The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom

LAPIS LAZULI ACADEMY

Lady Tiararose!

Can you believe we graduate tomorrow?

It's so sad to think I won't see you anymore.

I'll truly miss our friendship.

Oh, I'm certain we'll meet again.

You know where to find me, right here

in the Kingdom of Lapis Lazuli.

You do have a point.

After all, where else would one find the future queen?

And when is the royal wedding to Prince Hartknights?

Has a date been chosen?

We're not there yet.

I'll undergo bridal training for the next year.

And then once that's complete,

we'll hold the wedding in the cathedral.

Well, everyone is expecting great things from you.

I know you'll bring lasting peace as our queen.

Oh my, that's a lot to live up to.

But I will do my best.

My name is Tiararose Lapis Clamentile.

I am the daughter of the marquis given the Lapis name,

and the fiancée of the crown prince.

Huh?

Here's Prince Hartknights now.

What's this?

He has such a dour expression.

I've never seen him so grim.

Could there be something wrong?

Prince Hartknights!

Why is she...?

This can't be happening.

Not when I'm...

Wait.

I thought I was...

THE VILLAINESS IS ADORED BY THE PRINCE OF THE NEIGHBOR KINGDOM

A LOVE THAT BEGINS WITH THE ENDING

Prince Hartknight is gorgeous!

Like, super gorgeous.

I want you to live with me, now and forever.

YES - NO

Yes, please!

Oh sweet, a new cut scene!

And the Hartknights route has been successfully cleared.

The otome game, The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.

I loved it so much I couldn't put it down.

How dare you?

Huh?

You're just a lowly commoner!

You need to stay away from my beloved Hartknights.

You're an eyesore.

Wait, is that me?

I remember now.

That was my previous life.

And her, that character with the nasty attitude...

No.

Am I... a villainess?

I reincarnated as the villainess

of my favorite video game.

So you're awake.

Huh?

Your Highness!

You should get some more sleep.

Go on. A carriage is being arranged for you.

Hartknights Lapislazuli Lactomuth.

Wooing him is the primary story route in the game.

He's the first prince of the Kingdom of Lapis Lazuli.

I had a full-blown crush on his character,

and he's sitting right there!

I've never known you to be given to fainting spells.

Huh?

Were you that desperate to get my attention?

Didn't want me giving any to Akari?

Huh?

His eyes are so cold.

He's nothing like the Hartknights I remember

from the game.

It wasn't that.

I feel a bit under the weather, that's all.

I apologize for any trouble.

It's nothing. I am technically your fiancée.

Technically...

So, the graduation party tomorrow.

I have business to attend to.

Sorry, but I won't have time to be your escort there.

That's all right. I understand.

Is there anything more humiliating than showing up

to a party without your fiancée?

Sadly, I knew exactly how the rest of this story plays out.

Any fan of Lapis Lazuli would.

The main route in the game is to win the affection

of the handsome crown prince Hartknights.

The heroine uses her powerful magic,

the Holy Prayer, to enroll at the academy.

That's where she meets the prince.

He's the most popular student, obviously,

and he quickly falls head over heels for the heroine.

He smiles warmly at her,

whispers sweetly in her ear.

And it all culminates in a beautiful wedding

at the cathedral for the final scene.

But that's not my story.

I'm not the heroine.

I'm the villainess.

Know your place! You're only a lowly commoner!

Tiararose is a classic villainess.

She's horribly cruel to the heroine

because she's terrified of losing the prince.

She's publicly condemned at the graduation party

for her actions, and the engagement's called off.

How infuriating!

I've never done anything so mean, though.

It would be nice if I could avoid the condemnation event.

But the game ends tomorrow.

It's unavoidable at this point.

My fate is set in stone.

I can't remember what happens

to Tiararose after the graduation party.

I do know this much.

Villainesses don't get to run off with their true loves.

There are no happy endings for them.

Good evening, my Lady. How was your journey?

Fine, Philine. Thank you.

The investiture of the Lapis name is a rare

and distinguished honor, one granted only to those

who perform great deeds for the royal family.

Welcome home, Tiararose.

Hello, sweetheart.

Well, this is a lovely surprise.

What's the occasion? You're rarely waiting for me like this.

We found a gorgeous necklace

that's perfect for your wedding day.

I've been simply dying to show it to you all afternoon.

We also picked up some of the sweets you like.

Hope you're hungry.

Enjoy them while you can.

Once the training begins...

Now dear, it's too soon to start crying.

I can't help it.

I'll miss our girl, though her happiness will

always come first, of course.

Given my status as the daughter of the marquis

bearing the Lapis name, I've been preparing to become

queen since I was young.

Being engaged to the crown prince requires rigorous study

of a variety of subjects.

If you believe your husband is heading down

the wrong path, it's up to you to correct him.

Wise words from my father, the prime minister.

I won't pretend it's always been easy,

but I've only ever acted out of love for the prince.

Although, it now seems he was oblivious to that fact.

I was in love with his character from the game, too.

Maybe I'll skip the graduation party.

Why put myself through that?

No, that won't work.

My absence would be conspicuous and would

reflect poorly on my father.

The last thing I want to do is make things any worse

for my dear parents.

The prince's change of heart is baked into the game's story.

And I can't escape my role either.

I'm the villainess, ike it or not.

Only the heroine has a happy ending in store for her.

I have no idea what my future holds.

What's going to happen to me?

Tiararose.

If I could change our fates, I would.

THE VILLAINESS IS ADORED BY THE PRINCE OF THE NEIGHBOR KINGDOM

THE DAY OF THE CONDEMNATION EVENT

Who does Lady Akari think she is?

Her behavior is unacceptable.

It's simply too much.

How dare she drape herself all over the crown prince

Hartknights? She's well aware you're his fiancée.

We just want you to know that we'll always

be on your side, no matter what may happen.

Thank you, both of you. That means a great deal to me.

The party, otherwise known as my condemnation event,

is about to start.

I've tried steeling myself, but I'm still frightened.

Lady Tiararose.

I was thinking I could contact the marquis if you wish me to.

Perhaps he could escort you into the party.

No, that's all right, but thank you.

Father already has enough responsibilities.

I couldn't trouble him like that.

If you're sure.

Although, knowing him, he's bound to be upset by the sight

of me showing up to the party without an escort.

He'll likely go mad with rage.

That's true. Although, my main concern is you, my Lady.