71: Will the Villainess Show the Results of her Club Activities?
“We’re finally alone together.”
“Took you long enough to call me.”
“Forgive me… You came all the way to the palace. I was hoping you’d come to see me in person.”
With that, the man who called himself Shuell 800 ago embraced me gently from behind.
“I’ve always, always wanted to see you.”
“…Me too.”
Although I agreed with a few words, he happily called out my name, “Nora!”
He didn’t even care that I had dropped the old book. He turned me around and hugged me tightly.
That was why I proclaimed it quietly.
“I’m sorry about the other day. I was so… confused by the suddenness of it all.”
“It doesn’t matter. A few months is just a blink of an eye compared to 800 years for us.”
Over his shoulder, I saw a large painting.
The face of the woman depicted there looked vaguely familiar.
She was a very friendly woman with a lovely smile. Beneath it was inscribed her name as the first queen.
I guessed she died 780 years ago. Well, roughly speaking, also 800 years.
“Uhm, that woman…?”
“Ah, she’s no longer necessary.”
Sveinn snapped his fingers as he dismissed me coldly.
The painting burst into flames. It was engulfed in red fire, mercilessly reducing the woman who was supposed to have found true love into black ash. With a grin on his face, Sveinn slowly caressed my lips.
I asked, looking away from the adult charm that was slowly approaching me.
“Was that really okay?”
“I don’t need the painting of an old woman. I was still young then. I didn’t know at all who the woman I truly needed was. Even though the most precious thing was already within my reach…”
I pushed away His Majesty who was needlessly whispering in my ear.
“Your Majesty, I’m at work right now.”
“You don’t need to go through the trouble of working as a maid. I’ll make you my wife right away.”
“It’s been 800 years since we last met. Being affectionate sure is nice.”
“Nora…”
Sveinn’s face was approaching.
But… of course, I couldn’t give him Cecily’s lips.
“So, why don’t I tease you for a little more?”
“How long, specifically?”
“How about until the last night of my internship?”
He was still the same tall man. When I looked up, I saw him smiling.
“Of course. There won’t be any guards around my bedchamber.”
“No, maybe the throne room would be better.”
I didn’t know what delusions he had in mind when I suggested that, but he didn’t seem upset by it. He laughed cheerfully.
“Haha, sure. I’ll wait for you in formal attire.”
“Thank you. Look forward to that day?”
Thus, I slipped out of King Sveinn’s arms and left the reference room.
I caught one last glimpse of the charred painting of the woman.
“You are a bad judge of character,” was what I’d like to tell her past self. But that was merely an unattainable wish.
So, I spoke to the girl who’d live on to the future.
What do you think of my acting proficiency?
[Was this kind of thing common 800 years ago?]
Apparently, my performance left her excited.
When Cecily asked this question, I hide her mouth with both hands and burst out laughing.
I’ve never even kissed anyone, though?
[Wow, such a heartbreaker!]
Well, I’m the Incorrigible Villainess, after all.
Snorting, I played with the hair Sveinn had scooped up.
Well, with this, most of the preparations were completed.
All that remained was to wait for the day of the final battle—the last day of the internship.
The long-awaited time came in the blink of an eye.
I tried to get some sleep before the battle, but sleepiness just wouldn’t come.
[I’ve never seen Nora so nervous before.]
Even the most wicked woman is human, so of course she can get nervous.
Just as I was about to joke about it, I realized something.
This might actually be the first time I’d ever been this nervous.
“Hehe, hehehehehehe.”
The other trainees in the same room were already asleep. So, I tried to suppress my laughter so as not to wake them, but… it was a bit difficult. It had been a while since something this hilarious happened. Yes, the last time was when I tumbled down the stairs multiple times right after possessing Cecily.
The child in the bed next to me said, “Shut up!” and hurled something at me. My bad. Well, today was my last day, so I’d appreciate it if she’d forgive me for disturbing her sleep.
Well, can I go now?
[Anytime.]
Cecily’s light-hearted reply made me get up from the bed with a wry smile.
Is it really okay? The king might kill me out of rage.
[I think I’d have died when I fell down the stairs if Nora hadn’t been there.]
I don’t think it was that bad of an injury.
Certainly, it hurt so much that I couldn’t even move my neck, but that was because I had fallen so many times.
Even so, Cecily spoke with a gentle smile.
[I think at that time, my heart was dead.]
…I see.
My eyes started to heat up. I had really been a help to Cecily.
But I’d cry later. I’d be sentimental after wrapping up my big mission.
I left the room as quietly as possible. This was my revenge, after all. Even though Eivind and the other members of the Royal Institute of Magic were involved, it had nothing to do with Cecily.
I couldn’t let her die by getting caught up in some personal grudge.
As I headed out, clenching my fist, something happened.
“Cecily, what are you doing on your last day of our internship?”
“Oh, Big Sister.”
I had completely forgotten, but it seemed that Neria was working late. She said she was doing needlework. It was her first time, but she persevered until the end without slacking off or giving up.
I embraced her from the front, seeing how fine she’d become.
“Hey, what is it, suddenly…”
“I won’t let any harm befall your precious sister.”
“Eh?”
This might’ve been the first time I’d ever spoken to her as Nora.
“You’ve worked really hard these past two weeks.”
“What’s with you, acting all high and mighty…”
Her words were as blunt as ever, but it didn’t seem like she was completely unhappy. Her eyes were filled with tears.
I let go of Neria and walked past her.
“I’ll be right back after picking some flowers.”
I made up a suitable lie and carried on walking.
I absolutely had to make sure Cecily smiled back at me.
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