Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Now that the issue with the Wrezatia Kingdom is partially settled, we will talk about the strategy we will going to use in the competition. We all know that all the seven Kingdoms have sent a group of representatives for this Competition. And throughout the Competition, the Vrawyth Kingdom is the one who always aces the competition. For this year's competition, we will continue the legacy of our Kingdom," Prince Fraser said with too much enthusiasm.

 Doesn't he sound so excited about this competition? Too typical for someone who is competitive. 

 What Prince Fraser said is true. Every Grand Exemplary Competition, the Kingdom that always wins each category is the Vrawyth Kingdom. And to make it happen again this year, we need to strategize our plan. 

 In every game, there's always a game plan. It's not just about strength or knowledge. It's also about your game plan, and that is what the Vrawyth Kingdom is good at. It's the same reason why we always top the competition every year.

 Prince Fraser looks at Princess Paislee. "Sir Farren, everyone knows that you are my personal knight, right? So, people will expect you to have unparalleled strength."

 Prince Fraser paused and looked at Princess Paislee. What is he thinking? 

 "Your first competition is sword fighting, and your first opponent will be the Aeslaerean Kingdom's best knight and the son of the Duke of Aeslaerean Kingdom, Prince Christofre Saintizin."

 Everyone gasps in surprise. My eyes immediately widen. Prince Christofre? He is the best knight in the Aeslaerean Kingdom. I heard from people that no one aside from Princess Paislee can compete with him in their Kingdom. Wouldn't that trouble Princess Paislee?

 "No way! Prince Christofre Saintizin? How can Sir Farren compete with him?" Rufus exclaims. He then looks at Princess Paislee and waves his hands. "Not that I'm questioning your strength, Sir Farren. I know you're the strongest among all the knights in our Kingdom. However, that Prince has been training as a knight since he was a child. How long have you been training as a knight? Half a year?"

 Everyone got silent because of Rufus' remarks. Rufus' words make sense. However, he didn't know the true identity of Princess Paislee. Among everyone, only Princess Paislee can go against Prince Christofre. Having trained together since they were a child. Only the two of them know the real strength and the weakness of each other.

 I look at Princess Paislee and see her sweating. Is she anxious? She knows that if she competes with her cousin, her cousin will definitely know her. So, what will you do now, Princess Paislee?

 Prince Fraser sigh."It's the reason why we have this conversation." He looks at Princess Paislee. "The first round of competition is testing your strength only. So, I don't need you to win this game."

 I frown. Princess Paislee can definitely compete with Prince Christofre. But why would he let Princess Paislee lose against Prince Christofre?

 Leander scoffs. "You want other Kingdoms to think that Sir Farren is weak so they would lower their guards against us? If they see that the representative of the Vrawyth Kingdom this year got lost against the Aeslaerean Kingdom. They would definitely laugh at us and think that Sir Farren got average strength if compare to the second best Kingdom. That is actually a nice strategy."

 It makes sense now. If people will see Princess Paislee as an underdog, they wouldn't give much attention to her. They would probably even let down their guards against her. If that happens, Princess Paislee will shock them with his true strength.

 Rufus frowns. "But if we do that, what will happen in the second round? Will Sir Farren let himself lose again?"

 Prince Fraser shakes his head. "No, after the first round, he will need to win the fight. However, he will need to conceal his own strength and pretend that he almost loses the fight every round." Prince Fraser looks at Princess Paislee. "You need to act that you only win the fight because of luck. So, if you have a rematch with Prince Christofre in the final round, you will shock him with your strength. By that time, you will grab the opportunity and win that fight. Is it clear?"

 Princess Paislee nods her head. Although her eyes are looking around. She looks anxious. But I know she's not anxious about the fight with other Kingdoms. She is anxious if she could fight with her own cousin without him recognizing her. They grow up together. They knew each other more than anyone else. Can she get away from his cousin's eyes?

 I sigh. As much as I want to spill what will happen to her. I couldn't. She doesn't need to worry about her own cousin. What she needs to worry about is the real Csille. Princess Paislee will get hurt because of Csille's schemes. Csille will even get away with it without anyone knowing. 

 "Will he do it with the other subcategories? Once the other Kingdom knows his strength, then they will put their guards up again." Rufus said in a very serious voice.

 Everyone is really serious about this competition. It's not just a friendly competition for every Kingdom. It's the basis of strength. This is an opportunity to flaunt the strength of the Kingdoms. If we lose, we will definitely be the laughing stock. Imagine the strongest Kingdom didn't top the Grand Exemplary Competition? That will definitely affect the reputation of the Vrawyth Kingdom, and none of us wants that. So, we need to do our best to ace this.

 Prince Fraser looks at us and nods his head. "We will all need to conceal our strength so everyone will put their guards down at us. We will also do the strategy that Sir Farren will use."

I frown. It is possible with the Physique category. But what about the Intellect and Etiquette category? Isn't that a difficult strategy?

 Rufus raises his hand. "And how do you suggest us to do that? You do know that in the Intellect category, it will be difficult to do that. How can we conceal our strength?"

 Leander shakes his head. "You're smart, but sometimes I doubt it, Prince Rufus. What Prince Fraser is saying is we need to conceal what we know and pretend that we're on the same wavelength as them." 

 Rufus nods his head. "So we will need to pretend we're dumb? But if we let ourselves be on the bottom list, wouldn't we get eliminated immediately? Also, wouldn't it be difficult to increase our scores after? All the scores from the start will be collected. If the Aeslaerean Kingdom answer all the questions, will it be a disadvantageous situation for us? Can we surpass the scores of the Aeslaerean Kingdom?"

 I look at Prince Fraser and wait for his answer. What Rufus said is right. If we let ourselves be at the bottom, then we will definitely be eliminated. Even if we didn't get eliminated, it would definitely be difficult for us to surpass the scores made by the Aeslaerean Kingdom.

 Leander scoffs. "Then it's your problem."

 Rufus glared at Leander. "Problem? How come it's my problem only? It will be the problem of the Vrawyth too. Do-"

 Leander scoffs. "It's not our fault that you cannot even win against the Aeslaerean. I thought you're smart?"

 Prince Fraser sigh. "Enough the two of you. All I'm saying is. In the first round, let's be at the bottom of the list. If you cannot be the last, at least be at the end of the list. There will be no elimination in the first round. The first round is actually the time for all of us to see the strength of our rivals. However, each Kingdom is cunning and will not let their representatives to go all out. So, we will also take this time to see what's the strategy of the other Kingdoms."

 All of us nod our heads. Aside from having the talent, skill, and knowledge. You also need to have a strategy how to deal with the other Kingdoms. This is the reason why the Grand Exemplary Competition is the most awaited inter-kingdom competition. 

 "So, none of you are worried that we cannot surpass the Aeslaerean Kingdom? If we do that, wouldn't we risk the first spot? Have you forgotten that the Aeslaerean Kingdom has a unique educational system? Can we really steal the top spot if we do this?" Rufus asks in frustration.

 I understand his sentiments, though. Everyone knows that the Aeslaerean Kingdom has a unique educational system. Can we really surpass them with this strategy? Wouldn't it be the downfall of us?

 Princess Paislee, who has been silent for a while now, suddenly speaks. "You don't need to worry about the Aeslaerean Kingdom."

 Everyone looks at Princess Paislee. She is now speaking, and it's about the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Isn't she afraid she'll spill something she shouldn't spill? She is still an Aeslaerean, after all. Isn't she afraid the Vrawyth will use this against her own Kingdom?

 "What do you mean, Sir Farren?" Rufus asked.

 Princess Paislee shakes her head. "I've seen the representatives of the Aeslaerean Kingdom, and they are all normal citizens of the Aeslaerean except Prince Christofre."

 I frown. Isn't she afraid she'll be exposed by doing this? 

 Rufus looks at Princess Paislee. "But the Aeslaerean Kingdom wouldn't choose them as their representatives if they are not best among best."

 Princess Paislee shakes her head. "You are right, Prince Rufus. However, there's one thing you don't know about this special education of the Aeslaerean Kingdom."

 I raised my eyebrow at Princess Paislee's words. Will she spill the secret behind the Aeslaerean unique educational system?

 Prince Fraser frowns at Princess Paislee's words. "What do you mean, Sir Farren?"

 Princess Paislee sigh. I could see complicated emotions in her eyes. She knows that if she spills the secrets of the Aeslaerean Kingdom, it will put her own Kingdom in a disadvantageous situation. It's one thing I don't understand. Shouldn't she supposed to help the Aeslaerean Kingdom?

 "The unique educational system is only for the Royalties and some noble families. Other than them, no one can know what is happening inside the classroom for that educational system," I see Princess Paislee grit her teeth. 

 Aeslaerean unique educational system? Only the royalties know how hellish that one is. It's the same reason why all the rulers of the Aeslaerean and all the Princesses and Princes have incomparable intelligence. But no one knows what does unique educational system means. Only the royalties and some nobles. 

 Aside from them, all the Aeslaerean knows that their current educational system is what they called the unique educational system. Well, in fact, it's just the same as the other Kingdom. The only difference is they used more advanced books and hired instructors that are known for each field of study. 

 I don't understand why she would tell us, Vrawyth people, about this secret? What if we sue the Aeslaerean because of this? What they are doing is fraud. Imagine how many Kingdoms will be mad at them for the false advertisement they are doing.

 Rufus snaps his fingers. "So, are you saying aside from Prince Christofre, we don't need to worry about the Aeslaerean representatives?"

 Prince Fraser sigh. "Not because they didn't undergo the unique educational system of the Aeslaerean Kingdom, it doesn't mean we will put our guards down with them. Remember, they are chosen by the Aeslaerean Kingdom as their representatives. Do you think the Aeslaerean will just choose anyone for the Grand Exemplary Competition?"

 Princess Paislee nods her head. "I'm not saying that you should be complacent. I'm only saying is you don't need to worry because I'm sure we can surpass their scores if only we work hard." She then looks at Prince Fraser. "Your highness, Prince Fraser, you said we need to be on the bottom spot in the first round. What would we do in the second round?"

 Each competition per subcategories has rounds, and in each round, there will be eliminations. The first round is the only round that doesn't have elimination. As what Prince Fraser said, it is only to see the strength of each representative. 

 In the second round, there will be two people eliminated. You can say it's the elimination round. The third round would be the semi-finals. There will be another two representatives that will be eliminated in this round. The fourth round and the last round is the final round. This is when the three people will contend for the top spot. All these three representatives are assured to bring pins. 

 Instead of medals, the Grand Exemplary gave pins to the winners of the competition. And at the end of all competition. They will add up all the scores, and whoever got the highest scores will be the Grand Exemplar. Grand Exemplar is the term they use for the winners.

 Prince Fraser sigh. He knows that this plan has cons and pros, but we need to think of a plan if we want to ace this competition. Although with our capabilities we can do it, but some Kingdoms love to use strategies that could harm any representatives, and that's not what we want. "We..."