DustyDream

*Character illustrations in the auxiliary chapter.*

Born and raised as a nameless shadow guard for his kingdom’s crown prince, his life’s purpose was to be used and discarded at the whims of his liege. 

And his meaningless life ended when the gaze of a princess lingered on him for too long. The crown prince had him beheaded without a second thought, as if throwing out trash.

Transmigrating into the body of a baby girl, the nameless shadow finally had a name, a family, and a place to call her own. Throwing away his past, the shadow guard was now called ‘Emilia’, and walked on a new path to seek fulfillment. 

It was not meant to be, however, as the girl whom she had loved with all her heart and soul ended up mercilessly plunging a dagger through Emilia's love-struck heart at the highest point in her life.

The crowd clamored at the ‘deserved death of the villainess’, and at that moment, the shadow could only wonder… why? 

Why am I always the one to dedicate myself fully to someone, only to be thrown away like trash in the end?

And thus, as her soul floated away while cursing in resentment, ‘Emilia’ vowed to herself that in her next life she shall never be the one to fully dedicate herself. 

Whatever she likes shall be held in her palm, and shall never escape!

The moment the vow was made, a self-proclaimed villainess system proposed to partner with her, to explore and conquer the worlds through their anchors—the heroes and heroines. 

And by cultivating this energy, she shall one day go back. Back to the world she was born as ‘Emilia’ in, and face the so-called heroine once more. 

The second time they meet, Emilia won’t be the one drowning in regret!
...
Current cover was drawn by Scal2let, and commissioned by The Shadow King of Hearts (I love it so much, it's amazing, ahhh!!!

The Villainess with a Heroine Harem

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The tendrils of crimson energy danced around Emilia's fingers like playful little children, and obediently went back to their home with just a thought. "Oh… you're more obedient than your 'mother', aren't you?"

The orb seemed to vibrate a little in protest, but Emilia didn't worry about its rebellion at all as she turned her sight to the cubical structure floating below the orb. "So this is where she holes up, huh…"

A few clingy little tendrils of the crimson energy tried to stick themselves to Emilia's hair as she floated away from the orb, but could only part from her under the invisible attraction force of the core.

Emilia seemed unperturbed by everything as she passed right through the metallic-looking walls of the dark cube and floated down till her toes touched the ground.

Cynthia's Surprise