The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

“

. I’m sleepy after all that talking.”

Bella, who had been snacking on the tea spread, yawned tiredly. It made sense to be sleepy after hours of looking at dresses and chattering away.

I looked at her fondly and said, “Go to bed, Bella. I should be heading back too. There’s a lot to prepare.”

“

. Are you going back to the capital, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Then, I’ll go ahead.”

Bella yawned again and got up from her seat. As she was leaving the room, waving her hand, she suddenly peeked back in.

“Why? Did you forget something…?”

“…Don’t do it before marriage.”

Bella stretched out her index and middle fingers. Then she pointed at her own eyes and then at Frinel and me as if to say she was watching us.

“…What? Bella.”

“

~” Pretending as if she knew nothing, Bella left the room, ignoring further conversation.

Once the door closed, an awkward atmosphere filled the room. I coughed and walked towards the window.

“It’s a bit warm in here…”

Then, without much thought, I opened the window wide. A cool breeze rushed in like a storm.

“

” Startled, I quickly closed the window.

Although we had spent many nights together, this kind of atmosphere always felt awkward and embarrassing. I remained motionless, lost in thought after closing the window.

Bella had said nothing should happen before marriage, but her words only kindled a fire in Frinel’s heart.

While I pondered how to act naturally, a low, languid voice came from behind me.

“Lobelia.”

“…Yes?”

“We’ve been formal enough, so can I call you by your name now?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Can I come closer?” Frinel tilted his head slightly, asking subtly.

My gaze slowly shifted towards him. My eyes intertwined with his as if being drawn into the depths of his blue irises.

With such a gaze, it was hard to believe I was his first woman. However, there really was a lot to do today. With my debutante ball approaching, there were both big and small things to prepare.

“…I can’t today.” I averted my eyes and shook my head.

Nevertheless, Frinel rose from his seat and approached me slowly. “I’ll just hold you.”

“That’s a lie.”

“I’m a man who doesn’t speak with a forked tongue. Don’t you know me by now?”

Finally, he reached me.

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

“Okay then. Come here.”

I smiled softly and opened my arms. Frinel chuckled and lifted me into his arms.

“

!”

He then fell onto the bed with me in his embrace.

“What? You said you don’t speak with a forked tongue?” I slapped his chest, making a smacking sound.

Frinel smiled at that too, hugging me once more. “I’ll really just hold you. On the bed.”

“Surely…”

“Really. I won’t do anything you don’t want.”

“…

.”

“Just, things have been non-stop recently. I just want to rest for a bit.” He spoke in a soft voice.

I slightly lifted my head to look at Frinel’s face. Noticing for the first time his face was etched with fatigue, different from before.

“That’s true. Okay then.”

My vigilance suddenly replaced with sympathy as I looked at Frinel.

I gently wrapped my arms around his waist and patted his back. “Everything turned out well. Being tired from happy things is a good sign.”

“You’re right.

, I just want to joke around like this. I’m happy.”

“Happy?”

“Yes. How could I not be happy when the woman I love is by my side?”

He blushed as he took in my scent deeply. The happiness was so overwhelming that it brought a longing for his deceased mother. How wonderful it would have been if she could have seen her grown son.

As if reading Frinel’s thoughts, I softly spoke. “She must be happy for you from heaven.”

“…Really, you’re unbeatable. Sometimes, I wonder if my mother in heaven sent you to me.” He touched my cheek affectionately, then became serious again. “So beautiful, perfect, elegant, splendid, refined, graceful……”

“Here we go again.”

Typical of Frinel, he ended the conversation with a joke.

I, finding his light yet earnest demeanor endearing, gently pressed my lips to his. After a light peck, I pulled away.

“…Is this a signal for me? Blink twice if it’s a yes.”

“

, it’s not.”

I looked at him with mock annoyance. Then Frinel suddenly sat up.

“

? Why?”

“

, Lobelia.”

“Yes?”

“I have something for you.”

He got off the bed and picked up his coat. Then he rummaged through it.

“What are you doing?”

“I have a protective charm.”

“A protective charm?”

As I looked puzzled, Frinel pulled something out of his pocket. A thin gold chain dangled with something attached.

“…A necklace? No…”

What dangled was not a pendant but a ring.

“A ring?”

“It’s my mother’s heirloom.”

He removed the chain and took out the ring. A large emerald, ruby, sapphire, and even diamond. The ring, adorned with the four major gems, reminded one of a bridal bouquet. The combination of four different gems made it more luxurious than any other ring she had seen.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Just before my mother and I were separated because of the Duke Bonitare and the late empress, she left me this ring.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes. She said not to part with it under any circumstances, though she didn’t explain why.” Holding the ring’s brilliance in his gaze, Frinel added. “I couldn’t wear it since it’s a woman’s ring, but I always carried it with me. It’s as important to me as anything in the world.”

“Because it’s your mother’s heirloom.”

“I want to give it to you.”

“…Yes?” I looked between him and the ring in surprise.

Then Frinel hurriedly clarified as if realizing how it might sound. “

, this isn’t an official proposal, of course. The ‘formal proposal’ will be done properly.”

“… Who’s talking about proposals?”

I was surprised not by the proposal but by the offer of such a precious item.

I gently responded with a soft smile. “It’s too precious.”

“The most beloved woman in my life gave it to me.”

He looked at the ring in his palm, then knelt before me. “I want to give it to the woman I love most now.”

“Frinel…”

“Will you accept it?”

Frinel swallowed nervously, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly. Wondering if it was really okay to accept, I hesitated.

Then Frinel spoke again. “Of course, besides this ring, for the ‘formal proposal’—”

“

, alright. I get it. I get it.”

What could he possibly plan to do for a ‘formal proposal’?

In the end, I chuckled and nodded.

“Thank you, Frinel.”

“…Are you saying you’ll accept it?”

“Will you put it on me?” I extended my hand towards his face.

“Of course.”

Frinel carefully took my hand. Then he slowly slid the ring onto my ring finger. The ring fits perfectly as if it was made just for me. Amazed, my eyes widened in wonder.

It was just as he was about to explain more about the ring,

“

?”

A familiar glow began to emanate from the gemstones on the ring.

“Lobelia!”

Startled, Frinel wrapped his arms around me. But at that moment,

“

…!”

My body tilted dramatically.

“Lobelia!”

As if the world was collapsing around us, Frinel’s cries faded away from my ears.