A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

In the Kingdom of Thaloris, the Sertsul family's estate resembles a labyrinth of towering buildings, each sporting gleaming surfaces that reflect the sunlight beautifully.

The streets surrounding the estate are meticulously maintained, featuring strips of grass that rest atop layers of rich soil—red clay forming the base with dark, grainy loam topping it off.

In the wooded areas nearby, trees stand in organized rows, tall and straight, with their roots peeking out intermittently and intertwining with irrigation lines that run through the landscape.

Winding paths meander throughout the region, bordered by shrubs that have been carefully pruned into delightful shapes.

The grass feels wonderfully soft underfoot, though one can spot uneven patches where varying soil textures and colors emerge to the surface.

Nestled between the buildings are charming artificial lakes that sparkle under the sun, their banks lined with neatly arranged stones, which lead into the carefully cultivated man-made forest that envelops them.

The air carries a faint metallic scent, a subtle reminder of all the sophisticated engineered systems operating quietly beneath the surface.

In conclusion, from above it may appear similar to any other territory under nobility, with less forest, greenery, and advanced architecture from the buildings, as well as all the facilities such as hospitals and libraries.

However, upon closer inspection, it is evident that everything is artificially prepared, not just the buildings but even the green land.

The whole territory planning appears similar to that of the Croceaus territory, as it was given the certificate for the most well-efficient design for the territory.

The Sertsul family is one of the few nobility families that kept their map-making similar to that one.

Within the center, like a core inside an atom, there are seven or eight straight lines scattered until reaching the outer border of the territory, with each section not physically divided but still controlled by the elders, as well as those from branch families.

Naturally, due to marriages between members of the Sertsul family and outside nobility, often as secret planning for infiltration, there was a rule that was hardly followed by the members of the Sertsul family.

They brought their husbands back inside the Sertsul territory until they became the heads of the major family.

Over time, this led to the creation of nine branch families.

With that, the whole territory is partially divided into nine sections.

However, due to the information network and the strength underlying the Sertsul family, each branch family focused on their own self-interest.

Still, they are all concentrated on the territory, driven by their single motivation: their ancestor, due to whom this whole territory now exists, even after a clear separation from the royal family.

It is etched in the hearts of everyone as a sense of patriotism, although this particular patriotism only allows them not to betray the Sertsul family; they share the same opinions with each other.

Today, however, it appears that there is a meeting arranged at the center of the Sertsul family, meaning inside the main palace—its grandiose architecture and detailed designs surpassing that of a mansion—linked with the areas of network that are now filled with several luxury cars making their way through and arriving at the center.

"How bothersome; I had to visit Prince Orion for his recovery," a woman underneath a fan, appearing to be of the same color as her yellow Ferrari, looked in the direction of the palace after being called to an urgent meeting by the family head.

She clearly felt irritated, but the hint of golden hue in her eyes revealed her identity as a member of one of the branch families.

"Forget it. Don't you know whom he went against?" another elder woman replied, having just exited the car.

She paused to give a fond pat to her niece, who was still not aware of the ways of this world but at least understood the rules inside the territory.

"Hm," the young woman, under the shadow of her fan, wanted to argue but knowing well about the rules, she just nodded.

Given her and her social family's priorities, they were always focused on their most profitable clients.

Even the one providing them the most profit would always be given priority.

Naturally, everyone had heard the news about how Prince Orion had tried to drug Marquess Croceaus, clearly giving the Sertsul family an idea of whom their priority should be.

Though, of course, the social family always maintained a neutral stance given they have clients all around.

But their priority list is slightly different; in a condition where involvement with one could create a visible setback from another, they try to dodge the situation.

Given the Aphrodisiac event, any member of the social family engaging with Prince Orion in any kind of conversation could potentially lead to some kind of retaliation from the Marquess's side, who had an enormous 16.7% of his investments in Sertsul businesses.

With those in mind, both women made their way to the mansion gates, which had nine entrances on all sides, appearing more like a huge palace.

The doors were open for all the branch family members as they moved through a large door leading down the hallways.

The journey was clearly long, but finally, they arrived outside a meeting hall room, with servants greeting them as the doors slowly swung open, revealing a round room without corners, in the middle of which was a huge round table.

Eight individuals were seated around it, including three males and most others being females.

As the two women entered the meeting hall, the younger one adjusted her fan, its ornate design obscuring half her face.

With a sharp click of her heels, they approached the vacant seats, momentarily drawing the attention of those gathered around the circular table.

Whispered conversations faded as the younger woman quipped, "Late as ever, but at least we're making an entrance."

Her elder companion sighed, a subtle look of disapproval creasing her features.

"Perhaps less tweeting and more decorum?" she suggested, gesturing toward the chairs.

Both women took their seats, the younger one rolling her eyes but ultimately complying.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted dramatically when the grand doors at the far end swung open.

Conversations ceased abruptly as an attractive figure entered—an older woman clad in an elegant yet somber dress, her every step exuding authority.

Behind her followed a younger woman, poised and graceful, though her expression carried an edge of sharp disdain.

Together, they formed a striking duo, their golden eyes gleaming under the light of the chandeliers.

The gathered members, including the branch families seated around the table, rose collectively to acknowledge the presence of the head of the Sertsul family.

She moved with practiced elegance, taking her place at the head of the table while her daughter stood slightly behind, a subtle yet undeniable assertion of their hierarchy.

Once seated, the family head raised her hand, prompting the assembly to do the same.

Her gaze swept across the room, silencing any lingering whispers.

One of the elder men seated near the center leaned forward, his voice tinged with respectful curiosity.

"If I may ask, Head Sertsul, what prompted the summoning of us here today? Surely it must be of great importance to warrant such urgency."

The family head rested her hands on the table, her expression impassive.

"It is not I who summoned you all," she began, her voice calm yet authoritative.

"It is Aecilia."

A ripple of surprise coursed through the room.

While no one outwardly expressed shock, subtle glances were exchanged and some narrowed their eyes, their expressions heavy with intrigue and veiled skepticism.

The woman hidden behind the yellow fan furrowed her brow, clearly unsettled.

"I understand if it were the Head herself, but why is she—" Experience new tales on empire

She gestured toward Aecilia, her words trailing off as if hesitant to overstep.

Before the murmurs could gain momentum, the family head interrupted, her tone sharp and unyielding.

"She is my daughter. And she will be the Head soon enough. If anyone has objections, perhaps you'd like to settle those scores directly with her."

The room fell silent at the declaration, though the tension thickened palpably.

The woman with the fan stiffened, her gaze finally meeting Aecilia's for the first time.

What she saw rooted her in place—golden eyes, much like her mother's, yet Aecilia's were colder and fiercer.

Her black lipstick set her apart, a stark contrast to the polished refinement of the others.

Aecilia tilted her head slightly, a mockery of a smile curving her lips.

"Shut the hell up, idiot," she said coolly, her voice laced with an icy bite.

"Can't you see we're in a meeting?" The woman with the fan gawked, utterly flabbergasted.

"Y-you!" she stammered, her face flushing with a mixture of indignation and fear.

A sudden gasp from the elder woman seated beside her broke the moment.

The elder's voice wavered as she turned to Aecilia, her expression torn between confusion and reverence.

"Aecilia, be more clear—why have you summoned us here?" she demanded, her words a blend of defiance and trepidation.

Aecilia smiled, stepping forward with deliberate grace, her black lipstick curved into an elegant smile as she informed, "I know how the Royal family is able to create Empyreals."

'!?!'

It was as if her mere words sent a visible tumult throughout the room. Everyone's eyes widened, looking towards the head of the family in shock, as they themselves weren't aware of this piece of information beforehand.

But given the crucial nature of the information, it seemed even more plausible that it would be shared with them in the meeting.

"Aecilia....are you—" One of the elders wanted to inquire if Aecilia was actually confirmed about this piece of information. But he halted the moment he noticed the clear seriousness in the gaze of the head of the family, realizing that it was already confirmed by her.

"Tell us, Aecilia, how...."