~ Chapter : 21 ~
I could already guess what Beatrice was going to say.
“Who are you telling? I’m not! I don’t care about you that much!”
So, before I even had to threaten her, I gave her the words she wanted to hear—though, of course, the part about not caring was a lie.
“Esmeralda Saint! You think just because you happened to get involved with a duke, you’re somebody now?”
“……”
“Absolutely not. You haven’t achieved anything with your own power.”
In this world, that statement was true…but seeing her vent her frustration at me made her seem a bit pitiable. The gift box she was holding got crumpled in her hands.
“Fine, but why bring up Duke Agnis?”
“Do you even know what kind of look you’re giving me right now?”
I kept as neutral a face as possible, worried she might catch a trace of pity. Still, I could guess how Beatrice would interpret me.
A lazy person like me had nothing better than her, yet I was close to Duke Agnis—and she had witnessed it all. That must have bruised her pride even more.
“You have nothing better than me! You live without effort or thought, so what could you possibly understand?”
Beatrice threw the gift box at me.
Thud. A dull impact hit my arm. The box bounced off and fell to the floor.
“Good grief, strong too. I guess I’m just her punching bag.”
My arm throbbed, but on the other hand, I felt relieved that she could at least express anger—better than being completely lethargic.
I decided to share a little of what I knew from the original story.
“Beatrice. You should realize early that the love you want to receive isn’t really valuable to you.”
The sooner Beatrice understood this, the better. Even I, in the previous world, had desperately sought love from my parents. The current Beatrice was seeking the affection of a viscount and the attention of Rosio.
But she couldn’t have the Erjen family nor the Agnis family.
“What?”
It sounded harsh, but in the original story, it was the truth.
“Instead… you can use your powers in a better way. Chasing elusive divine beasts with teleportation magic isn’t a skill just any mage can do, right?”
“……”
I wanted to make it sound more convincing, but the words didn’t come easily.
In the end, I left the villainess behind, but I felt uneasy. I had no intention of justifying her misdeeds, but she hadn’t committed any serious crimes yet.
If only Camilla hadn’t been involved, she might have even deserved a second chance after execution.
I went out to the terrace to clear my mind, staring blankly into the distance.
‘Did I step in for nothing? She might think I’m annoying…’
A servant brought me a glass of wine, but after a sip or two, I set it on the side table. I had chosen a terrace with a poor view, so there was no one around.
Even knowing her backstory as a villainess, she was hostile toward me.
‘What if Beatrice decides to take revenge later? I don’t even have enough mana to test anything.’
Just in case, I had also noted down all the locations in the viscount’s territory where Camilla had been kidnapped, along with mana stone rituals.
‘If I get kidnapped, would she take me there…? Could I buy up that land in advance?’
While lost in these thoughts, someone approached me.
A captivating figure with sleek black hair and noble purple eyes, a striking face, clothes that highlighted a well-proportioned body, and a black outfit embroidered with gold thread.
“Rosio. Here…”
“There’s no one around.”
Rosio noticed my worry immediately and reassured me.
“I was worried when I saw you fight at the ballroom earlier. Are you alright?”
“Yes. It’s nothing.”
“That’s a relief.”
Rosio then carefully asked if he could hug me from behind.
I nodded lightly. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I felt his breath at the nape of my neck.
It tickled, so I turned slightly and buried my face into his chest. He gently held my arms as he did so.
“Ah…”
He pressed a hand near the area that had been hit by the box. I let out a short groan.
“…Esmeralda, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s not because of you, Rosio. I just got slightly hurt from bumping into something earlier.”
I said it offhandedly, but Rosio looked genuinely concerned.
“I’m sorry. May I check the injured spot?”
“Mm… go ahead.”
I extended my arm, and he rolled up my sleeve. My arm had become quite red. Rosio frowned lightly and removed a refined-looking ring from his finger.
It was an Agnis family ring, adorned with a small green gemstone.
“This ring stores mana and has healing magic.”
He placed the ring on my finger and added that the magic worked perfectly, though the ring was a bit loose.
A fresh herbal scent wafted, green mana circulated around the sore spot, and the red flush gradually faded, leaving a cooling sensation.
“Thank you, Rosio.”
I pressed the injured area to check, confirming it was fine. Then, a mischievous thought crossed my mind.
“…But now I don’t want to give it back.”
I playfully slipped the ringed hand into my dress pocket. In my pocket! Rosio caught my eye and smiled.
“Then keep it.”
“Huh?”
“Esmeralda, you shouldn’t be forced to do anything you dislike.”
I expected him to protest, but his steady, sincere gaze seemed genuine. Not only had he surrendered the first night without hesitation, he now casually offered his family ring as well.
“Rosio. Are you this generous with everyone?”
He did a lot of charity work, but could he really give so freely?
Rosio took a serious tone.
“It’s not a ring I give lightly to others. And… if I cherish what you want, I can give it when you truly need it.”
Contrary to my worries, he knew how to draw boundaries. Well, he did add something that reminded me of the first night, and my heart skipped, but at least he was principled.
“I’ll just give it back and keep the thought.”
I returned the ring to his finger, though I slyly grazed his hand bone with a playful thought.
“Have you had much romantic experience?”
“You’re the first I’ve ever liked this much, Esmeralda.”
He had light romantic experience, but nothing beyond a kiss. That part matched the book. However, I couldn’t confirm that he truly liked me more than anyone else, which left me unsatisfied.
“Then prove it tonight.”
I smiled mischievously and traced his back with one finger. He hugged me firmly with one arm and held my hand gently with the other.
“I want to prove it to you right now, Esmeralda.”
With a gentlemanly manner and a beast-like gaze, Rosio brought my hand to his lips.
But at that moment, they heard someone approaching. Rosio kissed the back of my hand and let go slowly, leaving me reluctant to withdraw my arm.
“I should go now.”
“Esmeralda.”
He called me once more.
“I don’t want to doubt your words, but if something happens, even a small thing, please tell me. If you don’t, I’ll have to find out myself.”
He spoke as if it were his duty, clearly considering that the injury might not have been an accident.
He’s perceptive.
In the original story, Camilla’s troubles weren’t noticed immediately, but Rosio’s observation had become sharper.
I changed the subject as if nothing had happened.
“Nothing’s wrong. Come to the viscount’s mansion later. I’ll go in first.”
I left the terrace ahead of him.
Since Rosio would come to the viscount’s mansion, I wanted to prepare the wine and refresh the flowers in the vase. Unlike last night’s rushed affair, I planned to enjoy a slow, romantic evening like a proper couple.
‘How many flowers should I put in the vase? Should I light a subtle scented candle? Since neither of us drinks much, should I just prepare light desserts?’
I was happily pondering this in the corridor when I ran into someone I didn’t want to see.
It was Venice, his face flushed.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Esmeralda. Where are you headed?”
“To the viscount’s. It’s late.”
“Why not go in the morning? There are plenty of empty rooms here.”
His sly grin made me nauseated. I couldn’t stop thinking of what he had said to Beatrice.
“Want to say hi to Liche before you go?”
“No, thank you. Beatrice might be tired as well.”
I’d seen exactly how he treated her. I firmly refused and moved on.
“No, just leaving isn’t polite.”
He rudely grabbed my hand.
Bastard. After hitting Beatrice, now he’s touching me.
“Is this supposed to be polite?”
“You’re sharper than I thought.”
Venice’s dark gaze swept over me.
Fine, I’ll show him my temper.
A waiter carrying a tray full of cocktails passed by. I grabbed a glass and poured it all at Venice’s feet, then slammed the tray down with a loud clink.
“Sir! I’ll clean it up!”
The startled waiter hurriedly took out a handkerchief. Venice, wearing his noble mask, said politely that it was fine. The waiter nodded and disappeared, glancing at my face.
“Esmeralda, even your angry face is cute. I like you more and more.”
With the waiter gone, Venice’s expression turned even more sinister.
