I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 69: Revenge

Chapter 69: Revenge

[Reason: Obsession rather than genuine love. The emotional attachment is driven by fixation, not mutual care or respect.]

So that was the reason all along?!

Verena narrowed her eyes at the girl, who now looked way too pleased with herself like she’d just earned a gold star for biting someone without permission.

Clearly, in Evelyn’s mind, this was some kind of personal milestone.

"So?" Evelyn beamed. "How did I do? I was assertive about my needs just like you told me to be!"

"Yes, but I also said to balance it with respect, remember?!"

"Oh!" Evelyn blinked, then tilted her head innocently. "Is that what I forgot?"

"You have to ask nicely! Seriously, are you okay? You’re acting kind of... murder-y."

"I was trapped," Evelyn said. "They bullied me relentlessly. Slapped me. Laughed at me. But then I remembered one of the 48 Laws of Power you taught me..."

"Oh no.... Which one?"

Evelyn grinned, a little too proudly. "Law 15: Crush your enemy totally."

"YOU KILLED THEM?!"

"Well... they’re not moving anymore?" Evelyn tilted her head innocently. "I think I passed the lesson!"

It made a twisted kind of sense.

Evelyn had been bullied most of her life.

At some point, the people who tormented her had basically signed their own karmic death warrants. But this girl was becoming more feral than Verena could comfortably house-train.

She glanced sideways at Evelyn, who was still smiling like a cat that ate three canaries and the entire birdcage.

"Not yet," Verena said, sighing as she gently flicked Evelyn’s forehead. "You’re forgetting the other lessons I gave you. You’re cherry-picking like a madwoman. It’s not all about murder and domination."

"Isn’t it, though?" Evelyn blinked innocently.

Verena groaned, then pulled her in for a hug, holding her tight. "You little lunatic. We’ll work on it. But for now... let’s get our revenge. The right way."

"Okay!!" Evelyn practically bounced in place.

With Clarina’s help, who had somehow already bribed half the palace staff through a secret underground network of favors and strong glances, they managed to slip into the lesser-trafficked servant corridors.

"Bribe" was perhaps too polite a word.

Some maids had been offered rare imported chocolate.

Others got IOUs signed in Clarina’s absurdly beautiful calligraphy.

One poor soul was promised "a future favor of unspeakable value," which she accepted with both reverence and fear.

In a matter of minutes, Evelyn was whisked away behind a curtain, and a flurry of fabric, perfume, and scandalous laces began.

One of the maids held up a dress that sparkled like revenge itself. Black silk with subtle red embroidery, shaped like coiled serpents.

"Too edgy," Verena said.

Another brought over a soft pastel gown with bows and puff sleeves.

"Too baby princess who just discovered revenge," Clarina muttered.

Finally, they settled on a dark crimson gown that shimmered like spilled wine under candlelight.

The neckline was scandalously daring, the corset promised war crimes against waistlines, and the skirt had just enough slit to give people something to talk about and fear at the same time.

When Evelyn stepped out, the room actually went silent for a second.

"I look like sin!" she chirped.

"You look like you’ve learned something, at least," Verena said, nodding with approval. "Now let’s go make someone cry."

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

[Time Remaining Until Main Route Lock-In: 1 Hour 47 Minutes]

[Warning: Choices made during this period will heavily influence character fates and future Affection Routes.]

[Tip: Strategic actions and emotional impact are now doubly effective. Choose your chaos wisely.]

***

The ballroom music swelled into a graceful waltz, and with far too much flair, Penelope twirled into the center of the dance floor with Raphael reluctantly in tow.

"Smile for the crowd, darling," Penelope cooed, fluttering her lashes as she practically yanked him into position.

Raphael, stiff as a sword in a scabbard, gave the fakest smile known to high society.

They started dancing. Or rather, Penelope waltzed like a swan drunk on champagne, while Raphael moved like he was trying not to step on a trap.

"I’ve been dreaming of this moment," Penelope said sweetly.

"Of... making me wish for an escape tunnel?" Raphael replied under his breath.

"You’re so funny!" she giggled, completely ignoring his sarcasm as she dragged him into a twirl that almost knocked over a waiter.

Their steps were so uncoordinated it was like watching a beautiful ship sink in slow motion. Nobles politely sipped their wine, pretending not to stare.

And then, out of nowhere, Penelope pulled him down and kissed him.

Right there. In the middle of the ballroom. In front of everyone.

"What are yo-!"

"Raphael?!" a voice rang out, sharp and unmistakable.

Heads turned. Even the music seemed to stumble.

From the grand staircase above, Evelyn stood like a vision out of a fairytale, only slightly more dramatic and with much better lighting.

She was dressed beautifully, her hair was pinned elegantly with silver accents, like falling stars caught in moonlight.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Even Penelope blinked. "Wait... is that...?"

"We thought she was kidnapped!"

"Why is Lady Evelyn here?!"

"What’s happening...?"

"We thought she was kidnapped!"

"Why is Lady Evelyn here?!"

"What’s happening...?"

The ballroom buzzed like a hive of confused nobles, the gossip spreading faster than champagne at a scandal.

Then, click, click, click.

Evelyn began her descent down the grand staircase, each step as graceful as a swan gliding through tea.

She stopped midway down the stairs, placed a hand delicately over her chest, and said sweetly:

"Dearest guests, I must apologize for my sudden reappearance... You see..." She sniffled, eyes wide and innocent. "I was... abducted."

Gasps rippled through the crowd like dominos.

"Yes... it was a terrifying ordeal," she continued, dramatically placing a hand on the banister as if steadying herself. "My captors were... oddly dressed in Imperial Guard uniforms, so official, so well-trained, and one of them had the most aggressive perfume I’ve ever smelled."

Penelope sputtered, "Excuse me?!"

"And I distinctly remember being dragged away while someone screamed, ’This’ll teach you to flirt with MY man!’"

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