Translated by: ShinigamiTori

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Anxiety of the Former Villainess

 

“Recently, Marie hasn’t eaten lunch at the cafeteria at all. Where do you eat?”

“Eh?”

Niki, who had decided to have breakfast with me in the servants’ dining hall within the palace, asked me.

The sausage I had stabbed on my fork suddenly fell off.

“I know you eat outside sometimes, but lately it has been every day. You eat outside even on rainy days, right? Is there something going on?”

“I… wonder…”

“No use in hiding it.”

Niki approached me with a mischievous grin.

I gulp down my water to regain my composure.

“I’ve been getting lunch invitations lately.”

“A guy?”

“….. Yes.”

 

I feel as if I am being interrogated, and eventually, I end up telling the truth. My face is burning red.

 

“I knew it! Come on, tell me! What kind of person is it? A noble? Or maybe a knight? An official?”

The questions came in rapid succession, and I struggled with how to respond.

“I’m not entirely sure about his social status. But I think he probably received an aristocratic education. He doesn’t reveal much about himself.”

“A man who doesn’t want to reveal his identity?”

 

Niki’s excitement, which was present just a moment ago, instantly subsided. She settled back into her seat and lifted her face—a habit she had when contemplating something.

 

“If that’s the case, maybe he’s from the chapel. You know, sometimes even clergy members come around.”

“Hmm… But the place where we meet is the knights’ training ground.”

“So, I guess he’s a knight’s apprentice then. Do you know his name?”

“…. Yes.”

 

I didn’t mention that his name is Risel.

Because I knew he didn’t want his identity and background to be known.

“What do you want to do with him, Marie?”

“What do you mean….?”

 

As expected of Niki. She loves to talk about romance, and even among the maids, when the subject of love came up, she was always happy to hear about it. And now she is asking me about it as well.

Even so, I was impressed by the way she spoke in a way that didn’t make anyone uncomfortable, and how she was sometimes kind enough to offer advice.

I find myself caught up in that atmosphere.

 

“I think things are fine just the way they are.”

“As it is now…. You mean, as lunch friends?”

“Yes.”

“No, you can’t.”

I was dismissed outright.

“You can’t just keep having lunch with a man whose background you don’t know. Besides, he wouldn’t go out of his way to eat with a woman he doesn’t even like, right? He’s definitely interested in you.”

“…. Do you really think so?”

“Definitely.”

Niki nods vigorously.

 

I also hadn’t ruled out the possibility.

I wonder why Risel-sama comes to see me almost every day.

He can’t come on busy days, but he always promises to come back another day and is always available for a casual conversation.

The thought that maybe it meant something sometimes occurred to me as I looked into his sapphire eyes and saw the emotion in them.

But I kept that thought to myself, not asking him about it.

It’s because the time spent with Risel-sama is comfortable. I have a hidden desire to continue like this if possible.

 

“Hey, how does Marie feel about that person?”

“…. I don’t know.”

I told her honestly.

I don’t dislike him. However, I don’t know much about Risel-sama to say that I like him.

“If things stay the same like this, taking a bold step forward might be a good move, you know?”

“…. Yeah, that’s right….”

I gave a small nod to Niki’s advice and took a sip of the soup.

The taste of the soup, which I found delicious just a moment ago, now seemed completely bland.

 

While handling my work, I was recalling the words Niki said to me this morning.

 

‘Maybe I should try to muster up some courage.’

 

Even if it’s a comfortable time, it will end eventually. It felt like I was avoiding things by letting it drag on like this.

 

To be honest, yes. I am running away.

 

‘I guess I’m afraid that my speculations may be accurate…’

 

There’s a certain thought that crosses my mind every time I meet Risel-sama.

If it was what I thought it would be.

 

‘I doubt I can meet Risel-sama casually.’

 

If Risel-sama is really the Crown Prince.

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