The Greedy Villainous Noblewoman — Part 10

The rational part of me screamed not to react, not to provoke him. But I had no idea how much of my inner turmoil he could already see.

His hand moved again, brushing against my necklace before withdrawing the blue rose from his chest pocket.

With deft fingers, he twirled the rose, his motions fluid and deliberate. The hem of my dress swayed slightly with the movement.

Then, narrowing his peridot-green eyes, the most beautiful eyes in the world, he said:

“You wanted a green gem because it matches the color of my eyes, didn’t you?”

And then, he kissed the blue rose!

The same color as my eyes, kissed just as he had on that day!

Everything about his movements—his gaze, his tone—was calculated to remind me of seven years ago.

“Answer me, Filia,” he said, his voice like velvet.

You conniving, infuriating, dangerously seductive demon!

I shoved all my frustration, indignation, and fluttering emotions into a box, sealed it tightly, and threw it into the void of my heart’s black hole.

Then, I recited silently:

I am a lady. I am the future queen. I am a villainous noblewoman.

I don’t care how others judge me, what rumors they spread about me.

But to see myself so utterly rattled by his words and gaze—it’s unbearable.

Still, he’s not the only one enjoying this “game.”

If I’m in his grasp, then he’s in mine as well. He can lose himself in this “mischief” all he likes.

After all, who but me could possibly endure being the wife of someone as greedy, selfish, and terrifying as him?

Yes, I am a greedy villainous noblewoman.

I smiled naturally, my maid having just applied my lipstick with painstaking care.

With deliberate grace, I lifted a finger to my lips. Tilting my head slightly, I gazed upward at him, meeting his eyes.

And in a voice as soft as silk, brushing the nape of his neck like a whisper, I said:

“I only bare my true self to my husband. Do not assume you can claim me as easily as a mere rose.”

At that moment, a series of loud thuds came from behind His Highness as several men collapsed.

Yes! I did it! I can do it too!

I barely had time to bask in my small victory before I noticed His Highness’s smile darkening further, turning ever more sinister.

"Who gave you permission to make that face, Filia?"

"Ah, Your Highness, please stop there! To uncover my heart any further would be unbearable! People are such curious creatures, aren’t they? They strain their eyes and ears, desperate to reveal the secrets of a magic trick. But spreading such discoveries, engaging in something so unrefined—that, I cannot allow. Don’t you agree, Your Highness?"

Please, let this end. I have no desire to continue sparring with this dark prince any longer.

I am a firm believer in hit-and-run tactics. Having landed one blow, I launched into a torrent of words, hoping to bring this exchange to a swift close. His Highness raised a dissatisfied eyebrow and let out a long sigh.

"Ah, indeed. Could you forgive such an uncouth man as myself, Filia?"

"Of course, Your Highness. Then you’ll promise to keep tonight’s events a secret as well, won’t you?"

Surely, no one here would dare to remark, "What secret? Everyone heard it!"

The gentlemen and ladies present are well-bred enough to understand, aren’t they? Tonight’s events are to remain unspoken. Should anyone dare spread tales of my disgrace, I’ll curse their family for generations to come.

I smiled with that very sentiment, and His Highness replied in his usual voice, with his usual expression:

"Of course, my one and only."

The orchestra, displaying excellent timing, resumed their performance.

As the hall returned to motion, His Highness gently placed a hand on my waist and leaned in to whisper, "If I were to offer you a green rose, could I touch all of you tonight?"

Oh, so it’s round two now, is it?

"Wait, hold on—what does that even mean?!"

"It’s simple," a familiar voice chimed in. "Lady Fineria has always wanted a green gem, which is difficult to obtain in this country. So, as the 'Greedy Princess,' she thought, If it doesn’t exist, I’ll just create it. That’s all fine. But then she started visiting the country’s most skilled and innovative craftsman daily to work on it. Naturally, our lord didn’t take kindly to that. Hearing about their close collaboration pushed him over the edge. In short, you were just conveniently used. Good luck with that."

"Excuse me?!!"

"Also, light magic? Lady Fineria’s been able to use it since she was about ten. It’s not public knowledge, but it’s true. To His Highness, who clings to everything he cares about, you must seem incredibly useful. I’d suggest you come to terms with that."

"What?! But… but in the game, there wasn’t any such storyline—!"

"Game?"

"Oh, um, n-no, just… eheh?"

"Yeah, nice try. That cat’s long out of the bag. Look, it might be rare to see such antics in public, but it’s a common enough farce between those two. Really, just accept it."

Well, it’s not as though giving up would be easy.

That softly muttered comment was drowned out by a thunderous "WHAT?!" and the lively music filling the hall. Not even the sharp ears of the surrounding nobles caught those parting words.     

[The End]

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