Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 2.3

Everything Was from the Otome Game’s Knowledge

That’s right. I knew it all because of my knowledge of the otome game.

The heroine’s house was here—that was the only reason I knew.

But my true masterstroke wasn’t just knowing.

It was the fact that I had said it before leaving the Grand Hall.

No one in their right mind would trust Adelaide’s words.

However, with the Emperor and nobles present, outright dismissing me would have been risky.

What if I was right?

What if they ignored me, and the delay in rescuing the Saintess resulted in consequences?

Could they be held responsible?

Would the Emperor and his advisors be disappointed?

Would their competence be called into question?

Prince Gerald must have thought exactly that.

So instead of outright disregarding me, he made a calculated decision:

He and the First Knight Order (along with me and Siegvard Ledda Argento) would head directly to Taylor Street.

Meanwhile, the Second Knight Order, under its commander, would conduct a thorough search of the western district.

Thanks to that, I got here straight away.

It was a win for me.

Of course, splitting the forces meant we were short on men to disperse the large crowd—
but that was a small price to pay.

“What is this place?”

“The Cristel estate, Your Highness,” I answered Prince Gerald.

Then, with Siegvard’s help, I swiftly dismounted—

and without hesitation, I ran.

“Lady Kishtaria!?”

“Hey! Where are you going!?”

Both Siegvard and Prince Gerald shouted in shock, but—

I had no time to wait.

There was no time to explain.

And honestly? There was no way I could explain it.

Gate—check.

To the left.

Second lamp post from the entrance—check.

Next to it, two decorative fence bars—check.

Grab one, wiggle it left and right, and—yes, it comes loose.

Just like in the game.

I yanked the other one loose and squeezed through the opening.

“Nngh…!”

In the game, the slender heroine had no problem slipping through.

Me?

Not so much.

My chest and hips barely fit, but somehow I shoved myself through.

Finally, I was inside the Cristel estate.

Lifting my dress ungracefully high, I sprinted toward the front door.

This was why I had chosen low-heeled pumps for tonight.

Even so, running was a nightmare.

I need sneakers.

Reaching the door, I banged on it with both fists.

“Open up! This is the House of Kishtaria!”

Of course, I had zero intention of waiting for them to open it.

I grabbed the handle and pushed the heavy double doors open myself.

“W-What!?”

A startled elderly butler stood there, eyes widened in shock.

“Pardon my intrusion! I’ll explain later!”

Without stopping, I raced through the entrance hall.

“H-Hold it! You can’t just—!”

I ignored his voice and bolted up the grand staircase.

The heroine’s room was on the second floor, west wing, north side.

Please, please let her still be in there!

Suddenly—

“KYAAAAAA!!”

A terrified scream rang out from just ahead.

She’s still here!

Without hesitation, I slammed the door open.

Saving the Heroine

“STOP THIS AT ONCE!”

My sharp command cut through the air.

A man—Count Cristel—was frozen in shock, his raised fist trembling mid-air.

“W-Who are you!?”

His gaze locked onto me, his face twisted in panic—whether from my sudden intrusion, or from being caught mid-assault, I wasn’t sure.

His grip loosened, and the heroine collapsed onto the floor.

I rushed forward, kneeling beside her.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah…”

Tear-filled, shaking emerald-green eyes looked up at me.

Her delicate brows furrowed, her small nose and lips trembling.

Even with her golden hair disheveled, she was breathtaking—

Fiona La Cristel.

The heroine of this otome game.

She had already been struck once—her right cheek was swollen red, and a cut on her lip was bleeding.

How dare he.

“You’re safe now,” I whispered, pulling her into my arms.

Then, I lifted my gaze—and glared at Count Cristel.

For a brief moment, his eyes flickered with fear.

He must have realized from my clothing and jewelry that I was of high nobility.

Instead of lashing out, he merely trembled.

“Y-You are…?”

I lifted my chin, staring him down.

“Adelaide di Kishtaria.”

I hated introducing myself to a man like him.

But men like this only respected power.

Sure enough—

Count Cristel turned pale.

“K-Kishtaria’s duchess!? W-Why are you here!?”

Normally, a low-ranked noble like him would never dare challenge me.

But his greed had clouded his judgment.

Instead of backing down, he raised his voice.

“E-Even if you are a duchess, you cannot simply barge into my home! You must leave immediately!”

I felt Fiona flinch in my arms.

I tightened my hold around her, then locked eyes with the Count.

“No matter how many times you strike her—”

“You will never become Emperor, Count Cristel.”

“Wha—!? W-Why would you say that!?”

Gotcha.

His face twisted in realization.

Just asking ‘why’ meant he had admitted to his intentions.

A moment too late, his expression shifted into panic.

His face flushed red, eyes darting, grasping for an excuse.

But it was too late.