Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Dried leaves blew in the breeze, curling up in tiny whirlwinds over the Royal castle of the Pargoina Empire.

Arianell quietly walked toward the front entrance of the castle along with her siblings, seemingly going to welcome someone.

Her expression clearly stated she didn't like being here.

What she liked was solitude—being alone, all by herself.

Her gaze moved with the rustle of the wind.

She wondered how good it would be to be like the wind.

A thing without thought, caring, or hurting… nothing but free.

"I heard from Father last night," Arianell's gaze turned towards the strawberry-blonde-haired girl, Sylvania. "… About you being Moshel's Sword Maiden."

Johnathan, the first prince, also nodded gently as he too was present at that time.

"And?" Arianell asked, looking forward.

"I apologize for all the things I did as a child," Sylvania whispered, her voice low. "I didn't know why Father always prioritized—"

"I don't need your apology," Arianell snorted. "…Your father sees me as nothing but a tool for his empire."

"…Yeah," Sylvania nodded, not trying to deny her words.

"…I understand your frustration, and I don't think your life has been fair—"

"Don't act like you care now," she scoffed, a hint of disgust in her voice.

Sylvania just quietly nodded her head in response.

She knew whatever she had to say didn't matter.

All the times she tried to bully her were already over, and she couldn't change that.

"…Though, I do wonder why the emperor told you both," Arianell mumbled thoughtfully. "…It was supposed to be a secret only known to a few."

They both quietly looked at each other.

At the summit held by two empires and one kingdom, the next ruler would be announced.

Only one of them would ascend the throne.

"...When are you, uh, departing?" Johnathan asked Arianell, changing the subject.

"Tonight," she replied without even glancing at him.

"Do you have any wishes—"

"Shut up, Johnathan," Arianell groaned in frustration, finding it hard to control her anger at their sudden sympathy.

"There is nothing you or this family can give me."

"..."

He turned silent, running his fingers through his blonde hair.

A wind rushed past them as they reached the main gate.

"…So who is so important that the future ruler of the empire came to greet them?" Arianell asked, her tone a bit sarcastic, which was easily caught by them.

"We wouldn't have if she wasn't important," Sylvania replied, her blond eyes glancing at her. "I am sorry if you don't like being dragged here."

"Don't be," she whispered, her head turning at the sound coming from a distance.

A rustling echoed, accompanied by a group of knights wearing pure white armor.

An insignia of the church was engraved on their breastplates, and they all walked, holding a sword parallel to their bodies.

They radiated an aura that could suffocate a normal person.

A luxurious, old-fashioned carriage, pulled by two beautiful white horse, rustled just behind them.

Arianell's gaze remained fixed on the carriage that stopped just in front of them.

A knight walked forward, opening the door with the utmost respect.

Sylvania and Johnathan immediately bowed, and so did Arianell. "We welcome you, oh Holy Lady."

Someone stepped down from the carriage; her white gown came into Arianell's view, and a smooth, beautiful voice echoed, "…Raise your head."

They straightened their backs and looked at her.

A tall woman in her early twenties came into their view, wearing a loose white gown that couldn't hide her curvy body, and a veil covered her face, blurring it.

A magic artifact?

Arianell wondered, as nothing was clear about her face, not even her hair, but only her gentle smile was visible.

The lady studied them for a while before gently nodding.

"How kind of you to welcome me," she whispered, her voice melodic.

"But my master is still the current Holy Lady, so I would like it if you refrained from addressing me like that."

"How should we address you then?" Jonathan asked respectfully.

"Just call me Helena," she replied sweetly.

"We can't do that," Sylvania cut in as Jonathan tried to agree. "We will just call you 'my lady.'"

"That's fine as well," she replied, nodding, and they made way for her.

"You came a long way; have some rest," Sylvania advised, stepping forward to guide her.

"You should have a lot of work to do," Helena said, looking at them. "I will be fine with only one guide."

"We are fine—"

"I insist," Helena stated.

"Then I will—"

"Would you, please," she cut in on Johnathan's words. "Lady Arianell?"

"Uh-huh, sure."

Surprised by her sudden call, Arianell fumbled.

Helena nodded as Arianell turned around toward the guest area specifically for her.

"Who else has arrived?" Helena asked, looking around the castle.

"For now, only Ekari kingdom's royal family," she replied, glancing at her.

"They all will arrive late, huh?" She wondered aloud.

"Are you alone?" Arianell asked Helena, who walked beside her, the group of knights following behind at a certain distance.

"For now, but the rest will arrive later on," she replied with a sweet smile.

"Any specific reason for arriving early?" Arianell asked curiously.

"I wanted to see him," she replied with a light smile. "Sir Azariah."

Arianell's curiosity spiked at her words, and she couldn't help but ask, "Why him?"

"Because of the rumors," she replied, her smile brightening. "...him being the [Exiled Prince]."

Arianell's steps halted, her gaze on her.

Is she?

It didn't take her long to put the pieces together.

And the moment she did, the thought of killing her flashed through her mind.

In a blink, the knights rushed towards her with the intent to subdue.

"Stop," Helena said, her voice cold.

"My lady—!" the leader shouted, but a look from her was enough to stop him.

"I gave an order," she repeated, and they moved back.

Her smile returned as she looked back at Arianell. "That's interesting."

"..."

Arianell quietly looked at her, suppressing her emotions.

"Come to think of it, aren't you both childhood sweethearts?" Helena asked, curiosity clear in her voice. "Or are you more than just friends?"

"We are not friends," she snorted, looking at Helena.

"Are you a virgin?" Helena asked expectantly.

"I am," Arianell replied, looking at her.

"I see," she whispered, disappointment clear in her voice. "Would have been nice if he messed everything by taking your purity."

"Nice?" Arianell asked, an absurd look on her face. "And what do you mean by taking my purity?"

"Sorry, my thoughts leaked out," Helena replied as she started to walk.

"And I know who you are, Maiden. Every high-ranking person in the church does."

"...."

Arianell quietly looked at her before slowly following behind.

"Anyway, don't worry," Helena replied, glancing back. "I won't hurt your beloved."

"Then why are you after him?"

"I am a fan."

"...What?" Arianell halted again.

"You heard me," she replied with a bright smile. "I am a fan of the [Exiled Prince]."

"Doesn't sound convincing," she scoffed, arriving beside her. "You do know he is the one who kills Avatars of Gods—"

"Correction," Helena cut in. "That's not the only way for one to be labeled as an [Exiled Prince]."

"There are more?"

"Of course." She nodded, counting on her fingers. "There is killing the Avatar or an angel, interrupting world peace, opening the gates of hell, and lastly, by taking my purity."

"Your purity?" Arianell asked, frowning.

"Yes," she replied. "Though I won't allow it unless something crazy happens."

"...You do know your guards can hear you," Arianell commented, glancing back at the stoic knights.

"What are they gonna do? Snitch on their future Holy Lady?" Helena asked, shrugging. "And I am three [Primordial Gods]' favorite, remember?"

She just wants to see the world burn, doesn't she?

Arianell kept her thoughts to herself as they arrived at the villa assigned to her.

"I won't be disturbing you now," Arianell gently bowed before she turned around.

"Wait!" But Helena quickly stopped her.

"Do you need something?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Yes, come with me," Helena replied before turning towards her guards. "And I am warning you guys, no one will try to use mana to check on me."

"It's for your own safety," the leader replied, his voice firm.

"Sir Josh."

"Yes?"

"I will have everyone beheaded if you try that," she replied, her voice colder than ever.

"I will keep that in mind," Josh nodded with a light bow, without flinching.

"Come with me." Grabbing Arianell's wrist, she dragged her inside the villa.

And as soon as the door closed behind, Helena grabbed her by her arms.

"What?" Arianell asked, looking at her confusingly.

"Listen here, princess," Helena whispered, her voice serious. "I need your help."

"For what?" She frowned.

"Only you can help me," Helena replied as she reached for her veil. "…I really want to see him."

Arianell gasped in surprise as she flipped her veil, showing a face that didn't seem to belong to this world.

For the first time in her life, Arianell felt inferior, looking at her face.

Helena blinked her eyes that resembled an entire galaxy.

Her pink lips parted. "…Help me meet with Sir Azariah."