You seem quite tired, Marquis Noches.
It's been a year already! A year!
It's been a year since Bertia started recommending evil acts to me.
Has it been a year since that outcry over the epidemic?
Time certainly does pass quickly.
The other day, she even had materials like this readied for me.
The Best Things About Being a Villain!
Starting down a villain's path from zero
By Bertia
It's incredibly easy to understand and quite entertaining to read...
but the content...
This is how different your income can be!
Using Regular Means
Using Underhanded Means
Yes. This is an instruction manual on how to commit crimes.
These numbers on embezzlement and fraud are oddly realistic.
Is this information she gained in her previous life?
Day and night, all she does is talk to me about becoming a criminal.
I'm sure her actions are intended to keep her "scenario" from failing.
Perhaps I'll follow up to smooth things over.
It's probably best not to let it worry you too much, don't you think?
I'm sure it's just a phase, so common in adolescence,
where she's attracted to men who are a little bit bad.
If that's true, then wouldn't she try to make you bad instead of me, Your Highness?
Well, she does love her father very much, doesn't she?
That just isn't—
No, it might well be possible.
This doting parent...
Besides which, Your Highness's evil-mindedness tends to leak out.
My daughter must have decided she didn't need to recommend such things to you.
Marquis Noches?
Yes, yes, yes!
And, Zeno, you do know I've noticed you, right?
Speaking of which,
it's nearly time for Your Highness and my daughter's debut into society, isn't it?
I feel so deeply moved...
and also extremely worried.
It will be all right.
I'll be beside her to support her.
Though, if something interesting happens, I may let her flounder for a little while.
An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess
Chapter 2
An Observation Log of the Self-Proclaimed Villainess's Debut into Society.
The Day of Her Social Debut
Your Highness!
At last, it's the day of our debut into society!
You've become quite beautiful.
Wh-What?
Your Highness, could it be that there is some favor you want to ask of me?
But you can't do it right now!
Because today I will advance my "Turn Father into a Villain" plan!
Though it seems your unfortunate nature hasn't changed very much.
A pleasure to see you.
I haven't seen you since I was quite young, have I?
This is Miss Bertia Ibil Noches, daughter of Marquis Noches.
It would be rude to call it unexpected...
but thus far, Miss Bertia's behavior is completely without issue.
Miss Bertia, you look very nice.
Thank you.
To become a first-rate flower of evil is an eccentric goal,
but it does seem that she has studied quite thoroughly.
Oh, Miss Bertia! You look lovelier than ever today!
Viscount Laurie Consabtier!
I'd love to take you home with me right now!
He certainly is comfortable touching someone else's fiancée like that.
Oh, don't joke like that.
But it's true!
Just how is he connected to Miss Bertia?
Viscount, would you lend me your ear for a moment?
Yes? What is it?
I'm terribly sorry, Viscount.
Miss Bertia isn't feeling well, so I'm going to take her away for a little while.
Wh-What? Just a moment, please!
Prince Cecil?
What brought this on so suddenly?
Miss Bertia.
Will you answer me honestly?
The information you gathered for that manual on becoming a villain...
you obtained it from Viscount Laurie Consabtier, right?
What? Yes, I did, but...
It can't be. Did you read that? Oh, it's too embarrassing!
I knew it.
Will you tell me the particulars?
When the viscount came to visit father, I remembered...
He was one of the people who pulled father onto his villainous path.
That's why I did everything I could to become friends with him!
And then, at last, I succeeded in getting him to talk about evil deeds!
Say, Miss Bertia...
the viscount is notorious for liking young girls.
He's known to be pervert who is romantically interested in children.
Did you know that?
What?
Did he ever touch you?
Now that you mention it...
No!
On the surface, he does seem to just be an older man who is nice to children.
She can't be blamed for not realizing.
It's all right, Miss Bertia.
I'll figure something out.
To stand silently by after someone has laid a hand on my fiancée...
I'm not so spineless as that.
Your Highness...
So please tell me so that I can protect you.
Did you come into contact with anyone else?
No, no one.
The others who instigated my father in the game,
Count Conmorno and Baron Sagile... I haven't met them yet.
Miss Bertia, I ask that you please stop doing such dangerous things.
Yes, Your Highness.
I don't want to experience anything like this ever again.
Which is why...
from now on, I'll be very careful when I interact with them!
Why don't you just give up there?
No, the act of interacting with them itself is dangerous.
I'm beside myself with worry.
I'll be just fine!
If I'm beaten here, then Your Highness's bright future will come to naught!
I will do my very best!
Yes, it seems she has no intention whatsoever of listening to me.
However, in the matter at hand...
if it's handled correctly, this could be a good chance to rid the kingdom of rot.
Your Highness, what happened?
Don't tell me that my daughter caused some kind of trouble!
Marquis Noches, I have an important matter to discuss with you.
Please have a seat over here.
The truth is, through a certain channel,
I've heard rumors of Count Conmorno, Baron Sagile,
and Viscount Consabtier's improprieties.
What?
And I've also heard that they are trying to make contact with you, Marquis Noches.
With me?
It seems that Viscount Consabtier has already made contact with Miss Bertia.
Additionally, he has attempted inexcusable acts.
Wh-What did you say? That's unforgivable!
A few gentle pats seem to be the extent of things, but she cried about it.
Please don't bring it up with her, for her sake.
Bertia...
To make certain that she doesn't find out about my scheming,
I'll have to make sure that he doesn't talk.
I am thinking of getting rid of everyone involved in this matter with just us.
To do that, Marquis Noches, your assistance is essential.
Mine?
They are trying to initiate contact with you, Marquis.
I would like for you to become a spy and find evidence of their wrongdoing.
Of course I'll do it!
I will take those rotten maggots and crush them myself!
The groundwork has been laid.
But there is a limit
to how much the marquis will be able to keep watch on those three alone.
I'd like to keep an eye on them myself...
but soon, I will begin living in the dorms of Halm Academy.
Once that happens, it will be difficult for me to take action.
Six Months Later, Halm Academy
How tedious.
The quality of education here is high,
but as a member of the royal family, it's all already known to me.
If Miss Bertia were here, then...
Prince Cecil!
It can't be!
Prince Cecil!
No, no.
A royal shouldn't lose their composure over something like this.
Miss Bertia!
What has brought you all the way here?
Your Highness, what shall I do?
We have a child...
We have a baby on the way!
If things continue this way, the scenario will...
It's true that I was bored,
but I have no recollection of wishing for carnage such as this.
That's Prince Cecil for you! He's a man among men!
No, I wouldn't lay hands on my fiancée before the marriage.
Zeno, you'll regret that later.
Your Highness, this may cause you so much trouble!
It's such a happy event, but I can't bring myself to feel honest joy about it!
And could you please stop saying things that invite further misunderstandings?
Miss Bertia, just who has become pregnant with whose child?
I-I just don't know what to do.
Miss Bertia.
Please tell me what has happened.
If you don't, I won't know what I can do for you.
M-My apologies. I'm being so silly.
Not at all. Now...
who has become pregnant with whose child?
What? My mother is pregnant with my father's child, of course.
Who else could it be?
Stare...
What?
I-It isn't me!
His Highness and I haven't even kissed yet!
It isn't like that! This is all a misunderstanding!
It's all right. Everyone understands now.
If any odd rumors start circulating, you know what will happen, don't you?
Nod, nod.
I'll have a coach readied. Will you allow me to accompany you back to Noches House?
That way, you can tell me everything as we travel.
W-Well, I have the carriage I came here in.
My usual marathon... I mean, it was a little too far to come by foot.
Yes, well, it does take two hours to get here from Noches House by carriage.
Don't say that. Please let me take you.
Please don't turn me into a horrid man that just sends his fiancée
away when she's come to see me...
I-I'm happy you feel that way, but if I stay here with Your Highness any longer...
I'll die of embarrassment.
It's all right.
Once it's just the two of us, I'll even give you your first kiss...
Bertia.
Myaaaa!
Myaa? Why, Bertia, whenever did you become a cat?
Your Highness.
Her reactions were just so very amusi— adorable that I couldn't help myself.
It was in no way revenge for causing me to lose my composure earlier.
There he goes, the conniving prince.
But, Bertia... Bertia, huh?
Yes, I like it.
From now on, that's what I'll call her.
Six Months Later
Welcome, and thank you for coming, Prince Cecil.
This is the first time I've been in Bertia's room.
Now that I think about it, Bertia often wears things of these colors.
I wonder if they are favorite colors of hers.
It can't be because they match my hair and eye color, can it?
What is this? This restless feeling.
Your Highness, regarding the matter of my little brother, Aneth...
I'm terribly sorry!
Bertia! Please raise your head!
I don't understand why you're suddenly apologizing.
Won't you please explain first?
Your Highness...
So, in the original scenario, as Marquis Noches's house has no heir,
he adopts a son from the lowest branch of the family.
However, since your mother survived the epidemic, an heir has been born,
thus causing the scenario to collapse. Is that right?
Originally, he should have been brought into our family by now,
and begun attending Halm Academy as Courtgain Deles Noches.
He would quickly begin to distinguish himself,
and emerged as a candidate to become Your Highness's close aide.
It would be difficult for an untitled family member to enter the academy.
If he truly is an exceptional person, that would be a waste of talent.
Avoiding a route where he and the heroine end up together is good.
But...
Before, you said that it was I who ends up with the heroine, didn't you?
What? There are a number of capture targets,
and depending on the heroine's actions, the person she ends up with changes.
Didn't I mention that?
Why would you forget to mention something so important?
No, you didn't tell me that.
In that case, there's no need to break off our engagement, is there?
Someone else can become the heroine's partner.
N-No, that can't happen! If it does, then Your Highness will—
Bertia?
I-It's nothing!
In any case, I must make sure that Your Highness and the heroine end up together.
Ah, she is trying her very hardest to gloss over something, isn't she?
So, these... capture targets. Who else is there?
Everyone who is a candidate to become Your Highness's close aide.
If I were to name them all...
Lord Vald Nohkins.
Lord Charles Laonel.
There's no way for her to know the names of the candidates to become my aide.
Lord Nelt Krum.
The second prince, Shawn Turquoin Alphasta.
I mustn't underestimate these memories from her previous life.
In this matter, the scenario should generate a compelling force so that,
when the time comes, an event will trigger and draw them all to the heroine!
But if that same force is trying to have Courtgain adopted into our family,
then I can only imagine that some disaster will befall my brother, Aneth.
I've been so afraid of that this whole time.
I see. So that's the source of her anxiety.
How very like Bertia.
Basically, this person named Courtgain merely needs to attend Halm Academy
and become a candidate to be my aide. Is that right?
What? Um... I think that's probably the case.
Really? In that case, I have a good idea.
Will you leave the rest to me?
Courtgain Deles Mardan
Why don't you use your heads a little, you fools?!
That's why you poor people never get wealthier no matter how much time passes!
Honestly!
We never asked for your help!
I'm home.
Hello. Pardon the intrusion.
I am Cecil Glo Alphasta. I'm here because I wanted to speak with you.
Y-Your Royal Highness!
There's no need for such formalities.
For now, will you please have a seat?
Y-Yes.
Now then...
lately, the people of these lands have been complaining about their local lord.
As you are Bertia's distant relative, I thought I'd come and ask you about it.
You took the trouble to come here yourself, Your Highness?
As a member of the royal family, we must listen to the people's voices.
My father is always telling me that.
I'm not lying. I'm simply not telling the truth.
So, from your perspective, what kind of person is the local lord?
Well...
He has a very logical way of thinking.
For the most part, I think he is a person worthy of respect.
Really? How unexpected.
It's just... he has an irredeemably horrible way of expressing himself..
I believe that's the reason he garners unnecessary ill feelings.
By which you mean?
Earlier, in order to fulfill their taxes,
some villagers had harvested crops that weren't fully grown yet.
His lordship scolded them about it.
Those crops would have more than doubled in volume if left for another two weeks.
Two Weeks Later
If they'd have come to him for help, he'd have accommodated them,
and the farmers' lives would have become more abundant.
What he told them was quite constructive,
but unfortunately, because he speaks so roughly...
Use your heads a little, you fools!
Don't talk like you're better than me!
What's the big deal?
And that's how things turned out.
Yeesh.
His lordship is taking pains to make sure everyone experiences more abundance.
I believe that no one understanding that is the biggest problem here.
That generally coincides with the information my messenger gathered.
He is able to clearly distinguish objective facts.
You pass, Courtgain.
What?
As I have high hopes for you, I have a request to make.
A request for me?
A certain source has brought rumors of illicit dealings among the nobility.
I want you to be adopted into a noble house and work as my informant.
If the marquis's house is no longer an option,
then I merely need to have him adopted by some other house.
It will help the marquis in his spying,
and the scenario will not collapse.
Of course, in return, I will provide assistance,
but you will be in a position of great danger.
What do you think?
I had given up.
I thought I'd live the rest of my life like this.
I never imagined that you'd choose a non-noble from one of the lowest houses.
I, Courtgain Deles Mardan, will repay this debt of gratitude,
and I swear my lifelong loyalty to Your Highness.
I shall serve you will all my heart.
And so...
Courtgain will be attending Halm Academy, just as the scenario dictates.
Thank you, Your Highness!
It seems that Father is on better terms with the villainous nobles than ever!
That's the important thing!
Though the truth is, he's acting as a spy.
Now, if we can just avoid a reverse harem, everything will be perfect!
Reverse\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHarem?
Reverse harem?
A reverse harem is when one woman has multiple men serv—
Example of a Reverse Harem
she's in love with, and loved by, at the same time.
But that's unthinkable.
If the queen has an affair, that in itself is a treasonous offense.
Even so, because you love her, you can't leave her,
so you choose to share her instead.
Such a route does exist.
Looking proud when you say it doesn't change anything.
An idiot who would shake the kingdom for a love affair?
No such idiot exists amongst us.
There's often some backstory that includes the use of charm magic,
but there isn't any magic in this world.
Oh. I think a light spirit might be able to achieve something similar.
Yes, that's true.
Wait. A spirit?
They purify the wicked...
and bestow a sense of euphoria on the righteous.
The Light of Healing.
Using that sense of euphoria, you might be able to draw people to you as if by magic.
Wait just a moment, please!
They exist? Spirits?
You and I are both contracted to one, aren't we?
Huh?
Now that I think about it, you still haven't told me where you found Kuro.
In the forest near our mansion.
When did you give her the name Kuro?
On the way back, I tripped and Kuro licked the wound for me.
That's when I named her.
Yes, and because of that...
this is the high-level darkness spirit that you're contracted to.
Contracts are formed by giving them blood and a name, you see?
What?
As an aside, Zeno is my contracted spirit.
What?!
Wait, please! My brain can't keep up with this!
Zeno.
Of course.
Use these to thoroughly study about spirits, won't you?
P-Prince Cecil!
Do your very best, Bertia!
Still, a romantic relationship with a heroine
who uses light spirit powers to half-brainwash people?
What an extreme method to attempt on me.
Translator: Timer: Editor: Quality Control: Final Quality Control:
Elanor Sakamoto Edgar Cruz Salem Alabanza Alicia Ashby Michelle Tymon
Wait, Pii-chan!
You!
A pleasure to meet you. My name is Luquitan.
May I be so bold as to ask for your name?
I am...
Heronia Inderon.
Heronia Inderon
Chapter 3 An Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess and Entering School.
"An Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess and Entering School."