[Duchess Raven Ashworth - The Villainess].
"There's our supposed villain," Ha-neul murmured.
I studied Raven carefully. In the Old World, I'd fought her on my first attempt. She was incredibly strong—a master of poison and shadow magic. The system painted her as evil, jealous of the saintess, in love with the prince. Standard villainess motivations.
The truth was more complicated.
"She's the only real person in this room," I said.
"What?"
"Look at the nobles. Really look. They're all slightly off. Like NPCs with limited dialogue trees. But her?" I watched as Raven accepted a wine glass from a passing servant, then discreetly poured it into a plant when she thought no one was watching. "She's making independent choices. She's suspicious. She's aware."
"So what's the play?" Seol-ah asked.
