Chapter 08
“…Did she really leave?”
In the novel, the villainess always showed her true nature when she was alone with the heroine…?
She’s this thorough?
Is that why she’s called the “Little Villainess”…?
But the rumors said she had a bad temper…?
Serina kept a blank expression for a long time.
As the orange light spread across the bed, Serina looked out the window. Before she knew it, the sunset was greeting her.
“Wow… my head feels like it’s going to explode, but the sky looks so pretty and orange…”
Dinner should be soon. That’s good.
Maybe if I eat something, I can organize my thoughts better?
“If I give up now, then I’m not Serina Yustain!”
Serina pumped herself up.
“…Huh? Dinner?”
Her family always ate dinner together unless something special happened.
And Princess Helia was her brother’s future fiancée.
So even if it wasn’t official yet, she was still like family… right?
Serina’s thoughts became complicated.
“It’s only a matter of time before they find out about Helia’s hair!”
Her hair was long in the morning, but by evening it suddenly became short.
How should I explain this?
Serina tried to think of a solution, but nothing came to mind.
“Wait… is that why she didn’t say anything earlier? Because I’ll get scolded later anyway? She’s saving her energy?”
Serina imagined Helia laughing at her.
“Ugh… I won’t let things go that way!”
She grabbed the toy scissors as evidence and put them in her pocket.
Of course, I did cut it… but still.
Who would think it was intentional when it’s just a toy?
No matter how you look at it, it looks like an accident.
“Lady Serina, it’s time for dinner. You should come down now.”
Right then, Merilly came to call her.
“Yes! I’m coming!”
“I can do this, Serina!”
It’s just a toy… how much could I even get scolded?
* * *
“Phew…”
Serina took a small deep breath near the dining room.
Then she signaled the servant to open the door.
Creak—
The door opened.
Serina stepped inside with heavy steps.
Only her parents were seated.
Looks like her brother and Princess Helia weren’t here yet.
Don’t be nervous. You decided to become a great villainess.
“A villainess doesn’t get scared over something like this.”
She walked toward her seat—but the footrest was missing.
The chair was made for adults, and Serina was smaller than others her age.
“…Huh?”
As she stood there confused, Nereus noticed and lifted her onto the chair.
At that moment, the door opened.
White hair and blonde hair were visible through the gap.
It was Rakus and Helia.
‘They came together?’
They look like they’re already married!
Serina secretly glared at the door.
As Rakus entered, and Helia followed—
Serina’s heart started pounding.
“Ah?!”
What… what is this?!
Serina covered her mouth in shock.
Just a few hours ago, Helia’s hair had been cut short into a bob.
But now—
Her long blonde hair flowed like usual.
Helia showed no expression and made a quiet “shh” gesture toward Serina.
“Serina, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Everyone except Helia looked confused.
Serina quickly shook her head.
“N-no! I thought I saw a big bug… but I was wrong!”
‘What is going on?’
Why is her hair long again?
Is there magic that makes hair grow quickly?
I don’t think that exists…
She felt empty.
All the worry she had before felt meaningless.
Helia smiled softly at her.
‘Stop smiling like a doll like that!’
…A doll?
Wait…
Serina suddenly remembered a scary book she read before.
A cursed doll.
Its hair would grow when no one was looking.
And when it fully grew—
The owner would be cursed.
“Ugh… scary!”
I don’t know what she did, but I won’t think about her hair anymore!
Anyway, my plan didn’t work.
Let’s just be glad nothing worse happened.
Serina shivered.
* * *
“No! Don’t be scared!”
Serina, who was shaking under her blanket, suddenly sat up.
“Even if Princess Helia isn’t normal, I have to stop her for my family!”
She took out her hidden diary.
Then she opened the page with her plans.
“Huh?”
Why is there only one plan left?
All the others were crossed out.
It reminded her—
None of her plans had worked.
“…No! I haven’t even acted like a real villainess yet! This doesn’t count as bullying!”
She grabbed her pen and started writing.
3. When the final moment comes, the villainess stops caring about others and bullies directly.
→ Use my amazing abilities.
I have both water and wind magic!
And I can use simple magic without chanting! (It’s a secret.)
3-1. The villainess secretly trips the heroine and laughs at her when she falls.
3-2. The villainess hides or breaks something important to the heroine.
3-3. The villainess invites the heroine to a tea party and throws tea at her.
“Okay, perfect! This will definitely make her hate me!”
“Then she’ll want to leave on her own… maybe even cancel the engagement!”
Serina spun around happily.
Then she lay on the bed, hugging Tosuni.
“Right, Tosuni? You think so too, right?”
“Yawn… I’m sleepy now. Good night.”
That night, Serina dreamed of defeating Helia and laughing like a true villainess.
She didn’t realize—
Her dreams and reality were always the complete opposite.
* * *
“Ahh! I think I had a good dream today. I feel light!”
Serina, who usually overslept, woke up early today.
“Defeat the ‘Little Villainess’!”
She prepared to investigate Helia’s daily routine.
After asking around, she learned:
Helia wakes up early, eats all her meals properly, and takes a walk in the garden.
“If I go now, I’ll run into her!”
Serina headed outside to carry out her “tripping” plan.
The servants were shocked to see her active so early.
“Hmm… where could she be?”
Serina looked around the garden.
“She probably likes pretty places…”
Then she remembered the emerald lake.
“She must be there!”
“I’ll trip her while passing by… and no one will suspect me!”
Serina ran toward the lake.
Soon, she spotted Helia in the distance.
“Hehe… the plan begins!”
As she passed by, Serina stretched her foot slightly.
But—
Helia simply stepped over it with her long legs.
“…Huh?”
That’s not how it’s supposed to go.
It must be luck!
The next day—
And the day after—
Serina kept trying.
But it never worked.
Helia either avoided it calmly or lightly jumped over it.
“Ugh… does this even make sense?!”
“Does she have eyes on the back of her head?!”
Serina stared at Helia walking away.
Her plans weren’t working at all—and it made her furious.
