Reincarnated Villainess Does Not Want Revenge - Chapter 106
Translated by: ShinigamiTori
The Oath of the Reincarnated Villainess and the Icy Duke
“I retract my previous statement. Regardless of the hardships, you must never come back.”
“…. Huh?”
That was the first thing my brother said when he came to visit me while I was studying in the study room provided by Risel-sama.
It was apparent from his expression that he was in quite a foul mood.
“Geez…I’m an idiot too. The moment you got chosen, my luck was done for…”
“What do you mean?”
“Haven’t you heard?”
Faced with an incredulous gaze, I couldn’t help but feel my mood sour as well.
He had been relentlessly critical from the moment he arrived. It’s understandable to be upset, right?
But before I could utter another word, my brother’s statement left me speechless.
“Have you not been informed by His Highness that, for your contributions in the recent commotion, the Edigma barony is being promoted to an earldom?”[1]
“…. Huh!?”
The birds perched on the nearby trees took flight at my unintentional outburst.
“Yes, that’s correct. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, Marie.”
Risel-sama readily acknowledged my brother’s words.
“Even if they call it meritorious service, neither Father nor Brother did anything…”
“That’s true. But they’re recognizing your contributions for this.”
“Contributions…”
I haven’t done anything, though?
But I can understand Risel-sama’s reasons for acting this way.
As mentioned before, Risel-sama had the intention of guiding me to become the queen. Although the fiancée controversy is now silent, it’s obvious that it will resurface once the royal situation stabilizes.
That’s why I understand that he’s trying to solidify that position by elevating my status.
However…
“Even so, can my brother handle governing a territory if he’s suddenly given one?”
“I wonder. Your brother, Lord Stanley, is well-regarded, you know? People around him think that even though he doesn’t have ambitions for promotion, if asked to govern, he’ll manage it well.”
“B-But, if that happens, what should we do with the Edigma territory…?”[2]
“I wrote to your father yesterday to ask his advice, and he said he would be glad to entrust me with his territory.”
The outer moat had been filled in without me noticing.[3]
Even though I exchanged letters with my father regularly, there was no mention of such a thing.
“…”
I sit on the sofa, holding my head in my hands.
“According to what I’ve heard, it seems that your father is still overseeing most of the current Edigma. If you’re worried, should we send some vassals from the capital?”
“No, it’s okay. As you said, Edigma is fine with just my father overseeing it.”
I politely declined the offer, feeling too apologetic to have vassals from the capital come to our small rural town.
The real issue is my brother.
“My brother is the kind of person who dedicates his life to avoiding any real effort. I don’t know if he can handle the responsibilities of an earldom.”
“Your evaluation of your brother is quite harsh.”
Risel-sama chuckled.
The shame of one’s relatives is one’s own shame. I was worried that my brother might mess something up, but Risel-sama seemed completely unconcerned.
“The territory to be given to Lord Stanley this time was originally overseen without direct involvement in land management even among the royalists’ faction. Since the internal bureaucrats were well-organized, I don’t think it will be too challenging. In fact, they’re even happy at the prospect that the new lord is the next queen’s brother.”
“Please don’t put any more pressure on me…”
“Sorry.”
Seeing me downhearted, Risel-sama lightly kissed my cheek.
I find it unsettling how I’ve grown accustomed to such displays of affection.
“I was mentally prepared for this. So, I’ll do my best in my own way.”
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
Risel-sama and I met eyes and shared a smile.
“Hmm… I think it’s more thanks to Rosemary than me…”
With my duties as a personal maid reduced, I now dedicate most of my time to this study room.
Every day, I’m being taught by numerous tutors to acquire an education befitting Risel-sama’s fiancée, but…
Strangely, when the studies began, the knowledge I gained during my time as Rosemary somehow resurfaced.
?
Oh, I remember learning this before.
Ah, I’m pretty sure I learned about this historical interpretation in a similar way before.
Rosemary remembered not just the etiquette but also the history from the noble guidebook.
Her memory is truly remarkable. Even the knowledge limited to Marie’s perspective expands limitlessly when delving into Rosemary’s memories, it’s quite terrifying.
Of course, the knowledge that emerged in the twenty years since her passing was unfamiliar, so I focused on memorizing those details.
However, the old customs and traditions of the royal family, which Rosemary had learned and practiced, did not cause much trouble.
It rather felt nostalgic.
It dawned on me once again that this was Rosemary’s everyday life.
“I’m relying on you, my future bride.”
I chuckled as Risel-sama kissed me, which had become a daily occurrence.
The recollection made it seem like Rosemary was cheering me on, and I felt happy about that.
I wanted to do my best, just like her.
“Oh, right. There’s one more important thing I forgot to mention.”
“There’s more?”
I glance up at Risel-sama, wondering what else is going on.
He wears an unusually hesitant expression, but then opens his mouth with determination.
“Standing in the position of the Chancellor is Duke Reynaldo Rose, I have decided to ask him of that a while ago. You might have more opportunities to talk with him in the future… Are you okay with that?”
“Duke Reynaldo Rose…”
Tension ran through me at the mention of his name,
But it quickly dissipated.
I see.
He will be the country’s support.
?
“Yes!”
I happily replied.
Rosemary had always wished for Reynald to become the kingdom’s pillar of support.
To always be by her side,
That was also one of the things Rosemary wished for.
Translator Notes:
1. Their title is elevated from ‘Baron’ to ‘Count’ ?
2. This is because, in terms of territory, an earl or a count traditionally governed a larger and more significant region than a baron. Earldoms could encompass multiple baronies or other smaller territories. ?
3. It’s kind of a literal expression in Japanese,????????which means “filling in the outer moat” in English. The expression is used metaphorically to describe the preparations or preliminary steps taken before implementing a major plan or strategy. ?
Hi, I’m Tori, the translator of this novel! If you like the novel and would like to support me, feel free to click the button below to go to my ko-fi! (??`?) Or you can consider sending some love by adding it to your reading list or leaving a rating/review on Novel Updates! Have a good day ?