Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 2.5

What I’m trying to say is—one of the major reasons why the heroine was bullied in the game was due to her ignorance and lack of proper education.

But with Adelaide—the epitome of a noble lady, someone who embodies aristocratic pride to the extreme—she could help compensate for that weakness.

I don’t know how many days she will be staying, but at the very least, I can instill in her enough etiquette so that she won’t be mocked or looked down upon.

That’s why I absolutely need her to come to my estate. No—she has to!

I looked straight at the heroine and smiled warmly.

“I won’t force you, but… Lady Fiona, would you consider staying at the Kishtaria Ducal House? I will welcome you with the utmost hospitality. Do you like milk tea? I’ll brew you my finest selection.”

At my words, the heroine finally let out a relieved smile.

“Yes… I’d love to.”

At that gentle, blossoming smile—like the soft opening of a flower bud—I instinctively widened my eyes.

Wow! S-So cute! As expected of the heroine, her face is practically a masterpiece!

And yet, Count Cristel actually had the nerve to strike this face without hesitation? Does he even have a heart!?

“……”

Since the Saint had already accepted my proposal, Prince Gerald Aurelian Ledda Astrom could no longer object, though he now looked at me with deep dissatisfaction.

Pretending not to notice, I turned to the commander of the First Order.

“Commander Granat, please arrange for a carriage. Also, kindly inform His Majesty that the Saint will be staying at the Kishtaria Ducal House for the time being. Assure him that we will serve her with utmost devotion, so he need not worry.”

“…Understood.”

“Lady Kishtaria! You are overstepping your bounds!”

Prince Gerald shouted again, clearly irritated.

“I apologize, Your Highness. It’s alright—I’m just about finished.”

I stood up and extended my hand to the heroine.

“Can you stand? Let’s move to another room and cool your cheek until the carriage arrives.”

“Ah… Y-Yes, thank you…”

The heroine gave a relieved smile and took my hand without hesitation.

The fact that she had chosen my hand over Prince Gerald’s—and without any reluctance—seemed to displease him greatly. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper. …It’s probably best to leave quickly.

In the game, the elderly butler of the Cristel household had always been an ally to the heroine. Even when she was imprisoned, he risked himself to help her escape. I should entrust her care to him.

“Fiona… Is this… real?”

As we turned to leave, Count Cristel’s feeble, trembling voice called after us.

“Am I truly… unable to become the emperor…?”

The heroine bit her lip and lowered her gaze.

Ah, that single sentence—just how much did it disappoint her?

Her profile was filled with raw emotions: anger, sorrow, loneliness, frustration, resignation… Yet, even amidst all that, there was still a lingering affection for her family. It was painfully heartbreaking to see.

“…Even if I had the power to choose anyone as emperor, I would never choose you, Father. Because you are not suited to be a ruler.”

“Wha…! You…!”

Count Cristel snapped, his face twisting in fury.

…And that right there is the problem. Who would ever follow a man who instantly explodes in rage the moment someone hits a nerve?

Not to mention—he hit her. Did he already forget?

And after all that, that’s the last thing he has to say to her? How pathetic.

“…Isn’t there something else you should be saying, Count Cristel?”

I shot him a piercing glare, but his eyes no longer reflected me or the heroine.

Instead, he just clutched his head, ruffling his hair in frustration, muttering curses about his misfortune and how unfair the world was.

How easy life must be for someone who can ignore his own ignorance, incompetence, and the damage he’s caused—shifting all the blame onto others.

But no matter how much he tries to erase the past, the wounds he inflicted won’t disappear.

No matter how horribly a child is treated, their parent is still their parent. They’re not a complete stranger.

Even if they suffer, even if they can’t forget the pain, they still hold on to lingering affection. They can’t cut ties so easily, and that struggle torments them.

And that’s exactly why I’m so angry.

I gently patted Fiona’s back and said, “Please wait right here for just five seconds, Lady Fiona.”

Then, I strode straight toward Count Cristel.

“…? What…?”

Only when I stood directly in front of him did Count Cristel sluggishly raise his head.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I swung my hand back and slapped him hard across the face.

“Gah!?”

“Lady Kishtaria!?”

Count Cristel staggered and collapsed onto the floor, while Prince Gerald, Lord Siegwald, and the knights all froze in shock.

“T-This is unacceptable! You cannot harm him!”

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything more.”

After all, I need to protect my hand.

At that, Count Cristel sprang up and snarled furiously.

“What do you think you’re doing!?”

“I merely did the same as you. Have you already forgotten what you did?”