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 17

Lady Lilia spends a lot of time with me.

Most of the time, it’s just the two of us, or Sir Urs joins in, making it the three of us together.

These moments are precious to me—something I cherish from the depths of my heart.

But not every moment is like that.

And right now, I was facing one of those “not like that” times.

On the way back to our dorm from the classroom, Lady Lilia was stopped by a female student.

They began discussing noble society, governance, and the intricate web of aristocratic connections—subjects that belonged to a world far removed from mine.

I couldn’t join the conversation.

Each word they exchanged pushed me further to the outside, as if reinforcing the invisible barrier between us.

A dull ache spread through my chest.

The girl’s gaze made it clear.

She saw me as an intruder.

A commoner who didn’t belong by Lady Lilia’s side.

No matter how kind Lady Lilia was to me, no matter how much she made me feel like I was important—the people around us and the reality of our differences reminded me of the truth.

It wasn’t just this moment.

Every time I saw noble girls approach Lady Lilia, I felt it—jealousy.

They belonged to the same world as her.

Even after graduation, they would still have countless opportunities to meet Lady Lilia, to talk to her, to be part of her life.

Unlike me.

Unlike the girl who had already been told that once we left the academy, we would never meet again.

The thought bitterly gnawed at me, like cracks forming in a mirror that reflected my heart.

“I’ll head back first.”

I couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

I turned away from Lady Lilia and the conversation that so clearly excluded me.

As I walked, my legs felt heavy, each step weighed down by the emotions surging inside me.

Distracted, I accidentally bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry—ah!”

Before I could even process the impact, I was shoved against the wall.

A sharp pain jolted through my back.

I looked up—only to meet the gaze of a female student I didn’t recognize.

“How long are you going to keep clinging to Lady Lilia?”

“You do realize that a commoner like you is nothing but a burden to her, right?”

Her words stabbed deep.

“That’s… not true…”

I could feel the cold sweat trailing down my back.

My voice trembled, making my denial sound weak.

I couldn’t even defend myself properly.

“You’re a disgrace who doesn’t know her place.”

She spat out the words before turning on her heel and walking away, not sparing me another glance.

I stood there, staring at her retreating back, feeling a wave of emotions crash over me.

Frustration.

Helplessness.

An unbearable sense of inferiority.

Tears threatened to spill.

“Lady Lilia…”

Her name left my lips in a whisper.

It was painful.

So painful.

I was just a commoner.

She was a noble.

And that difference was a chasm I had no way of crossing.

And then, her words echoed in my mind.

“You have two choices.

You can remain a mere commoner and enjoy your remaining time with Lilia before fading from her life forever.

Or, you can accept my marriage proposal and secure a permanent place in her world.”

The memory of Prince Tarmine’s offer resurfaced.

I didn’t want to lose the time I had with Lady Lilia.

She was the only precious thing in my world.

The only connection that mattered.

“I just… want to stay by her side…”

The thought etched itself deeper into my heart.