Observation Record of a Self-Proclaimed Villainous Wife Chapter 1 Part 3

As of now, I will be putting this sequel under the same category and table of content with the prequel which is “Observation Record of A Self-Proclaimed Villainess’ Fiance”, and marking the sequel as season 2. I think it makes it easier for both me as the translator and you as the readers, right?

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Chapter 1

Bertia’s Sixth Month As A Wife

Part 3/3

We headed towards the Chaldoned orphanage in my personal carriage, and upon arrival, we stepped down from the carriage and stopped immediately after that.

“Wait, wait for a while~!”

“I won’t wait~!”

“Ohhohoho! I am the villainess! I shall capture you!!”

The children, irrespective of their gender, had a long piece of cloth wrapped around their waists as they chased one another at a brisk pace, as they made a racket with their noble lady-like tone.

Bertia was among them as well, but… what exactly is going on with this situation?

As far as I could tell, they seemed to be playing a game of tag, yet it was obvious that their game was different from an ordinary game of tag.

“…Did Tia invent yet another new game?”

When strange things like this happen, there is a high probability that my wife is at the center of it.

Considering that my wife was also actively participating, it was almost certainly her doing, and there was no doubt about it.

“Ah, Cecil-sama!!” 

Noticing my arrival, Tia spoke a few words to the children before she stepped away from the group to come to me.

“Hey, Tia. Looks like you’re having fun. What’s this game called?”

“It’s called [Villainess Play]!!”

“……”

Hold it right there, Zeno. Why would you secretly gush out behind me, while I am maintaining my smile?

As for Kulgan… for some reason, he has a fond expression in his eyes, as if he’s watching something heartwarming. 

It’s like how a father watches over his child’s growth, but for him, it must be akin to watching his little sister. 

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“…It’s quite a unique name. What kind of game is it?”

“It’s the so-called game of tag! Actually, when the orphanage children asked me to play tag with them, we came to talk about how, in the scenario that I’d be ‘it’, there was no way they could call me–the crown princess–as ‘it’¹’, and its literal translation is ‘demon-play’. In the Japanese version of tag, ‘it’ / the one chasing is called ‘demon’. So, it makes sense why the children are afraid… I guess calling a person of noble status as ‘it’ is also derogatory, so I decided to translate it using English term of the game.]…”

Well, putting aside the children, the adults around were probably being careful to not show any kind of disrespect towards Bertia, the Crown Princess.

Though I could only think of this as [an excessive concern]. 

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“So, our conversation turned towards how we could use a different title instead of ‘it’. Many ideas came up, such as ‘fiend’, or ‘imp’, but none of them felt quite right…”

Fiend play, then it wouldn’t be too different.²

Imp play…  it might end up meaning something else entirely.³

“And then, in the end, I suggested that we go with ‘Villainess Play’!’

…Why did it end up being a villainess, then?

Did she think that since ‘it’ and ‘fiend’ were non-humans, using a human role like villainess would be more acceptable?

“If it is villainess, it has the [role] character in the word, so it implies that it’s a role that’s being acted, and not implying that the person themselves is evil. And it has the character of a ‘noble lady’⁴ as well, so I thought it was just perfect!”  

What to do?

Everyone said that I am smart, yet I can’t understand what she means at all.⁵

As for the others… Ah, everyone–safe for the flexible-minded children–all looks confused.

I see. Since the Crown Princess proposed the idea with a beaming smile and the children eagerly joined in–wrapping cloth around their waists like dresses, and then adopting the way a noble lady speaks–no one could stop them. 

Bertia herself probably wouldn’t mind, but it would normally be considered presumptuous for a commoner to express their opinion to the Crown Princess, so it’s not surprising that they weren’t able to say anything.

“By the way, Cecil-sama, why have you come here? Weren’t you supposed to be working in your office this morning?”

Bertia tilted her head curiously.

While speaking with me, the tension that was increased during her playtime with the children seemed to have calmed down a little, and she was finally able to question something that she should naturally be wondering about.

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“It’s nearly lunchtime, so I came to pick you up.”

When I smiled, Bertia’s cheeks faintly blushed as she responded happily, “Y-you came to pick me up even though you’re so busy?!”

Looking at her adorableness, I reached out to pat her head, and her cheeks turned redder as she hung her head down.

If she’s going to show such a cute reaction, then coming to pick her up was definitely the right choice.

Behind me, Zeno shrugged his shoulders as if saying ‘good grief’, while Kulgan looked at us with a forlorn expression, like a father watching his daughter being taken away.

Well, I want to enjoy Tia’s reaction, so let’s ignore them for now. 

While we were enjoying our moment together, the orphanage children who had continued playing gradually gathered around us. 

Perhaps they sensed that it was almost time for Bertia to leave.

“Bertia-sama, are you leaving?”

“Can’t we play more today?”

“When will you come again?”

“I want to play a bit longer…”

“Don’t gooo!”

The children who gathered all had disappointed expressions.

Some were even on the verge of tears.

It seems that Bertia is quite popular here as well.

It is actually a good thing for her to be liked in a place meant to raise children who will eventually work for us. …as it will lower the probability of them betraying us in the future.

…Well, Bertia herself probably wouldn’t imagine even in her wildest dream that this place is nurturing talented children who will work as intels, and that the children in front of her are prospective intels, though.

As usual, Bertia is unconsciously doing an excellent work.

“Oh my, what do we do?”

Perhaps hesitant to approach someone they’re not yet familiar with, which is me, unlike Bertia who always plays with them, the children were gathered around 2 meters away from us as they gazed at Bertia with their teary eyes.

Seeing this, Bertia looked a bit troubled, yet she had a somewhat delighted expression on her face.

She’s fond of children, so having them beg her to play with them like this must have made her happy.

“We have a meeting about the matter in question this afternoon, so we can’t stay for too long, but you can play more for a little while. It also seems like Kulgan has something to discuss with the orphanage director.”

When I mentioned him in our conversation, Kulgan gave Bertia a small bow.

“Really? Won’t it trouble you, Cecil-sama?”

“It’s alright. I’ve already finished my work for the morning. I came a little early to pick you up so we could have lunch together before our afternoon duties start.” 

Hearing my words, Bertia looked over at the clock tower visible from the orphanage yard to check on the time, then she showed a relieved expression.

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“Thank you very much! Ah, if you don’t mind, Cecil-sama, would you like to join us in playing ‘Villainess Play’?”

“…Uhm, is wrapping fabric around the waist a part of the rules?”

Honestly, considering my status as the Crown Prince, I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate for me to tie a long piece of cloth around my waist like a skirt and play around in it. 

If I were seen in that state by someone who was unaware of the situation, they might say, “The crown prince was doing something strange”, and my reputation as the crown prince will take a hit. 

Incidentally, Bertia herself was already wearing an easy-to-move-in dress for going out, so there was no need for her to wrap a long fabric to look like she was wearing a skirt, so she could just play just as she was. 

If anyone had to wear a cloth, that would be me… and Zeno, who would no doubt be dragged into it along with me.

“No, the children did that of their own accord. When I explained what a villainess was and acted it out for them, the children said that they wanted to imitate the appearance as well, so that was how they dressed up like that!”

…So, you didn’t just explain what a villainess is, you also acted it out, huh?

It sounded amusing, I wish I had seen it. How unfortunate.

“In that case, I suppose I’ll participate.”

“Oh my! How wonderful. The children will also be pleased–huh? Everyone, why do you all look so tense all of a sudden?”

The moment I declared that I’d be participating, the children’s expressions turned so tense, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Well, it’s natural for them to be super nervous since they’d be playing with a royal–with Bertia being an exception. It wasn’t all that surprising for things to turn out this way.

…Zeno, I can hear you muttering behind me, “Children are sensitive, so they must have sensed His Highness’ true nature”. 

Do you like being punished by me that much, I wonder?

When I glanced over my shoulder to look at Zeno, he quickly averted his gaze.

Of course, I don’t intend to let you get away with it so easily, okay?

“They are not familiar with me yet, unlike them with Tia. I’m sure they’re just nervous.”

I turned my gaze back at Bertia who was tilting her head curiously at the children’s reaction, and then I said with a smile.

Looking at my smile, several girls whispered, “It’s the Prince!” with their eyes sparkling.

…Though I think one of them just said, “It’s the black-hearted prince!’, but I am sure that was probably just my imagination.

So, the teachers working at the orphanage, there is no need to look that frightened, alright?

“I see! As expected of Cecil-sama! You could understand the children’s feelings so well!”

Bertia looked at me with her eyes sparkling, full of admiration. However, Kuro, who had arrived a little late and was standing among the children, had an expression that seemed to say, “Eh?” as if she couldn’t accept Bertia’s words.

Well, in this case, I actually agree with Kuro.

It’s true that I generally have little interest in people and I’m not very good at understanding other people’s feelings.

But well, if getting closer to the children makes Bertia happy, then I’d readily do it.

…Should the circumstances permit, there’s a probability that these children will grow up to become capable subordinates who will serve us in the future, so it wouldn’t hurt to build a bond now.

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“Then, I suppose I’ll become the [villain] first.”

Smiling at the children as I made the declaration, I took Bertia’s hand and stepped into the orphanage yard.

…Of course, there’s no way I can say ‘I’d be the villainess’, right? I am not a [noble lady], after all.

As we moved forward in the yard, the children also followed.

They still seemed wary of me, but it didn’t seem like they’d give up their chance to play with Bertia.

“Your Highness, I’ll go speak with the director for a bit.”

Seeing that we were about to play with the children, Kulgan stepped up beside me and informed me that he was going to leave the place.

I just glanced a bit at him and he immediately knew what I wanted to say, as he slightly bowed in acknowledgement. 

Among the documents that I had handed to Kulgan earlier, there were several tasks intended for the orphanage director. 

Judging from his attitude, it looked like he would gather information or make requests regarding those matters properly.

“It’s all thanks to Tia that I was able to acquire such a talented personnel.”

I muttered under my breath as I watched Kulgan walking off to speak with the director.

“Eh? Did you say something?”

Perhaps hearing me whispering, Bertia suddenly leaned her head and asked me.

“No, I was just thinking how happy I am to have such a wonderful wife.”

As I answered with a smile, Bertia’s face flushed red.

“W-w-wha!!! T-that’s supposed to be my line!!”

“Really? Then, will Tia say it for me?”

“Uhm, that is…”

Bertia stammered as her face turned even redder in response to my teasing.

Aah, I can never get tired watching her.

As I enjoyed watching Bertia whose face was turning redder in a fluster, thump! Kuro’s tail smacked me.

When I turned to look at Kuro, she was glaring at me with a censuring expression that seemed to say, “Do not flirt in front of the children!” 

“That’s right. I suppose we should save that kind of talk for when we’re alone.”

I said to Bertia, who was trying her hardest to repeat what I said earlier, despite her face being bright red.

“Eh?” She looked a bit disappointed, but when she noticed the stares from the people around us, she turned bright red from head to toe.

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“T-T-that’s right! We’re supposed to be playing ‘Villainess Play’ now, aren’t we?!!”

She declared with a loud voice as she let go of my hand and ran off towards the far end of the yard to cover her embarrassment. 

The children then scrambled to chase after her.

“Well then, I will count to ten and come catch you.”

I watched Bertia and the children run off from me, then I began to count.

Afterwards, this ‘Villainess Play’ ended with my sweeping victory, and the vexed Bertia along with the competitive boys declared, “We’ll definitely win at least once next time!”. Meanwhile, the precocious girls were engrossed in their fantasies about us as they got all excited. Well, if this could be considered as proof that we’ve gotten closer, then I could say that it was a meaningful and worthwhile time. 

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