As spring ended and summer began, Iris set out to learn more about the heroine, Camille. Her motivation stemmed from the game’s narrative, where Citis and Camille, unbeknownst to them being half-siblings, tragically fall in love.
If only they knew from the start that they were half-siblings, Citis and Camille would never have fallen in love. Iris herself, aware of Nigel’s future good looks, would never allow herself to fall for him if he were her brother.
Thus, Iris thought it best to make them aware of each other’s existence early on.
Regretfully, as the villainess, she was about to interfere with their romance!
To ensure no discrepancies with the game’s information, Iris decided to first confirm whether Camille really was Citis’s sister.
Her research confirmed that, just like in the game, Camille’s mother had died when she was very young, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle. Citis’s father, keeping his identity hidden, continued to provide support discreetly. While Iris couldn’t fathom why someone would have a secret child, she felt somewhat relieved that he continued to offer support.
Iris ventured into town to visit Camille’s shop. Run by her aunt and uncle, the small cosmetics store also employed Camille, who had recently helped develop “Camille’s Oil,” a camellia oil rumored to be beneficial for scars.
If the game was correct, the oil, infused with Camille’s holy magic, accelerated healing. Iris was genuinely interested in the product.
Camille’s handmade camellia oil! I’ve always wanted to try it!
Iris knew only the game’s settings of Camille’s life and was curious about her real life. Dressed down in a simple town dress and her conspicuous green vertical roll hair up under a scarf, Iris hoped to blend in.
The shop was neat, lined with no-nonsense containers reminiscent of medicine bottles. Iris decided to purchase “Camille’s Oil,” hoping it would make her pox scars less noticeable. Though she had rejected Citis’s magic, she wasn’t entirely indifferent to improving her appearance—a typical maiden’s concern.
Camille was not there; she was reportedly at the church studying at this hour, helping teach children reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Iris headed to the church.
It was a quaint church, overrun with blooming flowers, including white lilacs, whose rich fragrance was almost intoxicating. Iris recalled the game’s opening scene, adorned with white lilacs—heart-shaped petals fluttering around the love interests in a beautifully tragic setting.
Only in a Merry Bad game would you find such white lilacs, Iris thought cynically. The game hinted at a doomed romance between a town girl and a noble from the start.
Camille appeared from the church amidst swirling white lilacs, her aqua hair flowing around her youthful face. Her blue eyes were softer compared to Citis’s, yet the structure of her face—her nose and sharply pointed chin—were strikingly similar.
Seeing them side by side, it made sense. How did Citis not realize? Was he a narcissist?
Iris had her maid wait at the church gate and approached Camille.
“Excuse me, could you show me around the church?”
The bell at her neck jingled. Camille looked at Iris’s neck, then at her left hand, noticing the scars, but she simply smiled and nodded.
“Yes, of course.”
A breeze swept through, scattering lilac petals around them. Iris’s scarf was covered in white flowers. As she brushed them off, Camille reached out.
“There are five petals!”
Camille laughed untroubled. Iris looked at her quizzically.
“Didn’t you know? Lilac flowers usually have four petals. Finding one with five is rare. If you swallow it silently, it’s said you can be with your beloved forever. Can I keep it?”
The idea of eternal love—wasn’t this a prelude to the “Thousand-Year Slumber”?
Iris was startled.
A premonition? No, right? The game hasn’t even started yet. And I’m determined to prevent that route!
“Well, but since you’ve spoken about it, doesn’t that mean it won’t work?”
Camille’s shoulders drooped.
“Oh, right! I’ve never found one before, despite all these lilacs. I got too excited… But if it’s real, maybe I’ll find another.”
Camille smiled blissfully.
“You don’t need such superstitions to be okay.”
Iris realized her tone might have been a bit harsh, a lingering trait of her role as a villainess. She was aware of it but couldn’t always curb her bluntness. However, Camille seemed not to mind.
“Hehe, that’s true!”
Saying so, Camille gently pressed the petal to her lips.
No, no, no—what are you doing? She’s too cute!
Iris was helplessly charmed.
Camille kindly showed Iris around the church. Bright and lively, she had a gentle way with people, likely from helping at the shop.
She explained even the small stained glass windows inside the church. Though modest, the light casting through them was serene, illuminating Camille in what could only be described as a truly holy presence.
It’s easy to see why everyone would fall for her, Iris acknowledged.
“Are you happy now?” Iris asked her.
Camille nodded without hesitation. Despite presenting harsh realities to such an innocent, Iris felt conflicted.
“Do you know your father?”
Camille smiled awkwardly.
“No, but why do you ask? Is it a rumor in town?”
“Not a rumor. I think I know who your father might be.”
Camille’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“My father is alive?”
Iris chose not to answer directly.
“Did your mother leave you anything as a keepsake?”
The game depicted a keepsake bag containing items identifying Camille’s heritage.
“Yes, I have this,” Camille showed a securely sewn charm bag around her neck. Inside were an amulet with Citis’s family crest and a strand of blue hair—her father’s, revealed later in the game.
No mistake—Camille and Citis were siblings. Iris remembered it well from the game. Even Nigel had once dirtied himself retrieving it after it was maliciously discarded.
Relieved yet slightly disappointed by the confirmation, Iris was resolute.
“I believe you’re right. You have a brother ten years your senior.”
“A brother?”
“Yes, a man with beautiful blue hair.”
Camille went pale, the weight of a hidden familial connection possibly overwhelming her.
But knowing she has a brother with blue hair should make her suspect Citis as a sibling before seeing him as a potential romantic interest.
That’s how we prevent a future calamity.
I’m sorry, Camille. In the “Thousand-Year Slumber” route, many die, so I can’t allow it to proceed.
“That means… my mother…”
Camille’s lips trembled.
Iris found it increasingly difficult to continue.
“You don’t need to know that.”
“But shouldn’t I not have this if my mother… caused trouble for another woman?”
“Her ladyship passed before you were born.”
Camille looked at Iris, stunned, then tears began to fall. The droplets catching the light through the stained glass were tragically beautiful.
“Am I allowed to live?”
“There’s nothing to forgive… I’m not one to judge.”
“I always thought I was unforgivable. My mother loved me, and my aunt and uncle too. But no one would tell me about my father, and I always feared I was a child of infidelity…”
Camille sobbed, her bright facade crumbling to reveal deep-seated insecurities. Feared by others for being unwanted, she strived to be needed, hence her universally liked demeanor.
Overwhelmed by Camille’s frailty, Iris was unsure how to comfort her but felt compelled to try.
“Come now! There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re not unforgivable. You were a child dearly wanted by your mother, something she traded much for.”
“Big sister…”
“Big sister, huh?”
“May I call you that? Until I know more?”
“Sure, for now, that’s fine.”
“Thank you, big sister.”
Camille’s smile was fitting for a heroine, radiant and hopeful.
Camille’s oil was as wonderful as Iris had hoped. Perhaps it really was imbued with holy power. Buying it anonymously, Iris learned more about Camille from the shop staff, who confirmed that she personally handled the camellia oil, infusing it with heartfelt care—hints of her role as a holy maiden were already evident.
