---

🖤 The Villainess Just Wants to Sleep

Chapter 16: The Score That Broke the Silence

> “You can train to smile. You cannot train the world to love it.”

— Kaelaira

---

The Academy’s Grand Hall was filled with murmurs and tension.

Stacks of sealed scrolls lay on the marble table — results of the Royal Autumn Examinations. The most critical academic event of the year. The only time the royal children and noble heirs were judged by merit alone.

Professor Oriven opened the first scroll with ceremony.

He cleared his throat.

> “Highest score: Kaelaira of House—” he paused, then added stiffly, “—acknowledged daughter of His Majesty.”

A gasp rippled through the students.

Silence followed.

Then—

> “Second place: Crown Prince Laerion.”

A heavier silence.

The Crown Prince’s jaw tensed.

Kaelaira rose from her seat, bowed politely, and returned to the shadows of the room.

No celebration. No smile.

---

Later, as the hall emptied, Kaelaira walked alone toward the courtyard — scroll in hand, expression unreadable.

Footsteps echoed behind her.

She turned—too late.

> SLAP.

His hand struck her cheek, hard enough to stagger her against the pillar.

The world froze.

Only the rustling of paper filled the silence.

She slowly lifted her head.

> “Your Highness,” she said softly, “was my score a crime?”

Crown Prince Laerion stood trembling — not from rage, but from the shock of what he had just done.

His voice cracked.

> “I— You… You humiliated me. In front of the court. In front of her.”

Kaelaira’s cheek was red, swelling faintly. But her eyes were calm.

She gave him a bow — deeper than needed. Graceful. Painful.

> “Then I was wrong, Your Highness.

A noble girl must never cast shadows where a prince must stand.

Forgive me for existing in your light.”

---

The words struck harder than any blade.

Laerion froze.

“I—wait—Kaelaira…”

She turned and walked past him, eyes forward, leaving silence in her wake.

He reached for her, guilt flooding his face.

> “I’m sorry.”

She stopped. Looked over her shoulder with her practiced, hollow smile.

> “Royal wrath is truth. My pain is… irrelevant.”

Then she left.

---

In the shadows of the upper balcony, unseen by all, Empress Almyra watched.

She said nothing.

But her fingers tightened around her tea cup.

> “He lost control. She didn’t.

This kingdom… may not survive her silence.”

---

That night, Kaelaira pressed ice to her cheek in the mirror.

And whispered,

> “A perfect score… a perfect bruise…

All lessons. All reminders.

To never forget my place… until I erase it.”

---

End of Chapter 16

---