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Everywhere I go, students sharp gazes follow me warily.

Unlike before, I dont hear anyone badmouthing me though. They must be afraid that Ill hit them if I overhear. But that doesnt stop them from staring at me with eyes full of scorn and contempt. Its like theyre trying to burn holes through me with the power of their gazes alone.

Personally, I feel like the eye patch perfectly personifies my villainous nature and makes me look quite cool and debonair. But something tells me that public opinion doesnt see it the way I do. Some of the students I pass cant take their eyes off of my new accessory, and their gazes are hardly admiring or cowering before my devilish fashion sense.

Are we really going in? Gilles asks as we stand in front of the entrance to the dining hall. Although his expression is mostly calm, it looks cramped and strained.

I think my face likely has a similar look on it. Theres more people in this one room than weve encountered walking across the entire campus. I was able to make it this far by just confidently walking past everyone, but will I really be able to make it through all these additional people without incident?

The dining hall is completely filled with the loud chatter of hundreds of students. Imaging all of their eyes turning to me is a bit daunting. But also exciting at the same time. If something big were to happen in front of all these people, then my notoriety will just spread that much more. This is my perfect stage!

Of course. Lets go, I say eagerly.

Gilles gives a strong nod of his head in reply. His face looks as if hes resolving himself to head into battle.

The moment we walk into the room, the boisterous chattering dies down and all eyes turn to us. Hmm, I wasnt expecting the dining hall to fall so deathly just from Gilles and I walking in.

I slowly stride through the room, and the students who had just been standing around talking open a wide path for me to walk through.

..Cool. I feel like a queen walking through a crowd of her subjects. It feels quite satisfying, but I dont let the excitement show on my face. I content myself with whooping a little on the inside and thats it.

As I pass, I notice there are two types of gazes directed at us: eyes filled with pure surprise, and eyes filled with censure. For so many people that Ive never interacted with before to look at me so keenly, I really am amazing, arent I?

They could have continued what they were doing previously for all I care, but no one does. Everyone stays silent and not one person seems to be eating.

.As a villainess, I dont mind a bit of attention, but when it becomes this much. It actually feels a little embarrassing.

Theyre treating me like Im famous, I whisper, keeping my voice low so that only Gilles can hear me.

At that, Gilles heaves a tiny sigh.

Not like youre famous. You are famous, Gilles says back, likewise keeping his voice low.

What did I become famous for I wonder?

Who knows?

Ah~ It would be great if it was for being a villain.

..I think that probably is what youre famous for, Gilles replies, grimacing.

He always says such surprising things. Even though hes definitely younger than me, hes so insightful.

Over there. Isnt that Duke? Gilles asks, tugging lightly on my skirt.

I slowly look in the direction that Gilles is pointing in.

.The second floor?

Mel said hed be on the terrace, but isnt that just the second floor of the dining hall?

Maybe he chooses where to take his meals based on his mood? Or maybe that is the terrace. Of course these nobles would have to give it such an elitist-sounding name.

Speaking of which, its kind of crazy that the dining hall is actually big enough to have a second a floor.

And its clearly extravagantly decked out as well. Even from here I can see a huge, decadent couch up there, a gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling above, and I can hear the faint sound of elegant orchestral music playing. With that amount of splendor, it seems that only the chosen few would be allowed entry to the second floor.

In comparison to the lavishness above, the first floor looks almost shabby. It seems that even amongst nobles, theres a huge difference in treatment.

Though, in a world like this where status is everything, I guess thats only to be expected. Though, what I do find rather odd is that theres a person who likes to deny such rank-based disparity mixing in with the chosen few up there. I wonder if youd use the term peerless beauty to describe a girl like her.

Now that I look more carefully, I see theres also quite a line up of other familiar faces. Although everyone looks so much more mature now than they did two years ago.

.And the way they look at me seems to have changed quite a lot as well. Normally, blood-related brothers wouldnt glare like this at their only precious little sister. Though, rather than glaring at me in anger, their eyes seem more surprised than anything else. Which makes sense considering I came back wearing an eye patch after quite a long absence.

Duke-Sama also looks fairly surprised, though for a different reason. He probably never thought Id show up in the dining hall like this.

Straightening my back, I slowly start climbing the stairs to the second floor.

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T/N: So, I knew the last chapter ended on a little cliff, so I was thinking that it was great that I was going to put up another chapter soon after! But it turns out this chapter didnt have the meeting between her and Duke like I had initially been expecting Sorry about that lol. AND, some more badish news, the is pretty long, so Im not sure if Ill be able to get it up tomorrow. But I hope you enjoyed the little binge anyway!

Also, since we just got introduced to some new characters, I thought it would be fun to have another poll! This time Im curious about who your favorite characters are~!