The Strange but Effective Villainess Life

Episode 26: Someone Is Back (IV)

“…There are many things I want to ask the Princess.”

“Is it a math problem? If not, ask later. I don’t have the passion to answer right now.”

Avian immediately responded to my words.

“Then, would it be all right if I see you at the Duchy of Prelai? I will send you a letter.”

“Come to think of it, if you’re not curious about math, I don’t think we even need to meet. It’s a bit troublesome.”

“But Princess, I have to properly express my gratitude…”

“Ah, of course you have to repay this grace.”

I continued with a straight face.

“Even though you became the captain of the guard, you followed the orders of your superiors without question out of useless loyalty, leaving your enemy close at hand and almost never being able to catch him for the rest of your life.”

“That, that… that’s right.”

‘Anyway, Avian is thinking about how to thank me… ‘

I kindly relieved the burden on his heart.

“I will definitely claim this grace when it’s appropriate, so please wait reverently with the mindset that you will work like an ox no matter what I ask you to do.”

“…Yes.”

Finally, Avian nodded, bewildered.

“All right. but…”

Avian rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a handkerchief. Then he tied it tightly around my right wrist like a bandage.

“You got a small scratch. Please apply medicine later.”

It was the wrist grabbed by the middle-aged man earlier. Unbeknownst to me, there was a very small scratch.

When did he notice this tiny little wound?

I frowned and muttered seriously.

“No, when did that son of a bitch do such a violent thing to my fragile wrist?”

“…….”

At my habitual but questionable speech, Avian couldn’t even say a word of concern.

Soon, Avian turned slightly to greet Cesare.

“Then, please take good care of the princess.”

Etiquette was courteously followed, but… strangely, it felt like he was being chased away.

This was entirely Cesare’s fault. It was because he had such an air of dominion.

“Goodbye, then.”

Avian disappeared just like that.

Of course, disturbances were already happening here and there.

The staff, noticing that the atmosphere was unusual, began to stuff valuable things into their pockets. Drunk people hurriedly picked up scattered chips.

When the capital guards appeared, many people ran to the entrance screaming. And in the distance, I saw the spy maid running with a bag of gold coins.

‘It’s a success!’

Of course, money wasn’t the goal, but I shouldn’t miss the money that came along.

I welcomed the spy maid more than ever. And she came running to me prouder than ever.

The bond we felt at that moment was incomparable to anything else.

“Princeeeeesssssss! I did it! Even in that mess, they changed it into gold coins!”

“Nice job, Spy!”

I hugged the sack of gold coins… No, I hugged the spy maid tightly. Peep became stuck between us and squeaked.

Cesare, who was watching us, smiled picturesquely and slowly uttered. 

“Well then, since the person you’ve been waiting for has arrived, let’s go.”

The place was in total ruins.

Despite that, Cesare was elegant as if he was in another world.

“You can’t say things like, ‘No, it’s fine.’ It’s dangerous here alone.”

I lightly grabbed his outstretched hand.

“Yes.”

At that time, a huge man came up from behind and whispered.

“Hurry… you have to get out…”

The spy maid flinched at the sight of the man, who looked muscular and rough. The man seemed to be a close friend of Cesare, and remained firmly silent as if he was accustomed to such behavior.

“Then let’s go quickly.”

Cesare smiled beautifully and calmly took my hand.

We climbed the stairs slowly.

In the noisy atmosphere, he was as relaxed as though he was at a ball. So I, who was walking next to him, felt as if I was walking in a dream.

“But, Marquis.”

It was when I was climbing the stairs towards the door.

I asked him, out of the blue.

“Why did you come up to me?”

“…Yes?”

“This is not a good place… You can just pass by pretending not to know.”

“Well.”

Cesare laughed lightly.

His thick eyebrows drew a soft arc. He appeared as though he was playing a cheeky prank.

“Perhaps because I want to look good.”

“Yes?”

“There is something I want from the Princess.”

As expected, he was a man with a purpose, so he didn’t even hide his intentions.

I thought I could now understand why he helped me at the general store the other day.

I really liked this neat give and take.

“You want a magic tool, right?”

Cesare’s eyebrows rose slightly.

I spoke excitedly.

“You always commission the academy to research magic tools. Most of the academy’s papers come out through me, so don’t you want to request it directly?”

“Ah.”

Cesare replied with a smile.

“You’re clever, Princess. You immediately notice the intentions of a person you meet for the first time.”

“I saw your name many times in the request form.”

We exchanged business-like smiles for a while.

I changed the subject after a glance at him.

“But it isn’t wise to say that you have a close relationship with me. Since I have no friends, there will be a scandal at once.”

He smiled leisurely, like he didn’t care at all about my fairly serious opinion.

“Is that so.”

…His answer seemed like he was enjoying this. It was an arrogant reaction, in a way, that no situation could really embarrass him.

Then again, amazingly, that indifferent arrogance suited him so well that I found it rather attractive.

I added as though I was worried.

“Besides, I heard you don’t step foot in the capital’s social circles. It means that if bad rumors circulate, you will be helpless.”

“To think the Princess is so earnestly concerned about my reputation…”

With composure, he responded as he carefully led my hand.

“This is such an honor.”

“Hmm, I wasn’t worried to the point of earnestness, but…”

“Anyway, I’m fine, Princess.”

It was a tone that wasn’t bothered in the slightest.

Ah, as expected, he was the man who had no interest in Melissa, who used to seduce all men at the brush of his collar.

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes.”

Cesare remained cool. Really, it was like everything in the world was a joke and had no effect on him.

“It doesn’t matter, that sort of thing.”

The stairs leading up were steep. However, Cesare’s footsteps did not falter once.

“It seems Marquis Levin is really only interested in developing magic tools.”

My voice trembled after being assured that it didn’t matter.

“So you’re short-sighted and foolish, who cares about nothing else. Very good.”

“…Yes?”

I urgently asked.

“Then would you like to date me?”

“…….”

At that moment, Cesare, who was climbing the stairs gracefully in the dark, twisted his ankle.

“Oh, are you okay?”

And Peep, who was sitting on top of my head, shouted in a sad voice.

<Oh, he must hate it! He isn’t that stupid! Kiana’s attempt failed!>

Peep had been silent until now. I guess she couldn’t stand it any longer.

<He’s crazy enough to go to the clubhouse, but not enough to date Kiana!>

I held Cesare’s staggering body. And somewhat regrettably quickly correcting my words.

“If, if you don’t like it… how about a contract relationship?”

<Ah! What is that! You’re not backing away immediately, Kiana!>

“Well, if you don’t like that as well, how about pretending to be in love?”

<Oh my God! You’re starting to look pathetic, Kiana!>

There was no room for Cesare to intervene.

Cesare, who had not lost his composure in the clubhouse’s chaos, shouted hastily with a panicked expression.

“Now, wait!”

Peep and I shut our mouths at once, and Cesare stumbled and barely uttered.

“Let’s discuss at my house.”

Ame: Yup, Cesare is soooo Isidore-coded x) and *whistles* inviting her to your home? *chuckles* just wait till this gets back to gramps!