WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 5 of My Next Life as a Villainess, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Following her kidnapping, My Next Life as a Villainess‘ Katarina Claes’ rescue happens largely thanks to the oldest of the four Stuart brothers — the flamboyant prince Jeffrey — who was aware of Rufus stalking Katarina before anyone else was. But it’s not just the otome game’s main protagonist he’s a savior figure for. Season 2, Episode 5 makes it clear that the eldest Stuart brother is also highly adept at looking out for others, but especially his family.
Katarina’s ever-expanding harem does not yet include Jeffrey. Instead, he is effectively a second Katarina, and that is the role he fulfilled for Geordo, Alan and Ian as the four of them grew up in the royal household.
In the episode, Prince Jeffrey consults with his fianceé, Susanna Randall, who had disguised herself as the maid Lana to spy on the scheming Rufus. Jeffrey is concerned about the spread of dark magic in the area and makes it clear that he will not tolerate any more sinister threats to his brothers or their fiancees. He also shows Susanna his collection of paintings depicting his brothers, recalling the early days when he took it upon himself to look after their emotional well-being. The four Stuart siblings grew up semi-isolated and bitter, and Alan suffered from an inferiority complex when comparing himself to his fraternal twin, Geordo. Jeffrey tried to cheer him up, only to be pushed away.
More importantly, My Next Life as a Villainess also clarifies that Geordo was never a villain in the making. He merely acted aloof and disengaged to protect himself from the chaos and emotional turmoil around him, and deliberately had few interests or hobbies. This was his way of becoming a reed that bends without breaking. He was also unaware of Alan’s envy, although Jeffrey did his best to cheer up both twins as well as Ian. Today, the adolescent Ian thinks back fondly on the days when Jeffrey embraced him as a devoted brother.
Further recollections from the Stuart brothers reveal that for the first few years of their lives, Jeffrey served as their original Katarina: a warm-hearted, selfless person who makes it their mission to cheer up others and support them. Jeffrey’s progress was rather slow but he persisted, and today, he congratulates himself for his devotion to his younger brothers and vows to keep it up. That said, he is also unafraid to share this role with Katarina as My Next Life as a Villainess continues to develop.
When Geordo became engaged to Katarina and Alan to Mary Hunt, Jeffrey was happy for them and was aware of the positive effect Katarina had on both brothers. Jeffrey did not feel jealous or threatened that Katarina assumed his role as the emotional bedrock — he was thrilled. His first priority is his three brothers’ happiness, not his own image or importance, and he humbly accepts the fact that Katarina is now the center of Geordo and Alan’s universe. In a sense, Jeffrey has passed the baton to Katarina, but he is not yet ready to retire as a protective big brother.
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