Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Chapter 73: Pomefiore Endnote

Shocked, Vil asks, "...What? What do you mean, you're the one most deserving of my ire?"

"Well, you see..." Rook says and brings out his phone, "Here."

Then Rook shows Vil the screen on his phone. Curious, Vil looks at the phone, and suddenly, his face looks like it's going pale.

"...n-no..." Vil softly says, and steps back.

It's almost like he's going to pass out.

"Whoa! Vil, hold it together!" Kalim says.

"Steady, sir! Here, hold onto my shoulder," Deuce says.

As Briar and the others walk over, they see Vil look very faint.

"Oh no, are you okay?" Briar asks, and rushes on the stage to help Vil.

"What happened?" Sereia asks.

Ace glares at Rook, "Are you nuts, Rook?! Why did you vote for Royal Sword Academy?!"

"I don't believe you! Why'd ya do somethin' so boneheaded?!" Epel asks.

"I told you: I simply couldn't lie to myself," Rook answers, "Neige's group believed in themselves and each other when they danced and sang. When I saw them up there, they struck me as powerful...and as the fairest of all in that exact moment."

"This is just... I can't..." Vil replies, still stunned.

"Vil, hang in there," Briar says, worried.

Rook then turns to Vil and says, "Vil. Nobody should believe in your beauty more than you yourself. It is most becoming, the way you maintain such rigid self restraint while polishing yourself to triumph over your rival. But as long as you lack conviction... No amount of validation from the rest of the world will ever leave you fulfilled. Even if you wind up old, emaciated, grimy, and stooped over..." That catches Vil's attention, "If you were to truly believe that you are the fairest of all despite that, even the Magic Mirror of legend wouldn't contest your claim. The strength and pride to believe in yourself is what marks the true fairest one of all.

Roi du Poison. Fair Vil. I implore you to believe in yourself more than anyone else. Beauty is always with you. At this exact moment, you are the fairest one of all."

Soon, Vil begins sniffling as tears fall from his eyes.

"Viii!" Neige's voice appears.

The group turns to see Neige walking to him in excitement.

Vil sniffles and gently rubs the tears from his eyes, "N-Neige?"

Neige gasps in surprise, "Vi, I've never seen you cry outside of an acting role before."

"Well, you caught me at a bad time. Heh... I'm always second to you," Vil says.

"Maybe that's what the numbers said," Neige says, "But you guys gave an amazing performance that nobody else could have pulled off. Sure, I took first at the competition... But your group is number one in the hearts of everybody who voted for you."

"Neige..." Vil replies.

"So c'mon, Vi. Don't cry!" Neige says with a smile.

"Heh. The Roi des Neiges is right. Your smile is far more becoming than your tears, Vil," Rook says, and hands Vil something, "Here. Take my handkerchief."

"...Thanks," Vil says.

Neige recognizes Rook, "Ah, you're the one who flagged me down before opening time. Your name is Rook, right?"

"Oui. My apologies for rushing you," Rook says.

Then Neige says, "You're 'R,' aren't you? The one who comes to every single one of my meet-and-greets and writes me letters?"