There is bound to be failures in life.

As a genius, I am no exception to this rule. I was once a fool who knew and cared nothing about fate, and simply enjoyed a stable life. Because of my resourcefulness, I looked away from the fact that fate should be played according to its natural course.

I overcame that mentality, and became the villainess Christina Noir.

I decided that I wouldnt stop no matter what hards.h.i.+ps lay in store for me. When I heard those words that opened my path to destiny, I was determined to love my fate.

Yet there was someone who stood in my way as I tried to side with fate.

Whats wrong with you, Prince Endo?!

Whats wrong with you all of a sudden?

I barged into the student council room and came face to face with the prince. He looks clueless.

I wonder if hes just pretending, or if he really doesnt know whats wrong. He can be ignorant and incapable and incorrigible sometimes.

Im screaming at the idiot prince.

What do you mean whats wrong with me?! Your personality is whats wrong!

You s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up your own life is whats wrong, you idiot.

He raises his eyebrows.

What a retort. I have always devoted my life to making my sister happy.

It has been about three months since the first event that leads to that goal of mine.

Using Freesia as my p.a.w.n, I have established myself as the villainess getting in Michelies way. Freesia is trying her best too, in her own way.

Events are going according to the natural course of fate. The location, timing, and appearance of the characters match perfectly. As a genius, I am fulfilling my role as a villainess in order to allow these events to take place. Thats only natural.

But for some reason, Endo interacted with Freesia, not Michelie.

I dont get it at all.

Freesia was the one who hara.s.sed Michelie, yet Endo helped Freesia instead of Michelie and even exchanged a few words with her.

Its alright. The situation is still under control, even if just barely. On the other hand, if I leave things as they are, Freesia and Endo will get married eventually. Although they do make a good pair.

But whats going to happen to Michelie if that happens?

What? Are you in love with Freesia? What happened to the creepy prince who fell in love with Michelie at first sight? Also, I wonder about your sensibility if youre really interested in Freesia. Are you okay? Shes not evil, but shes an idiot, you know?

So you did instigate her!

Hes gaining the upper hand in this conversation now.

Youre the cause of her unchecked idiocy! Shes been sticking around me and causing unnecessary trouble for me! What are you trying to do with her?! Is this some sort of hara.s.sment? Is this your way of indirectly causing trouble?!

Yes and no.

Huh?! So it is hara.s.sment after all!

The one Im hara.s.sing isnt him. My goal is to do it to Michelie in order to gather sympathy towards her as a tragic heroine.

Were staring straight at each other.

Endo is the first to look away.

He clicks his tongue and sits back down.

Alright. If thats all you have to say, then Im going to sleep. Youre tired too, arent you? Dont take your insomnia out on my, Christina Noir. And stop that girl from causing trouble again.

Tch.

To be honest, I was going to beat him up if it came down to it, but Im glad he backed down. Im a villainess, but Im still a lady. I can retaliate with force without much consequence whatsoever, but it would be unladylike if I started the brawl first.

Im relieved. Its not that hes particularly interested in Freesia. There have been too many flags set up at once, I was getting worried that he might start liking her.

Thats fine. I didnt come here to pick a fight with you. I just wanted to ask.

I see. In that case, hurry up and leave. Youre in the way of my work.

Then let me warn you, before its too late. If things keep going at this rate, youll end up getting married with Freesia. If you still wish to pursue Michelie, then do as I say.

Shut up.

He looks displeased, even though I was warning him out of goodwill.

Ive only listened to a tenth of everything youve said. If I act according to your plans, it will only result in ruin. So stop making so much noise. Its annoying.

Youre not listening to me!

Im annoyed at how I cant make things go as planned, but Im even more p.i.s.sed at his uncooperative att.i.tude. And Charles hasnt contacted me proactively since that unexpected event.

Its so quiet its almost scary, but I dont have much time left. I cant allow Charles to think too much about me. In any case, all my relations.h.i.+ps will be severed when the time comes. Thats the fate that awaits me.

Despite that, things arent going according to plan, and Im growing rather impatient. Im about to tell him off again when Rona b.u.t.ts into the conversation.

I do not know what is going on. Lady Chris, you should calm

Shut up, Rona. I have yet to forgive you for what youve done. Dont get friendly with me.

Gulp!

I glare coldly and sharply at the traitor. She backs down in shock.

Then she speaks up resolutely.

I-I understand. It is true that I have done things without your knowledge or permission. However, please at least bless me with your autograph!

Like I would. I dont care.

She doesnt get it. Theres no way I will ever give her my autograph. I simply ignore her request.

It seems that Endo really doesnt plan on listening to me.

And just because hes upset with me. Its the epitome of foolishness and childishness to base his decisions on his mood, but Ill overlook it. If hes not going to listen, then Ill have to make him.

Endo. Theres going to be a debate in the near future, right? How are the preparations going?

I wont ask why youre interested in knowing about it, but obviously yes. You had better not do anything stupid like you did last year.

I wasnt going to.

I look the other way.

I wont do anything stupid. Ill just carry out what fate has in store. Its true that my tricks last year went a little overboard, but thats all. I did it in order to make myself known as a villainess, and the crowd got excited anyway.

The debate hall was established in order to discipline students in the school of logic within the liberal arts, and to strengthen their debating skills. Its a big event this time, in which the student council hosts an event once every three months, and the students with the highest grades gather for a debate.

The contestants are split into several groups, and each group is a.s.signed a topic which they will debate on. The debate groups themselves consist of students from different years mixed together, and students who are unable to partic.i.p.ate in the debate will be listening to it instead.

And this is the event in which I will have the showdown with Michelie.

Of course, Im a.s.suming that I have been picked for the debate.

Yeah. The only thing good you have going is your grades.

Hes finally stopped letting his emotions get in his way and admitted that Im a genius.

This may be a stupid and obvious question, but Michelie is attending too, right?

Yeah. Shes especially gifted. Unlike you, her personality and behavior are perfectly fine.

Alright. Put me in the same group as Michelie.

Huh?

The students will be debating within their groups, so I cant debate against her if were not in the same group. Prince Endo frowns at my proposal.

You siscon. Why should I have to help you through unfair

Rona, if you help me here, I will let you choose to either have my autograph, or become my sidekick again. Your pick.

Understood! I will do as you wis.h.!.+

Endo makes a wry face at the student council member who accepted my bribe so easily.

You little

Either way, both their grades are good enough to be put in the same group. It is not unfair at all.

Rona answers him confidently.

In any case, Im prepared for it.

In the debate hall, I will denounce Michelie in front of all the students and fail miserably. Basically, that will be the event in which I will begin to fall as a villainess.

Now that Im prepared, all I have to do is carry it out. But something bothers me.

Oh yeah. Freesia will be listening among the audience, right?

Yeah. Shes an idiot, even in her studies.

I see. Thats good.

Now I dont have to worry about her getting in my way, or in the way of fate. She has her ways of messing things up.

I wont get her involved in this event. The main cast is only me and Michelie, after all.

Now that there are no irregularities, Im all set.

Its time to take the first step towards my fall.