I Became the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 68

I’m not sure how many had already scattered across the school, but the first to appear was Elia.

“Laila! I’ve missed you!”

She said this as she ran toward me and threw her arms around me. I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. She came at me so fiercely that, if I explained it by saying Salty nearly spilled the potion nearby, it might make sense.

“C-Calm down, Elia.”

“If Laila wants it!”

Elia sat down, eyes sparkling as if she were a well-behaved puppy. But she kept chattering at me without pause.

“Hey, Laila, want to go watch the festival together? There’s a really fun performance happening on the main stage right now.”

“Ah, no. Wait a moment.”

As I stammered, trying to stop her, more people stormed in like a whirlwind.

“…So you were here.”

It was Obern Malb. His presence was overwhelming, towering as he entered. It was as if he might kneel before me again at any moment.

“Oh, my rose!”

Next was Student Council President Ray, almost tearing up as he greeted me. Soon after, unknown young ladies, Chamber, and Lukran followed.

The last to enter was Raon.

For some reason, he had It Oppa at his side, and one of his arms was in an ornate splint, clearly from some duel. His walk was limping, yet his gaze remained sharp and lively. It Oppa looked quite proud, though he, too, had a few scratches, and his finely made clothes were torn in several places.

“Lala! This one’s pretty skilled! I tried convincing him to join our knight order!”

“Sister! It was truly an excellent match! And I like you the most in the world!”

“This one again!”

Their playful banter felt like a comedy skit, as if they were starring in a spirited youth movie just for themselves.

I sighed and fiddled with the potion in my arms. Salty gave me a look. When I opened the lid, the scent of flowers spread throughout the student council room.

“It’s nothing serious… I just wanted everyone to try this tea…”

“If Laila says so, we’ll drink it!”

Elia exclaimed excitedly. Yes, yes, I patted her shoulder.

Just as I was about to pour the potion into the slightly cooled teapot…

“I’ll help!”

Raon sprang to his feet. At first glance, it seemed like he was just going to put honey into the teapot—but he offered to help despite his injured arm. I muttered reluctantly.

“N-No, it’s fine…”

“I’ll help!”

Before I could finish speaking, Elia had already stood up. Others weren’t far behind.

“No, really, it’s okay…!”

It seemed my words didn’t reach them. Their eyes were half-glazed. They slowly closed in on me. When I swung my hands to refuse their help, someone bumped into me, and—

“W-Wait!”

Clang!

…In the end, the potion I had painstakingly prepared fell to the floor.

“…!”

I felt all the blood drain from my body.

“Are you okay?!”

I heard people worrying about me because of the broken glass, but to me, it was just a loud buzzing. My legs gave out, and I collapsed.

“O-Oh no…”

People were already half-crazed around me.

What should I do?!

I wanted to cry. The more they approached to “help,” the more they surrounded me, their eyes frighteningly dazed. As I panicked and looked around, the half-open student council room door creaked open, and someone entered.

He glanced at the people surrounding me with curiosity before making his way through.

“What’s going on here?”

Without thinking, I looked up at him.

Golden eyes.

Beautiful eyes, almost the same color as the potion I had dropped.

“I heard the broadcast and came over…”

He looked extremely flustered. His slightly furrowed expression didn’t show anger so much as surprise.

“…Teahroha, Second Prince…?”

I heard Salty mumble beside me. Being part of high society, she must have seen Teah’s face before. Besides, he had been appearing quite frequently in social events this year.

Others stared at him in a daze. Despite seeing the prince, their reactions were muted, which made me realize the potion’s effects were worsening.

I called out to him without hesitation.

“P-Please help!”

How he understood, I don’t know, but he approached me and helped me to my feet. Once close, I whispered in his ear.

“I accidentally drank the fairy’s trick… and everyone… (I spoke very quietly, embarrassed) …fell in love with me. And I broke the antidote…”

“……”

Teah seemed momentarily speechless. Well, I understood how he felt. Who in their life would end up in such a ridiculous situation?

After a brief pause, he nodded.

“I understand the situation. I believe there is a way to resolve it.”

“R-Really?!”

I could see Salty practically bouncing with joy.

“However…”

“However…?”

I nervously watched him speak ominously.

“There will be some side effects. The fairy’s trick is a potion that induces a state of ‘love’—an intense emotional excitement. If someone suddenly returns to their normal state from this heightened state, the brain will release extreme negative emotions to balance itself.”

“You mean…?”

“They’ll become completely depressed. For about a day…?”

I extended my arm.

“Even so, it’s better than now. Please, I beg you!”

“Yes. It should be better than this. I beg you.”

With our support, Teah approached the candidates who had drunk the potion. Murmuring some kind of spell, he touched each of their foreheads in turn.

He started with Raon. When he collapsed, It Oppa supported him, looking worried. Then Obern, Elia, Chamber, and the others.

Once everyone fell under the spell, a deadly silence filled the room.

“…Are they okay?”

I watched anxiously.

Finally, Elia seemed to regain her senses and shook her head. I quickly moved closer to her.

“E-Elia. Are you okay?”

“…Sad.”

“Huh?”

I stared at her in confusion as she suddenly put her hands on the floor and buried her head.

“Depressed…”

“…??”

“In my next life… I want to be a worm…”

I was dumbfounded.

Salty beside me seemed just as shocked. She gasped at seeing Ray in a deep depressive state.

But the one I worried about most was Raon. His condition was the worst, and he’d already been injured. When I approached, he struggled to lift his head and looked at me. Fortunately, his eyes had returned to normal.

“R-Raon. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine…”

“Your voice is dragging… Didn’t you fight earlier? Shouldn’t you rest in the infirmary?”

“No. It was a magnificent fight… I want to be a badger…”

“…A badger…?”

I pressed my throbbing head. It Oppa, observing, added:

“I’m not sure what happened, but… what exactly went on here?”

“Yes, yes…”

“This one’s swordsmanship is really good for his age. I want to scout him later.”

If It Oppa acknowledged him, he must indeed be very skilled. I stood and looked around.

People were still murmuring in depressed daze or staring blankly, but it was better than the semi-crazed state from earlier.

“Thank you for helping, Prince Teahroha.”

I bowed in gratitude. He smiled awkwardly.

“The neutralizing magic was quite strong. Truly unfortunate.”

“Yes, it was…”

Salty looked seriously at the candidates.

“What do we do now? If this state continues all day… we can’t proceed with promotions, let alone the ball.”

“Oh, right…”

All the candidates for Rose King had collapsed. The only one left…

“But there’s still Lukran!”

If there was any remaining hope, it was Lukran. He hadn’t been affected by the magic. Yet when I spoke to him, he averted his gaze and muttered hesitantly…

“…Ah, I feel depressed…”

From the start, Lukran hadn’t wanted to be chosen as Rose King. Unlike his sister, Eveharun, he was introverted and disliked hassle.

With Lukran’s reluctance, Salty and I were at a loss.

“If there’s no candidate… what happens to the Rose Ball?”

“The Queen still has two candidates, you and me… but the King…”

A sigh escaped naturally.

Then Elia’s earlier words flashed through my mind:

“If there’s a tie or some natural disaster…”

“…If a natural disaster occurs…”

“Select a new candidate…”

Salty’s eyes widened.

“Y-Yes. Even now, a new candidate!”

“But who? It would be difficult to hold a new vote now. Would anyone volunteer at this point?”

Someone cut into our conversation.

“…Can outsiders participate?”

I turned in surprise.

Teah smiled gently. Salty, realizing something, clenched her fist.

“O-of course. Even the 35th Rose Queen and 52nd Rose King were outsiders. The festival’s motto is to enjoy it together, so candidates aren’t limited to the Academy or Lebe Cam citizens.”

“Then… may I participate?”

“Y-Yes, it would be an honor.”

It Oppa, listening, crossed his arms.

“Oh, the Rose Festival always starts with the Rose Queen and King, right?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want anyone standing next to Lala… but I’ve been Rose King before, and I shouldn’t interfere in the students’ festival. Today, I’ll leave the candidate spot to Prince Teahroha.”

With that, It Oppa winked at me.

“So… Prince Teahroha will be the Rose King…?”

I asked cautiously. Salty had already returned to her professional demeanor.

“It’s not confirmed yet. Since there’s only one candidate, we still need a majority vote. Plus, new applicants may still come forward, so we’ll announce for volunteers via broadcast. Afterward, we’ll hold the vote, allow promotion, and so on… lots to do.”

Salty organized the paperwork efficiently.

I looked up at Teah in daze. He returned my gaze calmly.

“….”

To suddenly become the center of attention at a festival you came to for fun… but Teah simply smiled.

‘…Well, I guess that’s fine.’

I returned a shaky smile to Teah, who was smiling at me.