My villain wants to save himself, but the yandere heroine disagrees

"The Brontës," Orson said. "This play mainly tells the story of the children of the Brontë family, who plotted against each other in order to compete for the position of head of the family. However, in a crisis, the children realized that only unity can overcome the difficulties. Afterwards, the family members who originally hated each other united again, twisted into a rope, and worked together to help build the family, and finally made the family prosper."

"What do you think of the play, Orson?" Elsa asked.

"It's a good comedy, and it also has educational significance," Orson replied. "After all, in history, many noble families eventually declined due to internal strife."

“This drama draws on the lessons of those historical events and is intended to provoke reflection among the upper class.”

"You're right." Elsa nodded. "But the only lesson people learn from history is that people never learn from history, right?"

"Perhaps so." Orson nodded. "I wonder why Her Royal Highness the Princess asks me these questions?"

"Orson, you should know this," Elsa said. "The current script of The Brontës has actually been revised. In the original script, only one person from the Brontë family survived."

"He is neither the smart eldest brother, nor the brave second brother, nor the handsome third brother."

"It's the most inconspicuous little sister." Orson said. "Your Highness, that's what you want to say, right?"

(PS: Although my lumbar disc is indeed herniated, I can still type while lying in bed. From today on, the 1-a-day Lin Jian is back to full health.)

Chapter 1: Under the Blooming Fireworks (W)

"That's right." Elsa nodded. "It seems that you, Orson, have also read the original manuscript of this play."

"Yeah," Orson said with a smile. "Because the current content of this play is written by me, of course I have read the original manuscript."

"..." Hearing this, Elsa looked at Orson in surprise. "I didn't expect that you are so good at drama, Orson."

But after thinking about it, Elsa felt relieved.

After all, Orson is a person who can publish books in the Imperial Library, so adapting a play is really a piece of cake for him.

"Since this play was adapted by you, Orson, can you tell me why you adapted it this way?" Elsa said this with a smile.

"The reason? Actually it's very simple, because the nobles like to see it that way." Orson expressed his thoughts.

"After all, executioners whose hands are stained with blood often like to hear romantic stories. This is true in every era."

"Compared to satires that expose the darkness between the upper class, it is obvious that these whitewashing dramas have more commercial value, which is why the audience did not know "The Brontës" before the adaptation, but the drama became a hit after the adaptation."

"Things like drama and musicals are specifically for the entertainment of the upper class. The lower class people don't usually care about these things. Therefore, we have to consider the aesthetic tastes of the upper class. If we change the direction according to what the upper class likes to watch, we will be successful."

Having said this, Orson sighed instead.

"In fact, I don't like this script at all. In my opinion, many of the plots in it are not well designed, and they are not even reasonable, including the emotional changes between several brothers and sisters, which give people a very abrupt feeling."

"Then why did you make such changes, Orson?" Elsa asked.

"I have already said the reason before. The highest ideal of a playwright is to have more people recognize his or her work, rather than to create a work that only intoxicates himself or herself."

"I really don't understand you any more, Orson."

"Likewise, I don't know you, Princess."

"So, back to the previous topic, Orson, what do you think of the succession to the throne?

This matter? "

"If you ask me what I think, of course I support the emperor and the future emperor." Orson gave a rather cunning answer.

"Oh, this answer really sounds like Mr. Orson's style." Elsa said this without feeling annoyed, and continued to ask: "Then, if I say that I want to get your help, will you help me?"

"What I wanted to say has already been answered in the previous sentence, Your Highness." Orson remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"Do you think it's a good idea to leave the future of the country to your brother?" Elsa asked.

"I don't know, but it is a serious crime for a vassal to interfere in the succession of a lord. I don't want to be implicated, and..."

"And what?"

"Your Highness, you must be thinking of winning me over because I am the future Duke of Antica, right?" Orson said. "What if I tell you, Your Highness, that the future Duke of Antica will be Lit?"

"Will you try to gain Leeteuk's support?"

"Orson, are you kidding?" Elsa looked at Orson in confusion. "Or do you think the title of Duke is nothing to worry about?"

"I'm not kidding." Orson shook his head. "Although the outside world is talking about the Duke's successor, as an insider, I can tell you, Princess, that the position of Duke of Antica will definitely belong to Lit in the future."

"I, Orson, have been raised by the Duke of Antica, my father Lucius, for more than ten years. Lit is his own flesh and blood. I certainly will not usurp the family inheritance."

The fact that Orson was not Lucius' biological son was basically known to the upper classes of the empire. Some of them looked down on Orson because of their blood relationship, but most of them still respected him because of his strength.

"But, Orson, I think you still need to think about it. Lucius didn't exclude you from the position of heir, did he?" Elsa said. "Besides, Lit is at best an ordinary heir now. He is far less capable than you, Orson. Are you really confident in handing over everything of the family to him?"

"He's just a new member, right? Even though you're not related by blood, you've done far more for the family than Leete, right?!"

"Orson, are you really willing to do this?" Elsa's voice trembled as she said this, as if she really felt sorry for Orson.

"Your Highness Elsa, if you really want to do this for my own good, then I appreciate your kindness." Orson said. "But do you know what your actions look like to me?"

"You think I am very capable, and therefore you think I will be more helpful to you after I ascend to the Dukedom, so you come to win me over."

"And now that you see that I don't want to be a duke, you are a little anxious and feel that all your previous preparations have failed, right?"

"Orson, that's not what I meant..." Elsa said, "I just..."

"Well, Your Highness, please take a closer look at today's play. I have also made some changes to the script for today's performance. You should be able to gain something from it by the end."

"As for the rest, I won't say much. I wish you a pleasant show." Orson said this and walked out of the box.

Elsa was left here alone.

After he walked out of the box, before he had time to go downstairs, several guards in gorgeous clothes came up.

"Mr. Orson, His Royal Highness the Prince invites you."

"Okay." Orson nodded and walked into Arthas' box.

"Orson, I heard that you were in Elsa's box just now?" As soon as Orson walked into the box, he saw Alsace drinking red wine alone.

"Yeah." Orson nodded.

"What did Elsa talk to you about?" Arthas raised his eyebrows and turned his head to look at Orson.

"Nothing to talk about." Orson said this with an awkward smile.

"Let me guess, could it be that Elsa wants you to support her in the succession to the throne?"

"Yes." Seeing that Arthas had made it clear, Orson certainly did not hide it. "Her Highness Elsa wanted me to help her, but I felt that the succession to the throne had always been a family affair of the royal family. As outsiders, it was not convenient for us to interfere, so I rejected her."

"Indeed." Arthas nodded. "This matter is originally an internal family matter, but unfortunately, the Lancaster family stands at the top of the empire, and there are always some blind little bugs coveting the family's position below."

Seeing that Arthas seemed to be hinting at something, Orson smiled lightly and did not show his true intention.

Reveal your emotions.

"But, Orson, are you sure you won't reconsider what I told you today?" Arthas asked. "It is said that giving timely help is worse than icing on the cake. If you join me now, you will definitely become the second person in the empire in the future."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness Arthas, I'm born poor and humble, so I don't dare to have too big ambitions, let alone being the second in command of the empire." Orson said this, bowing his head. "If there's nothing else, I'll leave first, there are people waiting for me."

"Okay." Arthas nodded.

He just needed to make sure Orson didn't fall to Elsa.

After all, if Orson sided with Elsa, the two major forces of the Duchy of Antica and its ally the Duchy of Prussia would support Elsa, which would pose a great obstacle to his future succession.

For now, it seems that as long as Orson maintains his consistent neutral attitude, everything will be fine.

……

After Orson left, Elsa stayed alone in the box watching the play. According to Orson, today's performance of "The Brontës" used the script revised by Orson.

But in the first half, the plot continued to develop as Elsa had expected, and nothing new was seen.

Until the last part of the play.

After the family members overcame the difficulties, successfully weathered the crisis and resolved the crisis, the stage fell into darkness.

Just when everyone thought the show was over, the lights came on again.

This time, the least noticeable youngest sister in the family sat in the seat originally in the center, which was originally the seat for the head of the family.

The rest of the family fell to the ground, looking lifeless.

Then, the curtain fell and the play officially came to an end.

The audiences were all looking at this in confusion. They didn’t know why a scene that was supposed to be a happy ending ended up with such a terrifying scene.

But in Elsa's view, this ending is full of infinite possibilities.

Orson said that he was the one who revised the script.

Does that mean something about his attitude towards himself?

……

On the other side, after leaving the auditorium, Orson came to the commercial street.

At the entrance of the commercial street, Orson saw Olivia, who was wearing a beautiful dress and light makeup.

It seems that Olivia has made sufficient preparations for the date tonight.

"Orson~" Olivia noticed Orson at the first time. She quickly waved at Orson, then trotted to Orson, and then directly put her arm around Orson's arm.

Now Orson already knew Olivia's feelings for him. Although as a man who had never been in a relationship, he was a little shy about such an intimate action, he did not object.

On the contrary, Orson felt very comfortable with his arms sunk into a warm and soft mass, feeling Olivia's delicate and cuddly posture.

I don’t know why I could make a beautiful girl like Olivia fall in love with me.

"Ahem, Olivia, you look very beautiful tonight...more beautiful than ever before." Even though he was a straight man, Orson noticed the changes in Olivia's dress.

If he didn't praise Olivia, he would have lived in vain.

"Huh?" Olivia was a little surprised to see Orson praising her for the first time.

Then she turned her head away with a red face.

"I thought you wouldn't say anything, idiot." Olivia whispered.

"Ah?" Orson didn't hear Olivia's words clearly, so he asked hurriedly.

"Nothing!" Olivia said, and pulled Orson to go shopping.

This time, Olivia did not drag Orson to go shopping. On the contrary, she preferred to appreciate the scenery with Orson and feel the feeling of being shocked by some beautiful scenery together.

Colorful lanterns, illuminated storefronts, and glowing buildings and towers in the distance.

The night view of the Imperial Academy, at least on the day of the school festival, can be said to be unique in the imperial city.

In this way, the two people strolled tirelessly for about an hour, and finally sat down on a wooden bench beside an artificial lake.

This place is remote, with few pedestrians and dim lighting.

But this feeling of quietness made the two of them feel very comfortable.

Compared to the crowded crowd, being alone with two people actually adds a bit of charm.

"Orson." At this time, Olivia leaned on Orson's shoulder, her long white hair flowing smoothly.

She held Orson's arm, and a few strands of hair fell on the back of Orson's hand.

Orson turned his hand over and gently rubbed the white hair.

"My hair, does it look good?"

"Yeah, it looks good." Orson nodded.

What a joke! The white hair and red eyes are a special attack on the Chinese people. Coupled with Olivia's proud figure, she perfectly fits Orson's aesthetic point.

"Of course, you're prettier." Orson used his decades of experience as a single man to utter a love word that couldn't be more cheesy.

"Pfft." Olivia was also amused by this. "Orson, have you never been in love before..."

"What's wrong with not having talked about it? You make it sound like you're very experienced, Olivia..." Orson countered.

"Hmm..." Olivia blushed when she heard that. "They are both first loves, so someone has to take the initiative."

"Hey, Orson," Olivia continued.

"Ok?"

"Do you know when I started to like you?"