“Therefore, Your Highness, you will meet this ‘fated maiden,’ become intrigued by her radiant authenticity, and fall in love. Seeing this, I, as the villainess, will become a demon consumed by jealousy and torment her relentlessly. When you learn of this, Your Highness will be furious, call off the engagement, and in a domino effect, my family will fall into ruin!”
She seemed to be describing events that were yet to occur, claiming to have memories from a past life (or something like that). She suggested these memories were based on a novel with moving pictures—something called an “otome game”—that depicted our future.
A maiden of destiny?
A villainess?
Me, furious and breaking off an engagement?
What in the world is all this?
The very idea of me, who rarely clung to anything, being furious seemed farfetched already.
It seemed there were still many more intricate details to dissect, but today I decided to just get a broad understanding. In her past life, she was born and raised in a country called “Japan.” She didn’t remember when she died, but she clearly recalled loving something called “otome games” and playing them extensively.
These games included a “route” where I and the “heroine” overcame various challenges and become united, resulting in Miss Bertia being disappointed, and me and the heroine finding happiness. However, she wouldn’t divulge the details, claiming, “It would be troublesome if telling you disrupts the scenario!!”
Thinking that it’d be intriguing to gradually learn about it, I decided not to press further. After all, it was hard to imagine myself getting caught up in romantic entanglements and jeopardizing a politically advantageous engagement. It was equally difficult to envision the lady before me turning into the demon of jealousy she mentioned. The whole thing felt unreal, and there were too many questionable points, which was quite confusing. But if I were to be bombarded with more information now, even I couldn’t handle it.
The tea time meant for our introduction as fiancés was drawing to a close. Ah, but there’s one last thing I need to clarify.
“Miss Bertia, may I ask you one question?”
“Please, ask as many as you like. Ever since I regained my memories at the age of five, I’ve been looking forward to discussing this with you!!” she replied, leaning forward eagerly, almost making me chuckle.
To be honest, whether she has a penchant for wild fantasies or claims to have prophetic abilities, it hardly matters to me. The real issue is…
“What exactly do you mean by ‘a top-tier villainess’?”
That’s the crucial part.
After all, as of today, she had officially become my fiancée.
Becoming my fiancée meant she was to be the future queen.
The existence known as the “heroine” was irrelevant. However, if what Bertia described as the “flower of evil” was unsuitable for a queen, I needed to promptly instigate… no, awaken her to the right path. And if that proves impossible, I may need to consult with my father and make a decisive cut. After all, I am to be the future king.
“Of course, I’ve already decided! To be strong, noble, and beautiful! An entity that forges ahead on its own path, regardless of what others say. Even if it leads to ruin, I will walk it without hesitation! That is the woman I intend to become!!”
“Strong, noble, beautiful…” I muttered, inadvertently glancing at Miss Bertia’s plump midsection.
I was curious about how she perceived her own appearance—not that I was fully conscious of it—but my intention was not to demean her by looking deliberately.
Realizing my gaze was inappropriate, I quickly met her eyes and smiled. I must think of an excuse.
But it was too late.
Miss Bertia had noticed my focus shifting and her face flushed crimson.
“It’s not like that! Lady Bertia Ibil Noches was originally meant to be a minor character, somewhat unremarkable in appearance,” she stammered.
“A minor character? That sounds quite sad. Are you really okay with that?”
“Not at all!! That’s the Bertia of the game talking. I am… I am… not just any Lady Bertia Ibil Noches! I am myself! I want the happiness of Prince Cecil, who was a support and comfort to me in my previous life, when I tended to shut myself away. Therefore, I aspire to be a more exalted… a pure and righteous flower of evil!!”
Is she flustered? “A pure and righteous flower of evil” seemed like a contradiction, but it appeared Miss Bertia hadn’t noticed the irony at all.
Blushing to the tips of her fingers, Miss Bertia abruptly stood up with a loud clatter.
“Then, Your Highness, I shall refine myself and return anew! I beg your leave. Farewell!” With that hurried goodbye, she dashed away before I could even attempt to stop her. Her maids, equally flustered, quickly bowed and hurried after their mistress.
I stood there, dumbfounded, watching them disappear.
“What was that all about?”
“Your Highness, what will you do?” Zeno inquired.
It seemed an important portion was missing from the end of his question, but surely he meant to add “about your engagement with her.”
Royal marriages were entangled with various interests, so it’s not something that could be hastily and lightly altered. However, discussing today’s events with my father might lead to the annulment of the engagement, although it would take time.
But…
“She’s interesting, isn’t she? And her straightforward, unnoble-like character makes her easy to deal with. It seems like she wouldn’t cause much harm… It might be fun to observe her for a while.”
I felt genuinely amused, something that had been rare for me. It’s not that I have fallen for her, but how should I put it… Is it that fools are endearing? Like discovering a new toy? I wasn’t sure, but I was experiencing a level of excitement I’d never felt before.
For someone like me, who could usually accomplish anything with a single try, the world had always been a dull place. I’d rarely felt the joyful fulfillment of a hard-earned achievement, and the scenery had always seemed somewhat dreary. But after meeting her today, my world had definitely brightened. The uncertainty of what might happen next was exhilarating.
“Heh…” A smile naturally formed on my face, a rare occurrence since the expression had become something I usually had to consciously conjure.
“Your Highness, you seem to be enjoying yourself,” Zeno noted with a look of exasperation. And, indeed, I was.
“Ah, I think this unpredictability isn’t too bad.”
He paused and then said, “That’s fine, but can’t you find a more childlike way to have fun?”
“Am I not enjoying this innocently enough?”
Zeno exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders and sighed heavily.
“Indeed, Your Highness. You must have left your childlike innocence in the queen’s womb. My apologies for asking the impossible.”
“You always manage to say the most impertinent things, don’t you? Well, it’s fine. I’m in such a good mood today that I’ll let it slide.”
“Thank you,” Zeno replied, his head bowed in mock defeat. My gaze wandered in the direction Miss Bertia had left.
How much amusement will my new fiancée provide me, I wonder?
“You won’t disappoint me, will you?” I whispered softly, then looked up at the sky and closed my eyes, contemplating the unexpected thrill Bertia had introduced into my life.