"I can't believe this. Do you know how many times I have implored you to stop your pointless actions?"

"I will not stop the greatest cosmetic ever made because of the rambling of someone still wet behind the ears. Get out of here at once!"

"You're a mad woman! You must be stopped."

"Stopped?! You think you can stop me? Guards! Guards! Deal with this wretch at once. I want her out!"

That scene just now happens in a certain future where the clash between good and evil becomes inevitable. With a villainous lady on one side and a commoner heroine on the other, the classic struggle has sparked nothing left except using force.

—Sometime Earlier—

"Ladies, ladies! Enough squabbling. For the last time, look at these macarons, light as a feather and filled with the most delightful creams and jams. Truly, the epitome of the art of confectionery."

"How can you say that? Nothing can surpass the comforting charm of a good scone. Served with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, it is the peak of refinement and tradition. Simplicity, my dear, often speaks volumes."

"Both of you are neglecting what I am saying. Cannoli, with its crispy shells and creamy ricotta filling, is a marvel of texture and flavor. And let us not forget the delight of a well-made tiramisu, which combines coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone into the greatest taste that can ever grace your tastebuds."

"Isabella, your cannoli are indeed delightful, but what I have here is the perfect balance of flavor and presentation. The éclairs, the mille-feuille, each is a work of art, both to the eyes and the palate. The precision and care in each layer, each glaze, is unparalleled."

"Presentation is all well and good, Vivian, but one must consider substance over style. Our Bakewell tarts and treacle puddings are rich in history and flavor, bringing warmth and satisfaction with every bite. They are not mere dainty bites but hearty, soul-enriching treats."

"Perhaps, Edith, but pastries must evoke passion. A well-made sfogliatella with its crisp, layered exterior and tender, citrus-infused filling is a revelation. And let's not overlook the panna cotta, which is as smooth and sophisticated as a perfectly performed opera."

The three ladies, in totally different styles, kept arguing endlessly about pastries and their passion for tasty food. Isabella, in her saffron stylish dress, Edith, in a blue party gown, and Vivian, in her Morticia Addams cosplay.

"Well, ladies, I am sure we may vary in tastes but our differences are what make us special. I'll drink to that." Vivian said as she raised her cup for the two young ladies.

"You're drinking tea, Viv." Isabella pointed.

"What else should I drink?"

"Have you tried Port?" Isabella asked and offered Vivian her favorite brand of wine.

"How about you try Ratafia?" Edith also did the same.

"Thank you both but I am a tea and biscuits girl till I draw my last breath." Vivian declined all alcoholic liquors and stayed resolute to her tea-addicted self.

The three young ladies were of course seated around a table in the middle of a party where many guests were also present.

With Vivian and Isabella standing out the most due to their unique choices of fashion, many ladies tried to come over to make connections with but with Edith's strong eyes gazing at whoever approached them, many of the ladies were unnerved and didn't come near them. Having the second game villainess in the party was already showing great promise.

At that moment, the surrounding voices started to gradually rise from the direction of the villa as a woman appeared on top of the stairs surrounded by her makeup models that looked like statues of white marble. That woman was as pale as the others and had red flame-like wavy hair, she wore a very luxurious evening dress that seemed like something Isabella would make, and seeing the grin appearing on her face, it seemed like it was indeed hers.

The red-haired woman walked seductively down the stairs and many other women went ahead and received her down the stairway as if they were her worshipers. Vivian could see that most of them were heavily using cosmetics and one of them was indeed Saskia who wanted to urge Vivian to join them but the latter acted as if she couldn't see her.

"With this pale makeup you're in, you may as well look like one of them." Isabella said as she got closer to Vivian.

"Oh, please. I wouldn't mix with these teenage-wannabe middle-aged ladies even if it kills me." Vivian rolled her eyes with annoyance.

"Middle-aged? You know some of these ladies are pretty close to us in age." Isabella retorted.

"You sure?" Vivian frowned and took a second look, "That's strange, their movements don't reflect it."

"Movements?" Edith asked.

"Yes, don't you see it? Most of them were struggling to stand up properly. If not for the painful footwear, I assume it is their joints due to… well… age." Vivian explained her insight.

"Well, I would have said the same if I didn't recognize them individually. Still, I think Natasha's cosmetics can fool anyone." Edith shrugged while taking note of Vivian's sharp senses.

"I see."

Focusing on the red-haired woman, Natasha Ivanov, the crowd followed her with their gazes of admiration and envy until she reached the middle of the garden where a stage was set for her. She walked on top of it and a Halfling woman approached her, just like how it happened with Isabella and Vivian during the announcement day, the Halfling sorceress laid a spellmark on Natasha's hand for her to be able to use the Theatricks spell, "Chantatio".

"Ladies of Archester, I bid you all welcome to Natasha's annual gallery." Natasha spoke to the crowd as soon as the light of magic was focused on her and her voice was heard across the garden clearly and pleasantly.

"Thank you, Natasha!"

"We love you!"

Two adoring fans called for Natasha from the crowd and the herd mentality kicked in, causing the crowd to applaud her momentarily.

"Pft! So staged!" Vivian commented on the obvious act.

"That's the case with Natasha every year." Isabella said.

"Can't deny it is smart though." Edith added.

As for Natasha, she was already wrapping up her speech.

"… For this year, I'd like to announce the new cosmetics line from Natasha's, the one I have been teasing some of you about for a while now. As you can see, my maids, some of the guests, and myself have been using it, and the effects are nothing less than magical."

Natasha proudly walked down off the stage and two of her maids came into the garden while pushing two serving trolleys like the ones used to serve food but these ones were covered with thin white sheets. If anyone had to guess, there are most likely samples of the product.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"So for those of you who don't know or heard any rumor, our newest product for this year is called Gratia, it is a new type of restorative balm that works on moisturizing, healing, and de-aging the skin. Careful though, it is only meant for women, don't go putting that on your lovers, ladies." Natasha said as her maids started going around the tables, distributing the samples to the attendees.

"Ohoho! Come to mama!" Isabella was excited as she received her sample which came in the shape of a round compact tin container inscribed with beautiful shapes of flowers and birds.

As soon as Isabella opened her container, a pleasant smell invaded the vicinity like the bloom of a thousand springs. This sensation kept happening around every table causing a sensation of euphoria.

"Urgh!"

But on a certain table, where the trio was sitting, Vivian displayed a sudden reaction and she bolted off her seat immediately.

"Viv?"

Seeing Vivian run and cover her nose with a dizzy complexion, Isabella and Edith followed her immediately, and soon after came Saskia, whose expressions seemed embarrassed and angry. The crowd could see what happened with Vivian and even Natasha was bewildered for a second.

"Viv, what's wrong?" Isabella raced after Vivian, who was leaning on a tree far from the party and seemed to be coughing and wheezing.

"Just —cough— a second —cough cough—." Vivian said as she tried to calm herself down and her eyes became tearful.

She turned her head up and started inhaling and exhaling slowly before she could finally stand properly. During that, Edith caught up and finally came Saskia.

"Vivian! Vivian! What was that? Do you realize what you have done? You can't just do as you please…"

"Would you shut up already!"

As Saskia was about to lash at Vivian, Isabella's gentle attitude switched to demonic as she shouted at Saskia. The latter remained utterly speechless and turned to look at Vivian.

"Are you alright?" Edith approached Vivian from the other side and tried to support her.

"I am alright." Vivian replied and kept her breath steady, "The scent in that balm, it was jasmine, right?"

"Yes, you're not allergic to that, right?" Isabella asked.

Allergic to jasmine?

Vivian was never allergic to that, Nadia, however, had a diabolical allergy to certain scents. This includes the jasmine fragrance which would cause her nasal inflammation and acute headache especially when the cars used by the organization she was a member of always used jasmine cleanser. It would usually cause her nausea and headache but this burst of fragrance caused by Natasha's balm was on a whole new level.

It seemed that Nadia had transmigrated with her allergies as well.

"I am allergic to it." Vivian replied.

"Liar! You've never been!" Saskia spoke angrily to Vivian.

"I could endure it before, this time it was just too much." Vivian tried to justify herself.

"You!" Saskia raised her finger and with an angry gaze, she turned away, "I'll remember this. I tried to be nice to you but you… you disappointed me."

Seeing her walk off, Edith tried to follow her but was stopped by Vivian and Isabella.

"But… won't this cause trouble."

"Just let her go. She's a self-centered woman, she won't listen to reason. But she'll involve your father in this." Isabella said.

"Hopefully she will." Vivian said and decided to keep herself at a safe distance from the party for the rest of the evening while accompanying Isabella and Edith.

Meanwhile, Saskia seemed to have returned to the party and used Vivian's allergy as an excuse to lift the embarrassment she felt off herself especially since this was the gathering of people she is mostly mixed with.

As for the host, Natasha, she was courteous enough to excuse herself from the party for a minute and go check on Vivian.

"I am so sorry about what just happened, Miss Vivian. I knew you told me once you were allergic to chemicals but I made sure this balm was especially harmless and chemical-free." She said while holding Vivian's hands tightly.

"It's okay." Vivian said and retracted her hand away, "I am actually okay with it but not with the sudden rush of fragrance it caused."

"This is so unfortunate. Please, let me make this up for you. The jasmine was just the scent added by our specialist to enhance the scent of the balm. I'll tell her to make a different scent. Maybe lavender or a woody element if you are okay with it." Natasha said.

"I wouldn't want to trouble you, I am okay either way."

"Nonsense. As an affiliate of the Conglomerate, I'll see to the well-being of the members of House Moore before everything else. That is a law I live by."

Seeing Natasha acting all friendly, Vivian could swear she didn't feel the same as she did back during the meeting when she opposed the idea of ViTech. Of course, Vivian's success has changed how the world sees her and Natasha would naturally switch her attitude.

After making sure everything was okay with Vivian, Natasha retreated back to the party and Vivian seemed to be planning to head home and call it an evening. Isabella and Edith were planning to see her off and walked with her on her way out.

"That allergy turned out to be so dangerous, I've known you for almost all our lives and I haven't noticed it." Isabella said with a sorry face.

"Don't worry about it. I didn't have it when I was younger so I guess it developed recently and as I said, it is not a bother if the scent is faint." Vivian said and patted Isabella's arm.

As the girls walked through the garden, loitering and lazing off to make their trip longer, they ran into a scene they never expected to stumble on if they took the direct route.

It was Natasha Ivanov facing someone standing behind a tree from the direction that the three came from.

"I said no. This isn't some child's play. I hired you to get me results and results are what I expect." Natasha's voice was heard speaking angrily.

"Natasha, listen to reason. Gratia isn't ready to be sold just yet. The side effects of using this new compound are severe and proven to be unsafe." A voice of a young woman was heard replying.

"You promised me that Gratia would have no chemical compounds. Now you are telling me to stop the production after spending all that? Do you realize how limited these resources are? How expensive the whole thing is?" Natasha spoke with obvious distress.

Hearing how critical this was, the three girls decided to keep their presence faint and hid behind some nearby shrubs. From what it seemed, Natasha was talking to her expert.

"Everything in life is chemicals one way or the other. Even if the source is plant-based, it can become a fatal poison in the end. Please, Natasha, give me a week. You can't push this on the market in two days."

"I don't care. The resources given to us are the rarest in the whole Empire. The monthly meeting will take place four days from now and if I don't have results, my share in the Conglomerate will take a hit I can't afford." Natasha said.

"You don't care? You are using this balm. It is your health we are talking about. Is money everything to you?" The expert asked.

"Money is power." Natasha said and turned away, "My life is my business. Health is something that can be treated with enough money. Also, Gratia works like magic. The effect… I can feel it."

As Natasha said so, she touched the nearby tree trunk and tightened her grip on it…

Crack!

CRAAAACK!

Just with grip strength alone, Natasha displayed something out of the realm of possibility.

The tree trunk she touched was crushed by her grip and turned into squishy splinters which didn't even injure her hand or leave a single mark.

Everyone's eyes winded, from Vivian to Edith and Isabella, this included the young woman who was speaking to Natasha and who backed away from the tree to be visible to the three young ladies from their hiding spot.

And to their utter surprise… it was Matilda.

"I can't believe this. Do you know how many times I have implored you to stop these pointless actions?" Seeing how Natasha used this unnatural power, Matilda seemed horrified as she backed away.

"I will not stop the greatest cosmetic ever made because of the rambling of someone still wet behind the ears. Get out of here at once!" Natasha replied and cornered Matilda with her domineering attitude.

"You're a mad woman! You must be stopped." Matilda said with fear visible in her eyes.

"Stopped?! You think you can stop me? Guards! Guards! Deal with this wretch at once. I want her out!"

It was a scene that made Vivian and the other two almost lose their heads from shock.

Matilda, the game's heroine, and the Crown Prince's girlfriend was in league with Natasha Ivanov, a partner of the Moore Conglomerate. This meant that the Prince's faction breached the conglomerate and it was not looking good.

As two guards came to escort Matilda out, Vivian disappeared from where she was and moved like the wind in a different direction, chasing the guards and Matilda.

Edith and Isabella were bewildered by Vivian's disappearance but Edith tracked her immediately and saw what she was doing.

If she was about to do something reckless and they couldn't stop her, at least they had to help her get out of it safely, so the two nodded before acting.

The Villianess Union of Vivian and Edith, with its latest honorary member, Isabella, were now off to make their first official action on the field.