So You've Become a Villainess: an (Otome) Isekai Raising Project

Getting the voices right on this one took some doing.


You wiggle your eyebrows at Lucciano. "Heh, your imagination is running wild, isn't it?"

He flails his arms, making exasperated noises that may or may not be infernal speech. Once he settles into awawas, you poke his cheek, shutting his mouth and turning his face red.

"Easy there, Lucci," you say. "Can I call you Lucci?"

He mumbles and twiddles his thumbs. "Given the difference in our stations and the fact this is your birthday, you could call me Mud if you wanted to."

You tilt your head, the action half-draping Lucciano in your hair. "But I don't want to call you Mud. I want to call you Lucci."

He briefly meets you eyes. "Lucci is fine, your grace."

You poke his nose and smile cheekily. "I'm just Grace, unless you're trying to get flirty already."

"I-I-I wouldn't dream of it!" He says, a flicker of hellfire behind shock-widened eyes. "Even if it wouldn't make a cuckold of the Crown Prince and Princess, someone like you would be sullied by me doing s-something like that."

<Sensible>: "NTR is no good."

<Artsy>: "Being the beloved of two siblings is powerful material for those kinds of delusions."

<Sporty>: "Wha-? Aren't those two just fans of us?"

<Flashy>: "Mere fans don't make blood pacts, dahling~"

You wonder how news spread enough, and got twisted enough, for people to think you were in a romantic relationship with both of the Alteisen siblings. Yeah, the Prince wants to learn how to mix power and beauty like you do, and Buri made a blood pact with you, but only Lily saw that last one. You've hung out with both over the past couple of months, but not to get all kissy.

Unless kissing with fists in sparring sessions counted.

Maybe this was the noble equivalent of celebrity gossip? Maybe it was wishful thinking from the sight of you and Prince Alteisen dancing, or Buri taking after your style but more edgy.

Maybe there were just a bunch of weirdos in this world.

In any case, you have a mighty need to nip this in the bud. "It was a joke," you say, putting a hand on Lucciano's shoulder. "But please, just call me Grace. No need to be so formal, you know?"

"But you're the guest of honor and the talk of the nation," Lucciano says. "I'm just a kid with a paintbrush. Please be a little more aware of your station." He bows deeply to you.

You ruffle his fluffy hair. "I'm totally aware of my station; I'm using it to tell you to not care about my station. So by the power invested in me as Birthday Princess, I decree that you call me Grace and let me call you Lucci!"

He looks up at you, bewildered. His eyes are alight with glee, his mouth quirks up into a Chesire Cat grin. "If it's by your decree, then I have no choice but to give in to your charming domination." He kneels and kisses the back of your hand.

<Sporty>: "Whoa, so this is what it's like on the other side..."

<Artsy>: "Someone's inspired~"

<Sensible>: "I fear we've inspired him to act like his game self..."

<Ghost!Emo>: "You're beginning to sound like me, fufu..."

You hold your breath. CGs from Our Bloody Valentine play out in your mind's eye; you don't let them overwhelm you. You make sure there aren't any gaps in your hair palisade until you calm down, then give Lucciano a cheeky monkey grin.

"Hehe, bet your imagination's definitely running wild now!"

That snaps him back to reality. He looks up, nods furiously, and runs away.

Camille watches him go, then turns to you. "I know you wouldn't bully him, so what happened?"

You rub the kissed glove against your cheek and point at the fleeing Lucciano. "Lucci kissed and dashed! Let's get him!"

Camille does a double-take. "Kissed and dashed? Lucci?!"

"He looks like a Lucci," you say, shrugging. "And the more questions you ask, the further he gets." You take a sprinter's stance and feel the heat of the cobblestones on your gloved fingers.

Camille shudders, then bounces on his toes. "I've had enough questions for one day. That alchemist girl is scary."

"She means well," you say, before exploding off the line. Camille's fast enough and trained with you enough that he can almost keep up with you.

But you weren't the Golden-Eyed Orion of 573 High for nothing.

Your feet move so fast it feels like your Mary Janes will catch fire. Your dress's lightness enchantments and extended range of movement give your stride the freedom it needs. You're a blur of frilly crimson and gold with a femboy three strides behind.

Like the lion on your new family's crest, you chase Lucciano down the main drag. He might as well be a lame gazelle with the ease you catch him.

You run up beside him, casually match his pace, and smile. "You know you never called me Grace, right?"

"Huh?!" he wheezes, "Is that it?!

You giggle. "That, and I've gotta pay you back for that stunt from earlier."

He blushes. "If I call you Grace, can I stop running?"

You nod. "Of course!"

"People are starting to gawk," Camille says, now on Lucciano's other flank. He looks embarrassed for the both of you.

"Gah!" Lucciano screams, then stumbles at the sight of Camille.

You cut in front of Lucciano and catch him in your luxurious hair. "So?"

Lucciano pouts cutely at you. "This c-could be considered bullying..."

"I'm sorry if it did," you say, honestly. "I just wanted to give you a fun story for later."

He sulks, mumbling "Nobody would believe me," before looking back to you with a fey smile. "I'd have to tell people I was graced by an angel...or a little devil."

Getting called a little devil by the child of an Incubus is pretty funny, but maybe you've been coming on too strong.

You give him a hug and place him on his feet. "Close enough. Wanna hang out with me for awhile?"

Lucciano gives you a sly, wry look. "Will you chase me down again if I don't?"

"I think you've done enough running for one day," you say with a giggle.


[Where do you go next?]
[ ] To the shooting gallery, with Bridgette Alteisen.
[ ] To the haunted house, with Lily Valentine.
[ ] To give your current companions a tour, with Chi...Autumn.
[ ] To get some food, with just your current companions.