A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

"Where are we going, Marquess?" Aecilia asked as she drove the car toward the main gate of the hotel. The guards opened the door, making way for them.

"To meet the Mayor of this city," Avendial replied, leaning with one hand propping up his chin, gazing out the window as he told Aecilia their destination.

Aecilia fell silent, her expectations dashed—the idea of a romantic date had just flickered out.

She shifted gears, her fingers dancing across the steering wheel.

Stealing a side glance at Avendial, she recalled how he had barged into her room without warning while she was in the midst of changing.

It wasn't that she felt embarrassed about his intrusion; rather, her annoyance stemmed from the timing of it.

He walked in after she had already changed her dress, not before.

Yeah, she was just putting on stockings at last.

To complicate matters, instead of heading to the academy as she had anticipated, he directed her to meet the mayor.

Now she needs to contact the Sertsul family to make arrangements, but it was also relieving.

Since it meant they could skip the possibility of her having to teach students.

With a newfound sense of freedom, she pressed the accelerator as they merged onto the highway, while Avendial beside her continued to look outside, lost in thought.

'An ability which provides luck?' Avendial pondered, his expression impassive as he stared out the window. He contemplated whether Aecilia's title genuinely bestowed him with luck, a common trait among most heroines.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder if it offered something more—like how it seemed to bring him fortune rather than her.

Specifically, he was becoming increasingly convinced that her luck did not favor her but rather him.

Despite having suggested they go on dates multiple times, he always seemed to gain something from those experiences, while she missed out on the romantic escapade she had envisioned.

He dismissed the notion that her luck affected others in the same way. Despite her connections with various people, such as Rihane and Leo, who—truth be told—still has not arrived after the hospital event.

In conclusion, it was clear that her good fortune exclusively benefited him.

Though again: Why him, especially?

But somehow, he already knew the answer, which caused him to close his eyes and ask it.

"....Why do you love me?" Avendial asked, his tone direct as he broached the subject without holding back.

He understood why Rivia had developed feelings for him—she was an orphan he had helped, someone who saw him as a savior after their journey together growing up.

But Aecilia, what about her?

He was self-aware enough to recognize that his looks might draw someone in, but love was an entirely different matter.

Assuming that every woman would fall for someone solely because of looks is a flawed notion, a mere fantasy spun by one's imagination. Attraction and affection are two different terms.

"Because you are rich, handsome, and have a good social status... doesn't that make you the perfect husband material?" Aecilia said suddenly.

When she heard his question, she wasn't surprised; she had sensed for some time that he knew about her feelings for him. Knowing him well, she figured he would eventually ask her something along these lines.

After all, a person possessing intellect would struggle to grasp the complexities of the heart.

Some might dismiss such feelings as cringe-worthy or insincere.

So, she decided to give him a very valid explanation.

"Huh?" Avendial responded, caught off guard by her straightforward reply. It seemed logical on the surface, yet it felt like a facade, as if she was deliberately withholding the truth from him.

Though he didn't particularly mind, in a way, as he believed that if she was offering him her company and affection freely, it was only right for him to accept it graciously, without probing further.

Especially after knowing how lucky she was to have him, but of course, luck can't do everything without him even making a move.

So, it's work time.

---

Sector 4 housed the current City A's mayor's residence, alongside the key government buildings that formed the core of governance.

This sector was a hub for administration, where the primary functions of the city's government unfolded.

Unlike standard democracies or traditional country systems, governance here prioritized merit and knowledge over popularity contests.

Candidates aiming to become political representatives or sector officials couldn't merely rely on votes; they had to earn their place through rigorous qualification exams.

Each candidate studied the history, laws, and workings of the Arinphiam Empire, eventually passing an intense written exam to qualify.

Only after meeting these educational and ethical standards could they run for a mayoral position. Your next chapter awaits on mvl

Once elected, the mayor oversaw a team of sector magistrates who managed the sector, ensuring smooth administration.

The collective council of mayors then held a vote to establish a central government, creating a system founded on expertise rather than simple majority rule.

This form of governance allowed decisions to be rooted in deep understanding rather than mere popularity.

At the heart of Sector 4, a fortified highway connected the central district to neighboring sectors, serving as both a secure transit route and a demarcation of authority.

Alongside the governance buildings, various official departments handled the responsibilities of security, public administration, vote management, and other civic needs.

The local residents, many of whom worked directly or indirectly with government functions, contributed to this unique blend of regulated democracy and academic-based eligibility that defined the sector's identity.

Vrooom!

A car's engine roar sounded, echoing through the highway as the soldiers holding guns guarding the gates looked towards the disturbance from where an onyx black car was dashing in their direction, clearly evident from its speed and control that it was controlled by a professional.

"Stop there," coming forward, three of the soldiers stopped the car, which came to a halt smoothly, a contrast to the soldiers' expectations due to its speed.

"Please show us your identity," one of the guards came forward and inquired, standing while looking towards the car as he made his way towards the front seat's door, knocking on the windshield, which slowly slid down, revealing a woman seated in the driver's seat.

It was slightly surprising for him that a woman could drive a car this well.

"Tell them—" Aecilia was about to complete a sentence but suddenly heard another voice from a distance.

"Stop! Let them go, they are nobles!" A soldier, already contacted by the mayor's office, officially declaring that very important guests were arriving from the kingdom of Thaloris, sprinted toward the direction of the car before opening the doors, letting the car pass.

'What? Nobles?' the soldier who had stopped the car a few moments ago felt surprised as he looked toward the car, which accelerated and slowly made its way towards Sector 4.

Naturally, it was the first time for him to see a nobleman this close, and now that he thought about it, that woman definitely appeared like a noblewoman.

Even her facial features were not very common; after all, who even uses black lipstick?

-----

"Welcome, Sir Marquess. It is my honor to have you in our presence."

Just after the car halted in front of the main building, which led to the mayor's office and other nearby official buildings, Avendial heard a voice calling out to him.

Turning his gaze, he saw not only the mayor but also four or five other individuals standing nearby, presumably government officials. Some seemed to sprint toward this direction, as if they had just received word of his arrival.

'The Sertsul family...' Avendial thought, realizing that they were likely the only ones capable of alerting the mayor in time. This made him feel a bit relieved, knowing that they had eliminated the need for unnecessary introductions.

"Mayor, I require all the files pertaining to the projects assigned to the Diego family by the government," Avendial stated directly, locking eyes with the man at the forefront. The mayor appeared calm behind his glasses, exuding an air of composure despite the urgency of the moment.

It was clear to Avendial that these officials believed in impressing him through the diligence of their work rather than with empty pleasantries.

Hearing Avendial's request, the mayor paused for a moment, contemplating the implications.

Naturally, sharing important government project files with someone was not standard procedure under the law.

However, it was equally recognized that within the Arinphiam Empire, most laws and crimes involving noblemen were handled through different channels. This made him cautious and led the mayor to inquire, "May I ask why you need this information, Sir Marquess?"

"....It's just..." Avendial turned his gaze toward the building as he stepped inside, appearing disinclined to divulge his motives regarding the Diego family. He simply added, "I am only looking to help them relieve some stress."