Flag-Breaking Villainess: The Story of How Breaking the Romance Flags of the Otome Game's Protagonist Ended Up Creating New Flags Between the Reincarnated Villainess and the Heroine - Chapter 1.2

As the magical train drew closer to the royal capital, Rona, my heart raced with anticipation. Having spent my entire life in a small rural town, this was my first time venturing into a city. Though I felt a tinge of anxiety, curiosity overtook me, and I found myself mesmerized by the scenery passing outside the window.

I grew up in an orphanage, never knowing the faces or names of my parents. My days were spent with the younger children in a small, quiet town. This journey on the magical train felt like the beginning of a dream—a dream I had never thought possible.

A few months ago, while out buying supplies with the children, one of them had a minor injury. When I tried to tend to the wound, my hands suddenly began to glow, and that light miraculously healed the injury. While I stood frozen in confusion, the people around me gasped in astonishment.

The commotion eventually caught the attention of the magic association in the royal capital, and they came to investigate. After extensive testing, they discovered I had a rare affinity for the light attribute and possessed a significant amount of magical power capable of manifestation.

As a result, I was granted special admission to the prestigious magic academy in the capital, a school typically reserved for nobles.

I recalled the tearful goodbyes from the children at the orphanage and the headmaster’s heartfelt encouragement as they sent me off. My chest filled with gratitude at the memory.

When the train finally pulled into the station at the capital, I gathered my belongings and stepped off.

The sprawling cityscape that greeted me was nothing like the quaint, familiar town I had known. Tall buildings stretched high above the streets, and the people bustling around were dressed in elegant, vibrant attire.

“So this is the royal capital, Rona…”

Everything about this place was new and exciting—the life I would lead, the people I would meet—and I was brimming with anticipation. I pulled out the small map of the academy that had come with my train ticket and began walking, my heart full of hope.

Unlucky.

I sighed heavily.

Distracted by the sight of the beautiful city streets near the station, I hadn’t paid attention to where I was walking and ended up tripping over a wooden crate outside a street stall.

I stumbled forward into a muddy puddle left from the recent rain. My robe was stained, and my map had become so smudged that I could no longer make out the directions beyond a certain point.

Frustrated, I decided to ask for help, but my attempts were met with cold stares and dismissive words like, “Don’t come near me looking like that!” Others simply ignored me altogether.

The once-lively and vibrant streets now seemed unwelcoming, as if rejecting me for being dirty and out of place.

Still, I refused to give up. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I kept walking until I reached a fountain plaza—the last location I could identify on the damaged map.

The scene at the plaza brought a small smile to my face. People chatted happily, children played with joy, and the atmosphere felt warm and lively. Watching them, I found myself regaining a bit of strength and hope.

Somehow, I would figure this out. I had made it this far, and all I needed to do was find a building that looked like the academy and explore until I found my way.

I tucked the now-useless map into my bag, glanced around, and started moving again.

But almost immediately, I tripped again. This time, my shoe caught on a raised cobblestone.

Before I could even process what was happening, I fell forward, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

“Ugh…”

Fortunately, there was no lingering pain or the sensation of blood, but it was still my second fall of the day. I couldn’t summon the energy to get back up right away.

I had envisioned today as a special, unforgettable day—the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Instead, I felt defeated and disheartened.

“Are you alright? Can you stand?”

A gentle voice called out to me.

Startled, I looked up to see a delicate hand extended toward me.

Without thinking, I reached out and took it, the warmth of her kindness cutting through my loneliness. Her hand felt a little cool to the touch, but the strength with which she pulled me to my feet was undeniable.

“Ah, thank you so mu—”

As I looked up at the person who had helped me, I froze. Time seemed to stand still.

The first thing that captured my attention was her eyes.

A deep crimson, glimmering like precious jewels. Her gaze was piercing, as if it could see straight into my soul.

Next, I noticed her hair.

Silvery and flowing all the way to her waist, it swayed gently in the breeze. Its silky, radiant sheen seemed almost otherworldly, as if it had been kissed by moonlight itself. I couldn’t help but catch my breath at its beauty.

Finally, my gaze fell on her figure.

Even though her attire was modest, her full and well-proportioned figure was impossible to ignore. It drew my eyes naturally, despite myself.

Standing before me was someone far more beautiful than the expensive porcelain dolls I had once admired as a child.

“Hold still for a moment.”

As I stood frozen, unable to say a word, she gently pressed a handkerchief against my face.

The softness of the fabric and the delicate touch of her fingers through it conveyed her care so clearly it warmed my heart.

“W-Wow…”

As the dirt was wiped away, so too was my tension. When I looked at her again, I noticed from her attire that she was likely a noblewoman.

In my short life, I had never spoken to or interacted with a noble. Back in my hometown, I had only seen them from afar a few times—and my memories were of them acting haughty and intimidating.

But the person standing before me exuded grace and seemed calm and composed.

Maybe… just maybe, she’d be kind enough to help me. Summoning my courage, I asked her for directions. To my surprise, her response was beyond anything I had expected.

“What a coincidence. I’m also a new student this year. I was just on my way to the academy. Let’s go together.”

Could this really be happening?

A meeting that felt almost like destiny, with someone so breathtakingly beautiful, left my heart fluttering.

“Yes! Um, my name is Liel. It’s nice to meet you!”

“I’m Lilia Fortina. Pleased to meet you.”

After exchanging names, Lilia’s fingers lightly brushed against my bangs.

At first, I didn’t understand why, but it seemed she was concerned about my hair falling into my eyes.

“By the way, don’t you have a hairpin? I’m worried you won’t be able to see properly and might trip again.”

“I did, but… I forgot it when I left,” I admitted sheepishly, suddenly remembering the hairpin I’d left back at the orphanage.

To my surprise, Lilia offered me a silver hairpin. I panicked at first, reluctant to accept such a generous gift, but she calmly explained that it wasn’t expensive and that she had no use for it. Reluctantly, I decided to accept her kindness.

“In that case… thank you very much. I’ll gladly take it.”

“I’m glad. Now, hold still for a moment.”

With her own hands, Lilia placed the silver hairpin—matching the color of her hair—in my hair.

It almost felt like a small part of me now belonged to her.

…Was that a weird thought?

If I said it out loud, she might think I was strange or creepy.

No, I decided to just savor the feeling quietly and keep my thoughts to myself.

“It suits you perfectly,” she said.

“Thank you. Now I can see you clearly, Lady Lilia.”

Lilia gave me a faint smile, one that was serene and subtly warm. My heart skipped a beat.

“Let’s go. Stay close to me, Liel, and don’t wander off.”

“Yes!”

The despair I had felt earlier was completely gone.

After all, I had just experienced a wonderful, fateful encounter.