I stepped outside, but there was no car in sight.

“…?”

Hans also looked puzzled.

There shouldn’t have been any slip-up in the plan.

Just as I was thinking this, a car came rushing from afar.