The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

"Master, are you truly going to do such a crazy thing?" A full day had passed since I confided my plan to Kania. At this moment, I was busy selecting an outfit for Klana's engagement ball. Just then, Kania walked over, bringing up the topic from yesterday once again.

Yesterday, we had a long - drawn - out argument, and after a sleepless night, I rushed to the classroom. Ever since then, I had been Perfunctorily deal with her words. But now, seeing her blocking the doorway, exuding an air of gloom, I knew that if I ignored her this time, it would likely lead to big trouble.

"So, you want me to just watch helplessly as Klana gets engaged to those unworthy fellows?"

"Well, that's not exactly what I meant..."

Thus, I had no choice but to speak up. Kania was momentarily at a loss for words. Then, she let out a deep sigh and said, "Miss Klana must have her own ideas. Maybe she can handle this on her own..."

"Kania, have you completed the investigation of Klana's five fiancé candidates?"

"...Yes, I have."

"Then, start from the first candidate and read them to me one by one."

Hearing my words, Kania hesitated briefly before taking out her notebook and flipping it open.

"Um... First, the first fiancé is the head of the marquis family. He's 53 years old and has three sons and one daughter..."

"...Next."

"From the second to the fourth candidates, they're all quite similar to you, master. Of course, I'm referring to you as the faux - villain."

"And the fifth?"

"He's a notorious womanizer. It's said that all the women who had anything to do with him were ruined..."

"That's enough. Just by hearing this, you should understand why I have to take action," I said, my brows slightly furrowed. Kania cleared her throat softly and said, "I'm just worried about you, master."

"Don't worry. This isn't my first time doing something like this."

"But the other side is the royal family. Even though our Starlight family is powerful in the empire..."

"...You don't have to worry about that." I said firmly.

Kania tilted her head, looking puzzled. "Even if things go wrong, the royal family wouldn't dare to touch our family easily."

"...Why?"

"Because a thousand years ago, the hero, our ancestor, made a covenant with the imperial royal family."

Hearing this, Kania asked with a look of complete incomprehension, "...Does that covenant still hold any power?"

"You'll find out whether it does or not when the time comes."

After I said this with full confidence, Kania slammed the notebook down on the table with a thud and pouted.

"Then, what about the aftermath? What are your plans?"

"Well... Is there really a need to deal with the aftermath?" I scratched my head. Kania held her head in her hands and started shaking it.

"Master, I really don't know whether to say you're brilliant or obtuse."

"Probably obtuse. There are plenty of people more capable than me."

"You're absolutely right."

Looking at Kania's world - weary expression as she stared at me, I couldn't help but laugh for some reason.

"Kania, as a housekeeper, I truly appreciate your meticulous and perfect side... but the candid and straightforward look you show occasionally, I find it really nice."

Hearing this, Kania's expression froze, and she quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, master. I was out of line..."

"It's okay. You don't have to be so formal in front of me from now on. Just relax."

"Really? Then..."

Hearing my words, Kania first smiled brightly at me, then scratched her head and said with a troubled look, "But thinking it over, I think I'm more comfortable staying the way I am."

"Why?"

"After all, I grew up like this... The thought of changing it makes me feel uneasy."

"Hmm..." I watched her scratching her head awkwardly. After a moment of silence, I gently suggested, "Then... How about going out for a walk together sometime?"

"Ah?"

"I do know a bit about the things ordinary girls your age do..."

Kania gave me a wry smile. "I know those things too. It's not that I don't do them because I don't know how, right?"

"Right, you don't do them not because you don't know. So, give it a try with me."

Kania stared at me blankly for a while after hearing my words. Then, she seemed to understand my meaning and lowered her head, saying, "Well, I can do those things with Miss Klana and Miss Pelosh too."

"Klana is very busy recently and probably doesn't have the time. As for Pelosh, if you're always with her, it might have a bad influence on you, right?"

"But if people find out that I'm often with you, master, it might cause quite a stir."

"...You're my maid and housekeeper. What's the problem?"

I tilted my head in confusion. Kania looked at me as if to say, "Isn't it obvious?" and continued, "Aren't you supposed to keep playing the role of a villain, master?"

"I'll just act like I'm trying to seduce you, and you put on a displeased face. That's what we've always done, isn't it?"

"Well, no... That's not the point."

Under my persistent questioning, Kania finally looked up, her face blushing, and asked, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Hmm... Well." I smiled gently at her and replied, "Since we were kids, you've always been bullied by me, so I've always been looking forward to the day when I can make it up to you properly."

"....." Seeing my nostalgic expression, Kania bit her lip and then said softly, "T - then... Probably when..."

"After this ball and the attack are over."

"Okay, I understand..." Kania nodded slightly. Suddenly, she frowned and raised her voice, "Thinking about it carefully, that's not the problem now, is it? So, how are you going to clean up the mess?"

"As I said, I don't intend to clean it up at all."

"What exactly does that mean..."

"Before Klana rallies the resistance forces, I plan to take advantage of the aftermath of the events I trigger. Although it can be done secretly at first, I deliberately plan to set off an incident at the ball."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. This way, I can protect Klana from those thugs and also enhance my reputation as a villain."

Hearing these words, Kania finally gave up trying to persuade me. With a resigned expression, she sat down on the bed next to me and said, "If all the nobles in the empire were like you, master... The empire wouldn't have declined like this, would it?"

"...Who knows? I'm not sure myself."

Kania looked at me intently and said, "I believe things won't turn out that way."

"Well, thanks a lot."

"Then, it's time for us to go."

As soon as the words were spoken, we got up from the bed, walked out of the dormitory, and headed towards the carriage waiting outside.

"By the way, Miss Serena, have you thought about how to deal with this?"

"...Ah."

Even though I had been racking my brains all day yesterday, I still hadn't found an answer to this question.

"His Excellency Frey Laan Starlight, the eldest son of the Starlight family and the current acting head, has arrived."

When I entered the banquet hall where the ball was being held, accompanied by Kania, all eyes immediately focused on me.

"...As expected, it's quite eye - catching."

"Because I'm from the Starlight family."

Although I'm always a prominent figure and someone to be watched out for at parties or banquets, the degree of attention at today's banquet was even greater than usual. After all, the attention the eldest son and the next - in - line head of the Starlight family receives is on a different level from that of the acting head. Such is the importance of the Starlight family in the empire.

"It's just like a group of wolves that have found their prey."

People who usually paid attention to me, those who had sent me gifts, and those who had some acquaintance with me started swarming over. Kania showed a disgusted expression and said in a low voice.

"Kania, can you brainwash all these people?"

"...Black magic isn't omnipotent."

I asked Kania in a low voice, and she sighed and replied.

"...Just kidding."

In the end, with a bitter smile, I started to deal with those who had approached me one by one.

"I'm really sorry about your father. I must pay a visit."

"The pillar of the empire, the kind - hearted head of the Starlight family has fallen... It's really sad."

"...Thank you very much for your concern."

Occasionally, I glared at those who were tactless enough to ask about my father's condition with a murderous look and mechanically thanked them. The nobles who noticed my dissatisfaction immediately got to the point. Of course, the so - called point was those well - packaged requests and bribes, all full of etiquette and refinement.

"Thank you all for your attention. However, this doesn't seem to be the right occasion to talk about those topics."

While listening to those conversations full of empty courtesy, I was breaking out in a cold sweat. In the end, to play the role of a "faux - villain" well, I had to use the formal tone that I rarely used and tried my best to leave the scene.

"However, my mailbox is always open. If there are still things left unsaid, how about continuing the communication there?"

I declined the offers of bribes and requests in a rather formal tone. The nobles let me go, looking slightly regretful.

"...What annoying people. They're all trying so hard to get close to me."

"You're absolutely right."

"Keep all the bribes and requests they sent. They'll be very useful in the future."

"Understood."

After being pestered by the nobles for dozens of minutes, I managed to obtain evidence that would be useful when the time came to clean up the empire. I told myself it was something of a gain. Comforting myself, I wiped the sweat from my brow and was just about to head towards the food area to fill my stomach when...

"Hello, Silver - Haired Lord?"

"Um... Are you free at the moment?"

"We're having a tea party. Would you like to join us, Mr. Frey?"

This time, I was surrounded by a group of noble ladies.

"Uh... Sorry, I'm a bit hungry."

After being tormented for dozens of minutes by those nobles who were so proficient in social skills and worldly ways, and with my lack of interest in these seemingly naive noble ladies, I made an excuse to leave. However, they blocked my path, their eyes filled with smiles, and started to pester me further.

"That's perfect! We've just imported a lot of pastries and desserts from abroad. There's a huge amount!"

"But wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to join a tea party mainly for ladies?"

"But you wouldn't seem out of place among us, Mr. Frey, would you?"

"...Sigh."

In this situation, if I declined further, it might damage my image as a "womanizer." So, I forced a faint smile and said, "Well, I was going to hold back today, but it seems I can't."

Hearing this, the girls started chattering excitedly. I looked at them with dead - fish eyes, thinking I'd just go through the motions and then leave as quickly as possible. So, I dragged my feet and started walking slowly, but...

"Ugh."

"Ah, ugh."

"What?"

Suddenly, all the girls clutched their stomachs at the same time and started to break out in cold sweats. As I tilted my head in confusion at this unexpected situation, Kania, who had been standing quietly beside me, said in a low voice, "I heard that many people have been getting stomachaches after eating foreign pastries recently... Could these ladies be the same because of the pastries?"

Hearing this, the girls twitched their brows and started staggering as they bowed to me.

"T - then... We'll take our leave first..."

"Mr. Frey... We can have the tea party another time..."

- Gurgle!

"...Oh no!"

After saying their farewells, the group of girls rushed off in a hurry.

"Kania, go and find out what brand of pastries they were eating. Something seems really fishy..."

"Master, could you release a bit of starlight magic in your palm?"

I was staring at the girls, feeling something was wrong and was about to order Kania to investigate the origin of the pastries when she interrupted me. She suddenly asked me to release starlight magic. Since I had consumed a top - tier magic - generating potion earlier and still had an abundance of magic power within me, I instinctively gathered starlight magic in my palm. Just then, Kania suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Kania? What are you..."

- Sizzle!

"...Could it be?"

As she gently held my hand and a wisp of green smoke rose from her hand, I stared at her in stunned disbelief.

"I've been having terrible stomachaches lately... So, I know exactly how to cause one."

"...What if we get caught?"

"This is a one - time curse. As long as Miss Pelosh doesn't show up, by the time I come back from the restroom, there won't be any trace left."

"But..."

Although I was grateful for her help and trusted her abilities, I couldn't help but worry. Just as I was about to say something, I saw Kania's determined expression and fell silent.

"Let's go."

"...Okay."

Kania smiled in satisfaction and took a step forward. I scratched my head and followed her. For some reason, I had the strange feeling that I'd become a mouse.

"Lord, aren't you drinking today?"

"...I'm not feeling well."

"Oh! Even you're not drinking. You must be really unwell, aren't you?"

Just like that, after escaping from the "wolves" eyeing the Starlight family's power and the noble ladies who seemed to be trying to "kidnap" me, this time I had to face the temptation of the noble youths to drink.

'...I really want a sip.'

I've always been extremely fond of alcohol. Although my father taught me that alcohol was the root of all evil, to be honest, with the nature of my work, I'd naturally developed a taste for it. Of course, now that my mental strength has reached an extremely high level, no matter how much I drink, I only feel slightly tipsy. However, that slightly intoxicated feeling is very precious to me, so I still love drinking. Of course, since I often pretend to be drunk and cause a commotion after drinking half a bottle, I rarely get to truly enjoy it.

"It seems I can't today. Let's have a drink together next time we have the chance."

"Sure! Anytime!"

Of course, today I had to make sure those around me thought I was acting in a sober state, so I decided to abstain from alcohol. While concealing my look of regret and waving goodbye to my drinking companions, I thought that I could finally fill my stomach and headed towards the area where the snacks were placed. Just then, a rather interesting scene caught my eye in the distance.

"...Your Highness the Princess, so which one of us will you choose?"

"Can you give us a little hint?"

"Cough, cough. Although I'm old, I'm still better than you young fellows."

Klana was surrounded by a group of suitors.

"Anyway, you'll all find out soon enough. So, just wait until then..."

"Come on... Tell us now, please?"

Klana showed a look of disgust and tried to leave, but one of the suitors asked in a sycophantic voice and reached out to grab her arm. Taking a closer look, it was the notorious womanizer.

"Insolent wretch."

"Ah."

Klana glared at him in displeasure and forcefully shook off his hand. The man first looked annoyed, then grinned and said, "Right now, you're just a candidate, so you can treat us like this. But when you become my fiancée, you'd better be prepared!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he leered at Klana with greedy eyes, and the other candidates followed suit.

"...What?"

Klana turned her back on the candidates and quickly got up from her seat. She noticed me watching the scene quietly and sneered, saying, "...How about it? Do I look ridiculous?"

"....."

I just stared at her in silence. Klana walked past me expressionlessly and coldly tossed out a sentence, "If you had kept your promise to me, none of this would have happened."

Upon hearing that, I closed my eyes for a moment. Just then, Kania, who had been standing in the distance, approached me and asked, "...What were you two talking about?"

"Nothing much. Just a casual chat."

I deliberately evaded her question. Then, together with Kania, who had been waiting by my side, we walked towards the center of the banquet hall. Because the main event of the ball was about to begin.

"His Majesty Lycanth Solare Sunburst, the resplendent sun of the Sunburst Empire, and Her Majesty Ramiel Solare Sunburst, the Empress, have arrived!"

Just as we were waiting quietly, the lights in the ballroom suddenly went out, and the loud announcement of the attendants followed. Immediately after, the emperor and empress of the Sunburst Empire entered the hall side by side.

—Whoosh...!

Before long, brilliant sunlight magic began to pour out from the emperor. Everyone who witnessed this scene bowed their heads in respect.

"...Huff."

At the same time, Kania, who was sensitive to sunlight magic, furrowed her brows. I quickly released starlight magic to block the sunlight magic from approaching her.

"Ugh..."

Although the starlight magic managed to block most of the sunlight magic, the starlight magic itself has the property of attacking black magic. Beads of cold sweat began to form on Kania's forehead. To ease her discomfort, I quietly took her hand and, after a long time, transferred some of my life force to her.

"...Now, all of you, raise your heads." For a long while, I held Kania's hand. Eventually, the emperor retracted his sunlight magic, seated himself on the throne that had long been prepared, and announced in a solemn voice. Incidentally, I kept my head up. The Starlight and Moonlight families have no obligation to bow their heads in the presence of the emperor. Although I quite detest the elaborate rituals and privileges of the nobility, a privilege like this, which allows me not to pander to the royal family, is rather to my liking.

"As I'm sure you all know, we've gathered here today to announce the fiancé of Her Royal Highness Klana, the Third Princess." Upon hearing this, the eyes of Klana's candidate fiancés standing at the front sparkled with anticipation.

"The method of selecting the fiancé is... Hah..." The emperor cast an impatient glance at the candidates. Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly yawned, rubbed his eyes, and then said, "Ramiel, you explain it." After saying this, the emperor was once again overcome by drowsiness and sat in his chair, yawning continuously. The imperial princess beside him smiled faintly and took over the conversation.

"Regarding the method of choosing the fiancé... Originally, it was to be decided by Her Royal Highness Klana, the Third Princess, herself. But somehow, that seems rather inappropriate." As soon as these words were spoken, the attendants shouted loudly, "The Suns of the Empire have arrived!!" Immediately after, the First Prince, the First Princess, and the Second Princess made their appearances one by one. Finally, Klana, looking deathly pale, emerged, trailing behind the group.

"Choosing a life partner is a matter that requires careful consideration and cannot be decided hastily. Therefore, after discussions with the young suns of the empire, I have personally selected a suitable candidate." Hearing these words, Klana trembled all over and then lowered her head. The First Princess and the Second Princess couldn't help but snicker when they saw her. It's worth mentioning that the First Prince seemed to have inherited his father's trait, always wearing an expression of complete indifference.

"Then, let me announce the fiancé we have personally chosen for the Third Princess." As the empress spoke, she slowly rose from the main seat, descended the steps, and walked towards the group of candidate fiancés. Seeing this, the candidates nervously swallowed their saliva, and all eyes were fixed on the empress and the candidates.

"...Hmm." The empress relished the attention as she reached the candidates. She slowed down her steps and walked slowly past them. She passed by a bald old marquis and then those drunken, dissipated young nobles. Finally, she stopped in front of one person.

"...Hehe." That person was precisely the lecherous man who had reached out to Klana earlier.

"Ugh, ugh..." Klana watched this scene, trembling. Her lips oozed blood from being clenched too tightly.

"I announce! The fiancé of Her Royal Highness Klana Solare Sunburst, the Third Princess of our country, is..." However, the empress didn't even glance at her and just smiled, ready to announce the fiancé to everyone. But...

"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty the Empress!"

"...Hm?" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly. The empress stopped in her tracks and looked at me with a frown.

"Duke Frey? What's the matter?"

"I have something to say." As I spoke, I made my way through the confused - looking nobles towards the platform.

"I don't know what you're going to say, but get a grip on the situation first..." I furrowed my brows, ignored the empress's overbearing gaze, and slowly ascended the steps. At this time, the imperial guards rushed forward to block me, but the emperor, with an expression of great interest, waved his hand to signal the guards to step back. As expected, due to his extreme lethargy, the emperor was fond of exciting and thrilling things, which was quite in line with his character.

"...What do you mean by this?" I safely reached the platform and knelt down in front of Klana. The nobles began to whisper among themselves, and the princes and princesses also showed flustered expressions.

"Your Royal Highness Klana Solare Sunburst." In the chaotic atmosphere, as soon as I spoke, the ballroom fell silent instantly. In this silence, I smiled faintly and dropped a bombshell.

"I have admired you for a long time." This sentence made everyone freeze.

"W - what... What did you say..." Hearing my words, Klana's face showed a look of shock, and she began to stutter. I looked at her with a smile and dropped another bombshell.

"...Therefore, based on the covenant, I hereby formally propose to you." Immediately after, the ballroom erupted into chaos.

...At the moment when Frey made his explosive statement.

".....What?" Serena, who had arrived late, opened her mouth wide and stared fixedly at the stage. In her hand, she was still holding a love letter she had written on the way, fluttering gently in the wind.