Chapter 42

### Chapter: True Nature Exposed

### The Heroine ( )’s True Strength Unleashed. A normal person wouldn’t even think about forming a harem while aiming for the royal family.

### The story has quite a few flaws, but it’s trying to force events to happen and boost the protagonist’s likability to cover them up...

One day, I received information that Giselle was heading somewhere, unable to hide her joy.

It seemed that a friend was visiting.

Learia, who suspected that Giselle was a reincarnated person, decided to monitor Giselle’s actions. However, this only involved asking her own classmates, who were close to Giselle, to report any unusual behavior.

Giselle’s entourage, who often hung around her, were speculating that the person Giselle was so happy to talk to must be wonderful.

Many people admired and envied Giselle, who was known as the belle of the social scene. Regardless of their year or noble status, they were captivated by her beauty and refined sense of style. Her behavior as a lady was also elegant and graceful. She was well-liked by teachers and peers and had excellent grades.

Giselle had no weaknesses. But what about her friend? When I investigated, not much information came up. However, it seemed that the friend came from a wealthy family, though their lineage was unknown. The carriage was a high-end Rose brand first-class model, and the white dress she wore was the latest Rose brand design. I even learned that she brought a butler and a maid, but the crucial information remained elusive.

To begin with, the fact that a minor character was wearing a dress that even Learia rarely obtained made her quite irritated. It was a petty grudge, but the Rose brand was so popular and in short supply that even extorting Lucas didn’t guarantee getting one.

“Learia, don’t be angry. I’ll investigate right away.”

As I fumed at the useless underlings, Graham tried to smooth things over.

It’s too late. I want it now.

His golden eyes looked worried, so I hid my frustration and put on a heroine act.

“I’m not angry. I’m just worried. Giselle doesn’t really get along with me.”

“Is that so? By the way, the rose garden is in full bloom right now. Would you like to go see it?”

“Rose garden?”

Honestly, Learia thought flowers were beautiful, but she preferred jewels and dresses.

Especially luxurious, expensive items. They made her the envy of others and made her feel elated.

Flowers withered quickly and sometimes had bugs, which was troublesome. But as ‘Learia,’ it would be unnatural to decline the invitation.

“I’d be delighted! Thank you for inviting me!”

With a full smile, Graham’s expression brightened, and he nodded at Learia’s response.

He’s the son of the prime minister, so I should keep him around. He’s less annoying than Lucas and easier to ask for favors.

Maintaining a cheerful demeanor is tiring, but Graham, who feels the pressure of his position, should be kept in good spirits. A certain level of goodwill from Graham and Leold is necessary for Lucas’s successful pursuit.

Since I’ve built Learia’s harem, I need to keep the main target, Lucas, and the others in check.

Even after marriage, I want to live luxuriously with handsome men serving me.

Learia is a chosen one, and she deserves to be surrounded by worthy men. Being lumped together with commoners is infuriating.

The Sandis Kingdom has a harem. Previous kings had filled it with lovers and concubines. The current king has only two queens, leaving it mostly empty. As the next princess, Learia should be able to use it without complaint.

Since it’s a dating game, the main characters are certainly attractive, but even some minor characters are handsome.

Julius is there, so others can be expected too.

It’s already quite exciting.

Lost in these fantasies, we arrived at the rose garden.

I followed the invitation to a maze of rose hedges. The roses were indeed colorful and in full bloom, but to Learia, they were nothing special. Internally, she thought, “So what?” One glance was enough.

However, she acted overly impressed, as a heroine should. Confirming Graham’s satisfied smile, she sighed inwardly. Being a heroine isn’t easy.

In a gazebo, Graham gave her a deep blue necklace, the same color as her eyes. The small gemstones were a concern, but it was in a high-end Rose brand box, so it must be expensive. The design was undoubtedly cute.

“Beautiful... Can I really have it? Such a wonderful gift...”

“Yes, I thought it would suit you.”

Feeling that Graham was completely smitten, she threw herself into his chest.

But when she pretended to be shy and pulled away, Graham immediately pulled her back. She fell into his chest, and he slowly laid her on the bench, wrapping his arms around her back.

His wavy blue hair fell on her cheek, and his golden eyes were filled with desire.

Hmm, she thought, but—oh well. There were no classes with Findor in the afternoon. Lucas had been a bit irritable lately, so they hadn’t been intimate. He seemed to be trying to marry Learia, but the surroundings weren’t convinced.

“No, no, Graham...”

“I know you and the prince share feelings. But...”

Graham was originally one of the planned lovers. He was an intellectual and handsome, though not as much as Julius, but still quite appealing. Compared to Lucas, he was a different type, which made him even better.

If Lucas ascended to the throne, Graham would automatically become the prime minister. He would be easy to call and ask for favors.

Graham, who was torn between his love for the prince and his desire for Learia, had a conflicted and troubled expression. His monocle was gently removed, and their lips met, the sound of their clothes rustling.

Learia felt a thrill of forbidden pleasure. Since she had given herself to Lucas first, a little taste wouldn’t be noticed.

However, they were interrupted by an old servant.

She was quite angry, but if they reported it to the school, both would have to remain silent. Suspension would be the best outcome, but expulsion was possible. If Lucas found out, neither would be spared.

Returning to the salon room used by the royal family, she found Lucas as usual and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If they had continued, Lucas might have sent Joshua and the knights to search for them, leading to an awkward encounter.

Hiding her agitation, she smiled and approached Lucas. He seemed unaware and handed her something. It was an invitation to a tea party in Lucas’s name, which she had previously requested.

This gave her an excuse to invite Kistaria and Michaelis.

Previously, she had been told not to speak ill of Albertina, but what was wrong with stating the truth? No matter how much she secluded herself, Albertina was a terrible woman who wouldn’t change. Michaelis and Giselle agreed, which was confusing. What was wrong with calling a villain a villain? No matter how noble and well-born, Albertina was a complete villain. If she was being deceived, Learia’s warning was still kind.

Even if Kistaria, who had previously refused to speak to her outside of classes and school events, received an invitation from the royal family, she couldn’t refuse.

However, Learia’s expectations were quickly dashed.

Her invitation was rejected even more harshly than usual.

Kistaria, who seemed to be protecting someone behind her, had an even more high-handed air.

But to the woman she was protecting, she spoke in a honey-sweet voice. The glimpse of her expression was meltingly sweet and passionate.

Learia had never received such a look or heard such a soft, gentle voice.

The woman seemed to be quite close to Michaelis, but Kistaria spoke to her with a smile and a gentle voice that Learia had never seen before. It was as if she could only see that woman.

It was as if that woman was the heroine.

The heroine of ‘Falling in Love with You’ was Learia Dacess. She alone, and no one else, could be the heroine. She alone must be loved by handsome princes, whispered sweet nothings, and have their hearts poured out to her.

Feeling left out, Learia’s anger began to boil.

She didn’t know where the country girl came from, but she would make her regret pretending to be the heroine—once that woman was destroyed, Kistaria, Michaelis, and Giselle would surely beg for Learia’s mercy. They would plead for help.

Even the usually strong and unbearable Giselle, who ruthlessly and elegantly eliminated any woman who approached her brother Michaelis, showed no such behavior towards this woman.

Ah, it would be fun—Learia’s lips curled into a faint, dark smile.

To achieve this, she needed Lucas to act.

Lucas’s response to her crying and pleading was swift.

He quickly gave orders to find and capture the woman. The knights tried to stop him, but they couldn’t hold back an angry Lucas. Moreover, Graham, Cain, and Leold, who were devoted to Learia, sided with Lucas.

Pretending to be comforted by Lucas, she couldn’t stop laughing inside.

“I’ll find her for you, Learia.”

So don’t cry, he said, comforting her.

Pretending to cling to his chest, she hid her rising smile. If she was caught and suspected, the fun would be over.

The minor character who was hindering Learia would be the perfect spice to make her the center of attention among many men. It was an honor. She might even remember the woman’s name for a few days.

“Your Highness, a carriage matching the description is heading towards the gate.”

“Stop it! Drag that woman out!”

“Your Highness, please wait!”

With renewed determination, Lucas headed towards the carriage where the woman was said to be.

The knights, led by Carreras, hurried to stop him.

But they wouldn’t succeed. Lucas was a royal and the first in line to the throne. No one in the school could stop him—except Learia.

It was Learia who had begged Lucas to act. The woman who had pretended to be the heroine would be thoroughly humiliated and beg for forgiveness at Learia’s feet.

Alone in the salon, Learia wiped away her tears and covered her mouth to hide her twisted smile. Lucas had acted as she wished.

Ah, how easy! She was the heroine, after all!

With a wicked smile, Learia reveled in the scent of victory.

Unaware, her behavior was eerily similar to the ‘villainess Albertina’ she despised.

### Her indulgence in desires, believing she could do anything and be forgiven, was more terrifying than anyone else.

### Indeed, Learia Dacess was the embodiment of evil in the school.

### This is likely the last chapter.

### I had planned to reach the school carnival scene, but the story didn’t progress as expected.

### I want to return to Albertina’s perspective...