Chapter 4: The Villainess enters!

The opening speech was about two hours long, and after it was the special lunch held in the ballroom.

Ethan and David followed Arthur. "Wait for us!" David called out.

Arthur turned to them. "Oh We're buddies now?"

David gave him a confused look. "We aren't?" Ethan gave him a smug smirk. "Yeah."

Rolling his eyes playfully, Arthur shrugs. "Sure."

Ethan and David caught up to him. "It's the lunch buffet right?" Etahn asked.

David nervously nodded. "Oh God, We're going to be in the same room as the big shots!" he whimpered.

Arthur took a glance. "Why so nervous?" Ethan seemed concerned too. "If we don't bother them, they won't bother us. Simple. Why worry?"

David looked at his friends horrified. "Are you two not aware of how this school works?!"

I am aware, but I want to play along.

Ethan and Arhut shook their heads. David gave an exasperated sigh. "If you even stick out the wrong way, the higher ranking nobles will crush you!"

Isn't that like, common sense?

"The teachers are very biased towards scholarship students like us. M-My older brother was expelled because he bumped into a noble."

Damn, that's actually kind of harsh.

"S-So we must keep our heads down! We can't afford to get expelled."

Ethan crossed his arms and nodded, completely understanding the situation. "Then, An Alliance is in order, we must watch out for each other."

That makes sense.

"I guess your right Ethan, I like the sound of that." Arthur hummed. "So I'm guessing that large building up ahead is the ballroom?" he asked.

"Yes, It says here in the school map." David answered as he opened his handbook. He motioned the group to a picture on in his handbook.

This place is massive.

"Let's take the long way, we won't run into any nobles that way."

Ethan and David nodded.

The group finally arrived to the ballroom, it was bustling with students. Taking a quick survey of the room, everyone has separated into cliques. Three cliques to be exact.

Each student is given a plaque or badge for the to display their social status.

In the first clique; Royalty and the Dukes, in the second clique; Earls or counts and a handful of well-off Vicounts, and in the last clique –or group– are the countryside barons.

Arthur sighs and picks up a plate. Ethan and David followed suit. On the buffet table were foods and dishes completely unknown to Arthur, Etahn and David.

Ethan gave himself a healthy portion of Meat and vegetables, mainly potatoes, and a glass of apple cider. David got himself a full serving of vegetables and minimal meat, he too, for a glass of apple cider.

Arthur on the other hand, sampled all the meats and a large portion of the vegetables, Ethan got from. Instead of getting a glass, Arthur swiped a full bottle of wine and three wine glasses.

Retreating back to the walls, the boys picked the farthest table and sat in peace.

"Why don't you have that much meat on yours?" Ethan asked. "The nutrition given by vegetables are superior than meat and by far, are healthier."

"C'mon, spoil yourself a little, we can't experience this when we graduate. Best to enjoy it while we can." Ethan reasoned.

David sighed. "I guess your right." the two boys then looked at Arthur, who was currently watching them. "You got too much." they murmured.

Arthur shrugged. "I'm spoiling myself and it's fairly balanced."

The two rolled their eyes. "Gourmet." they said in agreement.

Anyway, if today's the first episode, it means that Evangeline has built up at least a favorability of Five– hold on a minute, what difficulty is this world on?

Arthur glanced over to Prince Albert's table, seeing Evangeline and Prince Albert talking. Their favorability meters are–

Seriously?! Evangaleine has 1.75% Favorability with him? Are we in Impossible mode or something?!

Impossible mode, a mode created by the developers that simulate real life much more accurately. Remember, Romance in Otome games are relatively easy when compared to real life.

That makes things concerning. Also, since I'm a side character, Evangeline's bar is at–

Wait, her bar?!? I can see their progress! This is awesome! But that means, I can interfere and probably even steal Evangaleine...

That's not good. I should probably keep my distance. I don't want to live with a self-righteous wife, that'd be purgatory. If I'm being honest, the Villainess is more of my type.

Thick thighs, large chest, tight waist, a beauty mark on her led eye; sharp, blood-like irises and black hair tied into twin tails like Rin from the gate series– yep my type, too bad she's a bitch.

Speaking of villainess, where the hell is she–

Bam!

The large doors open and a very beautiful student walks in. The same student

Holy shi– she's hot. Damnn~

The student walked quite proudly and dignified.

Almost all the boy's had their mouths open in shock, some girls even fainted dramatically because of her beauty.

Tak

Tak

Her heels echoed in the silent ballroom. It was like time froze. Breathtaking and stunning is an understatement. She's on a whole different league.

David tried to react. "I-I-It's–

Ellis Simmons. Eldest daughter of the Simmons House. The Simmons House is symbolized by a wreath.

Historically speaking, The Simmons house have produced the most heirs that have been the spouses of the Rosegolds and many other influential families. It is safe to say that they are the second most powerful family, after the Rosegolds, in the Helena Empire.

[ Episode 1: "Coincidental Meeting" Main event is starting ]

Shit is bout to go down. I'm glad I prepared Alot of food. She may be hot, but she's rotten. Kind of a waste.

Ellis marches to Albert's side. "Who! Is! she?!" she growled? Yelled? Im not sure, but It was angry and loud.

Albert nodded. "Ellis, Meet Evangeline, and Evangeline, meet my fiance, Ellis Simmons."

Oh my god. I cant tell if that was sarcastic or professional. Whichever it is, that did not calm the situation.

"O-Oh, good morning Miss Ellis." Evangeline bowed her head. "Hmph! Leave, you're an eyesore."

Is she disappointed?! Are you crazy? Your politeness is going to make the situation wors–

"Kya—" Evangeline got up, but her shoes got caught on the long table cloth. The table's contents flew into Ellis and her entourage. "Miss Ellis! Im sorry!

Oh shit.

Ellis raised her hand for a slap when Albert stepped in front of them. "Stop it, Ellis, her knee was injured this morning, her footing is quite unstable."

Okay I'm done, I can't stomach this cringe. I'm outta here. If you wanted to lie, make a better one, but I doubt you can lie with your honest nature.

"Sorry, guys. Lost my appetite, I'll be back after I finish a cigarette." Arthur whispered as he got up to leave. He picked up the unopened wine bottle and slipped away.

"Phew~ nothing beats a drag after a buffet. I wonder how the situation inside is going." Arthur growns as he leans on the shaded side of the building. "****, it's hot out here."

Evangeline walks out the ballroom completely covered in food. She was on the verge of tears. Poor her. Arthur smothered the cigarette in a portable Ash tray as he blended in with the shadows.

What a waste of food. Anyway, for the plot, Evangeline is going to bump into three of the main interests. She met his highness, Albert, so the next one–

"Oi, What happened to you?"

The main interest that has navy blue hair, is a knight, and has the poorest academic performance out of all the main interests. Gregory George.

"I'm asking you, what the hell happened!"

Evangeline looked up to Gregory and sobbed.

"O-Oi, what the h-hell?"

Although he's the strongest, physically, among the love interest, he's quite dumb. Any seasoned knight would've detected my presence.

Evangeline broke down. Gregory ruffled his hair. "A-Are you alright– whoa!"

Evangeline latched onto Gregory as cried her eyes out. He just stood there gently patting her head. "T-There, There, its alright..." He consoled.

Prince Albert came out of the ballroom.

Damn, he looks pissed. Did he fall for Evangeline? Already?

Arthur glanced above prince Albert's head.

...3.09%...

That confirms it. We're in impossible mode. Currently, the state of their relationship is "acquaintance."

Sheesh, Impossible mode huh?

Ideally, Favorability should be at about 40% at episode —give or take– 800 to 1,000, depending on how long they talk, how often they meet, and how serious the topics are.

That could be a problem. In the game, there are many fights, arguments, duels, emergencies and accidents.

Winning each "battle" a certain way could greatly affect the main leads' perception of you

The ways you can win arguments are: Emotion, Intuition, or Logic.

Logic is the safest, hardest and slowest option.

Emotion and Intuition is high risk, high reward–A very sketchy route, but its the fastest.

Using logic primarily would generate at least a Favorability of 45% by Episode 1,000. Guaranteed.

"Oi, Albert, keep it down, she just fell asleep. What happened?"

Gregory and Albert carried her over the garden benches. "Evangeline accidentally got food on Ellis, Ellis lost it. She and her entourage, one-sidedly threw food at her."

"Tch, Your Fiancé really is a piece of work, then again, mine is too so I can't judge."

Albert's conversation about Evangeline seemed to raise Gregory's opinion about her.

...1.58%...

Not bad progress for the harem route– Why am I thinking so hard about this? I'm just a side character. Maybe I could find love here since it's a matchmaking Academy after all.

Nah who am I kidding, who'd marry a baron from the sticks, Mainly a nameless knight. These rich brats probably have no clue that the battle of Otto even happened.

Arthur slips past them and re-enters the ballroom with an empty bottle in hand.

Walking back to his table, Ethan and David seemed horrified. "Noble Ladies are vicious." Ethan whispered. "Y-Yeah, Miss. Ellis especially."

As if on cue, Ellis looked over at Arthur's direction. Ethan and David looked at their half-finished plates and continued eating.

Arthur sighed and picked up his plate. "I'll go get a drink. And some cake too, while I'm at it."

David tried to grab the cuffs of Arthur's uniform but he missed. Without a care in the world, Arthur walked dup to the buffet table and procured himself large servings of various meat.

"Ha! That's a Countryside Baron for you! Their diet is filled only with only potatoes that they'd go crazy for meat!" a pig bastard laughed loudly.

The students laughed along with him as they found it funny. Clique three didn't and they kept their anger to themselves.

"Yes, Edward, You're absolutely right. We don't get to eat meat back in the sticks since most of the wild game are monsters. They're edible but hunting is quite dangerous you see."

Edward frowned. "What are you getting at!"

Arthur looked over his shoulder and grinned, sticking his tongue out slightly. "If The Ashley's were a responsible house, my people woundn't have suffered."

Oh ****, I just insulted some of the nobles alongside Edward. Well shit.

"I can guess by how round you are, the only thing you ever do is eat and sleep."

Edward frowned deeper.

"You know what else, eats and sleeps like the Ashley's?" Arthur grinned. "A dog." he drawled.

Edward looked like he was going to pop a vein. Arthur shrugged nonchalantly.

"If the Ashley's were to follow a the example of great and powerful house like the Simmons Duchy–" Arthur paused glancing at Ellis. She was now paying full attention to the situation.

"Maybe their reputation wouldn't be comparable to that of a dog."

"You bastard!" Edward charged at Arthur.

Arthur scoffed as he set down his plate of food. "That is incorrect, I was born first, half-bother, so you're the dog-like bastard."

Arthur leaned to the left, dodging Edward's slow fist.

Arthur kicked Edward's right foot, causing him to bend down on one knee. Arthur grabbed Edwards hair forcfully. "Ah!" Edward cried out.

Lifting his gaze to match with his own, Arthur had a glare of a monster.

"And in my humble opinion, Dogs shouldn't act like lions." Arthur growled. He knee kicks Edward in the face resulting in a loud crunch sound and flying teeth.

Edward fell backwards on his back, his nose caved in and eight of his frontal teeth scattered about with blood. "Know your place. Low-life. That's for calling my mother 'Lowly.'"

Arthur grabbed his plate of food and a bottle of wine as he headed to his table, walking triumphantly with a smirk plastered on his face.

Everyone present stared at him silent. The barons were particularly in shock of what happened. A baron like us, stood up against a viscount? – is what they're thinking.

...[ Congratulations! ]...

A silent notification? Those are quite rare in the game–

...[ *Your Favorability with Ellis Simmons has increased! ]...

...[ Favorability : 0.01*% ]...

Huh?!? What?!?

To be continued.

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