She had been standing in front of that door for almost a minute now.

Other students had starting to call her a saintess, the Eve of that generation, but all that praise was meaningless to the one who had summoned her. At the other side of the door, inside of the student council’s room, was waiting Prince Julius himself.

She took a deep breath and mustered all the courage she had in her body to knock.

—Come in —his voice was stern and imposing, making her want to actually do the opposite.

—Excuse me —she said as she entered the room.

She bowed her head and kept her gaze directed at the floor, in part as a sign of respect, but also due to the intense fear she was feeling. Even so, she was also curious; she had only seen him from a distance, so she couldn’t avoid throwing a quick glance towards the prince. His hair was distinctively silver, she has never seen anyone like that, though she had heard that his mother also had it. His green pupils seemed to look deep into her soul, but his general expression showed that he was hardly interested in her presence. He was very attractive looking, but he was also too pale, and the dark circles around his eyes indicated that he didn’t sleep enough. As always, there was a raven sitting on his shoulder, who was rumored to be his familiar or a spirit that has taught him dark magic.

—You have been accused of stealing a jewel from Violett Dragonroot.

—Yes. I did take it —she admitted.

—You aren’t going to deny it? Stealing other student’s property can be punished with expulsion.

—I knew what was at risk when I did it.

He opened a folder with several pages, spreading them over the table between them.

—I have reports of other students and teachers; you used the jewel and your holy magic to heal those that were infected by the phantom plague. Shouldn’t you use that as leverage to lesser your punishment, or even to demand a reward?

—I didn’t help them expecting a reward, and I will not avoid punishment for any crimes I committed.

His expression changed a bit at that moment, it was almost unnoticeable, but the heroine thought she saw him smiling.

—You are quite the saintess, just as the rumors say —he spoke, almost in a mocking tone—, your opinion aside, I can’t ignore your good deeds, so I’ll lower your punishment. You will help the student council with administrative work after school’s hours. However, there is a condition for this great deal…

—A condition?

—Yes. You’ll have to help me in a personal project, and not tell anyone about it.

—Which is?

—To destroy my fiancée, Violett Dragonroot, before she destroys this nation.

—Ugggghhh, isn’t this too much? —I remember saying after reading that scene for the first time, in a moment that felt so long ago.

Prince Julius was the hardest love interest to capture in Promises of an Enchanted Heart. Not only would anybody trying to complete his route have to face against Violett, which was a pretty difficult task on its own right, but the prince was cold hearted, arrogant, and short tempered. The other love interests would at least take an interest on the protagonist when they first met her. But Julius only saw her as a pawn because she could use holy magic, which rivaled Violett’s power.

Even at the end, when he had “fallen” for the heroine, his affection couldn’t go higher than 70%, while the rest capped at 100%. For all of this, I was really worried about how the relationship between Violett and Julius would develop. Their relationship was strained before they even started going to the academy together; their marriage was just something political, and Julius only tolerated her outburst and demands because he didn’t want to have her as an enemy.

—It’s too early —I thought, trying to convince myself.

Violett and Julius were just babies, and just like how I was intending on raising her to not become a Villainess, I knew I could help Julius as well. If I was optimistic, I could think I had already given a huge step by making Erzi fire the former caretaker of Gaius, and convince her to involve herself more into their raising. Maybe his nasty personality was due to being raised by that person, and without any of her inputs, he would become more sociable. Still, I couldn’t take it for granted. I would need to watch over him as he grew up with utmost care.

At that moment, both babies were playing over a carpet we had laid in the grass. They were close enough to the gazebo, and had enough maids keeping a closer eye on them. Violett was actually quite proactive, “talking” to him a lot, and showing him her favorite toys. I was actually shocked to see her letting him grab a unicorn plushie that I had made for her. She always got mad when someone else touched it. I must have been smiling like an idiot.

The older prince, by the way, was more interested on exploring the place, roaming the inside and outside of the mansion, as well as the greenhouse, followed by his own personal maid, as well as a couple of guards. Every so often he would come back and tell us about what he had found.

—Auntie! Mommy! The lady at the kitchen gave me bread! —he said while jumping in front of us, with a half bitten cinnamon roll on his hand.

—Did you say thank you?

The kid nodded and took another bite of it, before rushing away once more, followed by his caretakers. I was also interested in watching Gaius growing up, to see what kind of person he will become. But unlike with his brother, I didn’t had to worry about his relationship with Violett.

After a while, I asked Erzi to follow me to the greenhouse, under the pretense of showing her some of the flowers and plants that I had been growing up. Eve, who had been lying on my lap all this time, apparently sleeping, jump up to her feet and climbed until she got to my shoulder. I stood up, helping me with the cane, and guided Erzi. I sent a kiss flying towards Violett when we passed near them, but she turned away. When we got to the greenhouse, the queen instructed her guards to wait outside.

—Did you wanted to tell me a secret? —she said with a mischievous smile. She was as good reading me as always.

—Something like that. Do you know who fended off the people that would have… kidnapped Violett?

The queen stood in silent for a moment, looking at me inquisitively.

—The reports claim that it was your new body guard. But she hadn’t arrived here yet, right? The doctor also acted suspicious when I asked about it. So… it must have been you, right?

I nodded.

—I do not know how I did it; I really don’t remember anything about it. The doctor found me, with these coming from my forehead —I showed her the drawer where I kept them hidden, alongside with the Ygdrassil seed that I had found almost a year ago.

—So you are really a dragon —she said, analyzing the horn with great attention.

—You knew about it?

—Well, it is one of the benefits of being a royal, our private library has records that help us identify which myths have a grain of truth of them. Your family was said to have started with Lilith, the mother of all dragons —she paused, and looked deep in thought— Lilith, of course. How could I have not made the connection?

—What are you talking about?

—The kidnappers seem to have been involved with “the church of Lilith”, a religion that has been growing up lately. Only now I realize why they decided to go after Violett, she is the descendant of their deity. Well, minor deity, they still claim they are devotes of Enki, just pray through her. It’s one of the reasons we didn’t dismantled it immediately, the main church will raise a storm if we dare, thinking we’ll go after them. The other reason is that the culprits apparently were extremist among them, they acted on their own, or so do the leaders claim. We have increased the vigilance among them, and limited their funds. If they do anything weird, we’ll be able to catch them before they get any closer to you.

—Thank you —I said, but there was something else bothering me—, so, what do you think? About… me, being a dragon?

—Hmm? Oh, I don’t mind —she said, nonchalantly—, I always sort of suspected it, but at the end of the day, you are you, the one I have known for years.

I let out a sigh of relief.

—That bodyguard that the doctor got you is also a dragon, isn’t she?

—Uh? Yeah, how did you know?

—It is not the first time I have heard of her. Putting that aside, it might be better if we limit who knows about your ancestry —she added—, there are some people with some prejudice against the sons and daughters of Tiamat, and the last you need is more enemies. Some nobles try to claim they are descendants of someone famous, but I think it is better to just avoid risking it.

—I’ll try to keep it to myself —I said, laughing nervously.

We were about to leave the greenhouse, but there was still something else that I wanted to ask, but I thought it could sound a bit rude. After debating it for a while in my head, I decided to just blurt it out.

—Erzi, do you think you could take your guards back with you?

—Huh? That’s a bit unexpected. I would have imagined you would want more security. No, that’s just me projecting, you are probably are bothered by having too many people around you, aren’t you? —she said, a bit accusatorily.

—Y-yeah, I just can’t relax completely… and you said it yourself, even if that church had anything to do with the attempt to kidnap Violett, their resources have been cut off, and you are keeping an eye on them!

—I did say that, but still…

—E-even if something were to happen, I can defend myself, somehow… and Alyssa will be here too.

She didn’t seem too convinced.

—Mayhaps, the queen would be more convinced after a live demonstration —Alyssa said, entering to the greenhouse with a mischievous smile—, the last time we met, I was a brat, so it is completely understandable that her majesty would doubt my skills. Would that be fine?

What was the point of having a private conversation if there was someone rude enough to intrude into it without any grace?

—Huh? Are you really fine with putting your honor on the table? Do you think you can break through my barriers this time?

—Why don’t we find out?

I could feel the sparks coming out from where their glares collided. Somehow I managed to calm both of them, and we decided things would be resolved in a simple contest instead of a blown out fight. Erzi would use her special type of magic to create a strong barrier, and whether the soldiers would stay or go back with her would depend on if Alyssa manage to break through it.

To avoid damaging the mansion’s own barrier, we moved to the pier, which was outside of its range. Erzi then created a magic shield floating above the water a few meters away from us. Alyssa cracked her knuckles and did a few stretches. I was actually a bit excited, and nervous, since this would be the first time I got to actually see someone use her draconic powers.

Alyssa focused her glare on the objective and extended her hand towards it, with her back turned at us. I felt the pressure of the air changing, and electricity started to crackle around her. We were at a considerable distance, but I could feel my hair rising. Before I could really prepare myself for it, Alyssa shot a lightning towards the barrier, obliterating it instantly. Then she turned around, with a cocky smile on her face.

—Is that enough, your majesty?

—Hmm… I guess that’s fine, wouldn’t be fair if I had used a sturdier barrier —Erzi replied.

I… noticed the horns that had appeared on Alyssa’s head. They were different from mine, smaller, completely black, and curvier; coming from the side of her head rather than the front. They somewhat remind me of those of a sheep, an image that contrasted with their owner’s personality. Both Gaius and Julius had been a bit scared by the noise, but soon calmed down and the biggest one started to say it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. His mother seemed slightly miffed for that commentary. Violett, on the other hand, was looking at Alyssa with curiosity and interest. I was sure she would end up being able to use that sort of magic before I could. In the end, Erzi had to concede that we would be able to protect ourselves, and when it was time to go back to the capital, she took her soldiers back with her. Before they parted, however, one of them came to personally say goodbye to me.

—I just want to say it has been an honor working for you, even if it was for a short time —he said.

I was really taken by surprise, I just didn’t think I had done anything to deserve that kind of praise. He apparently recognized my confusion, and discretely raised the front plate of his helmet to let me see his face. Partially hidden by his jade hair, there was a stubby horn in the center of his forehead.

—A-are you also a dragon?

—No, nothing that important, but I’m also a descendant of Tiamat. Those idiots from that cult that tried to kidnap the young lady went too far, but you and she are still important to all of us.

I was still not sure what to make of what he was saying, but they had to go already, so he got into the yacht and I waved them goodbye. By that point it was getting pretty late, Violett had already fallen asleep, so Alyssa and I went back to the mansion, and had some tea at the living room while the dinner was being prepared.

—I thought you were going to fully transform into a dragon.

—It wasn’t necessary, I could have broken that barrier with my fist alone —she said, full of confidence—. And I tend to get too into the role too, last time I blanked out and woke up three days later in the middle of a forest.

I made a mental note to never ask her to teach me how to transform into one.

—So, you and Erzi met before? —I asked, trying to change the subject. Even for me, it has become apparent they didn’t quite get along.

—Oh, I never told you, right? You might not believe it, but I was also a noble lady once, in a country to the west, San-Aragon.

—Oh? You WERE? —I asked, having a bad feeling about how those words sounded.

—Yeah, I was actually the fiancée of the prince, so I met her in one of those diplomatic parties. But at that time I was a brat, so I tried to abuse of my position, as always. She was actually the only one that stood her ground against me. When I tried to use my magic she used her barriers, and then she knocked my lights out! —she said, laughing at the expense of her younger self.

—So, what happened? —I dared to ask, I could more or less already imagine it.

—A girl from the country side won over the heart of the prince, I got jealous and attacked her, but instead of just ignoring me like before, he defended her. I ended up being exiled, and had to become an adventurer to survive.

I KNEW IT. Is this world just filled with otome plots??

—M-must have been tough for you… —I said, trying to reassemble my scrambled brain.

—Well, it was at first, but it helped me develop my powers. I’m having more fun like this, and I even got over that prince, I don’t even know why I was so obsessed with him or with becoming the queen.

—I… I see.

To say that I was horrified would be to sell it too short; she was a villainess that had gone through her bad ending! There was no way I could let her influence Violett’s personality!

…

But I couldn’t fire her for something so petty, Maxwell had worked hard to find her, and he deemed her trustworthy. And she was the only one that could protect me, and teach me how to protect myself. AND maybe having someone who already went through it would persuade Violett from doing it on the first place.

And I kind of like to having her around. It was a risky move, but I was willing to take it.

Maxwell got home as the dinner was being served, and we all ate together, while talking about everything that had happened that day. Peaceful days like that one became the norm once again, and although many memorable things happened in between, before I noticed 5 years had already passed by. And the day I would meet the heroine came closer to happen.