The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead

“Why aren’t you attending the ball?”

“What?”

“I’m talking about the ball at the Erpeso Ducal House. If Selena is attending, shouldn’t you be there too?”

Kabir narrowed his brow and replied,

“I think I’ve mentioned this before. I really dislike social gatherings.”

“But still, it’s your future fiancée’s debut in society. You should at least show some manners.”

It was necessary, if only to boost Selena’s spirits.

Hearing my words, Kabir’s violet eyes turned towards me.

Then he said in a firm voice,

“How can you be so sure that my fiancée is Selena?”

I blinked blankly.

“Because it’s always been Selena from the start?”

“The condition set by the ducal house was ‘the daughter of the Erpeso Ducal House.’ That would include you too, wouldn’t it?”

“What are you talking about? You know very well. My father didn’t want to send me, so he purposely brought Selena instead.”

I said it outright since Kabir must have been aware of it too.

Kabir lifted the corner of his mouth in a sardonic smile.

“I’ll be the one to make that decision.”

What’s he saying… I didn’t even pretend to listen. I just took it as nonsense.

After ending the conversation roughly, I left the room.

Stepping into the corridor, I spoke into the chat window.

“Why is that guy like that?”

When I’m unsure, it’s best to ask the romance experts.

Unlike me, who had no clue, the chat window promptly replied.

[Isaac: Seems like he’s taken an interest in you.]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Cliché lol. The only one I’m interested in is you!]

[Gold2: He’ll fall for you soon lol.]

[Pongdang: No, not Selena ㅠㅠ]

[Poppopo: Both Selena and Kabir should belong to Jiha.]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Right, Jiha should have them all.]

I wasn’t planning to claim anyone, but why do they keep insisting on giving them to me?

According to the viewers, does this mean Kabir is interested in me?

‘Why doesn’t the one I want to fall for me, fall for me?’

Right now, my twelve thousand points were not on Eric or Kabir, but on Bates. But except for Bates, everyone seemed to have a liking for me.

Who decided they could like me? It was so absurd that I was more annoyed than amused.

I just wanted Bates to fall for me and earn the twelve thousand points. Why are the other guys creating a love triangle and putting me in it?

[OnlyFinley: So, what dress are you wearing? lol]

[LLoading: If it’s a romance novel, it has to be a dress――]

[NyamNyamoo: I’m so excited!!!]

The viewers seemed more interested in me than in Kabir.

Maybe because the dedicated fans are increasing. These days, most of the angels seemed to care more about me than the characters.

‘I guess attending is almost confirmed.’

I felt like I had to attend the ball, at least as a service to the fans. If I didn’t, the viewers would be disappointed.

I despised social gatherings, but for the fans, I decided to endure it this time.

* * *

We returned to the Erpeso Ducal House.

It was so unfamiliar since I had only stayed there for one day right after the possession.

“Where was my room again?”

“Over here, sister.”

Selena kindly guided me as I wandered. She didn’t find it strange that I was getting lost in my own house. I was grateful for that.

As I was about to head straight to my room, Finley stopped me.

“Aren’t you going to greet father?”

Right, it’s customary to first greet the head of the house.

Reluctantly, I replied, not keen on the idea,

“…Wouldn’t it be better not to greet him?”

“Stop fussing and just come with me.”

Finley skillfully dragged me along.

If it weren’t for the family head… I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

The Duke of Erpeso was in his office. Like Kabir, the heads of the houses seem to only be in their offices unless they’re sleeping.

Finley shoved me into the office and then left. No courtesy for his sister.

“……”

The Duke of Erpeso stared intently at me as I entered abruptly. His brown eyes felt only cold.

“Hello.”

I greeted him as if meeting someone for the first time. His face did feel unfamiliar after not seeing it for so long.

“It’s been a while, Anais.”

“Yes.”

“Do you plan to attend the upcoming ball?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“Yes.”

“You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

The conversation ended as quickly as it began. I quietly left the office.

Leaning against the door, I blinked.

Is that it? I followed the instructions and had a proper conversation, yet I couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling and scratched my cheek.

‘…I should go to my room.’

I felt tired from moving around, so resting seemed like a good idea.

Bates and Eric followed me, but there didn’t seem to be anything more to do today. I just returned to my room.

I hadn’t turned on the broadcast since there didn’t seem to be anything interesting happening, but a sudden thought made me open the window.

‘The manager must be watching.’

As long as it’s not completely terminated, the manager would be there unless they left.

As expected, the manager was still on the viewer list.

“It seems like it’s been a while.”

[Manager: ㅇ]

Always the same.

“Has it been harder to see you these days?”

They were always on the viewer list but didn’t chat much.

They didn’t chat much to begin with, but lately, it seemed even less.

Instead of answering my question, the manager asked something else.

[Manager: Didn’t you have a fan meeting?]

“Ah, how did you know?”

[Manager: ㅡㅡ]

The manager seemed displeased as usual. He was opposed to the fan meeting. It was understandable he’d be unhappy since I insisted on having it.

[Manager: Did you enjoy it?]

“Extremely.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration; it really was great. The fans were all kind, and the Celestial Realm was comfortable. I also got to relax properly for the first time in a while.

“Everyone was so nice.”

[Manager: But you’re terribly negligent with your work.]

“I wish you and I could meet and talk in person sometime.”

[Manager: I’m not particularly interested.]

Complaining as always. By now, I had gotten used to the manager’s way of speaking.

[Manager: What are you thinking, attending the ball?]

Unlike other viewers, the manager seemed displeased about me attending the ball.

I answered as if it was obvious.

“To earn points?”

[Manager: What if I give you more points not to go?]

“Is that really necessary?”

[Manager: It might be dangerous.]

“Still, it’s a promise I’ve already made. The viewers are also looking forward to it.”

[Manager: Do whatever you want.]

[Manager: When have you ever listened to me?]

“Are you upset?”

[Manager: I’m leaving.]

With that, the manager vanished from the list.

Wow, seems like he’s really upset.

I’ll make it up to him later. I didn’t think much of it and moved on.

* * *

Preparations for the ball were progressing smoothly.

The scale of the ball was considerable. It was evident that the ducal house was taking good care of Selena.

“How do you feel?”

I asked Selena.

“I was just excited when I heard the news… but now I’m a bit nervous.”

Selena was visibly tense. It was understandable since so many people were putting in effort just for her.

Selena fiddled with her hands timidly.

“I’ve lived like a commoner all my life… I guess everyone will look down on me.”

“If anyone does, tell me.”

I might not be of much help since I’m almost outcast in society, but as the infamous lady of nobility, I could at least cause a scene. If someone bothers Selena, I could handle that much.

Hearing my words, Selena shouted as if reassured.

“I should stick with you, sister!”

“No, that’s not possible.”

It was Selena’s debut in society. Staying by my side wouldn’t be helpful, especially since Anais was rumored to be shunned even by her own family. Being by my side might backfire.

“Have you decided who you’ll enter with?”

Normally, it should be with the fiancé, but since the cruel Kabir isn’t attending, she had to choose someone else.

“Hehe, not yet.”

“How about Finley?”

“Finley?”

“It’s common for family members to enter together. If you can’t find anyone, consider Finley.”

“Wouldn’t Finley dislike that…?”

“That’s unlikely.”

There’s no way Finley would dislike that.

I worried if Finley became the family head, his first act might be to officially disown Selena.

‘Maybe I should make them closer before the ball.’

Of course, my intention to pair up Selena and Kabir hadn’t changed.

But it would be entertaining. I wanted to see Finley stiff as a wooden puppet.

“Are you close with Finley?”

“Of course!”

Selena’s answer came quickly.

They did get along well. Finley was the one who took care of Selena the most when she first arrived.

“Have you two ever gone out together?”

“Ah.”

Selena hesitated, then smiled awkwardly.

“We’ve never done that.”

Finley, you have a long way to go.

As a sister, I decided to show some mercy.

“How about going out together? Maybe to see a performance.”

“With Finley?”

Selena blinked in surprise and asked.

“…Why?”

Selena posed a fundamental question.

Indeed. It wasn’t really necessary.

After thinking for a moment, I said,

“You’ll be entering the ball as partners, right? Getting closer would prevent any mishaps at the ballroom, wouldn’t it? You might even have to dance with Finley.”

Of course, I didn’t know anything about high society; I was just making it up.

But Selena, who was just as unfamiliar with high society, was easily persuaded.

“Do you have plans today?”

“I don’t, but…”

“Got it. Go get ready.”

Despite being hesitant about the sudden plan, Selena followed my instruction and headed to her room. I would send a maid to her soon, so she should prepare well.

I had my own tasks to take care of.

* * *

A short while later, I, with the tickets I had obtained through a servant, headed to Finley’s office with a light step.

“What now.”

Even though it was our first meeting today, Finley looked at me as if he was already tired of me.

I held up the tickets I was holding in my hand.

“Finley, I’ve booked an opera performance. Go see it with Selena.”

“……?”

Finley looked at me in disbelief.