Volume 1 Chapter 19 Mean Villainess, Significantly Penalized
Please, stop it.
Don't look at me like that.
Because it reminds me of that day, seeing the dead version of myself, so please don't give me that look.
I'm begging you.
"Lady!"
"...W-what? Rolus...?"
When I woke up, an unfamiliar ceiling spread out in my sight.
As I stared at it hazily with my unworking brain, Rolus suddenly appeared from the corner of my vision.
Rolus was looking down at me with an incredibly pitiful expression.
Seeing that, I vaguely remembered.
That Rolus had a burn on his back, and that I had fainted after using all my magical power.
"Rolus, your back..."
"I don't care about myself, Lady. You..."
"...No, it's not okay. I'm fine. Just, um, I just overused my magic a bit."
"...Excuse me, Lady, but isn't a mean young lady supposed to use all her magic to heal my burns?"
"Huh? If I have to leave Rolus's injury untreated, then I'll quit being a Mean Villainess right now. What are you talking about?"
"...Huh, Lady?"
...Oh dear, I might not be Elena right now.
"Hmm? My head isn't working, I wonder... this bedding smells nice"
As I nuzzled my nose against the bedding that was draped over me, I detected a soft, floral fragrance.
'I wonder what fabric softener they're using?'
"Lady? 'what fabric softener', Lady, what now?"
Ah, I might have been speaking Japanese just now.
Rolus is confused.
I mean, there are no fabric softeners in this world.
"Lady! Just now, just now you said,"
"It's nothing, forget about it... Oh, uh, wow! I just remembered, I was practicing phantom soldier magic with Sir Lorentz!"
I scratch my head vigorously, wondering if the depletion of magical power can dull my mind so much.
Right, I finally remember everything with a time delay──during the practice of phantom soldier magic, Sir Lorentz's magic went out of control and came towards me, and then, Rolus, who protected me from it, burned his back.
"W-Wait, Rolus, are you really okay? Did My healing Magic work properly? By the way, what's going on with your back right now? Isn't it painful? No way it can't be painful, right?"
As I sit up and bombard him with questions, Sir Lorentz, who seemed to notice my voice, jumped into the room.
He looked at me with a very sad and apologetic expression.
"Ellie's Healing Magic was perfect. Rolus's burn healed very nicely. However, right now Rolus's back is... well, it's quite unfortunate."
Since Rolus didn't answer, Sir Lorentz did.
What does it mean that the back is disappointing?
As I thought this, I shifted my gaze to Rolus, and he was wearing an unfamiliar jacket.
Could this jacket belong to Sir Lorentz?
While wondering about this, I gently reached out and lifted the jacket, only to find that the shirt that should have been there was missing.
No, there was a shirt, but it only covered the front, leaving the back completely exposed.
"...That's right, Healing Magic doesn't work on shirts, does it?"
The back had been burned.
I thought to myself, "Oh no," but I was truly relieved that the fire hadn't spread all over his body.
While I was thinking about this, Sir Lorentz was bowing deeply.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault."
"Waaah! Sir Lorentz, please lift your head!"
Rolus and I waved our hands around in the air in a flustered manner, as if we were in sync.
The highest-ranking person present here bows their head, how can that be!
"It's because I failed the magic."
"I apologize, Sir Lorentz, that was just me getting injured on my own. You are not at fault, Sir Lorentz."
Rolus bowed deeply toward Sir Lorentz, who had raised his face.
In reality, that was a complete accident, and it wasn't anyone's fault, but if we want to smooth things over, Rolus probably thinks it's best to just take the blame himself.
I too, and probably Sir Lorentz, don't quite understand it, but when I think about how things might escalate and how the parents would react, I find myself at a loss for words.
In order to prevent this incident from becoming a big deal, while pondering several ways to resolve it amicably, I squeezed Rolus's hand, which was within reach.
"Sir Lorentz is not at fault. I'm not at fault either... yeah, that's right."
"Ellie?"
"...I just don't want things to get troublesome, so if it comes down to discussing who is at fault, I want us to say that neither Sir Lorentz nor I are to blame."
"But if we do that, then Rolus..."
"What about me...?"
As I applied a bit of pressure to the hand I was holding, Rolus turned to look at me.
"It's okay, I have a way to protect Rolus."
After all, it's the Marquis family we're dealing with.
If the topic of finding the culprit comes up, and if the blame falls on Rolus from the Marquis family's side instead of ours, it would be difficult to make excuses.
So it's better to apologize profusely beforehand, claiming we are at fault, as it broadens our options for excuses.
Well, of course, I don't intend to make Rolus the villain, but I can only say to leave it to me, the master of excuses.
Yes, when I was too busy playing games and forgot my homework, I was a master at making excuses.
It's not a skill I can brag about at all, though.
While thinking about such things, I hear a voice from outside the door, likely from a servant of the Marquis family.
"Sir Lorentz, the Marquis is calling for you. It seems the Alfano family has also arrived to pick you up."
It seems someone has come to pick me up.
I wonder who it is.
"Ah, anyway, let's go, you two."
Hearing Sir Lorentz's voice, I try to stand up.
But something feels off.
This is definitely strange.
"Rolus, could you please lift this blanket a bit?"
"Lift it, huh?"
As I close my eyes and urge the confused Rolus with "Just hurry up," he says "Excuse me," and gently lifts the blanket.
"Rolus, are my legs really there?"
"...Yes, they're there."
Trusting Rolus's words, I check my feet, and they are indeed there, neatly in place.
Thank goodness, they are there.
They're there, but...
"They're not there."
"Huh?"
"I can't feel anything below my knees."
This new sensation somehow makes me laugh.
It's similar to the numb feeling I get from sitting upright for a long time, but it doesn't tingle when I touch it.
I really don't feel anything.
"Are you alright, Lady?"
"Hehe, amazing, there's no sensation and they don't move at all."
"...Are you alright?"
I wish you wouldn't say it like "Are you okay?"
"Lady, please get on my back"
Rolus said that and turned his back to me, kneeling down.
"But you have burns on your back"
"You cast Healing Magic on me, right?"
Even though his voice was calm, I could feel a hint of anger.
"Are you angry?"
I gently wrapped my arms around Rolus's neck.
Confirming that, Rolus smoothly stood up.
"Just a little. Even though the burns are healed..."
Was it annoying for him that I kept asking if he was okay?
"But Rolus, you never say you're okay or that it doesn't hurt"
"It doesn't hurt, so I'm fine"
"Really?"
"Really"
"...If you wanted me to believe you in one go, you should be more honest about your feelings normally. No matter what I ask, you only give me a 'yes' or a 'no'."
"It's just 2 options"
"It's 2 options, indeed"
While casually mentioning such conversations, I followed Sir Lorentz with Rolus carrying me on his back.
Waiting for us at the end was the Marquis couple and my mother, who had come to pick me up.
I never expected my mother to come personally to pick me up.
In the end, we were just being overly anxious on our own, and there was no particular reprimand from the Marquis.
Rather, it seemed that since he was still a rambunctious child, he smiled, saying it was good that he was lively and safe.
Although Rolus did get burned, so it's not entirely accurate to say he's safe, it would be wise not to argue if I want to end the discussion here.
Well, since Rolus is my attendant, I'll definitely praise and pamper him later.
As I resolved that in my heart, I suddenly noticed.
The Marchioness's gaze was fixed on us.
Though we were a bit far apart, with me being carried, it's hard to tell whether she was looking at Rolus or me as our faces were next to each other.
"Ah, um, I'm sorry for being in such a state"
She didn't seem to have an angry expression, but if she did have complaints, I thought it best to silence her with an apology first.
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine. I just thought that you couldn't move your legs because of depleted magic power"
She looked momentarily surprised at my voice but shook her head as she said that.
It seems there were no complaints after all.
But had she figured out that I couldn't move my legs?
"Yes, I can't feel anything from my knees down at all."
"It seems like they've disappeared completely, huh?"
...and you are smiling, Marchioness.
Could it be that you have some experience?
As I was taken aback, a small laugh escaped from my mother.
"The most uncomfortable moment is when you can't feel your toes."
My mother was also experienced──!
To think that all the girls present here have experienced magic depletion at a 100% rate, led to a somewhat cheerful conversation that continued as we headed home.
While I wondered if that was alright, I concluded within myself that it didn't matter as there were no repercussions.
After repeating apologies for a while, we got into the carriage.
And the loudest sound in that carriage was my mother's heavy, long sigh as she sat directly across from me.
Hearing that deep sigh, Rolus, who was sitting beside me, visibly flinched.
I leaned a little against Rolus's shoulder, sending a silent message of "It's okay."
"I never thought I would get involved with the Blanche family at this time..."
My mother muttered in a voice that was somewhat lower than usual.
"I also never expected it to come to this."
At this time, it likely refers to the period when rumors about potential brides began circulating.
"Well, I don't intend to dwell on what has already happened. Still, Elena, are you bringing that child around even at the academy?"
With that, my mother glanced briefly at Rolus.
"No, it's not like I'm bringing him around... Hey, Rolus, why were you in the backyard that time?"
I thought I had told him I would be a little late.
I didn't ask him to come to the backyard to pick me up.
"Lord Rudger was worrying because a weird guy came and said the Lady was taken to the backyard..."
So it was because of Rudger!
"By the way, Rolus was calling Rudger 'Lord Rudger', huh?"
"I called him Sir Rudger, but he didn't like it, so I settled on Lord Rudger."
I didn't know that.
'There's no way a villainess in the game has an Attendant, which means he'll probably exit soon, so it's better not to get too attached...'
Rolus and I thought it would be fine to call Rudger by his first name since he's a commoner, right?
No, it's not that simple.
While exchanging such conversations, my mother muttered a small soliloquy.
I heard all of her muttering, and while I tried not to let it show, I couldn't suppress my unease.
Was my mother saying I should treat Rolus like a servant, and trying not to have him in my sight to avoid getting attached?
...Am I going to lose Rolus soon?
"Lady?"
I don't know how to deal with this creeping feeling of dread.
Just wanting to cling to something, I quietly grasped Rolus's arm.
"...I can't put strength in my legs, so it's scary when it shakes."
I muttered such a half-hearted excuse.
"Oh, you still can't put strength in your legs?"
"Right now, I have no feeling from my ankles down."
"Right... Hah, but anyway, Elena is out of magic, and the Attendant is burned. When I think about it again, it's really something. If Elena had avoided the magic and the Attendant hadn't jumped in..."
My mother let out another heavy sigh.
"...With all due respect, Mother, at that time I summoned a phantom soldier and granted it 2 kinds of magic. It was difficult to dodge in that moment. If Rolus hadn't come to my aid... Just think about it, it was Rolus who got burned on the back while hugging me. At that moment, what I was looking at was Rolus's chest. If Rolus hadn't been there, I would have gotten burned on my face."
"...I see, it could have been a much bigger disaster. There's no point in saying 'what if'. I'm sorry. And by the way, you summoned a phantom soldier...
Isn't that a bit too reckless?
I was spoken to through their gaze.
I apologize.
My gamer mentality backfired.
"I couldn't refuse because I was asked for advice by Sir Lorentz."
"Hmm, if the next Marquis asks, I wouldn't be able to refuse either. That means there might have been no way to avoid this situation."
"...Well, such a mischievous child might not have been seen as suitable for a bride."
"I hope that's the case..."
At some point, my mother and I were both staring off into the distance.
While we were at it, the carriage came to a stop.
It seems we have arrived at the mansion.
Since my legs were almost able to move, I tried to stand up by myself, but Rolus quickly sat down in front of me.
He's trying to carry me again.
I was going to say I can walk now, but my arm moved before my mouth could.
I smoothly wrapped my arm around Rolus's neck.
Then, as if confirming it like before, Rolus stood up.
Even though I'm a child and shouldn't be too heavy, Rolus, showing no sign of struggle, is so very kind.
I tightened my arm a little and pressed my cheek against Rolus's cheek, which was right next to me.
"Hey, Rolus, thank you. You really are my pride and joy as an Attendant."
"Huh?"
It was an unusually foolish response from Rolus.
"Huh? Why are you surprised by my words of gratitude?"
I can say thank you too, you know!?
"No... um, it's not that I'm surprised, it's just that I don't remember doing anything worthy of gratitude."
"You protected me from the flames, so of course, I'm grateful. There's really nothing else to say but thank you."
"Ah, well... I just did what was expected."
I feel like the cheek I was pressing against him started to heat up.
Could it be that Rolus is blushing?
"Even if you argue that it's natural for an Attendant to help their master, jumping into the flames is not something just anyone can do. It must have been scary for you, right? It must have hurt, right?"
"No."
Is this kid trying to brush it off with just a "no"?
I was inwardly dumbfounded, but I could feel Rolus's mouth moving as if he was mumbling.
"Well, I was more scared of Lady getting hurt than of jumping into the flames. There was no pain."
"You got burned, so it must have hurt, right?"
"It didn't hurt, or rather, it might have hurt, but Healing Magic was so soothing..."
Could Healing Magic have an effect to erase the memory of pain?
It wasn't written in the textbook, though.
"Well, it's good if Rolus didn't have to feel any pain."
As I rubbed my cheek against his and patted his head, Rolus seemed a bit dissatisfied.
"Excuse me, Lady, but due to this incident, your level of meanness has dropped by 20 thousand points. Is that okay?"
Such an excessive deduction!
"No way, 20 thousand points!?"
"You used all your magical power to help the Servant. You didn't try to make the Servant the villain when you could have gotten scolded. You're considerate of the Servant. You expressed your gratitude to the Servant. You patted the Servant's head. Isn't 20 thousand points a bit insufficient for that?"
Indeed, when I think about it, the Mean Villainess probably wouldn't do those things.
I understand that.
But all of it was necessary!
"No, no matter how mean someone is, isn't it only natural to be kind to the person who saved you?"
Desperately trying to argue, but it seems Rolus has no intention of bending his stance.
"Twenty thousand points deducted!"
There's no way to make that up, with 20 thousand points!!
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