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Episode 13: The Villainess Returns (XII)
“…How come nothing has changed from the old days when it was like a dog training class.”
With a grim smile, Rodrigo turned me around.
“Maybe it’s because you’re back after a long time, you don’t seem to know your situation.”
Then he smirked and whispered.
“Do you think you can escape me? Even then, it would be of no use.”
A subtle madness had seeped into Rodrigo’s dark red eyes.
Originally, I liked those red eyes. I thought that if I married this man, I might give birth to a red-eyed child.
That’s how much my obsession with the color of my eyes was at that time. Since anyone could dye their hair or wear a wig.
“I am the first man you insisted on marrying, Kiana. Six years ago, you were at a loss when I smiled at you.”
Rodrigo said confidently.
Hmm. The man I once clung to suddenly felt so comfortable with me and brought up the past.
So, I decided to answer comfortably and honestly as well.
“What nonsense. According to my nanny, the first man I ever wanted to marry was Alex. Was it when I was four years old? It’s proof that my eyes for men are always messed up.”
And I wisely considered the position of the other party.
“Anyway, seeing as you chased after me like a lost dog pretending it was a coincidence, I guess I’m still coveted since I’m a Princess of Prelai? Well, it’s possible. Still, how about wiping the sweat from the soles of your feet before making a move? I can see through it too clearly.”
I pointed to my face and continued vaguely.
“Even if I have a bad reputation, don’t you think I can get married with this much? I’m still smart, kind, pretty, and lovable?”
“…….”
For a moment, Rodrigo looked puzzled, but he couldn’t deny what I said. He just said something entirely off point.
“You have no choice. Even in the Prelai Duchy, if I said I’ll take the troublesome villainess away, they’d say I’m doing a good deed.”
It was an engagement that was unilaterally broken while exchanging marriage talks with Melissa. In any case, it was a loss for Rodrigo. Naturally, from the position of the Duchy of Purves, he could hold the Duchy of Prelai accountable.
Although it would appear a little strange, if Purves insisted it be maintained anyway because it was a marriage between families, Prelai would have nothing to say. Since there was still a princess who could marry him instead of Melissa.
So I shrugged my shoulders and pointed out the reality.
“What are you talking about? All I have to do now is become the youngest princess in the family, loved by my grandfather and obsessed over by my brothers?”
“There’s no way something like that would ever happen, and even if it really did happen…”
Rodrigo smiled and took a step closer.
“…Maybe it’ll be of no use? So don’t lose your energy for nothing, Princess.”
Okay. There was no need to relax with these pointless arguments.
The moment when I was about to pour the stomach medicine the spy maid was holding over his head…
“Well.”
The man standing behind us put down one of the magic tools he was looking at with a thud and said,
“I don’t think Princess Prelai said anything particularly wrong.”
It was a languid, low voice. Even so, the pronunciation was accurate, and it stuck to my ears.
It came from the only customer who hadn’t left yet, the handsome dark-haired man.
‘Wow… Your voice is really nice…’
However, the tone was a little strange. Very naturally, he spoke like he was above someone.
“Isn’t that why you couldn’t even answer properly?”
Even the gesture of putting down an object was overflowing with grace, so Rodrigo and I couldn’t help but flinch.
Not many people could speak this way to the second son of the ducal family of Purves.
Even the angle of the button fastened at his neck was sharp like a knife. On closer examination, I saw that his dressing was impeccable. There was not a single wrinkle.
‘What, why are you so handsome?’
No matter how noble he was, his appearance couldn’t be that perfect. There was no disturbance in his standing posture. It seemed that just being in front of him made Rodrigo’s body stiffened by itself.
“In my personal opinion…”
His speech was slow and relaxed, but the pressure it carried was enormous.
He slowly moved towards Rodrigo and I.
“The man looks more like a villain.”
And while Rodrigo was so overwhelmed by the momentary pressure that he could not say anything, I easily removed his hand from my wrist. There was not a single useless movement in that little action.
“And, Princess Prelai.”
The man turned his head and stared at me. The rare golden eyes were far off.
Just by being face to face, there was the distant feeling that did not seem like a human being’s.
Perhaps because of this pressure, even Rodrigo was instinctively unable to do anything.
He asked politely, in a well-mannered yet firm tone.
“I’ve been looking for you. Could you please give me a minute?”
It was a face that made me really want to give anything away. But the only thing I couldn’t give away was time. Because there was something I had to do before I met my grandfather.
Time was delayed further because I met Rodrigo unexpectedly.
So I answered right away.
“No. Well, goodbye.”
Then, without looking back, I took the spy maid and hurriedly got into the carriage.
─➽⊰
Cesare staggered out of the general store.
“So this is what the Marquis was worried about… I guess I still lack a lot of insight.”
Ragnac consoled Cesare, who seemed somewhat shocked.
“It’s okay, Marquis. You always emphasized your relationship with the princess as ‘a simple relationship where we can only use each other’.”
“…….”
“Even if you’re not the princess’ style to the point that she absolutely doesn’t want to give you even a moment’s time, there’s no need to be offended.”
“…….”
“Perhaps she thought of the Marquis as just a man who plays around. Maybe that’s why she didn’t feel an attraction, so she cut it off right away?”
“…….”
“If you had just said, ‘Let’s make a clean deal,’ even if she thought that the Marquis was not good as a man, she would give you time. It’s so obvious.”
Cesare glared at his closest, innocent subordinate.
“Of course, I learned not too long ago that ‘well, goodbye’ means ‘get lost’.”
“Stop it, Ragnac.”
“But still…”
“Stop it.”
“Okay…”
Without knowing why, Ragnac kept his mouth shut.
─➽⊰
After buying more coffee, I immediately returned to the ducal residence. I didn’t have much time.
“Take that and follow me, Spy.”
After returning to my room and changing into simple clothes, I had the spy maid carry my items. And I headed straight for the greenhouse.
Inside the bag were all the magic items I brought from the academy, as well as candy, stomach medicines, and coffee.
I also packed a lot of parchment scrolls and fine quills. I had to move quickly as my grandfather would most likely wake up soon and call for me.
“Princess.”
The spy maid who was following me hesitated, then said,
“Lunch is… I’m sorry, but you didn’t even have a proper breakfast.”
“I did eat lunch.”
“Yes? When?”
“A little while ago, Joshua gave me cookies in the drawing room.”
The spy maid asked, her eyes wide.
“Yes? Is that a meal?”
“That’s about it.”
With that, I calmly continued walking.
“Ugh, this damn place… Why is it so big?”
I was out of breath when I reached the greenhouse. The ducal residence was really huge… But I couldn’t ride a carriage around the house.
“Spy, are you really strong?”
Perhaps because she was muscular, the spy maid didn’t look tired at all despite carrying a lot of things. Rather… She was looking at me with pity.
“I apologize, but… It appears that the Princess’s physical strength is below average.”
“Wow, look at you, you say you’re sorry but still say everything you want to say. You’re a strong-willed spy.”
“…Thank you.”
“If you bring me coffee quickly, you will grow into a highly paid spy.”
After praising the spy maid, I slammed open the door of the greenhouse.
The greenhouse might be as big as the mansion.
“Princess, why are you here… Actually, I think you’ll need the duke’s permission to go inside.”
The spy maid spoke cautiously.
Oh… Since I had been away from the ducal residence for a long time, of course I should respect the opinion of the maid who had been here for a long time…
However, accurate confirmation was essential, much more than respect.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes?”
“Is such a procedure really necessary?”
“…Um, but… Inside… … Actually, it’s an area most haven’t been to for a long time…”
“You mean there is no procedure to begin with? It’s a little embarrassing that a spy saying this to the princess, hmm?”
The spy maid noticeably flinched and shrugged.
Since I was very generous, I kindly gave her advice on efficient work.
“Spy, it’s good to have a backbone, but I hope you don’t stop me from now on. I don’t listen to others anyway. Do refer to this in the future.”
After giving sincere advice, I unhesitatingly went into the innermost part of the greenhouse.
And there, as expected…
<…Who are you? >
In a nest the size of a house, a large black hawk, was lying down.
It was Grandpa’s summoned beast, Hou.
Ame: Cesare be giving Isidore (reference: isn’t being a wicked woman much better?) energy in the ‘well, goodbye’ scene with his subordinate ahahahaha (─‿‿─)