Volume 1 Chapter 21 Mean Villainess, Things I’m Better Off Not Knowing
It seems that there are many things in the world that I don't need to know.
The day after I was given a punishment by the teacher with a nice voice.
That day was the day of the match that Sir Lorentz had mentioned.
It seems the punishment was set for 3 days later because the teacher would be busy until the match was over.
In the morning, there are regular classes, and in the afternoon, only students who chose Attack Magic will have the match.
Other students are free to either watch or go home, so it's quite relaxed.
There are no participants from our grade for the match.
That's because we haven't learned enough magic to even participate in a match yet.
So my classmates are all heading home in a group.
"Are you going to watch, Elena?"
Leve asked me.
"Yeah"
"Even after going through such a tough time?"
"Well, yeah... I was told there would be a punishment, but watching wasn't prohibited, and I just want to see Sir Lorentz's match."
I did cause a problem, but since he offered me advice, I want to see Sir Lorentz fight with my own eyes.
"I'm worried, so I'll go with you."
"Oh, really?"
Isn't everyone happy that they can go home early?
I tilted my head, but Leve...
"Well, it's not like a tutor is coming today, and even if I go home early, I'll just be bored. Plus, I'm learning Defense Magic, so there's no worry about hurting Rolus if anything happens, right?"
"Then let's go watch the match together, Leve!"
Since we'll just be watching from a distance, I don't think anything will happen, but it's reassuring to have Leve with me.
And even if I start to mess up, I feel like Leve would be able to stop me firmly.
So, me and Leve pick up Rolus on the way and head toward the match venue.
* * *
The match venue is an outdoor ground with spectator seating, large enough to accommodate nearly all the students.
I was thinking that the audience might be small since I was watching classmates trickle back home, but it looks like more than half the seats are filled.
While looking at the tournament bracket I got in front of the venue, I take a seat near Leve, with Rolus sitting next to us.
I'm feeling kind of excited, and while waiting for the match to start in a carefree manner, I can hear the chatter of a girl sitting in front of us.
It seems like what they are looking forward to is Sir Lorentz's match.
I've heard that Sir Lorentz's opponent is known as the Ice Prince or something, and it seems like they're divided into Sir Lorentz supporters and Ice Prince supporters!?
After all, this is the world of an otome game, so wouldn't we get to see sparkly handsome guys battling it out!?
...but my expectations for that quickly and fleetingly scatter away.
According to the information I gathered from their chatter, it seems that the rumored Ice Prince is not just called the Ice Prince; he is making sure people call him that.
And he's showing off because he can do some rather difficult ice magic, so I want Sir Lorentz to break his arrogance, and I came here just to see that happen.
In short, from what they said, it's obvious that the Ice Prince is not held in very good regard.
I mean, this is definitely a side character.
I wish I hadn't learned such things.
Just as I was feeling a bit disappointed, the whistle for the match started.
"You learn things like Attack Magic in this way, huh?"
Leve gazes at the phantom soldier match with sparkling eyes.
I thought I should have chosen Attack Magic.
I thought so too.
I kind of wished school would just teach us everything instead of making it a choice.
While I was thinking such things, I sensed someone sitting in the seats behind us.
The footsteps were from several people, and I could hear a few girls' voices, so it seemed a group of girls was coming in just like the ones sitting in front of us.
"It seems Sir Lorentz's match hasn't started yet. I'm glad we made it in time."
I could hear the voice of someone who sat behind us.
Indeed, it seems that good-looking men from good families are popular.
But that was the only time I could think such vague thoughts.
"We must cheer properly, Lady!"
"That's right, after all, I'm a candidate for the bride of Sir Lorentz."
Well, hearing something like that makes it hard to just stay vague.
When I glanced sideways at Leve, his gaze met mine as he was looking over here (the other lady) with a similar gesture.
Furthermore, when I looked over at Rolus, he was completely staring this way, not just glancing.
He has a blank expression, so I can't tell what he's thinking, though.
"I have to firmly engrave Sir Lorentz's dignified figure in my mind and later bring him some refreshments."
"I've got everything prepared, my Lady!"
I don't know which Lady the maid's referring to, but it seems she's really gunning for the title of Marchioness Blanche.
From what I've heard my mother say, if I become a candidate for Sir Lorentz's bride, it apparently comes with a death flag for me, so I want her to do her best to take that position.
"I can't afford to lose to the other bride candidates!"
"As a Lady, you certainly won't lose to anyone!"
She's incredibly motivated to fight...!
I can't help but notice how intensely the presumed maid is being a sycophant.
Rolus would never say something like this to me.
"Should we move to a different seat?"
Leve, who seemed to be bothered by the voice behind us, said quietly, but I shook my head slightly and stayed in place.
"Probably, they aren't aware of my existence."
I was completely sure they noticed, so I was planning to run away.
I have no intention of fighting at all.
I wouldn't mind fighting with illusion magic, but I don't want to engage in a catfight like a woman's verbal quarrel.
At that moment, the venue erupted with excitement.
It seems the battle between Sir Lorentz and the Ice Prince is about to begin.
I could hear cheers directed at Sir Lorentz from various places.
Of course, even from behind.
I couldn't help but be impressed once again that a handsome man with both looks and background is something amazing.
With this, I might end up being a bride candidate for him, and I could get killed out of jealousy regardless of whether it's related to otome games or not.
That's scary, scary.
If possible, I hope I don't end up on the Sir Lorentz route.
And I prayed in my heart.
Well, even if I pray, it's the protagonist, the heroine, who chooses the route, so it might proceed regardless of my intentions as just a minor character.
With the signal for the match to start, ice emerges from the hands of the illusion soldiers controlled by the Ice Prince.
Sir Lorentz had said, "He produces ice pillars," but it actually resembled ice projectiles more.
It was completely different from what I had imagined.
Unbeknownst to me, during our after-school training, I felt like he had been firing off much sharper and sturdier ice pillars.
I felt sorry for Sir Lorentz.
"W-What is that...!"
I could hear the somewhat flustered voice of the Ice Prince.
He was probably surprised by the illusionary soldier wielding a sword engulfed in flames, as he was likely expecting Sir Lorentz to throw fireballs.
"I came here to win today."
After saying that, Sir Lorentz glanced at the flustered Ice Prince and began to swing the flaming sword with great flourish.
"W-wait, whoaaa!"
With that pitiful cry from the Ice Prince, the match came to an end.
Of course, the winner was Sir Lorentz.
Not only in this match, but Sir Lorentz, who had turned into a whirling flame sword, also claimed victory without taking any damage.
Given this result and the unending cheers from the crowd, there's no doubt that Sir Lorentz's popularity skyrocketed today.
"Ah, that was wonderful, Sir Lorentz."
It seems like things were also heating up behind me.
By the way, the girls sitting in front had been laughing non-stop ever since the Ice Prince's nose was smashed.
Looks like they're having a great time.
"I never thought he would get beaten so badly!"
"I know! But seriously, that guy has suddenly become really impressive lately. Just a little while ago, his magical power was nothing to speak of."
The person they're referring to is probably Sir Lorentz.
He had been troubled by not increasing his magic power.
"He's from the Marquis family, so he must have a good tutor, right?"
"That might be true. I heard a rumor that he started looking for potential brides, but at this rate, the girls might just come to him on their own."
"They'll definitely come to him."
It's no surprise that with a good face, a noble background, increased magical power, and excellent grades, the competition is getting tougher.
"The bride candidate is... no, the bride is me."
As I was listening to the conversations of the girls in front of me, such words came falling down from behind in a tone that sounded like a curse.
It's terrifying, to say the least.
"Let's quietly go home."
I quietly called out to Leve and Rolus, escaping like a herbivore sensing the presence of a carnivore, trying to erase our presence.
* * *
Finally, at a sufficient distance from the match venue, we were able to open our mouths.
"The person sitting behind us was scary, wasn't it?"
Leve said.
"It was scary. I didn't think much about it at first, but with that face and background, there must be plenty of girls who want to marry him."
I let out a big sigh.
"I heard there's a rumor that Elena is a bride candidate for that Lorentz guy?"
"...Ah, yes, I suppose that's the case. I didn't know you were aware of that, Leve."
"Ms. Natalia mentioned it a little while ago, and I heard it all the way down the hall."
I remember that on that day when Leve came, Ms. Natalia must have quietly wrapped up that conversation, but her voice was pretty loud, reflecting on a few days ago.
"That person is probably the next Marquis, so if they get married, they'll become a Marchioness. They're a perfect match for a spouse."
"Generally speaking, yes."
To me, it's like carrying a cursed item because it comes with a death flag.
"...If you were chosen as a bride, would Elena be happy?"
I was surprised by Leve's sudden question.
At first, I thought he was joking, but his gaze was unexpectedly serious.
"Hmm, I'm not sure. Whether I'm happy or not, I can't refuse, can I?"
After all, my partner is from the Marquis family, while I'm from the Count family.
Moreover, even though some issues have arisen, there's no particular animosity with Sir Lorentz, so I have no reason to refuse.
"You'd think any other girl would instantly say she'd be happy, though."
Leve suddenly started laughing.
Where did that serious look from earlier go?
"As a noble lady, I think I should be happy about it. I do think that, but..."
"You do think that?"
"But as just Elena, I think getting married into a good family means I won't be able to play freely anymore."
"Ahaha," I said while laughing, and Leve gave a small bitter smile.
"I'm a bit worried, you know?"
I tilted my head at Leve's words.
Glancing over at Rolus, he also tilted his head, looking somewhat serious.
"The one who was behind us earlier was definitely the daughter of that wealthy Margrave."
"Wealthy?"
"Margrave?"
Both Rolus and I frowned at the unfamiliar term.
Upon further inquiry, it seems there is a large gold vein near the border, and the one managing that land is said to be a wealthy individual known as the Margrave.
Thanks to the gold mine, they're wealthy and entrusted with the border territories by the king.
Plus, they can always switch sides to the neighboring country if things go south, making them someone no one can handle casually.
And with that position going to his head, the Margrave has raised a daughter who's practically a spoiled princess.
"I was told by my father that she's probably the last person you want to make an enemy of in this country,"
I see.
If I genuinely become a candidate for Sir Lorentz's bride, that troublesome person will automatically become an enemy.
Wait, doesn't this mean I disappear before the heroine shows up and enters the Lorentz route?
Is that okay?
How did the mean villainess in the game get through this?
Hey, Mother?
"I-If this keeps up, it's not just me, but the entire Count Alfano family that will be in danger, isn't it?"
"...Yeah, there is a possibility of danger."
My head started to hurt, and as I rubbed my temples, Rolus spoke up.
"Sir Leve, is there any way to protect Lady?"
"Hmm, it'd be great if we could withdraw her from the bride candidates before that young lady sets her sights on her."
But since he's from a Marquis family, we can't force it.
"To be removed from the bride candidates... I would offer my life to the Marquis Blanche family."
"Stop it, Rolus! Don't talk about throwing your life away like it's nothing... Don't even joke about that."
It's not like I can say anything, considering I lost my life in my past life due to reckless actions!
"But Lady... the opponent is from the Marquis family."
"I'll think of something. I'm definitely not going to accept Rolus's dangerous proposal. Besides, I caused a problem the other day, and the Marquis family knows about it. Plus, my father wasn't really keen on my marriage in the first place, so there's certainly a way out, I'm sure."
Upon hearing this, Leve tilted his head and asked, "Isn't Elena's father on board?"
He's not on board.
He was saying, flustered, that she thinks it's too early for marriage.
When I explained this, Leve chuckled softly.
"I think it's better to have plenty of escape routes, so I'll propose one as well. How about we say that I want to marry Elena?"
"Leve? With me?"
"Yes. Of course, my family and Elena's family get along very well. And if I explain the current situation to my family, they'll probably cooperate with the cover-up."
I understood the reasoning.
I understood, but...
"While it will certainly help to have a cover story, are you okay with this? It's me, you know? Wouldn't it be uncomfortable if some strange rumors started?"
Besides, Leve is good-looking and comes from a good family, so he won't have trouble finding a marriage partner in the future, and he doesn't need to draw such a bad lot.
"Hehe, ahaha, Elena might not realize it, but you have a lot of magical power and good grades; many people want to marry the charming lady of the prestigious Count family. I think I won't be the strange rumor, just one of those people."
Uh, did he just compliment me?
I mean, do I really seem like that when viewed objectively?
I didn't know.
I had no idea at all.
It's not like I needed to know that much anyway.
"Um, uh, yeah..."
"So, if something happens in the future, feel free to use my name however you'd like."
"Ah, yes."
"So, next, let's play my favorite board game. That way, there will be no borrowing."
"Ah, yes."
"Of course, Rolus will play too."
"Y-yes."
Both Rolus and I probably had expressions like pigeons that just got hit by a bean cannon.
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