17: who's the real heroine now?

It took me a considerable amount of time to calm everyone down. Eventually, Queen Michele Alainette and the King arrive, accompanied by Princess Vanessa and Prince Charles—the one who kills me in my second chance. I kept a low profile, trying not to draw attention to myself, especially with Princess Vanessa present. Though I don't know much about her, I remember that she has an unsettling reputation as a hardcore yandere.

Her gaze was intense, leaving me puzzled. Is she genuinely interested in me, or am I overthinking it? Either way, the tension is palpable. After the ball, I am utterly exhausted—not from the event itself, but from Vivienne's relentless chatter. She makes sure I know every detail about her new guy, Leonard Calvados, the third male lead.

It isn't entirely surprising to hear about him, especially after meeting Aoi so soon. Vivienne's description of Leonard is both revealing and irritating. She proposes to him at the party after their dance, and from what she tells me, she flirts with him extensively. To make matters worse, she tries to use the same flirtatious tactics on me, showcasing her new relationship with Leonard as if to brag.

What troubles me is the uncertainty of Leonard's commitment to her. As the events unfold, it becomes increasingly confusing. Christina hasn't shown up, possibly because I manage to fend off the assassins on my own. This means she is acting like an NPC, just like Vivi and Cassey. This is concerning since these are the only female characters available for selection.

If all of them are behaving like NPCs, then who is playing the heroine? It is clear that the real heroine is adept at playing her cards and understands the game dynamics. I can't afford to let my guard down. Whoever is playing the heroine seems to be manipulating things from behind the scenes, and I am determined not to let her cause any harm to Vivi or Cassey—or anyone I care about