Villainess X Villain: They are obsessed with each other!-Chapter 46 -: 45 I’m superior to you all.

The next day arrived fast.

Backstage, the air smelled like polished wood and nervous excitement.

Julius stood with his arms crossed, watching two girls, Rosalina’s helpers, holding clipboards full of lists.

"Is everything going well?" he asked. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Yes," one of the girls said quickly.

"Though the crowd isn’t as big as yesterday’s. But there are people. Most of them are nobles."

"Hmm?" Julius raised an eyebrow. "No commoners?"

"There are some," the other girl answered, "but not many. Only a few."

"Alright." Julius stroked his chin, thinking. "You may go now. Make sure everything runs smoothly."

"Yes, sir!"

The two girls bowed, pulled back the curtain, and stepped out onto the stage.

Julius turned and walked out from behind the curtain.

Rosalina was standing alone in the narrow hallway, her face twisted in a deep frown.

Her lips moved silently, she was clearly arguing with herself.

"Hmm?" Julius made a soft sound as he walked closer. "Who are you talking to, babe?"

Rosalina’s frown softened the second she heard his voice.

She waved her hand in the air like she was shooing away an invisible bug.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "What about you? Are all the preparations done?"

Julius gave a small nod. He pulled the booklet from his pocket, flipped it open, and skimmed the page in two seconds.

"Here." He held it out so she could see. "What you need to do is... nothing. Just be your normal self."

Rosalina stared at the short paragraph he’d written. She stroked her own chin now, copying him without realizing it.

"Hmm? Do I only need to say this much?" Her eyebrows pulled together. "Isn’t it way too short for a speech?"

Julius chuckled, low and amused.

"It is short. But that’s the point. You don’t need to beg them to vote for you. You don’t need to tell them how much you need their support."

He leaned in a little closer. A sharp, certain glint flashed in his eyes.

"You just need to make them realize they need you. For survival."

Rosalina blinked.

Julius closed the booklet with a soft snap and tucked it away.

"Leave the showing part to me," he said quietly. "They’ll understand when the time comes."

Rosalina looked at him for a long moment. Then the corner of her mouth lifted, just a tiny, confident smirk.

"Though I can’t fully believe you," she said, "I can at least believe your plan."

Julius let out a soft laugh and bowed just a little, playful, but respectful.

"Haha, that’s enough for me, my lady. Your attendant will make sure not to disappoint your highness."

Rosalina let out a cute little snort. It was her signature "I’m not impressed but I’m secretly pleased" sound.

She started walking toward the stage curtain with her head held high.

Julius followed right behind her like the perfect, loyal aide, close enough to protect, far enough to look professional.

As they walked, Rosalina’s tone softened.

"By the way..." she said quietly, "how is Rosel doing? It’s been a while since I last met her."

A fond, almost dreamy smile appeared on her face.

Rosel was that bright little sunbeam of a girl, always full of energy, always asking a million questions.

Whenever Rosalina felt stressed or the world felt too heavy, one "mommy!" from Rosel and all her worries melted away like snow in summer.

Julius’s expression turned gentle too.

"She’s doing fine, I guess. But she always whines about wanting to meet you and stay with you."

He paused, then made an exaggerated sad face. "I told her you won’t invite her papa to your house... regrettable."

He sighed dramatically, like it was the greatest tragedy in the world.

Rosalina didn’t answer right away. She kept walking, but inside her heart did a little flip.

She wanted them to visit her mansion.

No, if she could have her way, she wouldn’t even let Julius live separately anymore.

She’d keep both of them close, safe, hers. But...

Nickel.

The name alone made her stomach tighten.

He was her first and biggest problem.

Every once in a while he would show up unannounced, always polite, always smiling, always digging.

And whenever he came, Julius’s name slipped into the conversation like poison.

Just a week ago he’d visited again.

"Sister," he’d said in that calm, too-knowing voice, "do you know who the child is?"

"How would I know?" she’d snapped back, irritated. Every time he mentioned Julius, or anything connected to him, she had to be extra careful.

One wrong word and everything could collapse.

For the last month, Nickel’s visits had gotten worse.

His face always looked worried now. Tired.

And no matter what they talked about, he found a way to circle back to Julius.

It was annoying. Unsettling. Like he already knew too much.

Rosalina pushed the thought away as they reached the edge of the curtain.

The announcer’s voice rang out clear and strong.

"Ladies and gentlemen... please welcome—Rosalina Valentina!"

Rosalina stepped through the curtain without hesitation.

The moment her foot hit the stage, the crowd exploded.

"Rosalina! Rosalina! Rosalina!"

The cheers rolled like thunder, mostly nobles, so it sounded sharp and proud, not wild. But it was loud. Very loud.

Julius stayed hidden behind the curtain, peeking through a small gap. A tiny smile tugged at his lips as he watched her.

Rosalina lifted one hand in a graceful wave.

She walked straight to the microphone stand, heels clicking confidently on the wooden boards.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

She gave the mic four light taps, then cleared her throat.

"Ahem."

The crowd cheered even louder, like the simple sound proved she was already in charge.

Rosalina waited until the noise died down just enough.

"Hello, everyone," she began.

Her voice was calm, smooth, and carried perfectly. But her face, oh, her face screamed arrogance.

Chin high, eyes half-lidded, lips curved in the tiniest superior smirk. It said one thing clearly: *You are all beneath me.*

"I won’t make promises like ’everyone is equal’ or anything foolish like that," she continued. "Because everyone is different."

She paused, letting the words sink in.

"Some are inferior. Some are superior."

The nobles in the crowd nodded slowly. Many of them smiled small, satisfied smiles.

They had always believed exactly that.

"I won’t promise you the moon," Rosalina said. She raised one elegant finger. Her eyes suddenly flashed with fierce light.

"I promise you only one thing: I will always fight against the Zlycons. And I will lead humanity to victory."

The crowd lost it.

A massive roar crashed over the stage.

"ROSALINA! ROSALINA! ROSALINA! ROSALINA!"

Fists pumped. Hats flew. Even the few commoners in the back looked stunned and excited.

Rosalina’s expression stayed cool and unchanging... but for a tiny second, she glanced back toward the curtain.

Julius caught her eye. He gave her a quick wink and a thumbs-up.

"Go on, babe. You’re doing very well."

Rosalina let out a soft breath only she could hear.

"Haa..."

She turned back to the crowd. This time her voice dropped lower, more commanding.

"Because I—Rosalina Valentina—am superior to you all."