Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 1.2

At first glance, it might seem natural for Siegvard to be present at the villainess’s condemnation. But according to the original scenario, that wasn’t supposed to be the case.

In Knights of the White Lily, Adelaide’s judgment for the attempted assassination of the Saintess only occurs in Prince Gerald’s and Commander Wolf’s routes. In those cases, only those two appear at her trial.

Which means… Siegvard was never supposed to be here.

“Lord Argento, why are you here? You’re supposed to be under house arrest.”

Prince Gerald’s voice was sharp with irritation as he furrowed his brows at Siegvard, who had disrupted the trial.

“Do you take your failure to protect the Saintess so lightly?”

“Not at all. It is precisely because I take it seriously that I have come.”

Siegvard bowed his head briefly toward the prince before striding toward me. He reached out and placed his hand on the arm of one of the knights holding me.

“Release Lady Kishtaria. Do not handle her so roughly.”

“What do you think you’re doing, Argento!?”

Prince Gerald’s voice rang out in fury. The knights restraining me exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard.

“B-But, sir…!”

“Lady Kishtaria has denied all charges, and she has made no attempt to escape. There is no need for such forceful restraint! Let her go at once!”

Overwhelmed by Siegvard’s commanding presence, the knights hesitated before finally releasing me.

I quickly stepped away, rubbing my wrists where they had twisted my arms behind my back.

“Are you all right?”

“Y-Yes…”

I was immensely relieved and grateful—but at the same time, deeply confused.

No one was ever supposed to defend the villainess in the original story. And yet, here was Siegvard—someone who wasn’t even supposed to be present—actively protecting me.

Had the game forcibly pulled me back into the original scenario after four years of deviation? Even if that were the case, this didn’t add up.

If the game was forcing the villainess’s condemnation, then there was no reason to create an ally who wasn’t supposed to exist.

“I asked you—what do you think you’re doing!?”

Prince Gerald’s frustration boiled over as he shouted at Siegvard.

Siegvard, however, stood his ground, positioning himself in front of me like a shield.

“I do not believe Lady Kishtaria would plot the assassination of the Saintess.”

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

His unwavering words sent a shiver through me—not from fear, but from disbelief.

Why?

I had barely interacted with him. I had gone out of my way to avoid both the heroine and the love interests. Why, then, did he believe in my innocence? Why was he defending me?

“W-What nonsense!”

“At this stage, she is merely a suspect. Am I wrong?”

“Tch…! The evidence is undeniable!”

“Yes, the evidence is suspicious—but it has not been fully substantiated. There is still the possibility that someone fabricated it to frame Lady Kishtaria—or the entire Kishtaria family. Prematurely detaining her could be a grave mistake. Please, Your Highness, remain level-headed.”

Siegvard spoke calmly, rationally.

But instead of calming Gerald, his words only fueled the prince’s rage.

“Silence! The Saintess was harmed! Do you not understand how grave this matter is for the kingdom!?”

“That is exactly why we must act with caution. We must apprehend the true culprit as swiftly as possible and uncover every connection, ensuring that all involved are brought to justice. Acting recklessly could allow the real mastermind to escape.”

Siegvard took a step forward, his voice firm yet conciliatory.

“If we waste time investigating an innocent person, the true criminal—the one orchestrating all of this—might slip away.”

“Enough!”

But Gerald was beyond reasoning. Whether he felt his judgment was being questioned or believed Siegvard was belittling the Saintess, his fury burned brighter.

“The one who plotted the Saintess’s assassination is this woman! There is no mistake! The possibility of a false accusation is nonexistent! She is guilty, and that is why she is being arrested—there is nothing unjust about it!”

“Your Highness—”

“Be silent! You failed to protect the Saintess! Do you truly think you have any right to speak!?”

At that, Siegvard fell silent, his lips pressing into a firm line.

Gerald seized the moment to snap a sharp command at the knights.

“The culprit is confirmed! Take her away!”

“Please, reconsider! Conduct a proper investigation—!”

Siegvard tried once more to stop him.

But Gerald’s patience had snapped. His golden eyes blazed as he raised the sword in his hand.

“You are insufferable!”

The next moment, a streak of red splattered across my vision.

“Ahhh!”

A scream tore from my throat as pure shock and terror surged through me.

“Lord Argento!”

My entire body trembled as I stared at the horrifying sight before me.

No… No, this can’t be happening.

Siegvard was harmed…?

How…?

“Anyone who defends a traitor is a traitor themselves! Siegvard Ledda Argento—arrest him as well!”