The temperature in the Luna Academy corridor felt like it had dropped several degrees. At least, that's what my back felt like right now.
The pink-haired girl in front of me was still sitting on the floor, looking up with sparkling eyes. Her smooth cheeks were flushed red, as if I had just popped a marriage proposal under the moonlight instead of picking up three Magic Theory textbooks.
"L-Lady Rosel...?" Chloe called out once more, her voice soft as a chick's chirp.
*Don't look at me like that, please.*
I sighed inwardly. According to the original plot, shouldn't Crown Prince Leo have popped up from around the corner by now, puffed out his chest, and barked a cliché line like: *"How dare you bully this helpless girl, Rosel!"*?
Where was Leo? Why couldn't I see even a trace of him?!
I tilted my head slightly, trying to glance down the hall. Empty. There were only a few other noble students passing by, whispering in fear at the sight of me.
The translucent floating system screen beside Chloe's face automatically displayed her thoughts:
[Reading Chloe von Valois's Thoughts...]
*‘Lady Rosel's hands are so smooth... Even though her voice is a bit cold, she didn't look at me with disgust like the other nobles. Could she actually be a caring person behind her arrogant mask? Ah, those blue eyes are so beautiful...’*
*Arrogant mask your foot! I'm just a 24-year-old guy panicking because I don't want to get executed at the end of the story!*
Before this situation spiraled out of control, I had to establish my position. I am a *villainess*. I have to act cold so she stays away from me.
"Get up," I said curtly, turning half away from her. I made my voice as cold and harsh as possible. "The academy floor is dirty. Don't ruin the view in this hallway simply because you can't stand up on your own."
Perfect. A harsh line typical of a high-class antagonist. With this, Chloe would surely be offended, realize how awful I am, and—
*Ping!*
[User_YuriSimp]: "Aww, look at this tsundere! She obviously meant 'The floor is dirty, your dress will get ruined, hurry up and stand'! So sweet!"
[User_OrangeCat]: "Rosel acts cold, but she neatly arranged Chloe's books earlier. Yup, classic Enemies-to-Lovers dynamic!"
[User_OlympicShip]: "Aaaah! That cold shoulder coupled with that backward glance! Chloe, hurry up and chase your future wife!"
*Wife my ass!*
I almost cursed out loud before remembering my status as a high-society noble lady. The comments on this neon screen were giving me a throbbing headache. They interpreted my cold detachment as hidden affection?!
Even worse, Chloe's reaction was completely unexpected.
Instead of crying or cowering, Chloe hurriedly stood up, clutching her books tightly to her chest. A surprisingly bright smile spread across her pretty face.
"Yes! You are right, Lady Rosel! I shouldn't be weak!" Chloe exclaimed with a fiery enthusiasm that was completely out of place. "Thank you for your guidance and care!"
"...Care?" My eyebrows furrowed. "I just mocked you."
"No, I know you just want me to become more independent," Chloe replied, her eyes shining with an unfathomable conviction. "From today on, I will work hard to be worthy of talking to you, Lady Rosel!"
After bowing deeply with immense respect, Chloe turned and trotted off toward her classroom, leaving behind the faint scent of lilies and an overwhelming aura of pure joy.
I stood frozen. A gentle breeze blew through the corridor window, rustling my golden-blond hair.
"What on earth just happened..." I muttered quietly.
[Plot Alteration Detected!]
[Female Protagonis's (Chloe) Affinity toward you has increased by 30%.]
[Story Route Status: Deviating from Male-Female Romance -> Heading toward Yuri Route.]
"Damn system," I whispered venomously. "Turn off this feature."
[System cannot be turned off. Please enjoy your developing relationship with the Main Character!]
I let out a heavy sigh, massaging my temples. This was a disaster. If the storyline twisted into a girl-love romance, what would happen to the male leads? Would they still hate me, or worse, see me as a romantic rival for Chloe's heart?!
Just as that horrific thought crossed my mind, a deep, confident voice echoed from behind me.
"Good to see you still enjoy picking on helpless scholarship students, Lady Rosel."
I turned around slowly.
Standing a few steps away was a silver-haired youth wearing a lavish gold-trimmed uniform. He had classic fairy-tale prince looks—a sharp jawline, intense golden eyes, and a slight smirk oozing with arrogance.
Above his head, the system screen lit up brightly.
[Primary Target: Crown Prince - Leo von Grandia]
[Plot Relevance: 92%]
Leo stepped closer, crossing his arms as he looked down at me from the corner of his eye. "I saw everything from down the hall. You deliberately blocked her path and frightened her, didn't you? Your wicked nature truly hasn't changed since we were children."
*Oh.*
So he was watching the whole time.
Wait... isn't this a good thing? If Leo thinks I was being mean to Chloe, then the original plot can still be saved! Leo will hate me, protect Chloe, and the two of them will fall in love just like they're supposed to!
I immediately straightened my back, striking the most arrogant and snobbish expression I could muster with Rosel's face.
"And even if I did, what business is it of yours, Your Highness?" I asked coldly, flipping my blond hair over my shoulder. "A commoner like her isn't fit to walk the same corridor as me. I was merely teaching her a little lesson."
*Come on, Leo! Get mad! Defend Chloe! Yell at me!*
Leo stared at me silently for a few seconds. His judgmental glare gradually shifted... into something weird. His eyes narrowed, and the smirk on his lips grew wider.
[Special Feature Unlocked: Reading the Male Lead's Hidden Thoughts!]
[Reading Leo von Grandia's Thoughts...]
*‘Hmph, look at this woman. She's acting villainous again just to catch my attention. She deliberately approached that scholarship girl so I would come over and scold her. How childish... But I must admit, her pale neck looked quite... captivating when she flipped her hair just now.’*
*...Huh?*
I froze on the spot.
*What kind of delusional thought process is that?! Catch your attention?! What a narcissistic prince!*
[User_OrangeCat]: "ROFL HIS EGO IS OFF THE CHARTS!"
[User_YuriSimp]: "Ew, stay away from our Rosel, Leo! Rosel belongs only to Chloe!"
"Rosel," Leo's voice softened as he took a step closer, reducing the distance between us to just one meter. "You don't need to resort to such cheap tricks just to get me to look at you. If you want to dance with me at the Welcome Party, just say so directly. You don't have to pretend to be a cruel woman."
I blinked at Leo repeatedly. Pure disbelief shattered my brain.
The people in this novel... are completely out of their minds.