Volume 1 Chapter 15 Mean Villainess, Dining With Father
There is a teacher guiding upperclassmen in flower divination.
The highest ability flower diviner in this academy is likely her.
One afternoon after class, she called out to me.
"There are precedents of seeds exploding. It was a long time ago, so I did not see it with my own eyes, but I read about it in literature."
As she said this, the teacher skillfully scattered seeds on the cloth laid out on the table.
It seemed that various details were written on the cloth beyond just the present, past, and future.
While I absentmindedly gazed at it, Rolus sat across from the teacher with a look that seemed to question why he was even there.
"Is the explosion of seeds not a good omen for divination results?"
"Well, one of the precedents involved someone who was unilaterally broken off from their engagement and died in despair. Because a noble lady had her engagement broken off, unfounded rumors spread, and she became the subject of mockery. As a result, she was labeled a worthless woman by society and remained lonely."
It is a terrible story.
"Teacher, um, which seed exploded for that person?"
"The future."
If that is the case, with all seeds from the present, past, and future exploding, I might end up being the subject of an even more terrible story recorded in literature.
"By the way, the other person from the precedents was said to have been killed by an assassin from another country."
It is a frightening story.
"Incidentally, which seed was it for that person?"
"The future."
I see.
Ah, I get it now.
So, I have no dreams or hopes, huh?
I'm starting to understand.
"And it was written that the last of the previous examples died after having his lover taken by a friend, ultimately becoming trapped under a overturned cart."
"Teacher! I want to die while I'm not that unhappy!"
There's no way out but death!
"Oh, Lady"
"I'm starting to sweat strangely. Rolus, let me borrow that handkerchief you're clenching."
As I snatched the handkerchief from Rolus's hand, the teacher was infusing magic into the seeds that they had sown on the cloth while saying "Calm down."
The teacher mentioned that it's possible Ms. Natalia's magic lost to my magic.
So if someone as powerful as the teacher were to do it, the results might be different, they said.
"No way, it can't be that all the seeds exploded, no, wait."
It exploded.
And only the past.
"It only exploded in the past, didn't it, teacher? Moreover, although they didn't explode, none of them bloomed."
The many seeds the teacher had sown on the cloth only sprouted tiny cotyledons and didn't bloom.
At this rate, it feels less like flower divination and more like sprout divination.
"I've never seen such a result before. But for the past to explode, were you abused or something?"
The teacher is tilting their head.
Considering my past, which has only been a little over ten years, it's not surprising that I'm suspected of abuse.
But I've never been abused.
I've just been listening to endless talk about otome games.
"You don't seem to have been abused."
However, in the past, even further back than my childhood, I was pushed and hit by a car, leading to a death by blood loss due to a misunderstanding of infidelity.
Since the cause of death is somewhat similar to that of a person who was crushed under a horse-drawn carriage, the explosion is somewhat justified.
I convinced myself of this.
"So, have you ever had a near-death experience?"
"No. Well, I can't say for sure that nothing happened when I was very young, but I don't remember anything."
I don't think so, but...
I don't think so, but I can't talk about my past life, so saying that I don't remember is the most effective way to escape.
"But this sprout... It's too small to tell what kind of flower it is..."
"Kaiware (sprouted radish)...?"
"...Kaiware?"
The teacher, Rolus, and I all tilted our heads in unison.
"Still, it's amazing that it really explodes. It was interesting to see, thank you."
The teacher said with a bright face.
I wondered why I was suddenly stopped, but it seems like I was just stopped out of curiosity and then read my fortune.
"I'm glad you found it interesting. Thank you for letting me know that a hopeless life awaits me."
What's so interesting about seeing something, huh?
Don't make fun of other people's misfortunes.
I added in my mind as I stood up.
"Ah, ah, but since the buds are sprouting, I do not think it is hopeless."
'So, you were going to follow up?'
I spat it out in a small voice, and even in Japanese.
"Let's go, Rolus."
"Yes, Lady."
"I'm sorry if I upset you, but...!"
It seemed the teacher was trying to say something, but I did not look back at all.
I could somehow tell that Rolus turned around at the sound of fabric rustling, but after that, the teacher's words did not continue.
Although I had a desire to hear more about that bud, remembering the cause of death in my previous life and having witnessed my own funeral made it a bit painful to continue listening to my unfortunate story.
"Lady, fortune-telling is just that. It does not necessarily mean it will come true."
"Well, yes."
I wonder if they are unusually trying to comfort me.
Thinking that way somehow makes my spirits lift.
But, you know, at the point when the past exploded, that fortune-telling was not entirely wrong.
It might be impossible for me, who should have created an indelible scar in the heart of a gaming enthusiast, to be happy.
* * *
The day after such an event was the day I would have a meal with my father.
"Hey, Rolus, do you think this dress and hair accessory are okay?"
"You look very good."
"Rolus looks wonderful too. You are handsome."
On the day we first met, he looked so pitifully frail, but now he has become such a wonderful boy that it seems like a lie.
It is proof that my efforts in sharing food and nurturing him have paid off.
"Wha..."
Seeing Rolus, who turns red just from saying that, I chuckle softly.
Despite being such a Rolus, he's dressed up more than usual today, participating in the meal not as a Servant, but as my escort.
Against his will.
"...I think this outfit is too much for me."
"Not at all! Or what is it? Do you plan to stand next to me in a plain outfit?"
"...No. However, I am not one to stand next to a Lady."
"If you have complaints about that, you can tell my father who invited both of us."
Smiling brightly as I said that, Rolus seemed to lose his words.
Well, he can't really complain to my father.
"Well, for today, why not enjoy it without overthinking things? The restaurant we're going to is reputed for its delicious desserts."
I wouldn't say such things if my mother were with us, but since my father seems to care a bit about Rolus, I think there's really no need to overthink.
Well, it seems Rolus may not feel the same way.
"Alright then, shall we go? I'm looking forward to seeing my father."
"Yes."
At that moment, I never imagined it would be a tearful reunion.
"Elena! Rolus!"
Well, it's only my father who's shedding tears.
I never thought he would cry after just a few months of reunion.
"It's been a while, Father! Ouch!"
I was about to gracefully greet my father with a lady's courtesy, but he elegantly ignored me and hugged both me and Rolus together.
"I'm glad, I'm glad you're doing well..."
But it's only been a few months since we parted!
"Both Rolus and I are doing very well. Father, by the way, Father, have you lost some weight?"
My father was already a handsome man with a slim and stylish figure, but he seemed a little thinner than the last time I saw him.
"I was worried about you two."
Worried enough to lose weight?!
Even though we're just attending the academy?!
I was left with a huge question mark as we entered the restaurant my father had reserved.
"So, how's academy life?"
My father, finally holding back his tears, asked.
As I was thinking about which story to tell first, Rolus immediately spoke up.
"Lady is an excellent student. She's the top in her year in regular classes, the best at mastering Healing Magic, and in Divination Magic, she's said to have a good affinity with stone divination."
I'm impressed that he can talk so much without being sarcastic.
"No, it's not that much."
"She's also very curious, and even though she hasn't chosen Defense Magic or Spell-ology, she's studying them diligently. She has many friends and is well-loved by everyone, who call her Lady Elena."
Rolus is in a state of non-stop machine-gun talk.
He doesn't even give me a chance to be humble.
"Thank you for the report, Rolus. I'm relieved to hear that academy life is going well."
Rolus bowed deeply to his father, who spoke cheerfully.
"Rolus, don't you think he's become much more lively and talkative compared to the first time you saw him, Father?"
"Yes, indeed. Rolus, how's your health?"
"I'm ashamed to say, but I've been very energetic. However... but Lady..."
What's wrong with me? I'm also very energetic.
I tilted my head, puzzled.
My father also looked at Rolus with a worried expression.
"The other day, she was crying because she was tormented by a nightmare. And yesterday, the flower fortune-telling teacher suddenly read her fortune, and the seeds of the past exploded, and no other flowers bloomed..."
At Rolus' words, Father widened his eyes.
"No, the nightmare doesn't matter. It's just a fortune-telling, and you said it's just a fortune, didn't you, Rolus? So...Are you alright, Elena?"
"Yes, of course, I'm fine. Let's talk about something more fun instead. It's a special dinner, after all."
Looking at Father and Rolus alternately, I said, "Right?" Father managed to smile, and Rolus bowed once more before trying to change the topic.
"Oh, Father, I found a book on how to increase magical power at the library and tried it, and Rolus' magical power increased a little."
"Really? Rolus' magical power?"
Father was well aware that Rolus had an extremely low amount of magical power.
"Yes. It's grown from a deep blue to a normal blue."
Father exclaims, "Oh," clapping his hands.
This will surely push the dark topic to the back of his mind.
* * *
Time passes by in a harmonious atmosphere.
"Father, I'd like to eat dessert."
"Yes, eat as much as you like. Elena, who has excellent grades, deserves a reward."
"Thank you, Father!"
"They're on the shelf over there, so choose whatever you like."
The showcase my father pointed to was filled with colorful cakes.
This will take some time to choose!
I'm already excited before standing up.
"Shall we choose together, Rolus?"
"No, I..."
He seems to be hesitant even here.
If Rolus is going to be like that, I have my own plan.
"I understand. I'll choose Rolus' share as well."
With the idea of stuffing it into his mouth!
So, Rolus!
With determination, I started walking towards the showcase.
But, however.
When I actually came in front of the showcase, there were many cakes lined up, and they all looked so delicious that I couldn't decide.
Even if I split it with Rolus, 3 or 4 at most.
If Father eats some too, we can have a few more, but Father doesn't eat much sweets.
"Haha, it's hard to choose, isn't it?"
The shop assistant couldn't hold back her laughter as she watched me struggle to decide.
Embarrassing.
"They all look delicious, and I'm really struggling to choose."
"I haven't conquered all of them too, but so far the most delicious one was this one."
The one the lady showed me was a cute light pink cake.
"Then I'll have that, and also this chiffon cake, and then this jade-colored cake."
The waiter said she would bring the cakes to our table, so I went back to the table first.
"I picked 3."
"Oh, can you eat 3?"
"It's fine, we will share it to Rolus."
"Eh?"
Seeing Rolus' surprised expression, both my father and I laughed gently.
* * *
After finishing the cakes, it seemed like it was time to wrap up this meal.
So far, I had only reported about the academy, but did my father call Rolus and me just for that?
"Father, did you have something to talk to us about?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I thought you might have something important to discuss since you took the time to call us, even though you're so busy."
I didn't know the specifics of my father's work as the lord, but I knew for sure that he was not idle.
"I just wanted to see how you two were doing. Of course, I am busy, but..."
"So that was it. I thought you might be telling me that I could be a potential bride candidate for Sir Lorentz, so I was a little prepared for that."
But just as I felt relieved that it wasn't the case, I realized that this was probably not a topic I should have brought up.
"So... about the bride? Dad doesn't know anything about that, and I think it's too early for Elena to get married."
Father looked really sad today.
I'm sorry for that, Father.
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