Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 3.9

I couldn’t let myself be deceived by comforting words.

I was—using Lord Siegvard.

To avoid a tragic fate.

I couldn’t allow myself to forget that.

With a weak smile, I slowly shook my head.

“Love… I don’t really understand it.”

“Huh…? But you do want Lord Siegvard to fall for you, don’t you?”

Fiona blinked at me in surprise. I nodded.

“Yes. But… for example, let’s say someone has a list of ideal qualities in a marriage partner. He must be from a distinguished noble lineage, hold a title, have an excessive amount of wealth, be incredibly talented, and be highly regarded by society. He can be up to ten years older but never younger. He must be devastatingly handsome, and the taller, the better.

If they found someone who perfectly met all those conditions and decided to marry them—would that really be love?”

“Eh? Um… I suppose… that wouldn’t exactly be love, would it?”

“Right? And I feel like my ‘I want him to love me’ falls closer to that.”

That’s exactly what it was. I saw Siegvard as my best chance at avoiding a tragic end—so I sought marriage with him.

Fiona didn’t seem convinced. She furrowed her brows and tilted her head.

“Even if that was your original reason, isn’t the fact that you’re working so hard to make him love you proof that you’re in love? I saw how much effort you put into today’s tea party. You planned everything meticulously, days in advance. Could you really do all that just for a man who happens to meet your criteria?”

“Eh…? But…”

“For one, I wouldn’t want a man I didn’t like to fall for me. Isn’t wanting someone’s affection proof that you already hold them in high regard?”

“……”

Is that… true?

I don’t dislike Lord Siegvard. In fact, if I had to choose, I’d say I do hold him in high esteem.

But ultimately, I approached him because I had a goal—

“And that explains your outfit, I assume?”

Ah!

Fiona’s words jolted me, and I instinctively clutched the neckline of my dress.

“T-this was Claude’s idea! He said it would be effective in attracting a man’s attention!”

“…I see…”

I hurriedly tried to justify myself, but Fiona turned a sharp glare toward Claude.

“There are men who prefer that sort of thing, sure. But if the timing and intent are too obvious, it can actually be off-putting. Plenty of men would find it too much and lose interest instead.”

I KNOW, RIGHT?! I thought so too!

“Lord Siegvard turned out to be one of those men. It was a complete disaster…”

“Oh dear…”

Fiona let out a small sigh of sympathy. But despite her concern, there was a hint of amusement in her expression.

“It’s fine. I think he probably just saw it as a cute mistake caused by enthusiasm. I doubt it was an outright failure.”

“D-do you think so…?”

“Of course. Because you are Lady Adelaide.”

…What’s that supposed to mean?

I tilted my head at her cryptic words, but Fiona simply smiled and reassured me.

“Trust me, it’s fine. Ah! You know, men are often weak to contrast. If someone has a graceful, elegant image but occasionally shows a glimpse of seductive allure, it can really catch them off guard.”

Oh… that’s true. Women like contrast, too.

Like when a usually sweet, puppy-like man suddenly shows his dominant side, or when a rough, unruly delinquent unexpectedly reveals his serious, reliable nature.

I see. If I approach it that way, it might be easier to manage.

…Yes. Sitting here sulking won’t change anything. No amount of lamenting will alter fate.

What matters is learning from my mistakes and moving forward with determination.

With newfound resolve, I clasped Fiona’s hands.

“Thank you! I’ll do my best!”

Next time—I will make him swoon!

Meanwhile—

Adelaide, having fully recovered her spirit, dashed up the stairs.

Fiona watched her go, then turned toward Claude and quietly approached him.

“…Be honest. What’s your assessment of this Lord Siegvard?”

“My assessment?”

“Lady Adelaide, in that scandalous dress, was blushing furiously and acting completely unguarded. She was adorable. Don’t tell me you didn’t plan that? That you didn’t intentionally suggest that dress to bring out that effect?”

Fiona narrowed her eyes sharply.

“If you didn’t, I’ll have to reassess my opinion of you—I may have overestimated your capabilities.”

Claude let out a soft chuckle.

“No need for a reassessment. That was exactly my intention.”

Fiona hummed in satisfaction before crossing her arms.

“She’s completely unaware, but… how did Lord Siegvard react in reality?”

“As far as I could tell—he was extremely flustered. And the kiss? It definitely struck a chord. He froze completely.”