I Got Reincarnated as the Game's Villain

"Hi, guys!" she greeted her friends with her trademark cheerful personality.

Let's get this straight: the reason I let those rumors about Everline and me spread was because I was confident about two things. First, she wouldn't mind the rumors. She didn't really care what people thought of her. In fact, anything remotely interesting usually caught her attention, so I gambled on the chance that she'd let the rumors play out for a while.

This gave me exactly what I needed: protection. Her status as a potential future empress of the Mermaidan Empire made her untouchable. No one would dare mess with someone close to her, which meant fewer people would come after me.

Second, I banked on Ajest. Instead of coming after me directly, she'd assume this was all some elaborate scheme orchestrated by her dear sister to ruin her. That would shift her focus away from me and leave me with only one real enemy to deal with: the prince.

Still, I was skeptical about the humans forming an alliance with the seafolk. That didn't happen in the game. But if it's true, doesn't that mean the plot is changing? And even if it isn't, having a prince after me isn't exactly ideal. Crap.

As if that wasn't enough, I hadn't accounted for the brocon. But both of those problems seemed manageable if I avoided direct confrontation. What I didn't foresee—and what might be my biggest mistake—was these guys.

"Meet Aron, Vena, and Rodric," she said with a bright smile. "You guys, meet my boyfriend," she added casually, as though it was no big deal.

Fuck.

Aron and Rodric were just like Leo was to Priscilla: the very embodiment of the word simp. They weren't just devoted—they were absurdly powerful. Insanely powerful. And worse? They were villains. Sure, they started off as helpful allies or side characters, but that all changed when the protagonist made one mistake.

The same mistake I'm making now.

"You… are kidding, right?" Vena asked, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. She knew Everline was unpredictable, but this was a new level even for her.

"Of course not," Everline replied with a dazzling smile.

Crap.

She knew these bastards would try to kill me, so why the hell was she still doing this?

"It was love at first sight. Plus, he practically begged me to accept him," she added, her tone dripping with amusement. "I couldn't bring myself to say no."

Her words annoyed me, but I couldn't deny them.

After all, I was the one who started this whole mess.

TSK.

"Really?" she muttered, looking bewildered.

"That's not completely true," I said evenly.

This whole situation with these idiots boiled down to liking someone and thinking they didn't know it. Honestly, that's the most accurate way to describe both of them—and Eveline. She knew exactly how they felt about her. In fact, even though she would rather argue until the end of time than admit it, she was a narcissist. A huge one. But I guess that was normal, given who she was—a princess—and the undeniable fact that she was beautiful.

She had this intuition, this unshakable feeling that they both liked her. And, for once, she was spot on. But neither of them would man up and admit it. Not that it mattered—she'd turn them down anyway. That aside, she also knew who they really were. The truth about those bastards was...

...they were yanderes.

A weird bunch of idiots. They acted noble and composed in her presence, but when she wasn't around? Pure psycho.

So yeah, being close to her was probably the best solution. At least that way, they'd both try to act their best.

"...,"

Huh?

A sharp pain shot through my waist, and I turned to see her smiling. Except the smile didn't reach her eyes.

Wait.

"It wasn't like that at all. If anything, it was the other way around," I said, keeping my face a mask of indifference as I endured her pinching me hard enough to peel off skin.

Damn it!

"What?" Aron blurted, disbelief etched on his face as the implication of my words sank in.

"You?! As in, you?! Like this?!" Rodric spat, barely containing his rage. It radiated off him like heat from a furnace. The guy looked ready to explode any second.

"Yeah, as I am," I said, shrugging. "I wasn't really ready for a relationship, but the look in her eyes made me reconsider. Desperation and mad love." I spoke dramatically, though inside I felt my arm straining under her iron grip, as if the bones were about to snap.

"Stop exaggerating," she said playfully. But I could tell she was serious. She didn't like how the situation had turned. Maybe I should stop—royalty behaving like this was...

Well, not that I cared.

Once I survived today's potential death trap, I planned to focus on alchemy as my major. Maybe abstract magic as my minor. No way was I heading to the magic knight department or, God forbid, the sorcery department. Even the knight department was out of the question—too many key players I wanted to avoid for now. But the magic knight department? That was the real problem. That's where the protagonist and his childhood friend were. She belonged in the sorcery department—or maybe the magic department—but whatever.

Alchemy had a few main characters too, but I'd have a better chance there than in the other departments.

"Eve, whoa, you have to tell me everything," her friend said suddenly. Eveline smiled, finally releasing my arm.

Huh?

What's she planning now?

"Alright," she said sweetly, "excuse us~."

And then it hit me.

Crap!

"Hey, wait—" I reached out, but a hand clamped down on my shoulder. I turned to see who it was.

Sigh.

Things never seem to work out the way you plan.

"Who are you? You can't possibly be a noble dressed like… that. But only nobles are allowed here, so what's your story?" Aron demanded. I took a deep breath, locking eyes with him.

Blue hair and eyes—unmistakable hallmarks of the Mermaidian Kingdom. Not exactly an unusual combination, but that didn't mean he wasn't striking. In fact, he was probably more handsome than most human men.

"And who are you to ask?" I retorted, brushing his hand off my shoulder.

It felt safe to act a little arrogant. The officials stood watch at every corner, and no one would risk losing points over something so trivial.

"Ugh," I groaned, only to feel a hand resting on the back of my neck—not a chokehold, but something oddly reminiscent of a friendly gesture.

"I'll only warn you once," Aron said, his voice low and menacing. "Stay away from her."

I glanced at him, meeting his unwavering gaze. His threat was crystal clear.

"And if I don't?" I challenged.

He released me and smirked.

"You don't want to find out. Trust me. I don't know what you've done to make her put up with this little act of yours, but listen carefully. If some random commoner were to vanish without a trace, no one would bother asking questions."

Rodric's voice cut in as they both turned and walked away.

What a bizarre duo. Do they both plan to marry her?

Whatever. For now, I can steer clear of her. My work is done—the rumors are already spreading. All that's left is to sit back and let it all unfold.

Am I even strong enough to push those bastards any further than this?

"Tsk," I hissed, frustration boiling under my breath.

A booming voice shattered my thoughts.

"Step forward to the gates! The first batch for the exams will now be taken!"

The circular device at the center of the hall glowed, arcane symbols lighting up as a veil of mana shimmered to life.

And so, it begins.

The canon events.

What a bizarre duo. Do they both plan to marry her?

Whatever. For now, I can steer clear of her. My work is done—the rumors are already spreading. All that's left is to sit back and let it all unfold.

Am I even strong enough to push those bastards any further than this?

"Tsk," I hissed, frustration boiling under my breath.

A booming voice shattered my thoughts.

"Step forward to the gates! The first batch for the exams will now be taken!"

The circular device at the center of the hall glowed, arcane symbols lighting up as a veil of mana shimmered to life.

And so, it begins.

The canon events.