CHAPTER 14
Heroine’s Perspective (Labra)
This is the story from the heroine’s point of view.
I reincarnated into an otome game!
The world I found myself in was the setting of my favorite dating simulation game:
“Love Grows When Supported! ~ I Want to Be Your Support ♪”
It was a classic romance story where a commoner heroine falls in love with noblemen.
The heroine was the typical cheerful and clumsy girl who constantly stumbled into lucky romantic situations. I had always loved the game, especially because the artwork was so cute.
The heroine was born to a blonde-haired mother and a blue-eyed father, giving her the same coloring as the royal family. Because of that, jealous people bullied her for being “too presumptuous.”
Fortunately, a group of handsome high-ranking nobles would come to her rescue.
The prince was originally a hopeless coward and an incompetent royal. However, after meeting the heroine, he transformed into the greatest prince in the world, determined to protect her.
Then there was the eldest son of the Prime Minister, the prince’s aide. Because of his spoiled younger sister, he had become somewhat distrustful of women. But after meeting the heroine, he turned into a devoted young man who adored her endlessly.
The son of the Knight Commander was a quiet man with strong convictions. Once he fell for the heroine, he became her loyal knight who would do absolutely anything for her.
The second son of a wealthy merchant family spent his days wandering around the academy, managing sales of dresses, jewelry, and goods to nobles. He had a poor reputation and was known as the “wandering son,” but after meeting the heroine, he rose to become the leader of the nation’s largest corporation.
And finally, there was the Prime Minister’s second son, who would enroll the following year.
Bullied by his older sister, he was timid, kind-hearted, and terrified of frogs. He had the personality of someone who was always running errands for others and was often used as a servant by the kingdom’s princess.
After meeting the heroine, however, he would grow into a capable and respected lord.
As for the villains, there were three main antagonists.
First was the Prime Minister’s daughter, who had been expected to become the prince’s fiancée when she was ten years old.
Then there was the princess.
And finally, two noble girls who followed them around.
The Prime Minister’s daughter failed to become engaged to the prince because he disliked her during the engagement ceremony. Nevertheless, she remained obsessed with him.
Jealous of the heroine for becoming close to the prince and other influential noble sons, she constantly bullied her.
The final boss of the story was the kingdom’s princess.
Unable to tolerate the heroine’s royal-colored hair and eyes, she also harassed her relentlessly.
In the end, both of them were publicly disgraced and exiled from the country.
Since they were born and raised as true noble ladies, exile was portrayed as a fate worse than death.
I could hardly wait for the story to begin!
The entrance ceremony finally arrived.
Just as the Prime Minister’s daughter was giving the freshman representative speech, I deliberately arrived late to make a dramatic entrance.
According to the game, this should have earned me a terrifying glare from her.
Instead, for some reason, she waited until I had taken my seat before continuing.
What was that about?
The students in the commoner section glared at me instead.
When classes began, the first person to speak to me was Catherine, a commoner girl.
She was supposed to become my best friend and provide information about all the romance targets.
An energetic girl who dreamed of working in media, she planned to join the newspaper club.
“What were you thinking?” Catherine demanded.
“Interrupting Rose Princess-sama’s speech like that!”
“Huh?”
Wait.
Something felt wrong.
“R-Rose Princess-sama?”
“Who else? Lady Cardinal, obviously! Don’t tell me you don’t know that?”
Catherine let out a sigh as if she couldn’t believe my ignorance.
What was going on?
“Excuse me.”
A new voice joined the conversation.
I turned around.
Bright red twin-tails.
The villainess.
“I-I’m sorry about earlier.”
I bowed deeply, making sure everyone could see it.
“You certainly are energetic,” she said with a gentle smile.
“I truly don’t mind, so please don’t worry about it. My name is Cardinal Blarose. And yours?”
“M-My name is Labra Astira!”
“Labra-san, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Huh?
Wait.
Where was the hostility?
Why wasn’t she treating me like an enemy?
“Rose Princess-sama! C-Could I shake your hand?”
To my astonishment, Catherine’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly held out her hand.
“U-Um… Rose Princess-sama…? Are you referring to me?”
“Of course! You’re the angel who descended upon our lands and became the ally of the common people!”
What language was she even speaking?
“You’re Catherine, youngest daughter of Mr. Eusias, correct?”
“Yes! My father is always indebted to you!”
“No, I’m the one who should be grateful. Thank you for always sharing your delicious vegetables with us.”
“What are you saying?! Our family survives because of the medicinal compresses you make and the improved vegetable varieties you developed!”
“Plant breeding is simply my hobby. Your father is wonderful for helping me. I should be thanking him. Truly, thank you.”
And then Catherine started crying.
What?
What is this?
“P-Please don’t cry,” Cardinal said nervously.
“It will look as though I bullied you.”
“S-Sorry! Rose Princess-sama is just so compassionate!”
“Um… could we perhaps stop calling me Rose Princess-sama?”
“No!”
The answer came instantly.
The villainess looked at me with a troubled smile.
“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve accidentally caused a commotion instead.”
She glanced toward Catherine.
“She’s a very kind girl, so please be friends with her. And I’d be happy if you became friends with me as well.”
“Ah… uh… y-yes…”
An invisible pressure seemed to radiate from everyone around us.
It felt like if I refused, I would be murdered on the spot.
Without thinking, I nodded.
What is happening?
This isn’t how the story is supposed to go!
That red-haired girl is the villainess, right?
Then why is she acting like a saint?
As I stared at Cardinal Blarose, I couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease.
For the first time since reincarnating into the game, I found myself genuinely worried about how the story would unfold from here.
Because this was definitely not the world I remembered.
