On the return carriage ride, I was staring blankly out the window. In a week, I would meet again with Richeli, who would be like Rin and God above the clouds.

In light novels, one is usually reincarnated as a villainess in another world, and their life unfolds following the story of their previous or current life, right? I had that much basic knowledge, whether I believed it or not.

So, this time, it’s that otome game version, right? Magic Eyes.

Before leaving, a casual comment from Mira reminded me. Right before Richeli died, probably just before her heart stopped, Rin’s body died first. As if to replace it, I entered Richeli’s body.

At that time, Zinon turned to me and said, “I can’t get it up with you.”

Following that, the next words must have been, “Let’s nullify our engagement while we can.”

If that’s the case, before Richeli enters the Magic Academy at the age of 18 and acts like a bitch, before the heroine chooses Zinon’s route as a conquest target, and they fall in love, the story is already set.

“Can’t get it up.”

To throw such words at me, he must not see me as a woman at all. Even though it was Richeli who was dumped, even though I’m not in love with Zinon, who I just met yesterday, my heart aches as if I was the one rejected.

Of course, anyone would be shocked if they were told something as heart-piercing as “I can’t get it up.”

Could Richeli’s heart stop because she was so shocked by Zinon’s words? It’s a crushing phrase that could shatter a woman’s confidence.

Suddenly, the content of Richeli’s diary popped into my mind.

“It was something like, ‘I wouldn’t get wet even if I shared a bed with such a bratty guy,’ wasn’t it? Richeli was harsh enough.”

A chuckle rose in me.

When I drew up the relationship diagram with Mira’s help in the morning, from Mira’s hesitant manner of speaking, it seemed that Richeli and Zinon’s relationship was like that of close friends who knew each other well due to their political engagement and childhood friendship. It seemed to be neither more nor less than that.

There was no contradiction in that from Richeli’s diary or Zinon’s attitude towards me.

The conclusion that comes to mind for me is this:

If you can break off an engagement, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.

However, even if I break off my engagement with Zinon, as a duke’s daughter, I might end up marrying into another high-ranking family.

And that’s something I, Rin, who lived a normal life until I was 19 and dreamed of being a childcare worker, couldn’t handle. Sorry, but I don’t want to take on such a challenging role.

So, what I can do is…

I’m sorry to Richeli’s family, but I’ll play the part of the bitchy villainess according to the otome game’s story, get my engagement broken off, and go to the convent.

It might seem passive, but there was no way I, with no experience in love, could play along with an otome game.

The convent I just visited wasn’t bad at all. It was quite nice. It would be ideal if I had to choose a permanent job instead of a nursery school.

If things go well, I might even be able to get married and lead a peaceful life as a commoner.

I would have preferred to return to my original world, but I have to make do if I can’t.

“Milady, we’re home. Oh, it’s already this late. I wonder if the tea setting is ready? I’ll serve the cake you bought along with it. Please wait in the garden until it’s ready.”

I watched Mira hurry off and leisurely walk to the flower bed where light pink roses were blooming, lured by their scent.

“They’re beautiful… the flowers are no different from those on Earth.”

I leaned my face toward the pink rose and inhaled its scent deeply.

“Lady Richeli.”

“Ah!”

Suddenly, my hand was grabbed and pulled to the other side of the roses.

“Who are you?”

“? What’s wrong, Lady Richeli? Is this a new game?”

Still holding my hand, the young man in front of me pulled me close, and in an instant, I was in his arms.

Looking up, I saw garnet-like eyes under his umber hair, looking down at me passionately.

“No way…”

The last page of Richeli’s diary reflexively came to mind, and the blood drained from my face.

“Do you remember? As you requested, I’ve prepared a secluded spot.”

Saying this, he silenced me with his large palm pressing against my lips, and in an instant, he lifted me and brought me into a narrow cabin-like space, pushing me onto a damp bed.

My lips, trying to scream in fear, were again forcefully silenced by his palm.

He looked down at me from above, pinning me down with his heavy body. His umber eyes melted with heat as he moved closer.

“Ha, uh, u…”

“You’re scared when it comes to it, after all? But I can’t hold back anymore. I’m this hard thinking of you.”

Saying this, something as hard as a rock rubbed against the space between my legs.

Could this be…

“No! Uh! Mmm…”

No, someone, help me.

I shook my head desperately at the young man.

“Please, stop.”

“No, can do; I can’t stop now. I told you, didn’t I? If you want to back out, do it now. But you let me have my way with you. I’m obsessed with you; I can’t stop; I want to hold you.”

“Uh! Uh! Mmm…”

Tears and sweat streamed from my eyes and body like mud.

I struggled desperately.

“This white skin, it’s like porcelain. How beautiful.”

Knowing I would scream, the young man kept my lips sealed with his palm and breathed heavily.

“Uh! Mmm!”

He pressed his wet lips against my neck and collarbone, making a smacking sound.

The sensation was as disgusting as a slug, unbearable.

I was on the verge of going mad.

I continued to resist desperately.

Then, his thick finger entered my skirt, stroking my thigh. I let out a silent scream as an explosive sound echoed.

At the same time, the young man on top of me was punched away by Zinon, breaking through the cabin’s wooden wall.

“Richeli!”

Holding up the back of my head soaked with tears, Zinon’s strong blue eyes stared straight into mine.

“….”

My face and body trembled oddly with words that wouldn’t come out.

I was scared, so scared.

I looked up at Zinon as if pleading for help.

Help me.

Help me, I’m scared.

Zinon stared at me as my tears fell in torrents.

“It’s okay.”

He hugged me tightly.

“Ha… ha… ah… ah…”

I was gasping for breath; my tears wouldn’t stop.

While I was struggling and sobbing, Zinon gently patted my back, stroked my head, and held me tight.

Until I lost consciousness again.