An Unexpected Reputation

I nearly fell from the shock, but I wasn’t the only one startled.

“Oh, M-Miss…! Why are you at the window…!”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s not what it looks like.”

A servant with an unfamiliar face looked at me standing on the windowsill and screamed, her face turning ghostly pale.

“Miss, you mustn’t end your life! Please, come down!”

She stopped me with such urgency and desperation. Fearful that I might actually fall, she stomped her feet in anxiety, unable to do anything else.

“What are you doing! Quick, grab the young lady!”

“Yes! Yes, right away!”

Following her command, Emma hurriedly wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Emma, if even you act like this, people will really misunderstand—!”

“Miss! Please!”

As I hissed into Emma’s ear through gritted teeth, she pleaded with me once more with tearful eyes.

“What is going on?”

The commotion at the crack of dawn was enough to summon the servants who had risen early.

In an instant, the area in front of my room was crowded with people who had rushed over after hearing the screams.

“They say the young lady was up on the windowsill…!”

“What?”

“Don’t tell me she was trying to jump because His Grace wouldn’t acknowledge her….”

“Miss!”

Among the whispering crowd, Elliot suddenly poked his head through.

“His Grace lifted the confinement order last night! I am so sorry for only relaying it to you now.”

“Huh?”

“So please, come down. I beg of you, Miss.”

The head butler clasped his hands together and pleaded fervently.

He lifted it last night?

Then why are you only telling me now, you jerk?

Immediately, I was hauled down from the windowsill by several servants.

“I wasn’t trying to jump, really….”

“Miss, what a relief. Truly, what a relief.”

No matter what I said, they were too busy catching their breath, relieved that they had “saved” their lady’s life right before their eyes.

Ding.

◎ People are feeling pity for you! ◎

◎ Reputation increased by 1 point! ◎

‘……Reputation?’

Wait. What is this? I don’t recall a feature like this in the original game.

“Let us go prepare, Miss. You must hurry if you want to make it on time.”

“Oh? Uh, okay.”

Leaving behind the confusing system window, I was dragged away by the servants.

As it turned out, the servant who had come to wake me was the one in charge of my styling. Since it was the day of the ball, it seemed she had come early to assist Emma with the extensive preparations.

“Do you have any idea how shocked I was?”

“I really wasn’t trying to jump…. Gasp.”

I wondered if there was a bit of personal spite in how tightly she was cinching my corset.

Regardless, after explaining myself desperately throughout the entire dressing process, it seemed the misunderstanding had cleared up at least a little.

Once I finished dressing and stepped outside, Elliot was waiting for me.

“Were you truly planning to climb down by connecting curtains?”

“I told you, I was. I had no intention of dying.”

Having heard the full story of the commotion, Elliot let out a hearty chuckle as if he found me quite a handful.

“I will speak to the servants well. Do not worry, Miss.”

“……Thank you.”

A suicide attempt by a neglected lady. I figured it would be the talk of the town for quite a while. It was a relief that Elliot offered to help manage it.

‘By the way, what exactly is that “Reputation” from earlier?’

My reputation rises because people pity me?

“…….”

“Miss, you may board now.”

While I was lost in thought, a magnificent carriage came to a halt in front of me. It was a top-tier carriage, larger than most mid-sized cars.

“You can go back inside now.”

“No, I shall see you off before I return.”

Elliot bowed politely.

‘Well, at least I’m still alive.’

Until last night, I thought my data would be deleted for sure. With that thought, I took a long look at the mansion’s exterior before boarding.

Then, through a blurry window on the first floor, I saw a faint silhouette.

‘Who is that?’

I soon realized it was Gervan’s office. Gervan was watching me.

‘The news of the suicide attempt must have reached his ears too.’

Is that why he’s monitoring me?

Ding.

At that moment, Gervan’s likability gauge flickered.

◎ There is a change in likability. Would you like to check? ◎

‘……!’

I hurriedly activated the gauge.

◎ Gervan’s current likability is 2%. ◎

‘……2%?’

It was definitely 0% until yesterday. What happened?

“Miss, is something the matter?”

“Huh? No, it’s nothing.”

Shortly after, I headed toward the Imperial Palace inside the massive carriage.

Chapter 4: The Secret of the Villainess

The banquet hall, which I entered while awkwardly adjusting my mask, was in full swing.

A brilliant hall. A boisterous atmosphere. Sweet cakes. Chilled champagne.

These were all things I had looked forward to, but I couldn’t focus on them right now. The 2% increase in Gervan’s likability kept weighing on my mind.

‘Why did it suddenly go up by 2%?’

Of course, considering the difficulty of the original game, 2% wasn’t a massive jump. Amy’s likability with Johann used to skyrocket just by her smiling at him.

But I am an extra villainess, not the heroine. And one whose miserable death is already scheduled.

To me, 2% was a significant number.

‘It won’t hurt to raise Gervan’s likability.’

The one who will give me my ending is the yet-to-be-found third male lead. Even if they aren’t blood-related, Gervan is still Evelyn’s brother.

However, to survive in the Ducal house, I needed to get closer to the head of the family, Gervan.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to start mending the relationship starting from yesterday.

Having settled my thoughts, I looked around the hall. A quick scan suggested that Johann and Amy weren’t here yet. They were likely off on a date somewhere.

‘That’s a relief.’

I first took a spot next to a pillar. Everyone was a stranger, and no one came up to act like they knew me.

However, as a lady who clearly looked like a high-ranking noble stood alone, curious gazes began to follow.

A few people even approached to strike up a conversation.

“My lady, would you care for a dance?”

“No, thank you.”

“Your shimmering dress looks just like the night sky. How about a glass of wine……?”

“I’m fine.”

“It must be fate that we met like this……”

“I said I’m fine.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m fi—.”

I had been repeating soulless rejections without even making eye contact.

But I looked up at the sharp, ringing voice that hit my ears.

“You’re here and you didn’t even say hello?”

“…….”

I couldn’t help but recognize her instinctively.

Violet eyes shining like a snake beneath a mask. Fluttering red curly hair.

The woman in front of me was Evelyn’s best friend and the villainess, Regina Rochend.

If Amy was described as having an angelic appearance, Regina was the exact opposite.

Snake-like eyes, a fierce gaze, and a cold aura that surrounded her.

Nevertheless, it was an undeniable fact that she possessed one of the most beautiful faces in the Empire.

◎ Would you like to activate character information? ◎

I probably know everything already, but….

After a bit of hesitation, I activated it.

◎ Name: Regina Rochend ◎

◎ Occupation: Only daughter of the Marquis of Rochend ◎

◎ Characteristic: Running the boutique ‘Eris’ ◎

Meeting the villainess here wasn’t part of my plan.

My eyes darted around as I checked her information. Since it was things I already knew, there wasn’t anything particularly unusual.

“I asked what you’re doing!”

She let out a sharp yell.

I hadn’t yet thought about how to deal with the villainess when I ran into her.

I couldn’t exactly just ignore her and walk past.

……Since we’re supposed to be best friends, I should just treat her casually, right?

“Have you been well?”

“Why the sudden greeting?”

She replied cockily with her head held high. Even her crossed-arm posture was infinitely arrogant.

But one strange thing was that her current attitude toward me wasn’t much different from how she treated Amy. No matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t how you treat a close friend.

“Whatever. You’re coming, right?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you check my invitation?”

That invitation had already been burned by Emma.

Since I was going to distance myself anyway, I thought it might be good to draw a line here.

“Something came up, so I don’t think I can attend.”

“Something came up?”

I expected her to get angry or turn away in disappointment. That’s usually how friends react.

But Regina narrowed her eyes and leaned her face in close. She looked as if she were about to pour out a torrent of venom.

She tucked her chin and scrutinized my expression.

Then, she spoke.

“I suppose you don’t care if your secret is revealed anymore?”

“……What?”

A secret? What on earth is she talking about?