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🖤 The Villainess Just Wants to Sleep

Chapter 20: The Speech That Wasn’t Meant to Echo

> “The sharpest revolt is the one no one can punish —

because it came dressed in courtesy.”

— Lord Therin, Royal Historian

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The Crystal Hall glowed with gold and candlelight. Draped in banners of blue and crimson, the Academy’s yearly Honors Banquet welcomed nobles, ministers, foreign envoys — and the full royal family.

Kaelaira stood at the center of the stage, a pale figure in deep violet silk. Her hair was pinned high, not a strand out of place. Her posture: faultless. Her expression: unreadable.

Crown Prince Laerion sat at the high table, jaw tight.

Princess Elara smirked from her golden seat.

Queen Seraphine raised her wine glass without a glance toward her.

And Empress Almyra, silent as ever, leaned her cheek to her knuckles — eyes narrow with curiosity.

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The headmaster announced her name with pride.

> “Highest rank across all disciplines. Sword. History. Politics. Language. Etiquette.

Lady Kaelaira of the imperial household.”

A soft wave of polite applause.

Kaelaira stepped to the marble dais. Her voice, when it came, was calm. Clear. Cold as moonlight.

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> “Your Majesties. Nobles of the realm.

I thank you for this… recognition.”

> “I was taught, as all noble daughters are, that perfection is expected — not praised.

That to be seen is dangerous. That to be heard is worse.

That ambition is a sin if worn by the wrong blood.”

A hush spread.

> “But I wonder…

If brilliance must kneel.

If blood must bind potential.

Then tell me — what kingdom are we building?

One of statues? Or of strength?”

Eyes widened.

> “I am no rightful heir. I was never meant to succeed.

And yet — here I stand.

Not because I was chosen.

But because I chose not to vanish.”

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Gasps fluttered through the crowd. Nobles leaned in. Ministers exchanged looks.

Kaelaira continued.

> “Perhaps it is time we stop asking, ‘Whose daughter is she?’

And begin asking, ‘What has she done for this empire?’

If we want a future ruled by greatness — not just names —

then let us listen to the voices we tried to silence.”

She bowed deeply.

> “May the Empire be ruled not by lineage,

but by worth.”

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For one breathless moment — silence.

And then—

> A noble stood.

> Then another.

> Then all of them.

A full standing ovation erupted across the hall. Applause thundered against the pillars. Even foreign dignitaries clapped, eyes gleaming with admiration.

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The Empress did not move.

The Queen’s hand clenched around her goblet, knuckles white.

Elara’s smirk had vanished.

And Laerion… sat frozen.

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Later that night, in a private corridor, the Queen hissed to the Empress:

> “She’s becoming an icon.”

The Empress’s fan snapped open, hiding her face.

> “No… she’s becoming an idea.

And those are much harder to kill.”

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Kaelaira stood alone at the balcony, watching stars above the palace.

Lysa approached quietly.

> “That was… dangerous,” she whispered.

Kaelaira didn’t look back.

> “Then let them sharpen their blades.”

She smiled — not from pride.

From promise.

> “I’m ready.”

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End of Chapter 20

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