My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! X Episode 4: I Had a Friendly Tea Time With an Attractive Butler...

Val finds himself in an opulent room, showered with thanks from the royal family of Anemone. The Freesian knights salute him, and Prince Leon expresses profound gratitude, but Val remains prickly, insisting his actions were purely on Pride's orders. He tries to deflect the praise, visibly uncomfortable with Leon's humility. Pride steps in, smoothing the awkwardness, clearly understanding Val's struggle between his past and the new role she is pushing him into.

Pride, accompanied by Stale and Leon, enters the throne room of Anemone. She introduces herself as the First Princess and Queen Regent of Freesia, immediately establishing her authority. King Gregory, looking frail and exhausted, is taken aback by her presence. Despite his weariness, he grants her request to summon Princes Elwin and Homer, setting the stage for a tense confrontation.

Elwin and Homer swagger in, their confidence still intact, believing their scheme against Leon has succeeded. Their smugness falters when they see Leon standing unharmed, beside Pride. Pride greets them with a chilling politeness, hiding her real anger. As Leon bravely accuses them, the brothers immediately resort to gaslighting, painting Pride as an aggressor and Leon as a pawn. King Gregory listens, his face a mask of conflict.

King Gregory finally breaks his silence, his voice trembling with a potent mix of fury and sorrow. He reveals he had already warned Elwin and Homer, hoping for reform. Their continued villainy proves their unworthiness to him. With a sudden surge of energy, he strips them of their royal rights, ordering the guards to seize them. Elwin and Homer's smugness dissolves into terror as they are dragged away, screaming and protesting.

As talks begin for a new alliance, Pride stuns everyone by requesting to annul her engagement to Leon. Leon is visibly crushed, fearing her rejection. King Gregory is confused, as the marriage was the planned foundation. Pride clarifies, explaining that a forced union is weak. She takes Leon's hands, proposing instead a bond of "Meiyu," or soul-level friendship, where Freesia and Anemone stand as equals. Leon is moved to tears by her genuine care, and Gregory accepts this unconventional, yet profound, proposal.

Pride's gentle demeanor vanishes as she confronts the now-detained Elwin and Homer. She scolds them for underestimating Leon's true worth, for never seeing his empathy for the common people. She recalls the game's original, tragic timeline, where their actions would have devastated Anemone. Her voice is chilling as she delivers a final warning: harm Leon or his kingdom again, and they will face her personal, absolute retribution. Even King Gregory and the knights are shaken by her intensity.

In a quiet moment, the day's weight breaks Leon. He weeps, overwhelmed by Pride's intervention, which has given him a future he never imagined. Pride embraces him, comforting him, telling him his heart and his love for his kingdom are his greatest strengths. He promises to be the "best friend" and ally she deserves, vowing to make Anemone a kingdom she can be proud of. Their bond solidifies, built on mutual respect and genuine affection.

As Pride's party prepares to leave Anemone, Arthur and Stale exchange handshakes, cementing the new alliance. Pride watches the sunset, a sense of peace settling over her. As she boards her carriage, Leon stops her, taking her hand. He confesses that she was his "first love," his feelings transcending mere friendship. Before she can react, he kisses her cheek, leaving her stunned and blushing as the carriage departs. Inside, Pride is a flustered mess, replaying his confession, a deep happiness blooming despite her shock.