I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 96: Evelyn & Penelope

Chapter 96: Evelyn & Penelope

"Now, I may not be familiar with the dynamics of your family," Verena continued, giving the crown prince, Lucien, a pointed look, "but surely, you can’t let one of your own treat her like this, can you?"

"There’s no need to..."

"I see. I’ll handle these maids myself."

Everyone was shocked, even Penelope. She probably hadn’t expected her estranged brother to step in, nor had the maids expected any sort of protection given Penelope’s past.

But, as expected, they were swiftly dealt with. They were fired on the spot.

Penelope was left with no maids.

In the end, Verena and Penelope sat on the bed in the chambers together. It was rather awkward at first, considering how fast the development was to here.

"S-So... what happened to my strict lady?"

"I don’t know... but thank you," Penelope sighed, her eyebags more prominent than ever. "I never thought I’d say this to someone like you..."

"Someone like me?!

"But seriously, thank you."

"No problem, I guess. You needed a little wake-up call, so here I am..." Verena said with a smug grin.

They both burst into laughter, the tension of the day finally lifting.

[System Notification: Friendship Update!]

[Target: Penelope Vexian]

[+20 Friendship Points Earned!]

[Affection Points: 21]

***

She and Saphira did not expect this at all.

Right there, in front of the school gates, stood Penelope.

People were already whispering.

"She really had the audacity to show up?"

"How laughable..."

"Even after what she did..."

"Filthy little—"

No one even bothered to lower their voices. What could Penelope do? Endure it. Things really had changed. And honestly, Verena wasn’t about to intervene because actions had consequences, and the girl needed this wake-up call.

"Penelope," Verena called out, walking over.

"Well, well! Look who it is!" Saphira chuckled.

When their eyes met, Penelope’s expression softened, so much softer than Verena had ever seen from her. Like warm butter on a knife.

Whoa there...

Verena pressed a hand to her chest.

This was one of those oddly cinematic moments where it actually felt... nice to exist. Like when someone who hates the world is only ever soft to you.

"Verena! I’m so glad to see you! I..." Penelope started, eyes a little too sparkly.

"Stop. Wait."

"Huh?"

"There’s something you have to do first."

Even though their friendship had been magically trauma-bonded sealed, there was still one thing Penelope owed the world.

An apology.

As they stepped onto the school campus, they spotted Evelyn... with Sera and—wait, Beatrice?! In the same airspace?! That was already alarming.

Some noble boy was arguing with Sera, red in the face.

"You barbarian! Do you ever think before you speak?"

"Do you ever think before existing?" Sera snapped. "Your hair looks like expired mayonnaise!"

"Oh please, you fight like a girl—"

"I am a girl, you cabbage!"

Before it could escalate, Evelyn stepped in between them.

"Apologize. Now."

"As if!" the noble scoffed. "What’s the little mouse going to do, squeak me into submission?"

Evelyn inhaled slowly, eyes glowing faintly as threads of energy curled around her. A tiny orb of destruction began to form on her fingertip. Small, ominous, and humming with chaotic sass.

She flicked it.

WHOOSH!

The blast of wind hit the noble boy just right, his pants flew down, exposing the world’s saddest pair of briefs.

"HAHAHAHAHA! TAKE THAT, YOU MOTHERFU—!" Sera yelled, giving him a middle finger.

Nobody saw it coming.

Their smug expressions instantly melted into fear. Since when was Evelyn strong?

This was one of those face-slapping moments in the novel. The type where the doormat stands up and kicks over the entire table. The girl they’d laughed at, ignored, belittled?

Yeah. She just pantsed a noble with magic.

"W-WHA—?!"

All the bullies scattered like roaches at sunrise.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[Plot Progression Updated!]

[The story is now advancing without your direct interference.]

[Evelyn has started acting on her own accord.]

[Dependency on Host has slightly decreased.]

This was going well. With the villainess now wrapped around her little finger, Verena figured she could finally retire from dealing with catty drama and hallway bullying arcs.

She was planning to have Penelope apologize right now, but hey, maybe it was better to let Evelyn bask in her moment a little longer.

Until reality was thrown at her face.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION!]

[Rescue Friendship Event Triggered!]

[Recoinciliation Has Gone Wrong. Penelope ended up trying to bully Evelyn, and now Evelyn is trying to kill her.]

[Location: Gymnasium]

[DANGER! Penelope Might Get Killed.]

[Event Objective: Prevent Evelyn from committing another murder!]

[Time: 3 Minutes]

Yup. Should’ve known it was too good to be true.

Why on earth was Penelope trying to bully Evelyn?!

Didn’t Verena literally give her instructions?! Was the girl running on factory-reset settings or what?!

"Gotta run!"

"Slow down—what the hell?!" Saphira clung to Verena like a scarf flapping in the wind.

The path to the gym wasn’t exactly an epic odyssey. Just a quick left, a sharp right, then straight ahead. No rogue janitors with mop ambushes, and the halls were quiet—10 a.m. classes still in session, thank the stars.

But the real problem was the scene waiting for them.

"What were you doing walking with Verena? Did you trick her?!" Evelyn was choking the life out of Penelope, her hands tightening around the woman’s neck.

Holy crap.

What was even happening right now?!

Why was Evelyn straddling on Penelope’s stomach right in the middle of the gymnasium?!

She absolutely approved of this ship, but that wasn’t the point right now!!

[Time Remaining: 1 Minute]

"Maybe I did!" Penelope barked out a laugh. Gods, this girl was a moron. "But no, I came to apologize, you sicko!" Her voice came out all strangled and dramatic, like a dying soprano.

"Apologize?! You clearly had ulterior motives! You were insulting me earlier!"

"THAT WASN’T INSULTING! I JUST DIDN’T WANT TO ADMIT ANYTHING!"

Classic noble tsundere. A Shih Tzu with trust issues. Meanwhile, Sera’s was the Chihuahua.

"I should’ve killed you!"

"Oh gods, no..." Verena groaned, side-eyeing Saphira. "Alright, time to fuse."

The snake grinned smugly, clearly living for the drama, then silently slithered into Verena’s body. A glowing, snake-shaped imprint shimmered on her skin, marking their infusion like a magical tattoo.

"Let’s go break up a murder," she muttered.