“You found a fox? Where exactly? Does Marquis Noches know about this? What did he say?”
“I found it in a forest near our estate. There was this oddly shaped stone, almost like a Shinto shrine gate, that I passed during my daily runs… err, walks. The fox would always sit there, watching me, and it looked a bit like an Inari deity because of its shape. Remembering my past life, I decided to make some Inari sushi to see if it liked it, and it did, so it followed me home.”
A Shinto shrine gate stone?
Inari deity?
And Inari sushi?
According to Miss Bertia’s story, in her past life, there was a deity called “Inari” that took the form of a fox, and a “sanctuary” akin to a temple near her home had been where this deity was worshipped.
“As a child, whenever I was about to get scolded by my mother, I often fled to the sanctuary. But somehow, I was always found quickly…”
“Well, if you always hid in the same place, it’s no wonder you were found so easily,” I pointed out.
“Since I hid there repeatedly, I became friends with the sanctuary keeper, an elderly man, and his wife. While hiding, they would often treat me to leftover Inari sushi they had prepared for offerings. Sometimes I even helped them make it.”
So, it wasn’t so much hiding as it was just hanging out at the sanctuary?
“Interestingly, that sanctuary was known for a peculiar rumor. It was said that a ‘zashiki-warashi’ that brought offerings of Inari sushi to the Inari deity sometimes appeared, and seeing it was considered a good omen. I often helped with the offerings, hoping to see them, but I never did.” Miss Bertia seemed nostalgic as she recalled her past.
“But I’m curious, Miss Bertia. When you were making these offerings in your past life, did anyone around you act unusually?”
“Act unusually? Not really… Oh, now that you mention it, strangers would approach me with big smiles, give me sweets, or even give me a thumbs-up.”
“Interesting…” It seemed my fiancée might not only have the role of a “villainess” but also seemed to mimic what sounded like a “zashiki-warashi.”
While I wasn’t entirely sure what a “zashiki-warashi” entailed, it seemed to function as a sort of lucky charm or benevolent spirit in folklore.
If seeing her with the fox indeed brought good luck, it might be interesting to witness her feeding the creature next time. It would be a fun way to test whether the old superstitions of her past life held any truth.
“So, you became nostalgic about those times, made Inari sushi for the fox, and it grew fond of you?” I asked.
“Yes! It ate my offering so happily.” Miss Bertia nodded with a beaming smile.
“I initially thought about turning it into a fur scarf as befits a villainess, but it was so cute and gentle… It even licked my wounds when I fell on the way home. I accidentally named it, and I just couldn’t help growing attached. I thought it would be warmer to keep it wrapped around me, and that would be all right. By the way, its name is Kuro!” she explained while gently stroking the fluffy black tail wrapped around her neck and sighed contentedly.
Hmm… Why did she think “that would be all right” at that point? A living animal and a fur scarf are entirely different things, right?
“I showed it to my father and asked if I could keep it. He turned pale and angrily told me to take it back to where I found it… But after I told him how it had licked my wounds, and that I had already named it, he allowed me to keep it. Since then, he’s been constantly reminding me to take good care of it. I wonder if Father thinks I’ll neglect a pet?”
Naming it after it had licked her wounds—with blood involved—might have left Marquis Noches with no other choice. From the sounds of it, the only option the marquis could give was to advise her to “take good care of it.”
Putting together all the pieces of the story, this black fox, Kuro, was no ordinary animal. Observing my fiancée, who seemed completely unaware of the implications of her actions, and the fox, which appeared to understand everything yet feigned ignorance, presented an intriguing contrast.
Miss Bertia just kept smiling sweetly, seemingly oblivious to the deeper layers of what she had gotten herself into.
Kuro, the black fox, seemed to pick up on the reproach in my smile. It wagged its tail dramatically, almost as if to say, “What, you got a problem with this?”
Honestly, if Kuro itself wasn’t inclined to reveal any secrets, I felt comfortable to just watch and see what happened. Chances were, Miss Bertia would continue to do amusing things if left to her own devices. Perhaps I should go along with Kuro’s antics and enjoy the situation a bit more.
“That’s good to hear. I think it’s wise to take care of it… for the future,” I remarked.
“Yes! I will take great care of it!!” Miss Bertia responded with a carefree smile, and I returned it with one laden with meaning.
Zeno muttered from behind me, “Please take care, Your Highness,” but I chose to ignore him. Everyone has their own way of being careful, Zeno.
“Now that we’ve cleared up any doubts, let’s talk about tomorrow.”
“I will do my utmost to perform my role as a partner befitting a top-class villainess with nobility!!” Miss Bertia confidently declared, puffing out her chest.
Why do I feel more apprehensive even though she sounds reliable?
I decided to drive the point home, just to be safe.
“That’s reassuring to hear.” I paused in thought, then said, “However, going forward, I think it would be best if the matters regarding this ‘villainess’ persona and your memories of a ‘past life’ remain just between us. Keeping such unique circumstances under wraps is wise.”
“Why is that?” She blinked, her large eyes flicking up in surprise, looking for an answer.
“The social circles we are about to enter can be unforgiving, and you never know what could turn into a weapon against you. If you truly want to be a splendid ‘flower of evil,’ it’s best to conceal these particular details. After all, a villainess full of vulnerabilities doesn’t exactly scream strength, does it?” I explained.
Miss Bertia’s enthusiasm, though slightly misplaced, was infectious. She nodded vigorously. “Indeed! The best never show their weaknesses and strategically bring down their opponents. Speaking carelessly and digging one’s own grave is definitely third rate.”
After a moment, she continued, “Right… I understand. Unlike the Miss Bertia from the games, I’ll be a beautiful and pure ‘flower of evil.’ I’ll just smile meaningfully and say less.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding,” I said, though I still felt she might be missing the subtlety of the strategy slightly. Well, if anything happened, I could always step in, and for now, observing might be interesting.
“By the way, have you been briefed by Marquis Noches about tomorrow’s schedule?”
“Yes, I’ve been informed. I will make my entrance with Your Highness and have the honor of being your partner for the first dance, correct?”
“That’s right. That’s the main idea. Just keep that in mind, and you’ll be fine. Oh, and if you ever feel unsure or confused about anything, make sure you ask me, okay? Don’t decide on your own. All right?”
“Will you be there to support me then?” Miss Bertia looked at me with hopeful eyes.
“Of course. I am your fiancé, after all. I intend to do everything I can to support you.”
“Fiancé… That has a nice ring to it. Oh, but I understand, you know? I’ll properly fulfill my role! I’ll make sure I’m properly ‘gah’-ed!” Her mood briefly dipped before she clenched her fists, rallying herself.