Exiled Villainess Becomes Ruler (Republished/Edited)

Story Info: The Wonders of Love

The Wonders of Love is a fantasy romance novel written by an unknown author. It remains obscure to the public because only one copy exists. Evelina discovered this novel in the attic of her childhood home when she was 14 years old. The story troubled her deeply, leaving a lasting impression.

The novel is set in the world of Acadia, where magic and mythical creatures abound. Most humans are born with magic elements: Fire, Water, Thunder, Air, Earth, Dark, and Light. Dark and Light elements are exceptionally rare, with Light being highly esteemed and Dark feared. Earth is considered the weakest element, as its users are easily overpowered by others. Those born without any magic element are discriminated against and labeled as outcasts, forced to live in the Outcast Territory outside the empire.

The heroine of the story is Meredith Roseworth, a commoner gifted with Light magic. As a citizen of the Draconian Empire, she must attend the Draconian Royal Academy from the age of 12. She studies and lives in the academy's dormitory for four years. Before entering the academy, she demonstrates her magic abilities in front of mentors, students, the crown prince, and other prominent figures. Her Light magic, which causes her to glow almost blindingly, astonishes everyone. This earns her admiration from students and special treatment from teachers, as well as the interest of Crown Prince Maxwell Dracona and other male leads.

Evelina Winstead, the novel's villainess, is the daughter of the highest-ranking Duke, who is second only to the Emperor in power. She was born without a magic element, which brings shame to the Winstead family. Her father and two older brothers despise her, blaming her for the Duchess's death during childbirth. They show her contempt and allow the servants to abuse her. Despite her lack of magic, Evelina was not immediately expelled from the empire because the Emperor intended to use her to gain control over the Duke's power by marrying her to his son, the Crown Prince.

Evelina first meets Crown Prince Maxwell when she is 10 years old, and he is only a few months older. On that day, Maxwell treats her with kindness, a stark contrast to the contempt she receives from everyone else. This kindness, given her isolation and the cruelty she faces at home, makes Evelina fall in love with him. She is overjoyed when Emperor Maximillian announces their engagement. Maxwell pretends to accept the engagement, but in reality, he views Evelina as weak and useless due to her lack of magic. He plans to dispose of her once he becomes emperor.

Evelina is allowed to attend the Draconian Royal Academy despite her lack of a magic element, solely because the Emperor wants her close to Prince Maxwell. The teachers, aware of this, resent her presence. The students, both noble and commoner, are aware of the reason for her admission and delight in humiliating her. They force her to showcase her non-existent magic just to amuse themselves and embarrass a Duke's daughter.

At the academy, Meredith and Prince Maxwell become friends, and Maxwell spends a lot of time with her, deepening their bond. In contrast, he barely interacts with Evelina, who finds herself increasingly isolated. Despite her growing jealousy, Evelina does not act out against Meredith but endures the growing animosity.

The situation changes in the fourth year of Evelina's academy life. Meredith begins receiving malicious treatment. Her locker is defaced with derogatory terms, and her uniform is found sullied. Meredith reports these incidents to the male leads, who become vigilant.

One day, Meredith, in tears, tells Prince Maxwell and the other male leads that she is being bullied by a group of girls. She claims they were sent by Evelina. The male leads confront Evelina, who is bewildered by the accusation and denies any involvement. Though they are skeptical, Maxwell believes Evelina's denial and warns her to stay away from Meredith. Evelina is deeply hurt by this, unable to understand why Maxwell would value Meredith over her, his fiancée.

Rumors about Meredith spread, including accusations that she is a prostitute's daughter, a cheater, and promiscuous. Each time Evelina is near, Meredith suffers a mishap—falling, getting wet, or having a handprint on her face. Meredith claims Evelina is responsible and that her jealousy of Meredith's light magic and their friendship is driving the harassment. Maxwell, enraged, confronts Evelina again. Despite Evelina's continued denial of wrongdoing, Maxwell warns her of severe consequences if she does not stop targeting Meredith.

The situation escalates when Meredith arrives with visible bruises, claiming that Evelina sent followers to beat her. The prince and the other male leads are incensed and demand severe punishment for Evelina. Maxwell, now viewing Evelina as a vengeful and jealous adversary, insists she be executed.

Prince Maxwell takes Meredith to the royal palace and asks Emperor Maximillian to end the engagement and annul his betrothal to Evelina, proposing Meredith as a more suitable future empress. The Emperor, impressed by Meredith's rare light magic and the prince's support, agrees. He orders Evelina to be imprisoned and put on trial, deciding to exile her instead of executing her. This decision is influenced by his need to keep the Duke's power within his grasp and his preference for a light magic user as his future daughter-in-law.

At 16, Evelina faces a life-threatening situation. Arrested and dragged out of the academy, she is subjected to beatings, starvation, and torture in an attempt to force a confession. Despite the torment, she remains firm in her innocence. The Emperor, irritated by her defiance and more interested in Meredith's light magic, chooses to exile her. Evelina spends three weeks in the dungeon before being brought before the royal family and nobility, marking the beginning of the "Exile" chapter in her story.