Bertia took a deep breath before she began to explain. “That’s because, in the original story, Bertia was described as plump. Ever since I first met you, Lord Cecil, I’ve been on a strict diet to break away from the role of a third-rate villainess, overturning the original plump characterization. Yet now, as my downfall approaches, I’m starting to revert to Bertia’s original physique!!”
So, if I’m getting this right… She thinks that the coercive force is causing her looks to involuntarily revert to the way Bertia is shown in the “otome game”?
Hmm, is this a moment to laugh?
No, Bertia appears to be serious, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to laugh. Maybe I should provide her with a proper explanation.
“Look, Bertia. I understand you’re genuinely worried, but I believe your weight gain isn’t likely caused by some ‘coercive force’; it’s probably more about what’s in the pockets of your dress.”
“Something in my pockets?” She looked puzzled, furrowing her brow as she glanced down at her dress. Reaching into a bulging hidden pocket, she retrieved the contents within.
“… Cookies from Lady Yumir and Lady Otomeria? These?” She gazed at the two baked treats, tilting her head in perplexity.
I almost sighed, thinking there was nothing wrong with it.
“Tia, since last fall—specifically after the ‘Cultural Festival’—haven’t you been getting more sweets from the young ladies around you?”
“Ah! Indeed, that’s true! Even people I barely knew before suddenly started giving me sweets. Could it be that the coercive force had already begun working back then…?”
“No, that’s not it. After the ‘Cultural Festival,’ everyone recognized what a wonderful lady you are. That’s why other women who want to befriend you started giving you their favorite treats as a way to get closer to you.” While that was my explanation, the actual situation was a bit different.
At the “Post-Festival” event, the ladies who ranked among the top couples were all closely connected to Bertia. These ladies often brought her sweets.
These incidents may have combined to spark a rumor that “offering sweets to Marquise Bertia Ibil Noches can make long-standing romantic wishes come true or lead to wonderful new romances.” Consequently, many students began to offer Bertia sweets…
Bertia, being conscientious, always ensured that she exchanged proper greetings with those who gave her sweets, thereby becoming acquainted with them. Because they were familiar, she took their romantic problems to heart, offered advice, and helped out, even successfully matchmaking some of the young ladies. As a result, this further fueled the rumors.
As the number of sweets offered to Bertia increased, her weight naturally continued to rise due to her consumption. This indicated a clear cause and effect relationship, not some sort of “coercive force” as Bertia described.
Ah, also, my earlier advice regarding her “diet,” which included strength training, may have influenced her. I suggested that she tone down her exercise regimen since a muscular Crown Princess could be somewhat awkward.
Bertia still looked doubtful after my explanation.
“No, that’s precisely what the coercive force is…”
“No, you just need to cut back on the sweets you eat. And maybe step up your exercise a bit for now, but keep that moderate too.” I interrupted her sharply.
Allowing her to think that a bizarre idea of “coercive force” is causing her to gain weight is harmful to her health. Most importantly, if she fixated on the belief that the “coercive force” was beginning to take effect and she impulsively took drastic measures, that would be concerning.
“But it feels wrong not to eat the things I’ve received with so much care…”
“Why not share them with the maids and eat a little at a time?”
“My snacks…”
“You’re aiming to be a top-tier villainess, right?”
“…”
Bertia’s head drooped sadly in my arms. However, the fact that she didn’t outright reject the idea indicated she was reluctantly coming to terms with it.
“Ah, that’s right. If you want to be the top-tier villainess you mentioned, then you can’t be away from me, can you?” I added, to emphasize my point.
This time, she had tried to distance herself from me with the bizarre excuse that “the coercive force” had begun to take effect, and therefore, she needed to stay away from her “target of conquest,” which was supposedly me.
It appeared that she had accepted this as a misunderstanding. However, as the so-called “doom” she mentioned drew nearer, she was likely to become more unstable and prone to erratic behavior. Pursuing her each time may sound amusing, but it’s incredibly inefficient.
It would be much better to keep her nearby, where she can be easily observed and managed.
With a sad expression, Bertia began to speak. “Why? Lord Cecil, you’re supposed to be entering a lovey-dovey phase with the heroine soon and gradually distancing yourself from me. I’m supposed to get overly enthusiastic about holding you back, racing headlong down the path of a villainess. And then, feeling neglected by you, I would…”
As she spoke, tears began to pool in Bertia’s eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. She clenched my shirt at the chest, trying to hold back the tears without blinking even once.
Seeing her clenched fists, a wry smile crept up on me. If it’s so painful, she doesn’t have to push herself down the path of a villainess; she could simply stay my fiancée.
I decided not to say that to her.
Bertia appeared to be acting on her own terms, so anything I said now would only result in resistance. Instead, I should take necessary actions without her noticing and simply make it through the graduation ceremony day.
I made sure to impress upon Bertia the importance of her goals. “That’s why, Tia. To become a distinguished villainess, you must strive to monopolize my presence. By doing so, you can truly stand as a barrier before the ‘heroine.’”
“Eh?”
“Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to get jealous when I show interest in the ‘heroine’? If that’s the case, you should stay close and constantly make sure I notice you, right?”
“But being any closer to you is personally challenging for me.”
“What’s so difficult about it?”
“The closer we get, the harder the goodbye and betrayal will be, right? If we grow closer and then you turn cold on me at the end, I don’t think I can bear it.” As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked down, trying to endure her emotions. Seeing her like this, I felt a sharp pain deep in my heart.
Perhaps it would be better for her peace of mind if I let her go now. But…
“Then I won’t be cold toward you in the end, Tia. Would that be okay?”
“Is there truly a kind of ‘doom’ that doesn’t conclude with me being treated coldly?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure that the ‘doom’ doesn’t mean I’ll be cold to ‘Tia.’ Can you trust me on that?”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” I smiled gently, stroking her head to reassure her. Slowly, she lifted her face, still looking uncertain.
“Then I’ll try to hold on to these feelings a little longer. I’m a top-tier villainess, after all!”
Seeing the determination in Bertia’s expression, I nodded silently. I’m sorry, Bertia. I’m unexpectedly enjoying our current life. That’s why I can’t bring myself to let go of you. You’re a vibrant splash of color in my life. A dull life is nothing but suffocating pain.
I will keep my promise. The ‘doom’ that doesn’t involve being cold to ‘Tia’ essentially means I should find someone else to doom, right?
As Bertia stood before me, holding back tears and clutching her hands, I watched her and contemplated how we should navigate the scenarios ahead.