Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

Originally, the Kablos Duchy was nobility from the Magic Kingdom, not the Greluphien Kingdom.

700 years ago, when the tide of the great war between the Greluphien Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom turned in Greluphien’s favor, they were traitors who betrayed their own country.

Afterwards, they were recognized as founding contributors to the Greffin Empire and became one of the three current duchies.

Very few people knew that the heads of the Kablos family had inherited dark magic from the Magic Kingdom for generations.

Therefore, I was the only one connecting this incident to the Kablos Duchy.

To unravel the clues of this incident, we shouldn’t just interrogate Creya.

I thought I might need to investigate this incident from a different angle.

* * *

A few days after the Claire festival, I could feel that the atmosphere in the Empire had changed significantly.

The fact that the Emperor’s mistress was actually an assassin using dark magic spread like a cloud throughout the country.

Sneers towards the Emperor, who had once been so infatuated with an assassin that he neglected state affairs, could be heard here and there, and the prestige of the imperial family fell further.

Jeria’s side had created malicious rumors, thinking they had been rebuked, and because the Emperor had been irresponsible in state affairs and neglected the people, the resentment towards the imperial family grew even more.

‘Why had Creya been playing the role of the Emperor’s mistress all this time? Even while hiding her true colors.’

I had an uneasy feeling that perhaps an even greater scheme might be hidden behind this.

In the original story, when Luka returned from the battlefield, he faced an Emperor bedridden with illness.

The Emperor who had been healthier and more vigorous than anyone.

Could that have been Creya’s doing as well?

It wasn’t for nothing that such suspicions started to arise.

-Miss, when I showed the assassin’s image to the Magic Tower Master… he said she was from one of the eleven tribes that represented the Magic Kingdom.

‘I had noticed when she used dark magic, but now it’s been confirmed.’

Although remnants of the Magic KingdomMagic Kingdom had caused problems big and small from time to time, who would have thought they would come so close to the Emperor?

Among the descendants of the Magic Kingdom, those born with dark magic would naturally inherit the spirit of their ancestors, so it would be a natural progression for them to harbor murderous intent towards the Greffin imperial family.

“The question is whether Kablos is involved again…”

I muttered, throwing aside a street newspaper full of mockery towards the Emperor.

“As expected of the mastermind. It seems like they’re connected to every incident, yet their tail is never caught.”

As my head started to throb from all the thoughts, I flopped down on the bed.

The letter stamped with the Crown Prince’s seal was still unopened, fluttering in the wind on the desk where bright sunlight was shining.

Even without bothering to check the contents, I could guess.

The imperial family, taking this incident as an opportunity, and as a measure against worsening public opinion…

[Crown Prince, Arzenluka Blake de Greffin. ‘Monarch of the Battlefield’ trial to begin after the New Year’s Festival.]

They were sending Luka, who had once been nationally popular, to the battlefield.

This was originally planned for around the end of next year, but it had been drastically moved up.

The expectation for a new Emperor and the news of war with the Selon Kingdom, with whom relations had been particularly bad, seemed sufficient to turn people’s attention elsewhere.

As summer is ending, the leaves will soon turn color, and before long, snow like white cotton will fall.

Time tends to flow faster than we think.

It still doesn’t feel real that someone I thought would always be together will soon leave for a place beyond reach.

I placed my cold wrist over my eyes, which had inexplicably become hot.

* * *

“Miss, today too, numerous letters and bouquets have arrived for you.”

I told Garnett, who came in carrying an armful of bouquets, to put them down in the corner of the room where fragrant flowers were already piled high.

After I had been involved in dangerous incidents for two consecutive days, Dad and my brothers advised that it would be good to refrain from external activities for a while.

I agreed, as it was certain that someone was targeting me, and externally, it was known that my health had deteriorated significantly since that day.

“And a letter has come from Lady Kablos.”

Among the letters wishing me comfort and quick recovery, Garnett pulled out a purple letter that seemed likely to remind me of someone.

The news that I was in critical condition and needed to recuperate for a while due to being attacked with dark magic by Creya, witnessed by many, would have reached Senia as well.

The letter, written in neat handwriting along with a heap of concern, contained the expected content.

It said that it would be better to cancel our promise to meet soon and prioritize my health.

‘It would be better to avoid meeting with Senia as much as possible in a situation where Duke Kablos is suspected as the mastermind.’

Although I recalled Senia blushing and eagerly anticipating our meeting, I thought it was more important to be cautious for now.

I too sent a short reply expressing regret like her, and for several days after that, I didn’t leave the mansion.

* * *

“Ria, won’t you go for a walk with me today either?”

It was a pitiful voice that reminded me of the dog I had in my previous life.

As usual, while I was lying on the bed reading a book, Luka sat down beside me and faced me.

Luka’s shadow fell over my face, and I could see his sparkling crimson irises.

Like glass marbles, my embarrassed face was reflected in those eyes.

“I’m not going. Today… well…”

Since I had been rejecting Luka’s invitations to walk together for various reasons, it took me a moment to think of a new excuse.

“Ah, my toe hurts today. I stubbed it hard when I was walking in a half-asleep state this morning.”

“I wonder what dared to hurt Ria’s foot.”

To Luka, who seemed to believe my words at face value, I pointed to the corner under the side table, saying, ‘Was it there…?’

Since learning that Luka would be leaving for the battlefield soon, I had been trying to carefully distance myself from him.

It was a sort of defense mechanism of my own.

I had grown more attached than expected, so it was difficult to just shake it off, but I was trying to gradually distance myself even now.

‘And…’

I thought that the emotions Luka sometimes showed towards me might be more than simple affection.

But even if some feelings had blossomed for me because he had relied on me since childhood, he would soon meet his destined partner and fall into true love.

Surely that would happen, but if I were to be swayed by Luka like last time and an uncontrollable feeling grew within me, it would become very troublesome.

That would be surrendering to the flow of the original story, which I should avoid at all costs.

A closer relationship than now was not allowed for us two, so I had to create a subtle distance as if measured with a ruler.

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

“Then I’ll carry Ria around.”

“Huh? That’s not… w-wait!”

In an instant, Luka lifted me from the bed and I was pressed against him. He was executing what’s commonly called a ‘princess carry’.

Before I could scold him, Luka left the room with me.

“P-put me down!”

“Be comfortable. I’ll make sure you get some fresh air today. Otherwise, you’ll really get sick.”

At Luka’s resolute voice, I felt that he had really come determined today, so I couldn’t throw any more tantrums.

The outside, which I entered in Luka’s arms without even wearing shoes, was truly clear.

I could feel the wind brushing past my bare feet.

Luka, carrying me, strolled through the garden with a smile like the warm spring sun.

Having come out after so long, I kept avoiding Luka’s gaze and only looked at the brightly blooming flowers.

“Ria, shall we sit on the bench for a while?”

When I nodded slightly, Luka sat on a white bench placed in front of a rose bush.

He was still holding me in his arms.

Even though I awkwardly tried to move to the seat beside him, I couldn’t escape from Luka’s lap.

His arms holding me were so firm they felt like an iron prison.

“I heard you were very busy, but seeing you come almost every day, it doesn’t seem so.”

“Yes, I’m free all day.”

At my grumpy voice, Luka looked down at me, who was finally facing him properly, with a broad smile.

Luka brought his hand to caress my still bare feet.

“More importantly, if it hurts a lot, should we go see a physician?”

At that ticklish touch, I hastily shook my head.

“It’s fine, it’s not that bad.”

“Isn’t the sunlight too hot? Should we move under a tree?”

“…That’s fine too.”

The noon sunlight was bright, but thanks to the heat wave having passed, it wasn’t hot.

Rather, a pleasantly cool breeze was blowing, making it truly perfect weather for a walk.

I felt fortunate to have come out with Luka.

Should I really distance myself from Luka on a day like this, frowning and acting against my true feelings?

My firm resolve often crumbles at his warm actions and tone that care for me.

‘I’ll treat him as usual just for today, and start distancing myself from tomorrow.’

Like a child postponing homework, I finally showed a faint smile on my face that had been expressionless all along. It was a natural expression towards someone who was always welcome and familiar.

Luka’s eyes, looking down at me like that, widened for a moment before he smiled along and brushed my hair.

“Ria, don’t worry too much. I’ll definitely find out who was behind the attack on you.”

He seemed to think that my unusual behavior for a while was due to worry about the forces that had threatened my life.

I slumped against Luka’s chest.

I felt his body stiffen momentarily at my sudden contact.

He seemed surprised that I was being affectionate suddenly after being so cold for a while.

I just thought that I wanted to be with Luka like this for a while, without thinking about anything.

Coming to see me every day, taking me out for a walk, promising to solve the problem he thought was the source of my gloomy face.

Why was he so kind? Making it impossible to harden my heart and push him away.

When I looked up at Luka, he seemed to have lost his characteristic composure.

His hands, not knowing where to go, wandered in the air.

“I haven’t even opened the letter you sent.”

“…”

“But I could guess the content roughly. The war starts after the New Year’s Festival, right?”

“…That’s right. It’s as you say, Ria.”

After confirming the fact once again from Luka’s own mouth, I spoke bitterly.

“I expected you’d leave someday, but it’s a bit early.”

We won’t be able to meet for a while. When Luka returns from the war, I might not be in the Empire.

By then, I might be struggling in the Carven Kingdom to resolve the illness that makes me cough up blood while stirring my insides.

Thinking about it that way, this moment was precious.

Instead of avoiding Luka, I should accept this most valuable moment as it is.

After all, parting is inevitable.

Even if we part for a very long time, it should be without regrets.

Although I’ve only known Luka for two and a half years, it feels as familiar as if I’ve known him my whole life, and it seems like I’ll really feel empty without him.

At that moment, I heard a heart beating so fiercely it was worrying from Luka’s chest, which was lightly touching my face.

Unconsciously bringing my ear closer to the loud heartbeat, I said seriously:

“Wait, Luka. Can you hear this? Your heart is beating too fast! I think you’re the one who needs to see a physician!”

As I clung close and looked up, Luka was covering his face with both hands, trying his best to avoid my gaze.

“Why is your face so red again! I told you not to overdo it. You spend all your time coming to see me, so you can only study and work at night. You shouldn’t strain your body like that.”

“…I don’t want to. Even if I collapse, I’ll keep coming to see you like this.”

“This kid, throwing tantrums he never did at the orphanage…”

Just as I was about to add another word, I met Luka’s eyes half-hidden between his fingers, and my words gradually faded.

Under Luka’s straight eyebrows, his eyes were subtly filled with heat, and his lips that had uttered stubborn words were trembling.

Looking up at that face, a warning light flashed in my head as my heart started beating as fast as Luka’s had been earlier.