The Villainess Is Too Difficult

I want to die. No, actually I don’t want to die, but if it were just about feelings, I really want to die right now. Anyone looking at me now would probably burst out laughing. That’s how embarrassing it is.

Since becoming Ariel, I’ve drunk all kinds of tea. Out of boredom, for a change of mood, just because. There were countless reasons, and I had become accustomed to drinking hot tea.

But I let my guard down just now. I was unnecessarily conscious of Reinhardt’s presence, so instead of adjusting as usual, I gulped the tea directly. It was already hot from being freshly brewed, and I drank it without any preparation or adjustment, so this outcome was unavoidable.

‘Ah, I want to die…’

Looking at the two men with distorted expressions, I thought unconsciously.

After that, nothing much happened. Maybe because I burned my tongue, neither Reinhardt nor Brother made me talk much. Come to think of it, it’s natural since Reinhardt came today just to inform me that we’d be going to take the Academy exam together.

“Well, I should be heading back now.”

Phew, he’s finally leaving. Now I can finally return to my peaceful daily life. Just as I was feeling relieved and about to stand up,

“If it’s alright with you, how about staying for dinner?”

Brother suddenly dropped a bomb. Dinner? Is it necessary? Well, I suppose it’s almost dinner time, and if there’s a guest staying until this hour, it’s natural to at least ask. There’s nothing strange about this. But…

‘As expected, I’m not too keen because it’s Reinhardt.’

Personally, I don’t particularly dislike Reinhardt as a character. If I had to choose between liking and disliking, it’s closer to liking. But the problem here is that I am Ariel Walpurgis.

If I were just an ordinary third party, it might be different, but I’m destined to have my engagement broken off and fall from grace later.

‘There’s nothing good about getting close.’

It’s not like I’m planning to live quietly without doing anything, I plan to play the role of the villainess thoroughly to awaken the protagonist. That’s why I should avoid contact with Reinhardt as much as possible. Anyway, he probably wouldn’t be too willing either due to the karma ‘Ariel’ has accumulated so far, so it’s a win-win.

To summarize, it’s not strange at all for Brother to offer Reinhardt dinner. Of course, I’m a bit uncomfortable with it, but I understand that such words are inevitable. After all, Reinhardt probably wouldn’t accept anyway.

That’s what I was thinking, but…

“I see. Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

“Eh?”

This isn’t right. Why is this happening?

“What’s wrong, Lady Walpurgis?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

This isn’t right. This isn’t what I want. A familiar melody passes through my head. It’s strange. It was supposed to be a perfect calculation.

On the way to the dining room, Reinhardt and Brother led the way, chatting about various things, while I carefully followed behind. Since today’s business was related to the Academy, Brother was sharing stories about the Academy, and Reinhardt was listening beside him.

Why am I quietly staying behind, you ask? There are two important reasons. First, it’s fine for two people to walk side by side, but when three people walk together, it becomes uncomfortable and there’s a lot to be mindful of. The person in the middle has to pay attention to both sides, and the people on either side can’t see the person at the end well, and so on… Anyway, that’s how it is. If I say so, that’s how it is.

And second. This is actually the most important reason.

‘It’s unbearably uncomfortable…’

The clothes that Muriel made me wear using all sorts of methods from sweet talk to threats. I admit they’re pretty. When Muriel finished dressing me and showed me the mirror, I couldn’t help but think of cliché lines like ‘Is this… me?’

But that’s that and this is this. As pretty as they are, they’re frustratingly complicated to put on and take off, and just as difficult to move in! Although I can walk without much trouble, it’s terrifying to even imagine what disaster might occur if I tried to run. As a result, I unconsciously walk slower and don’t dare to keep pace with the two men leading the way.

‘It’s for the best, I suppose.’

Anyway, both Brother and Reinhardt will eventually side with the protagonist. Although I don’t intend to become exactly like the original Ariel, this part is unavoidable. Gradually creating distance like this is a strategy of sorts for me.

“Has the Duke already left?”

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

“Hmm, I don’t mean to meddle in family affairs… but it might be better not to drag this out too long.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ah, come to think of it, is Father out somewhere even in this situation? Don’t tell me he’s doing this to avoid me? It’s almost admirable in a way. It wouldn’t be strange if he were accused of being disrespectful for behaving like this when the Crown Prince has come.

However, Reinhardt didn’t say anything particular, perhaps having already spoken with Father. It’s really amazing. Does he dislike seeing me that much?

But this isn’t such a bad feeling if I think of it as groundwork for the future. I am the villainess. I’m the villainess who needs to torment the protagonist and be a stepping stone in the future. Although I’m somehow getting closer to Brother, I plan to gradually drift apart later anyway.

Hmm, come to think of it, it’s not bad. No, it’s actually a good situation. In the worst case, I might be kicked out of the house and have to live off grass, but if I don’t help the protagonist grow, it might not just be a life of eating grass, but my life might end altogether. Thinking of it that way, this is better. The lesser evil is better than the worst evil.

“Ariel.”

It’ll be lonely to gradually drift apart from family like this. But it can’t be helped. In a way, this is all for the family’s sake too.

It might seem sudden, but I’m sincerely fond of my current family. Of course, I haven’t been able to say a word to Father so there’s not much there, but I’ve developed sufficient attachment to Brother and the other servants.

It’s enough reason to do my best, if not stake my life on it.

“Ariel!”

“Huh?”

Startled by the sudden loud voice, I saw Brother and Reinhardt looking at me with somewhat worried eyes. Why the sudden loud voice? You scared me.

“I’ve been calling you several times. Is something wrong?”

Huh? He called several times? Then why didn’t I hear? But in situations like this, it’s usually my fault, so I should apologize first.

“I’m sorry. I think I didn’t hear because I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“Pay attention.”

“Yes.”

Coming back to reality, Brother naturally seated Reinhardt at the head of the table and then seated me next, saying “ladies first.” Well, it feels weird to be on the receiving end of ladies first… but I guess I’ll have to get used to this too. It was natural to be seated like this when coming to eat with Brother.

“I don’t mind if you sit next to me.”

At Reinhardt’s words, I naturally turned to look at Brother. No, no matter what, two men sitting side by side to eat is a bit… isn’t it? Moreover, it’s not Father but Brother, so it would be awkward in many ways if he sat there.

“Where are you looking, Lady Walpurgis? I’m talking about you.”

“Pardon? Me?”

Oh dear.

“Are you referring to me, Your Highness?”

“Pfft… Yes. I mean you. We are engaged after all, so no one would say anything if we sit together at least this much.”

What is he saying now? He’s telling me to sit and eat side by side with a man? Are you crazy? Huh?! Even though I look like a complete woman on the outside now, and my body is actually female, and I’m trying to gradually adapt while understanding the situation!

Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be strange at all for me to be with a man, but I’m uncomfortable, me!

“I apologize, Your Highness. It’s too much of an honor for me.”

At times like this, a polite refusal is the way to go!

“Is that so? In the past, you would have clung to me until I told you to back off… You’ve certainly changed.”

Huh, is that so? Well, if it were the original Ariel, she would have been desperate to sit next to Reinhardt. But that’s just about her. Not me. I have no intention of becoming that kind of relationship with Reinhardt. I want to cheer for his love with the protagonist from afar. This is the true mindset of a reader.

“I understand.”

Surprisingly, Reinhardt let it go without saying much. I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

I’m not sure yet how I appear from his perspective. But looking at the current situation, it doesn’t seem like I’ve left a bad impression… Is this enough to at least hold out until the original story? I believe so. If not, it would be a complete betrayal of my expectations. My pure heart… well, not exactly, but anyway.

Reinhardt and I need to maintain our engagement relationship until the original story. That’s because he needs to declare the end of our engagement in front of the protagonist. If we split up earlier, young ladies from other families might try to swoop in. What if among them, Reinhardt finds someone he considers “acceptable”?

Original story destroyed, awakening failed, world annihilation. It would be over in an instant. We need to maintain the engagement relationship as much as possible until then.

But why do they keep looking at me with strange gazes? I don’t understand. Is the food not good?