The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead

“Do you stay in touch with your sister often?”

“Why are you asking about my sister all of a sudden?”

“You mentioned it before, Eric. That you understand how I feel because you have a sister too.”

After a brief silence, Eric responded dispassionately.

“I can’t visit her often because I’m busy, but we keep in touch through letters.”

“Hmm.”

Understandable, since Eric was stationed at the grand ducal house. It seemed difficult for him to visit her unless on leave.

“How old is she?”

“Eight years old.”

“Really young.”

“She’s the latecomer in our family.”

“Do you have a picture of her?”

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t show you.”

Eric was firm. The friendly Eric I met at first seemed like a completely different person.

[LLOading: Want to see the picture!]

[asdf: Yes]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Little kidㅠㅠ]

If the viewers wanted it, I had to try.

“Show me.”

“No.”

“I’ll keep the fact that you pointed a knife at me a secret.”

“…….”

Eric looked at me with an uneasy expression.

Although it wasn’t yet confirmed whether I was a noblewoman or not, he seemed reluctant to dismiss my request outright.

After sighing, Eric took something out of his pocket.

It was a small brooch.

“Here.”

The lid of the brooch opened, revealing a photo of a young girl inside, looking just like Eric.

She had brown hair tied in two pigtails and was gazing straight ahead.

[LLOading: Cute!!!]

[Isaac donated 1,000 points!]

[Poppo: Wow, spending all his saved points in one go]

[Isaac: Cute.]

[PongDang: She looks just like her brotherㅠㅠ]

[OnlyFinley: Oh no… I’m getting more and more attracted to Eric…]

[AsparagusChamp: Change your username]

The chat was ablaze. The viewers seemed to adore cuteness just as much as anyone else.

“She’s cute.”

“I know.”

Eric seemed a bit proud, the typical doting brother.

As we were walking along amicably, a maid approached us.

“Sir Eric.”

Eric turned to look at her as the maid whispered something to him. After hearing her message, Eric’s expression turned bewildered.

The maid left, and Eric stood there, still looking perplexed.

“What’s wrong?”

“The grand duke…”

“What?”

“The grand duke is looking for you.”

“What? Really?”

This was unexpected. Just when things were getting dull, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

“When? Now?”

“Are you not even a bit nervous to meet the grand duke?”

Nervous? I had been waiting for this moment while locked up in my room. The chat was also filled with excitement, anticipating the development of the event.

I hurriedly pushed Eric to take me to Kabir’s office. All the while, Eric looked worried.

“Be careful with your words, please.”

He knew me too well, despite our brief acquaintance. I nodded to reassure him.

Entering the office, I saw Kabir engrossed in his work. He shifted his gaze to me, his purple eyes fixating on mine, and he smiled slightly.

“Anais.”

My name was called.

“……?”

I was taken aback by how naturally he used Anais’s name.

“…The lady of the Erpeso ducal family.”

Kabir finished his sentence.

“Is that correct?”

His lips curved into a relaxed smile.

How did Kabir know? I had only been here for a day.

Sensing my confusion, Kabir spoke first.

“The rumor of your runaway has already spread widely. I suppose the Duke of Erpeso himself must have initiated it.”

Normally, parents wouldn’t publicly announce their child’s runaway due to embarrassment. But it seemed the Duke of Erpeso, having perhaps given up on Anais, openly circulated the news.

I nodded in understanding.

“I have been in direct contact with the Duke of Erpeso. I understand the fiancée was supposed to be your younger sister. Why are you here then?”

Kabir’s tone suggested he was puzzled. His reaction was similar to Eric’s.

Should I give the same excuse I used with Eric? I decided to play the sentimental card.

“As you know, the reputation of this place isn’t the best. I was worried about Selena and ended up acting rashly. I thought maybe I should take her place in the engagement…”

“Oh, I see.”

Kabir’s expression seemed to say, “So what?”

Hmm, the melodramatic approach doesn’t work with Kabir. I had expected as much. Unlike Eric, Kabir wasn’t known for being emotionally soft.

“My reputation is indeed a bit peculiar.”

“To be precise, it’s more about the rumors concerning the territory than you personally.”

The territory was infamous for being rife with monsters, which inflated the rumors about Kabir.

From being part demon to having horns on his head and being a monster in disguise, there were plenty of wild rumors.

“And you came here to replace your sister in the engagement because of that.”

“Haha.”

“Are you not afraid of me?”

Kabir’s question made me tilt my head.

“Why should I be afraid of you?”

“Even though I’m said to have mixed demon blood?”

I was currently communicating live with angels, so what’s a demon to me?

Demons or not, it was all fiction anyway. With my sense of reality diminished, there was nothing to fear.

“…Ha.”

Kabir let out a short laugh. It seemed like genuine amusement, not mockery. He was actually laughing, eyes crinkling.

Was Kabir always someone who laughed like this? His laughter felt unfamiliar to me.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from nearby.

“Sister.”

Chills ran down my spine. It was a voice that shouldn’t be heard here.

I slowly turned my head.

[OnlyFinley donated 500 points!]

– Our baby’s here!!!

There stood Finley, glaring at me with a grim expression.

‘Why is he here?’

I wondered how he had appeared behind me without a sound.

Kabir spoke casually as I looked at him in bewilderment.

“I sent the coordinates here. Glad you made it safely.”

He seemed unfazed by the situation.

Presumably, as soon as he learned I was the lady of the Erpeso ducal family, he contacted them immediately.

Finley sighed wearily and then bowed to Kabir.

“I’m terribly sorry, Your Grace… My sister can be quite boisterous…”

“Well, that happens.”

Kabir seemed forgiving of the situation.

“It was a bit of a nuisance, but amusing nonetheless.”

Apparently, I had provided some entertainment for Kabir.

Why did he snitch then? He could have kept me around for more amusement!

I glared at Kabir with a sense of betrayal. He waved me off as if to say goodbye, showing no sign of regret.

* * *

As soon as we left the room, Finley exclaimed almost tearfully.

“Please, sister. I’m not asking for common sense, but let’s at least live like humans!”

It seemed he had a lot of pent-up frustration.

My actions had indeed been quite eccentric. I awkwardly scratched my head.

“I really came to check if Selena was alright.”

“Since when have you ever cared about Selena that much? Make sense!”

“Then why would I go all the way there? To a territory infested with monsters.”

“…….”

Finley’s expression changed.

“…Really?”

He became too simple-minded when it came to Selena. Love truly was a fearsome thing.

“And what did you find?”

Finley asked me in a whisper.

I responded nonchalantly.

“I almost died within a day of arriving.”

“…….”

Finley’s face showed deep concern.

I reassured him.

“It’s okay. I’m still alive, right?”

“…You almost died, yet you seem perfectly fine.”

Of course, it wasn’t a real life at stake. Although it felt quite real at the time, I was aware I could come back to life, much like in a game.

Knowing Finley was aware of my presence here likely meant the Duke of Erpeso knew as well. I wondered what his reaction would be.

“What does dad say?”

“He doesn’t know. He left everything to me to handle. He gave up on you a long time ago.”

“Can I stay here then?”

“Have you lost your fucking mind?”

Finley finally let out a curse word, seemingly at his wit’s end.

“Think of it like I’m scouting the place for Selena. I’ll be your test subject.”

“Then you should marry in Selena’s place!”

“I don’t want to.”

I was mindful of the viewers who thought intermingling with the male characters was a key content. Becoming a married woman would surely lead to a drop in viewership, similar to how interest wanes in reverse-harem novels once the main lead is chosen.

“Anyway, you’re worried too.”

“…….”

Finley couldn’t deny that.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“Just staying, what else?”

“You really are aimless…”

“So, you dislike that?”

Finley fell silent at my words.

* * *

After a short discussion, we returned to Kabir’s office.

Upon seeing us, Kabir asked in surprise.

“Haven’t you left?”

“Uh… I…”

Finley seemed at a loss for words, looking perplexed.

I graciously spoke on his behalf.

“My brother wants to leave me here.”

“……?”

Finley looked stunned, then urgently whispered to me.

“You decided this! Why are you making it sound like I did?”

“It’s more effective if you, the heir, express the opinion than me, who has no authority.”

“I can’t handle this…”

He seemed unable to argue against my logic.

I confidently continued.

“As I said earlier, I’m worried about my sister. I need to stay here and check if this place is safe for her.”

“You seem to be deeply concerned about your sister.”

Kabir responded impassively.

“After all, she’s not your blood relative, is she?”

He knew. I wasn’t sure when he found out, as it wasn’t mentioned in the original story.

“She’s still my precious sister. I need to make sure this place is safe before I can be at ease.”

From the side, I heard Finley muttering, “She really has no conscience…” I ignored him effortlessly.