I end up blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Yikes. So much for my flawless performance. Well, can you blame me? I really do want to learn the sword. And even villainesses should be allowed to let loose and jump for joy once in a while!

Albert’s eyes crinkle. “Yes, I mean it,” he says sweetly, patting my head. And even though his head pats made my stomach churn earlier, this time, I’m finding them rather enjoyable. Overcome with emotion, I fling my arms around him.

“Thank you! Ooh, Albert, I love you!”

“Albert, you’re grinning like an idiot.”

“Maybe he’s embarrassed.”

“Aw, Al, what a lucky guy.”

Oh my, Albert, do you really have such a foolish look on your face? I would love to see that.

But by the time I look up, he’s already replaced it with his sweet, big-brother smile. What a killjoy.

Oh! That’s right—I have to get to the library! Have to do my dailies.

“Well, dear brothers, I shall see you later, then. Good day, gentlemen!”

And with that, I leave the dazed and confused boys in the dust and hurry out of the garden.

Alicia, Eldest Daugher of the Williams Family—Age Eight

After a year of Albert’s rigorous training, I’ve gotten better at swinging a sword. Yes, you read that correctly—swinging only. He told me I needed to be able to hold a sword for hours on end, so I spent the whole year building the strength to do just that.

My brothers had assumed I’d get sick of it before the year was out. And I did get bored halfway through. I mean, all I got to do was practice swinging a heavy sword around every day. Of course, I can tough it out, since I have the goal of becoming the world’s greatest villainess, but without that, I probably would have quit ages ago.

The truth is, I was so bitter about the countless hours spent holding a heavy sword that I’d sneak out into the garden every evening for some solo practice (but that’s our little secret). Not only am I competitive, but I’ve also got guts. However, a villainess worthy of going down in history surely wouldn’t be satisfied with that. I still have so much work to do.

I’ve read four thousand books in the past year. I don’t know how many books a normal person can go through in the same amount of time, but I reckon it won’t be more than me.

And yet, despite everything, I have yet to lay my hands on a single dark magic grimoire. I keep looking, but I can’t find any. I’m starting to doubt whether that library has any books on magic.

Also, since I began my sword training and got into the habit of disappearing for ten hours at a time, some strange rumors started to circulate about me. But I couldn’t care less. My mother was merely surprised. Father was the one who got so terribly worried that he almost called for a doctor. Of course, I nipped that idea in the bud.

There was one other thing of note that transpired. After that fateful day, the gaggle of love interests started showing up at the mansion more frequently. When I asked Henri why, he told me they were there to watch me. What am I, a show pony? I’m taking my training seriously. I do wish they wouldn’t use me for their personal entertainment.

Then again, as She Who Is Destined to Be a Villainess, I need to remain calm and composed, even in the face of such trying circumstances, so I do my best to ignore them and focus on my training. But Prince Duke tends to stare especially hard at me when I practice, and I feel like it’s not good for my heart. I wish he would just chat with his friends instead.

Whenever our eyes meet, he’s always watching me with such tenderness in his gaze. I don’t care who you are: One look from those eyes, and you’ll fall hard and fast.

But I won’t.

Because I know that Duke falls in love with the heroine.

Albert, Eldest Son of the Williams Family—Age Thirteen

My little sister, Alicia—the girl we regrettably brought up to be selfish and stubborn—was initially beyond my help. My younger twin brothers and I were all so excited for our first sister, and we spoiled her to bits. Perhaps that was a bad thing, because Alicia grew up believing she was the center of the universe.

But then, one day, she suddenly expressed a desire to learn the way of the sword. To be honest, that really irritated me. I assumed it was her usual selfishness and that she just wanted to hang around me or the twins. I didn’t want her to make a mockery of all the training I’d dedicated myself to, and I was sure Henri and Alan felt the same way. So I gave my selfish sister an impossible task. No seven-year-old girl could possibly do a hundred sit-ups and fifty push-ups every day for a week, I thought.

But when I gave her those conditions, Alicia got angry. She glared at me, not with her usual stubbornness, but rather with a cool dignity.

I had never seen that expression on Alicia before. For a minute there, I couldn’t believe my own eyes. And as the sun reflected off Alicia’s glittering golden eyes, I found myself captivated.

So I’ve accepted that she was indeed being serious, but I still didn’t think she would last a week. Based on her past behavior, I was sure it was impossible for her.

But the moment Alicia took my sword from my sheath, I felt a chill run down my spine. Alicia had easily drawn a sword that a little girl shouldn’t even be able to lift.

Then she kicked the apple tree and split an apple in two. If I’m being perfectly honest, I’m not sure I could accomplish such a feat. For starters, you’d have to accurately predict exactly where the apple would be. More importantly, you’d need quite a bit of strength and speed.

That’s not something you could pull off by pure luck.

But what surprised me most of all is how Duke started coming here almost every day to observe Alicia. The prince, famous for his cold stare, isn’t known to take an interest in others, let alone girls. Nor is he known to stare with such a gentle gaze, not even at us, his regular companions.

Then, today, the topic of Alicia and where she runs off to after sword practice every day came up in conversation, along with the suggestion that we should try to find out. Duke doesn’t seem all that interested, but he winds up coming with us anyway. According to the maids, Alicia has been sneaking off to the library. I can’t believe my ears. It’s unbelievable that Alicia, of all people, reads books. So we decide to follow her to see if the rumors are true.

Alan’s and Henri’s jaws drop once they spot her. Alicia has always hated learning. But here we are, watching her read.

What’s even more shocking is how quickly she’s turning the pages. The moment Alicia slams the cover shut, I glance at the clock. It took less than ten minutes for her to finish that volume. Everyone is flabbergasted, even Duke, whose eyes are as wide as saucers.

“This can’t be real…,” Gale whispers under his breath.

Alice then reaches for the next book and begins to read. Surely, none of the words are going into her brain is my first thought. But upon closer inspection, I notice her eyes are moving abnormally fast.

And just like that, she loses herself in books for another full ten hours.

After she leaves, we count the number of volumes she read and find ourselves speechless.

“A hundred books in ten hours…”

“She’s a genius,” Gale murmurs.

Everyone else nods. We all can see what Alicia can’t: She is a genius.

After that, we return to my room to discuss Alicia’s behavior. Suddenly, we hear the sound of something cutting through the wind outside. We peer down at the garden from the second-floor balcony and, to our astonishment, spot a little girl with sweat on her brow, swinging the sword over and over. Her hair, darker than the night, catches in the breeze. Her golden eyes reflect the mystical moonlight. And we all just stare at Alicia, spellbound.

“She’s beautiful…”

For a second, I think I’ve misheard him. Duke has never used the word beautiful to describe another person before. That alone is more than enough evidence to suggest that Duke has feelings for Alicia.

It’s likely thanks to these solo training sessions that Alicia is now able to hold a sword on her own for an entire day without any difficulty, after just a year of training.

Nothing surprises me anymore. Even with training, most boys would find it difficult to carry a sword for an entire day, especially with only a year’s practice. Swords are not designed with an eight-year-old’s physique in mind. No matter how developed they are.

What changed in Alicia? And what is this new version of her trying to accomplish?

Alicia, Eldest Daugher of the Williams Family—Age Eight

“Alicia, I’m about to visit the Smith family. Would you like to come along? Henri and Al will be coming, too.” Alan approaches me in the garden one day as I’m practicing my swings.

The Smiths are Finn’s family, and they’re users of light magic. Of course I’d like to go!

“I’d love to! I’ll get ready.”

I hurry to my room and change into one of my best dresses. Rozetta used to help me dress and undress before, but ever since memories of my past life have returned, I’ve gotten into the habit of dressing myself.

Before I regained those memories, I preferred flashy dresses. I prefer simpler things now. Personally, I think it’s even more impressive. How many eight-year-olds do you know who can pull off simple dresses?

Alicia has such a pretty face that she looks good in anything. So I choose a bright yellow chiffon dress and pair it with a matching set of earrings. My hair isn’t quite long enough to do up, so I guess I’ll just leave it down.

In the game, Alicia was rather proud of her straight, silky black hair. And, well, I don’t blame her. Her hair really is silky smooth. As I tuck my hair behind my right ear, it somehow dawns on me that I don’t look like I’m only eight years old. I look much more mature. The spitting image of a villainess.

I get lost in my own reflection. Just by my clothes alone, it’s amazing how badass I look. I think I’ll take extra care in my own appearance from now on.

“Aliiicia?”

Alan calls for me, and I hurry to the front entrance.