"I-I have to... go to the courtyard."
The "Villainess," Angelina, was different from the one in "The Night that Dawns When Flowers Bloom."
She had witnessed her behaving like a couple with a man Merc didn't know.
(Could Angelina also be a reincarnator?)
If so, perhaps this world was unfolding in a different direction from the game.
Although she had expected it, actually encountering it dealt Merc quite a bit of shock.
In the otome game Merc knew, "The Night that Dawns When Flowers Bloom," the game began on the day of the entrance ceremony.
In the vast Royal Academy grounds, the heroine, Merc, who had just enrolled in the school and was still getting used to the place, got lost.
And while wandering, troubled, in the "courtyard," a man calls out to her.
The man she meets there is the game's main hero, Leonhardt.
So, first, she had to recreate that "event."
After all, Merc has been working hard all this time to be united with Leonhardt.
"... But, if Angelina is already engaged to another man..."
Assuming she had memories of a past life.
The most likely meaning behind her actions would be to "avoid ruin."
In other words, Angelina had avoided getting engaged to Leonhardt...?
"In that case, there shouldn't be a problem. At least not for now. I don't know what the future holds though."
Merc had been recalling her "past life memories" since she was a child.
It wasn't until she was taken in by the Schliegen house that she truly grasped what kind of world this was.
And from there, it wasn't long before the "game starts".
In order for Merc to recreate the otome game's scenarios, she first had to become a "scholarship student."
Merc had always been told she was clever, for a child, for a commoner.
But beyond that point, unless she studied properly, the result she wanted couldn't be obtained.
She needed to be evaluated as not merely "a bit above average," but as "exceptionally talented".
At present, Merc Schliegen could be said to have put in the proper effort.
"This is the place..."
The day of the entrance ceremony. She was taken aback when she had unexpectedly spotted Angelina before any of the heroes, and that had been different from the game.
But Merc's purpose remained unchanged.
That was to be united with the character she had loved since her past life: Leonhardt.
There would surely be things that changed because of Angelina's actions.
She wanted to think about that, too, but for today, she had to first complete this encounter event.
With that in mind, Merc had come to the courtyard. And then.
Merc met the real Leonhardt Beltsuri.
"Ah..."
"... 'You are?'"
Standing before her was a male student with golden hair, blue eyes, and finely sculpted features.
He wore a special uniform, lavishly decorated, different from the other students.
All of him sparkled... a real prince!
(It's Leonhardt. The real Leonhardt! Amazing... He has the same vibe as in the game, but he's so much more handsome...!)
Merc was so moved that she felt like dancing. But she had to stay calm and handle this properly.
She had to follow the "event" properly.
(Eh? This is early, though... Is that how it goes? I thought we'd meet after I wandered around a bit more... ah, is it because I, the heroine, came to the courtyard first?)
Merc, far from getting lost in the Academy, had come straight to the courtyard.
It was true that in "reality", this was her first time walking through the Academy.
But in her head she had a "map" of the vast Academy grounds.
Her memories from her past life included supplementary materials regarding the game's content, and Merc was well aware of them.
"U-um. Well... 'I... I got lost'...?"
When she delivered her "line," Leonhardt's eyes widened a touch in surprise at just that.
"... 'I see. This Academy is very large after all.'"
"!! Y-yes... 'That's right! And so I don't know where I am'...!"
"'You're a new student?'"
"'Yes! I'm a first-year who just started this year!'"
"'I see. Well then, I'll show you around the Academy.'"
"... 'Are you sure? I'd be so happy!'"
"'Haha. Then let's go together.'"
And then, Leonhardt extended a hand to Merc.
(Aah... Just like the "still." [1] So this world really is the world of that game.)
Merc took the prince's hand, and was led to the place new students were to head.
She had been able to pull off the first event without trouble.
Various pieces of information jumbled together inside her head.
Did she say the line properly?
Did it sound a little monotone? Maybe it didn't come across as natural.
Leonhardt also seemed a bit awkward.
Was that... because this was a game world? Or were they differences arising precisely because it is reality?
In any case, the "event" had taken place.
And Merc Schliegen, despite being a baron's daughter, had become acquainted with the Crown Prince on her very first day of school.
Looking at the real, flesh-and-blood Leonhardt, she reaffirmed her resolve.
I will definitely be with Leonhardt no matter what.
(The Leonhardt route is my only choice. So I'll complete all the events. But what scares me is...)
It was the "villainess" Angelina's movements.
If she were trying to avoid her ruin, she probably wouldn't take the lead in bullying Merc.
In that case, there was a chance that the events wouldn't unfold as planned.
(... But, even so, I can't stage a "false accusation" myself.)
Things like tearing up textbooks, lying about being bullied.
Merc bore in mind that those tactics never went well.
(If she's a "reincarnator" who wants to avoid her ruin, then maybe we can come to an understanding...?)
If both of them wished to avoid being "condemned" or getting their "just deserts".
And Merc had a "backstory" that other otome games didn't have.
It was that she was not merely a delicate baron's daughter heroine.
She was descended from the Alstroemeria royal family, and would, in time, be treated as royalty.
Once the "Magic of the Sacred Flower" manifested, no one in this nation would have grounds to object.
Even royals and nobles could no longer treat her dismissively.
Beyond merely carrying the bloodline, her mana offered firm proof of her royal lineage.
So, at the present stage, she could not afford to make any careless remarks towards a duke's daughter.
But if her "opponent" knew of Merc's origins...
And if she were a "modern person" who simply wanted to avoid her ruin?
She might accept Merc as a noble person, and even become an ally.
All the more so if she is already engaged to another man.
(But, I still don't have any proof... If Angelina were "just a duke's daughter," she should have the same nasty personality of a typical "villainess"... Even if she has past-life memories, there are also cases where a reincarnator has a nasty personality...)
She couldn't speak lightly about her "past life."
If anything, she didn't want to even hint at it.
Right now, Merc's social standing was still low. This was a time to be patient, and Leonhardt's affection level hadn't gone up yet.
From here on, she would have to plant flags steadily and earn his affection.
And the "route" wouldn't be determined until she was in her second year.
Getting together with Leonhardt in the summer of next year was what led to the "Good Ending".
(After that... it's the other capture targets, but...)
Carlos, Freed, Dennis, Niel, Shulk. The remaining five capture targets.
She wanted to keep their affection levels from rising too much.
But at the same time, there were things she had to be wary of, and things she couldn't just ignore.
(With Carlos... I want to grow somewhat friendly, and get information about Angelina from him.)
"Merc Schliegen" was still a baron's daughter. The means by which she could learn the movements of a duke's daughter were limited.
She was also curious about the stranger who had been by Angelina's side in the real world.
She had to find out who he was.
She wanted to know everything if possible, and make her decisions based on that.
(And I might want to solve everyone's feelings and problems... Because, if the "heroine" doesn't reach out, then everyone might remain stuck in their struggles.)
For instance, Freed was a character with a complex about his older brother and father.
If the heroine left him alone, he would grow up still burdened by his troubles.
That would be "pitiful," Merc thought.
(I should at least help him through that... Mn. This is something I should do, even if I were reincarnated as the "villainess.")
Maybe Angelina had already helped the capture targets through their emotional issues.
And, while raising their affection levels, made them wary of the "heroine".
She would need to be careful around the other capture targets.
If they were dangerous, she could simply stop approaching them.
In that case, surely, Angelina had already resolved their emotional issues.
If she had, then that was fine, Merc thought. Of course, she would remain on guard.
But, if Angelina had abandoned them.
Then surely she, as the "heroine," would have to save them.
If she didn't, they might be heading towards bleak futures.
(... Mn. Setting aside the flags and the captures. That won't do. Leonhardt is first, but I love "everyone" too... Precisely because I know the original work, I can't just ignore them...!)
Many "events" will likely occur from here on out. She also needed to investigate Angelina's movements.
With that in mind, Merc had resolved to fulfill her purpose.
Her goal was to have a happy ending with Leonhardt, and do what she needed to do.
"Mn. I'll... aim for an ending where 'everyone' is happy...!"
If Angelina didn't bully her after all, then there would be no need to condemn her.
If she were a decent reincarnator, then they might be able to resolve things through talking.
But, for now, she couldn't yet trust her.
What was she scheming? Was the "personality" driving her one that could truly be trusted?
Would she still, like in the game, do harm to Merc? That, she didn't yet know.
And so, Merc Schliegen's "game" had begun.