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 21.1

The first step was to share information. I headed to Prince Allen’s room.

He was the only one who answered the door, but I could sense another presence inside. Given the events at last night’s ball, it was clear that he had been enjoying himself with Shiroe.

“What’s wrong? You look rather menacing.”

I hadn’t realized it, but my dark emotions must have been showing on my face.

If I had a mirror, I was certain I would have looked every bit the villainous noblewoman I was meant to be.

“I have something important to tell you, Prince Allen.”

“What is it?”

“Prince Tarmine may be in possession of a cursed relic.”

For a brief moment, Allen’s expression hardened.

He studied me in silence before speaking in a serious tone.

“Tell me everything.”

I explained the details surrounding Liel’s disappearance, including the effects of the cursed relic based on what both Liel and I had experienced.

“I’ll send word immediately and have my subordinates inspect the treasury. If your suspicions are correct, then the treasurer may also be one of my brother’s accomplices. I’ll have them investigate further.”

“You’re willing to act on mere speculation?”

“Precisely because there is no proof, I need to confirm it. If a member of the royal family has tampered with a cursed relic, it could give other nations justification to attack our kingdom. This must be handled swiftly and discreetly. Besides, I owe you a great deal.”

Allen locked eyes with me, his sharp gaze seeming to peer straight into my soul.

“Regardless of what I find, I will confront my brother at Prince Tarmine’s estate. Manipulating someone’s emotions to take them away from you is unacceptable. A family’s wrongdoing must be corrected.”

“You understand that Liel is… important to me?”

“Of course. Now that I have someone I treasure, I can see it clearly in your eyes.”

His calm expression and sincere words eased my heart, if only slightly.

That reminded me—I had something else to confirm.

“By the way, Prince Allen, has Prince Tarmine ever mentioned anything to you about a field where ancient flowers bloom?”

“…Hmm? He did say he was searching for it on my behalf and that he’d contact me once he found it. Why? Did my brother mention something to you?”

“Something like that. Oh, don’t mind me—I was just curious.”

Allen wasn’t even engaged to Liel, yet Prince Tarmine was already laying the groundwork for his future schemes.

That meant he had been planning to eliminate Allen all along—likely as part of his ambition to claim the throne.

He was guilty. Completely and undeniably guilty.

Even though Allen would personally enter Prince Tarmine’s estate, I had no intention of waiting idly.

Returning to my room, I summoned Urs and changed into more practical attire.

“This may be dangerous. Even so, will you come with me?”

“I’m your maid, my lady. If it’s your wish, I’ll go anywhere—anytime, anyplace.”

Urs’s unwavering response filled me with reassurance.

She was the most reliable person I knew. As long as we were together, we wouldn’t lose.

“You truly are the best maid.”

I smiled, and Urs responded with equal conviction.

“Well, of course. I serve the best mistress, after all.”

We arrived at Prince Tarmine’s estate.

The mansion was surrounded by towering walls, with a sturdy metal gate guarding the entrance.

As we approached, two gatekeepers stepped forward and addressed us.

“Are you of noble status? We weren’t informed of any visitors today.”

“Do you have business with Prince Tarmine?”

“I’m not here for Prince Tarmine. I’ve come to retrieve Liel.”

“Liel…?”

One of the guards tilted his head in confusion.

If Prince Tarmine was the mastermind, had he kept his subordinates in the dark?

Or perhaps, even if they were involved, there was no need to resort to brute force—at least, not yet.

“Wait, isn’t she the fool who was in the carriage yesterday?”

“Ah, you mean that pathetic-looking girl?”

Their foul mouths earned them a broken jaw each before they lost consciousness.

“Not going to kill them?”

“No killing. Liel is a kind person. If she ever found out that you or I took a life for her sake, she would be devastated. Besides, if we eliminate witnesses, it’ll only make things harder for Prince Allen when he arrives later.”

“Killing them would be easier, but fine, whatever.”

For now, Urs and I would split up.

I would enter through the front gate, while Urs would take a stealthier approach, positioning herself atop the walls to assess the risks.

Ignoring the mechanism to open the main gate, I simply drew back my fist.

“Let’s give them a grand knock, shall we?”

With a powerful punch, the gate blasted open, sending a deafening shockwave through the air.

I stepped forward boldly into the open space beyond.

“Well, if it isn’t Lilia.”

A voice rang out from above. I looked up to see Prince Tarmine gazing down at me from the balcony.

“I was just thinking about you. Wondering how to extend an invitation to my estate. But I see you’ve saved me the trouble. I’ll even overlook the fact that you used explosives on my gate.”

His smug face was insufferable.

And of course, he didn’t even consider the possibility that I had broken the gate down with sheer strength.

“Where is Liel?”

“She’s safe. See for yourself.”

With a casual gesture, Prince Tarmine signaled to his men.

A moment later, they stepped onto the balcony, dragging Liel with them.

She was restrained, unable to escape, with a knife pressed against her throat.

But something was off—her usual bright blue eyes were clouded and lifeless, as if all hope had drained away. She looked too exhausted to even cry out.

“What have you done to Liel?”

Depending on his answer, I wouldn’t let this slide.

“Nothing much. She’s simply suffered the effects of the cursed relic—severe magic and stamina depletion, that’s all. She’s valuable to me, so I wouldn’t harm her needlessly.”

His voice was dripping with mockery as he continued.

“But don’t misunderstand. I didn’t bring her here for your sake. I brought her so she could witness your suffering firsthand. To strip her of every last shred of hope.”

At his signal, mercenaries emerged, surrounding me.

Their grins were filled with amusement, looking at me as if I were nothing more than easy prey.

I turned my gaze to Liel.

Though trembling, her lips moved silently, forming the words “Run away.”

Even in her weakened state, she didn’t beg for help—she only worried about me.

That kindness of hers struck deep.