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 16.1

The day had finally arrived.

Tarmine was coming to the academy.

A few days ago, the student council president, Makios, had unexpectedly approached me—not Liel—with an invitation to join the student council. It had been an unanticipated event, but I had turned him down without issue, resolving the flag before it could escalate into anything significant.

Despite such minor deviations, I had managed to avoid stepping into any other characters’ routes, allowing me to reach this moment as planned.

Lunchtime.

I was enjoying a meal in the courtyard when the person I had been expecting arrived.

“Ah, what a pleasant scene. You all look like you’re having fun.”

The Third Prince, Tarmine.

His hair and eyes were a deep aquamarine, and as for his hairstyle… Well, to put it simply, it was shoulder-length seaweed.

“Greetings, Prince Tarmine.”

“It’s been a while since I last saw your face, Lilia. Though, I don’t think we’ve ever had a proper conversation.”

“You rarely attend social gatherings, after all.”

“There’s not much point in me attending those as the third prince. Besides, I’m busy.”

“Is that why you didn’t enroll at the academy?”

“Who knows? But let’s not dwell on that. I actually came here today because I have some business with her.”

His aquamarine gaze shifted to Liel.

His presence made her visibly tense.

“M-Me?”

“That’s right. I’d like to speak with you—just the two of us.”

Liel’s anxious blue eyes darted toward me, seeking reassurance.

It was unfair.

When she looked at me like that, it made me want to get rid of him.

“…I’ll be waiting here. Go ahead.”

Reluctantly, Liel followed him to a more secluded area.

Soon, he would propose to her.

The Original Story’s Event

In the original scenario, Liel, isolated and without close allies, was approached by Tarmine, who whispered sweet words before proposing.

Caught off guard, she asked for time to consider her answer.

This led to the final shared-route event—the grand ball.

Since the Tarmine route dictated that she had no romantic connections with any other love interests, Liel was forced to attend alone.

She managed to obtain a simple, inexpensive dress to wear to the event.

But once there, she was mocked by the other students.

Someone spilled a drink on her dress.

And in the end, she could only stand at the edges of the room, watching the glittering nobility from afar—unable to hold back her tears.

Afterward, Tarmine appeared before her once more.

This time, Liel accepted his proposal.

She left the academy, and the story ended.

I was still reflecting on the sequence of events when Liel returned.

“It’s over?”

“Yes…”

“Honestly, I’m curious about what he said, but since he requested to speak with you alone, I’ll refrain from asking.”

Well, not that I really need to hear it.

It was likely the same as in the original.

Although she wasn’t completely isolated this time, Liel still lacked any romantic prospects among the male characters, so she was probably wavering.

“Um… I know this is sudden, but… what do you think will happen to us after we leave the academy?”

This was sudden, indeed.

But the timing confirmed my suspicions—Tarmine must have proposed to her.

And the question she was really asking…

Was about what would happen after she became his wife.

“Our worlds are different. We won’t see each other again.”

In the original story, my fate was never directly stated, but it was mentioned that Liel never reunited with anyone from the academy after leaving with Tarmine.

Most likely, her duties as his wife kept her from having any contact with her former classmates.

If she followed the same path, I would no longer be a part of her life.

“…I see.”

There was no surprise in her voice.

She already knew.

That meant Tarmine had likely told her something about their future.

And if things continued along this trajectory, then it would all come to an end.

My destruction flag would be completely broken.

And yet…

I Wasn’t Happy.

A strange irritation began bubbling inside me.

A suffocating discomfort spread through my chest.

I didn’t like this.

I didn’t want her to marry him.

This should have been a good thing.

A happy ending with one of the love interests.

The goal I had set for myself ever since regaining my memories eight years ago.

The only way to completely avoid my destruction flag.

I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my expression neutral.

But no matter how much I suppressed it, the storm within me wouldn’t settle.

My chest continued to churn with an unrelenting, formless turmoil.

I wanted to interfere.

I wanted to take her away from him.

Even though I had no right to.

Even though this was how it was supposed to be.

And yet, that frustration refused to disappear.

It clung to me, growing heavier, stronger, until it became impossible to ignore.

For the first time since entering this world—

I couldn’t control the chaos in my heart.