Observation Record of a Self-proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance 10.2

“No, it’s unmistakably the compelling force…“

“No, wouldn’t it be fine to just reduce the amount of snacks you eat? And while you’re at it, it’s fine to temporarily increase your amount of exercise, but do it in moderation, all right?”

I cut off Bertia’s remark as she was still trying to push the blame for her weight gain onto the [compelling force], completely ending it there.

It wouldn’t be good for her health if I were to pamper her and let her believe in her strange rationalization on how [it can’t be helped that I got fatter].

Moreover, it would be troublesome if she were to behave recklessly under the impression that the [compelling force] had begun to operate.

“B-but, to not eat what was kindly gifted to me…“

“How about sharing it with the maids and eating just a little?”

“My sweets…“

“You’re aiming to be first class, right?”

“…”

Between my arms, Bertia hung her head dejectedly.

However, since she didn’t say no, it seemed that she agreed to my suggestion, albeit reluctantly.

“Ah, that’s right. In addition, if you are aiming to be a first class villainess, then Tia, it wouldn’t be good if you were not by my side, right?”

Next, I should forcefully emphasize that notion.

This time, she distanced herself from me under a pretext as incomprehensible as, ‘The [compelling force] has started to work. Hence, I must separate myself from the capture target, namely His Highness, Cecil.’

She has comprehended that it was all her misunderstanding, but hereafter, my graduation ceremony is approaching along with the [Downfall] she speaks of, so I have no doubt she would feel insecure and behave recklessly because of it.

Though it did sound fun to have a chase each time, it was way too inefficient.

Since that was the case, I decided it would be easier to observe and control her if I were to tie her to me first.

“Wh, why? Cecil-sama is going to become lovey-dovey with the heroine from now on, and is bound to gradually be separated from me. I’ll be desperate to hold onto that Cecil-sama, and rush down the villainess road. And, you, feeling that I am truly unpleasant at that time, on the day of the graduation ceremony…”

While speaking, tears rapidly emerged in Bertia’s eyes and it wouldn’t be strange if they spilled over at any moment.

Seeing Bertia rapidly blinking to hold back the tears while staring fixedly at her own hand grasping the front of my shirt, I reflexively displayed a bitter smile.

…If it’s really that heartbreaking, then it’s fine for her to not rush along the path of a villainess and just be my fiancée as it is.

Even though such thoughts arose in my heart, I wouldn’t tell her.

Though I wouldn’t have told her to begin with, but since she has her own reasons, anything I spoke of would probably end up with being resisted anyway.

If that’s the case, then I should take the necessary measures while being unnoticed by her, and then all I have to do is just overcome the events that will happen on the day of the graduation ceremony.

I am sure she will be convinced once we are able to overcome that day just fine.

…Or to be more accurate, if she makes any vain struggle even after the result is out, then I’ll just have to overturn that.

Furthermore, it wouldn’t be an issue if she could feel relieved, like ‘surprisingly, everything turned out fine.’

Besides, in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, as long as I take precautions against most things to some extent, I’ll be able to adjust and do something about it.

Even up until now, there hasn’t been anything I haven’t been able to adapt to.

Then, all that’s left is just how I could enjoy the situation.

“I’m telling you, Tia. In order for you to be a splendid villainess, you must be by my side and monopolize me. Because if you do so, you will become an existence that stands in front of the [heroine] and blocks her way.”

“Eh?”

“After all, your role is to burn with jealousy when the [heroine] ensnares my heart, right? Since that’s the case, first you have to cling closely to me and do your best to look over your shoulder¹, all right?”
“B-but it’s difficult for me to be by Cecil-sama’s side anymore than this.”

“What’s difficult about it?”

“If we get really close, parting and betrayal will also be harder to bear, won’t they? If we become any closer than now, I, I won’t be able to bear being treated so coldly and unfriendly at the end.”

Seeing Bertia with tears in her eyes and her head cast downwards as if she’s enduring her overwhelming feelings, I felt a small ache in my heart.

Perhaps by letting her go now, it would be good for guaranteeing her heart’s tranquility.

However…

“Then, I just have to not be cold to Tia until the end. If so, then wouldn’t everything be all right?”

“Is there a way for [The Downfall] to be completed without you being cold to me?”

“Of course. Without being cold [to Tia], [The Downfall] will still be able to continue, so be relieved. So, won’t you leave that all to me?”

“Really?”

“Without a doubt.”

To reassure her, I gently patted her head and smiled.

Upon which, though she had an uneasy expression, she slowly raised her head to me.

“Then, I’ll also try harder without running away from these feelings just a little bit more. Because I am a first-class villainess!!”

I silently nodded my head towards Bertia who had a resolute expression.

Sorry, Bertia.

I unexpectedly am enjoying my life at present.

That’s why I’m unwilling to part with the distinct color you bring to my life.

Because there is no life more painful than a boring life.

But, I’ll properly keep this promise.

A [Downfall] without being cold [to Tia].

In other words, it’d be fine to just do the [downfall] to someone else, right?

While watching Bertia holding back her tears with both hands clutched in front of her chest, I was speculating inside my head about what kind of [scenario] I should do.

***

Now then, I’ve decided on a strategy.

Because Bertia also returned to her original stable state of mind, all that’s left is how I should approach the end.

Well, since there are already various controllable pieces and materials gathered, all that’s left is how I should mobilize them.

“Hey, Kulgan. Recently, I heard that Baroness Heronia has been visiting your place quite frequently. How is she like?”

I asked Kulgan, one of my close aide candidates who was a student council member when we were in middle school division and similarly, also became a student council member in the high school division. Towards my inquiry, his hands, which were quietly working on administrative duties, stopped moving, and he turned his head to face me.

Even when there is no large-scale event going on, my aide candidates would naturally gather in the student council room everyday to work on things such as managing the student council itself, assisting me with my private royalty-related affairs and many other things.

Like always, the other members of my aide candidates gathered today as well. They also reacted to the words I uttered, specifically at the mention of [Baroness Heronia], which made their movements stop as they turned their gazes towards Kulgan and me.

“It’s not a very good feeling. She’s irritating as usual, but in addition to that, she’s been enquiring of me about Bertia-sama and Bertia-sama’s household.”

“For example… ‘do you know of any wrongdoing they’ve committed?’”

When I smiled and asked him that, Kulgan showed an astonished expression. Despite that, he nodded while furrowing his eyebrows.

“There’ve been several occasions where she’s asked questions such as if I’d heard any bad rumors concerning Bertia-sama’s household, or if I was being embroiled in troubles caused by Bertia-sama’s relatives.”

“Hmm~”

…As expected.

When Bertia talked about the [Otome game] before, she mentioned that Kulgan played a critical role in her [Downfall] event.

With this sort of timing where the [Downfall] Bertia spoke of is only just next year, when you think about it, Baroness Heronia’s frequent approaches to Kulgan is, without a doubt, for the purpose of preparing for Bertia’s [Downfall].

In truth, I managed to grasp the hidden meaning behind Kulgan’s remark just now.

“What are you chatting about? Are you having a fun conspiracy talk? Lady Heronia has been causing me discomfort over the matter concerning Lady Anne, so may I lend a hand?”

Charles, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, cut in with a broad grin while resting his chin in his hands.

Come to think of it, Charles has been quite irritated by Baroness Heronia since she kept telling him over and over again to give up on Lady Anne.

She also told Lady Anne that, ‘Charles is an incessant womanizer’. On top of feeding her with a mixture of facts and lies, she also strongly recommended Lady Anne to proceed with her marriage talks to Charles’ brother.

Well, no matter how gentle Charles is towards the ladies, it’s justified for him to get mad at someone who would conspicuously hinder his romance that he painstakingly managed to seize.

“If that’s the case, then I’m in the same boat. Even while I was reading a book, she would be next to me continuously speaking badly of Silica, and though she didn’t understand anything, she asked me, ‘Wasn’t it difficult for you?’ It irked me. Despite the fact that Silica scolded me out of her love to me. Silica was so adorable whenever she would eventually take care of me despite complaining.”

Nert muttered with a sullen expression as he furrowed his eyebrows and raised his head from his book.

As expected of Baroness Heronia, she managed to anger Nert who is rare to anger.

“I’m also in this. Though I hate to swarm around and deprecate someone together… I dislike her. Even when I thought I could finally go on a long riding date with Lady Cynthia, just the two of us, she unexpectedly asked to tag along with us. While it couldn’t be helped that she tagged along with us, but in the end she couldn’t adjust herself to our speed, and then grumbled about returning midway. Just how many dates have been ruined by her…”

Ah~, from what I could grasp, it seems like Baroness Heronia is a person who can mount a horse, but is quite reckless to think that she would like to keep up with Bard and Lady Cynthia.

Nevertheless, it could even be said that in a sense, she is a person who battles on in difficult circumstances and resolutely tries hard to do something over and over again. Still, it isn’t good for her to ruin those engaged couples’ dates.

Furthermore, from Bard’s statement, it seems like she didn’t do it just once or twice, but has repeatedly done so many times over.

Although Bard would basically get angry for only a short period of time, he’s the type who wouldn’t budge.

However, so long as someone repeats the same mistake without even slight remorse, the likelihood of him not minding it would gradually drop.

“I also can’t bring myself to like her. After all, she has said lots of things that hurt my Joanna.”

Shaun has just entered the high school division, so he hasn’t become a student council member yet. Despite that, he would hang out in the student council room. Taking this opportunity, Shaun also complained with his sharp words.

Well, it’s inevitable for the [Capture Targets] to be fed up with [the Heroine] as she kept repeating her coercive approaches while ignoring the occasion and state of affairs, disregarding how each one of them already has their respective partner.

…Because the power of her light spirit gets interrupted by Kuro’s dark defensive power, the special effects aren’t functioning at all.