Bai Yueru had never doubted herself before.

She was the heroine. The soft, delicate flower meant to be protected, loved, and cherished.

Men adored her. Women envied her. Even Xia Zhiwei, the so-called villainess, had once humiliated herself time and time again, trying to compete for His Highness’s attention—only to be crushed under Bai Yueru’s innate charm.

But today… today was different.

Xia Zhiwei’s words from earlier echoed in her mind.

“I don’t want him anymore.”

Bai Yueru’s grip on her silk handkerchief tightened as she walked through the academy’s garden, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Lies.

It had to be lies.

Xia Zhiwei had always been obsessed with His Highness. There was no way she would suddenly let him go so easily.

And yet…

Why did she look so confident? Why did she look so… completely uninterested?

A shadow fell over her.

Bai Yueru looked up—only to see Su Mingyuan, one of the academy’s most promising young nobles. A man who had once trailed after her, seeking her favor.

She gave him a practiced, sweet smile. “Young Master Su, what a surprise.”

Su Mingyuan’s expression remained unreadable as he studied her. “Lady Bai.”

There was something strange in his tone. Something unfamiliar.

Bai Yueru tilted her head. “Is something wrong?”

Su Mingyuan hesitated. Then, he spoke.

“I heard you had tea with Lady Xia today.”

Bai Yueru stiffened, but she kept her expression warm. “Oh? It was just a casual conversation between friends.”

Su Mingyuan let out a soft hum. “I see. I was only curious… because lately, it seems that Lady Xia has been quite popular.”

Bai Yueru’s fingers clenched beneath her sleeves.

Popular?

Since when?

Wasn’t she the only one who should be gaining admiration?

Before Bai Yueru could reply, another voice cut in.

“Oh? What a coincidence.”

The cool, teasing voice sent a sharp jolt down Bai Yueru’s spine.

She turned—and there stood Xia Zhiwei.

Dressed in an elegant lavender robe, her dark hair half-pinned with delicate pearls, she looked completely at ease as she strolled into the garden.

Bai Yueru forced a smile. “Zhiwei.”

Xia Wei’s lips curled up as she stopped beside Su Mingyuan, glancing at him with a playful gaze.

“Young Master Su, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were just talking about me.”

Su Mingyuan, to Bai Yueru’s absolute horror, actually chuckled.

“Perhaps I was.”

Bai Yueru’s chest tightened.

Since when… since when did Su Mingyuan laugh in Xia Zhiwei’s presence?

Before, he had always looked at Xia Zhiwei with thinly veiled disdain. Like everyone else.

But now?

There was a spark of amusement in his gaze. A flicker of interest.

Xia Wei turned back to Bai Yueru, resting a delicate hand against her chin. “Oh dear, Bai Yueru. You seem… uncomfortable. Is something the matter?”

Bai Yueru’s nails dug into her palms.

She’s doing this on purpose.

And worst of all? It was working.

—

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace

Li Xuan was irritated.

No, scratch that—he was furious.

She doesn’t want me anymore?

The words repeated over and over in his mind, burning like an ember that refused to die out.

He had expected Xia Zhiwei to act desperate. To cling to him, beg for his favor, just like she always had.

But last night?

She had dismissed him. Looked him in the eyes and made it clear that she had no interest in him anymore.

And the worst part?

He believed her.

His grip on the scroll in his hands tightened until the paper nearly tore.

Li Jing, who had been lounging lazily across from him, let out a low whistle. “Ah. You look like you’re about to kill someone.”

Li Xuan shot him a sharp glare. “Silence.”

Li Jing, ever the annoying younger brother, only smirked. “Let me guess. You’ve been thinking about Lady Xia all day, haven’t you?”

Li Xuan didn’t respond.

Li Jing’s smirk widened.

“Poor gege,” he teased. “You’re losing your little admirer.”

A dangerous silence filled the room.

Then—

Crash!

The scroll in Li Xuan’s hand snapped in half.

Li Jing blinked, impressed. “Oh my. That was a very expensive scroll, you know.”

Li Xuan stood abruptly, his robes billowing with the sudden movement.

“I need to go.”

Li Jing barely held back a chuckle. “To do what, exactly?”

Li Xuan’s expression was unreadable.

Then—

“…To see for myself.”

—

Back at the Academy: A Brewing Storm

Bai Yueru was losing control.

She could feel it.

For the first time since she transmigrated into this world, she felt uncertain.

Xia Zhiwei was supposed to be a joke. A pathetic, desperate villainess.

But now…

She was too calm. Too clever. Too dangerous.

Bai Yueru forced a polite laugh, stepping closer to Xia Wei. “Zhiwei, I must say, you’ve truly changed.”

Xia Wei tilted her head. “Oh? Is that a compliment?”

Bai Yueru’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. It’s… admirable.”

Xia Wei leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only Bai Yueru could hear.

“Good. You’d better get used to it.”

Bai Yueru’s breath caught.

And just as she was about to respond—

A sharp presence filled the air.

The servants nearby immediately bowed low as a deep, commanding voice rang out—

“Lady Xia.”

Bai Yueru turned, her heart stopping.

Because standing at the garden’s entrance, dressed in his black and gold imperial robes, was none other than—

Li Xuan.

The Crown Prince himself.

And his gaze was locked onto Xia Wei like a predator that had just found its prey.

—

End of Chapter 6

(Small theater)

Xia Wei: Step four: Disrupt the Crown Prince’s emotions. ✅ Li Xuan: What is this feeling? Bai Yueru: Why do I feel like I’m no longer the protagonist???

Sky~