Chapter 42 The Villainess's Confession
"My lady, you shouldn't have done something so foolish as to fall asleep in Prince Werner's room after refusing the engagement talk."
"...I know that much! But I couldn't fight off the sleepiness! It can't be helped!"
"My lady, that's just being defensive or trying to justify yourself. ...By the way, when I met Prince Werner last night and had a little chat, he spoke as if the engagement with you was already a done deal. Thanks to that, I was completely misled... I can't believe he acted that way even after being rejected..."
"That's just too brazen," Kaine muttered. Rhiannon smiled wryly.
"Speaking of which, when I turned down the engagement, Sir Werner told me that if I changed my mind, he would make me a concubine anytime. Well, I declined."
"...I won't allow a noble Lady Rhiannon to be a concubine. Let's make sure to add that prince to your blacklist so you can avoid him from now on."
"Um, you really don't have to go that far. I mean, he did save my life..."
"...Are you talking about the incident where Sarah Belts poisoned your drink?"
"Oh, you know about that too?"
Rhiannon looked surprised.
Kaine nodded reluctantly.
"That... I guess I should say I owe Prince Werner for that."
"...Yeah. I never thought Sarah would go so far as to try to poison me. I wonder why she hates me so much. We've hardly talked..."
"Trying to understand that woman's thought process is just a waste of time."
Kaine replied in a chilling voice.
"Poisoning someone is an utterly despicable act. This time, Prince Werner helped you against his will, but just thinking about what would have happened if no one noticed the poison in Lady Rhiannon's drink sends shivers down my spine."
"That's true..."
"Really, I'm just glad you're safe, my lady."
Kaine said that and suddenly knelt at Rhiannon's feet.
Rhiannon was taken aback.
"Uh, what...?"
"I sincerely apologize. I became so anxious about finding your fiancé quickly that the plan became sloppy. Because of that, I put you in danger. Such a blunder is unforgivable. I, Kaine Ricciardi, am prepared to accept any punishment."
"Y-You don't have to apologize, Kaine."
"But, my lady..."
Rhiannon set her cup of tea down on the table and gently placed her hand on Kaine's shoulder, who was still trying to insist.
"What Sarah did was beyond imagination. No one could have predicted this. So, the blame lies entirely with her. You don't have to take any responsibility, Kaine."
"My lady..."
"...But, even if I try to reveal what Sarah was trying to do to me, with the princes on her side, who knows what will happen..."
Even if she reported the attempted poisoning, the princes would likely intervene.
It would probably end with that servant being blamed.
"Sarah might try to take my life again... I wonder what she will do next... My policy is to retaliate when attacked, but with the princes backing her, I really can't do anything..."
Rhiannon bitterly thought about being targeted by such a troublesome opponent.
Kaine nodded, looking like he had bitten into something sour.
"...For a while, let's avoid parties."
"Yes, we have no choice. It seems she wants to ruin me at all costs."
"So, what about my punishment?"
"Ugh... Are we still talking about that?"
"This mistake was too severe. If you don't impose some kind of punishment, I won't feel at ease. At this point, you could whip me, slap me, or shout at me..."
"That sounds like something Kaine would enjoy, so let's skip that."
Rhiannon shook her head with a sigh.
Until some kind of "punishment" is given, it seems Kaine won't back down.
(Maybe I should just give him a flick on the forehead...) Just as that thought crossed Rhiannon's mind, a brilliant idea popped into her head.
"...Ah, I've got it. Kaine said anything would be fine, right?"
"Yes, anything at all."
"...As a punishment, from now on, you are forbidden to force a fiancé on me. All my fiancé searching is also to be stopped."
"!"
Kaine was left speechless.
Rhiannon smiled gracefully, crossed her legs, and tilted her head slightly.
"You said any punishment would be fine, right?"
"B-but, Lady Rhiannon! We came to the capital to find you a fiancé!? That means there won't be a partner..."
"...I have someone in mind. Someone who has saved my life multiple times and cares for me, this difficult person, more than anything. He is my destined one."
Rhiannon's deep blue eyes pierced straight through Kaine.
Under the intense gaze that seemed to see right through him, not allowing any deception or lies, Kaine's golden eyes flickered with unease.
"...That person is not acceptable."
"By not asking who it is, it seems you have an idea about that person, Kaine."
Trying to escape Rhiannon's unwavering gaze, Kaine turned on his heel and attempted to leave the room with long strides.
As he did, Rhiannon slowly spoke to his back.
"I'm not in a hurry for an answer. ...That, destined person, I think would be very troubled... All I can do is wait patiently, I suppose..."
Rhiannon looked down, intertwining her slightly reddened fingertips in a shy manner.
"But... if, by any chance, the person I admire loves me back, I think I would become the happiest person in the world."
In a voice that seemed to fade away, Rhiannon whispered this.
It was a heartfelt confession of love from the proud Rhiannon.
(My heart feels like it's about to leap out of my mouth...)
Rhiannon, with her hand instinctively on her chest, looked down as strands of her milk tea-colored hair spilled softly.
She felt embarrassed that her voice trembled at such a crucial moment.
Nervous and with a dry mouth, Rhiannon reached for the cup of tea.
However, a hand stopped her.
"Ah..."
"...I must say, that person you are interested in, Lady Rhiannon, has feelings for you."
It was a low, raspy voice.
A warm breath brushed against her ear.
After a moment, Rhiannon realized she was being embraced by Kaine.
The strength of his arms was so intense that it made it hard for her to breathe.
The faint heartbeat she could feel was faster than her own, eloquently conveying his feelings without words.
Rhiannon tried to turn around, but her body felt sweetly numb and wouldn't move.
The hand that held her gently touched her delicate hand.
Though it was cold, the spot he touched felt like it was burning hot.
Even though the embrace lasted only a few seconds, it felt like an eternity.
Eventually, Kaine reluctantly pulled away.
"I apologize for my rudeness, my lady."
Startled by his oddly formal apology, Rhiannon looked up.
Kaine's face was dark, as if he had committed a heavy sin.
Rhiannon, surprised, grabbed his arm.
"Kaine, what's wrong...?"
"My lady, the person you think you like is not who you believe them to be. ...The attraction you feel is likely just a fleeting thing, like a chick being drawn to its parent. First loves often end in disappointment."
"Kaine..."
"The love of the beautiful and pure Lady Rhiannon is too much for me."
Rhiannon was taken aback by Kaine's unexpected words and shifted in surprise.
"...Why would you say something like that?"
Rhiannon was confused.
Surely, she and Kaine had feelings for each other.
So why was he rejecting her? She couldn't understand at all.
Kaine smiled sadly, released her hand, and turned away.
At that moment, there was a knock on her room door, and the maids hurriedly entered.
In his usual tone, Kaine said.
"Let's wrap up the chatting for now. It's time to change, my lady. Well then, I will take my leave."
"Wait, Kaine!"
Rhiannon tried once more to grab Kaine's arm, but her hand only grasped at empty air.
The curious gazes of the maids felt painful.
However, Rhiannon couldn't afford to care about that.
(If I let this go like usual, we'll just go back to being the butler and the mistress again!)
The comfortable relationship of butler and mistress was indeed irreplaceable for Rhiannon.
For her, Kaine meant more than just a butler.
That's why it was so hard to lose.
But Rhiannon had no intention of relying on this relationship any longer.
Summoning all her courage, Rhiannon called out to Kaine.
"Kaine!"
It was a plea.
Kaine stopped, but without turning around, he replied.
To his stubborn back, Rhiannon declared.
"Kaine, I will never give up! No matter what you say, absolutely not!"
"......"
Kaine said nothing and finally left the room.
* * *
In the luxurious party venue, Sarah Belts smiled contentedly.
Surrounded by the handsome first prince, the second prince, and the captain of the knights, she wore an extravagant outfit.
A necklace adorned with a large diamond and a frilly dress designed by a top designer just for her.
Even her shiny shoes were custom-made.
Other young ladies sighed with envy just by looking at her.
She was truly the belle of the ball and the center of this party.
However, tonight felt a bit different.
"What's this? Lady Rhiannon isn't here today?"
"It feels a bit dull without her, doesn't it?"
"Exactly. Lady Rhiannon brightens up the atmosphere."
Whispers about Rhiannon could be heard throughout the venue.
Sarah quickly became displeased.
(Why is Rhiannon, the villainess of the otome game, standing out more than me, the protagonist?)
For the past few months, things have been strange.
The villainess Rhiannon has quickly become the talk of the royal court.
This is not amusing to Sarah, who has been secretly spreading rumors about Rhiannon's bad reputation.
Sarah frowned and bit her nails, but suddenly thought of something and smirked.
(That's right, I've got a good idea. I have a strong ally, don't I? I should make use of them.)
Sarah takes this opportunity to show the princes a sweet face.
"Hey, princes. I've been keeping quiet about this, but actually, I'm having a problem..."
Sarah began to tell the princes about her plan.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)