The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

Sigh, it was tough.

Healing people or using magic seemed less exhausting. Smiling in front of Endimion was more difficult than any other task.

It was the moment I was about to board a carriage after quickly leaving the mansion.

“Lobelia!” Merilly, who was out for a walk, saw me and waved happily.

“Merilly.”

Lately, I have been too busy to spend proper time with the child. Feeling guilty, I ran towards Merilly.

“Are you out for a walk?”

“Yes. I just had a snack.”

“What snack did you have, Merilly?”

“Apple pie. The chef baked it just for me and Roseni. Roseni ate until he was full and is now taking a nap.”

Merilly smiled brightly, looking happy. No flower could be as lovely as this child.

Unknowingly, I lifted the adorable Merilly into my arms.

“Mommy!”

“Sorry if I scared you. Merilly is just so lovely and cute.”

“

, am I cute?”

“Of course. Both Merilly and Roseni are cute.”

“

, I’ve never heard that before…”

“It’s more surprising that it’s the first time. You’re so pretty.”

I looked at the child’s chubby cheek and playfully pinched her nose. Merilly was so adorable that I wanted to give her kisses.

Could she express my love freely and comfortably after everything was over, letting go of all those miscellaneous thoughts? Thinking that there wasn’t much time left, I smiled softly.

“…Thank you. I really like it.”

“Yes?”

“Being held in someone’s arms is such a pleasant feeling…” Merilly murmured quietly to herself, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.

“I’ll hold you as much as you want in the future.”

“But I’m so heavy.”

“You’re light as a feather.”

“Is there such a heavy feather?”

At the child’s playful remark, I burst into laughter. Just then, a pleasant breeze blew, making my heart feel warm and fuzzy.

“I must have been holding you back, Lobelia.”

“Not at all. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay. Take care!” Merilly waved vigorously.

It was just as I was about to board the carriage.

“?”

A carriage bearing the emblem of the imperial palace was entering from the entrance.

“Frinel?”

Despite having seen his face just last night, it felt as if I hadn’t seen him in a week, and his face was a welcome sight.

“I had some free time, so I came to deliver a gift personally. How is the little lady doing?”

“Greetings to Your Royal Highness, I mean, the future sun of the empire.”

“

. What a perfect manner. You’d make a flawless princess.”

“…Yes?” Merilly’s eyes widened like a rabbit, not fully grasping Frinel’s joke.

“Frinel.”

“

. I should give the gift.”

Noticing my gaze, he coughed awkwardly and fumbled in his coat. Then he pulled out something. It was a small package, beautifully wrapped.

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

I unwrapped it with an indifferent attitude.

“…Oh my.”

Inside was a handkerchief embroidered with flowers that shared my name.

“What’s this?”

“I made it.”

“…Who made it?”

“I embroidered it myself.”

“That’s impossible. You’re lying.”

“

, it’s true. It’s in return for the handkerchief you gave me.” Frinel slightly raised his voice, sounding exasperated.

Despite his words, I scrutinized the handkerchief with a skeptical look. The embroidery was neat and gorgeous. Imagining him, with his bulky build, sitting still and embroidering on a handkerchief was nearly impossible to visualize.

“I’ve always been good at everything.”

“…Did you really do this?”

“Yes. It’s a time when gender doesn’t matter, and everyone should know how to do at least this much embroidery.”

“

… It’s unbelievable. But…” While fondly handling the handkerchief, I murmured quietly. “I’m touched. Thank you, Frinel.”

“Don’t mention it. Don’t you have something for me?” Pretending to look for something, he glanced around.

“I do. The marquis gave me this.” I handed Frinel the rolled-up divorce document.

“I’ll get it processed as soon as possible. You’re my closest ‘friend,’ after all.”

Despite emphasizing ‘friend,’ it oddly sounded like he meant ‘lover.’ I chuckled and nodded.

“Well, I have to go see the Marchioness Hamilton. I have something to deliver.”

“Yes. Go ahead. I have nothing else to do, so I’ll play with Merilly and Roseni.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes. What shall we play?”

“I want to go to the library!”

“Sounds good.”

After giving Frinel a quick wink, Lobelia disappeared into the distance with Merilly. He watched them go with a content smile, then turned towards the annex where Magorit was, still surrounded by knights.

“

, Your Royal Highness.”

“I’ve come to deliver something to the Marchioness Hamilton.”

“Yes, please come in!”

The knights of the Hamilton family let Frinel into the annex without any suspicion. He quietly knocked on Magorit’s door.

“Marchioness Hamilton.”

As soon as he knocked, the door flung open. She bowed her head, letting Frinel into the room as if she had been waiting. Seeing him, her pale complexion brightened up.

“I’ve heard you’re to become the emperor.”

Though confined, she diligently eavesdropped on passing knights’ conversations. She knew about the empress attempting to poison him and dying, and now he was to become the new emperor.

“I sincerely congratulate you.”

Endimion should be grateful to her. Being on Frinel’s side meant the Hamilton family had a way to survive.

“Thank you for extending your hand to me at that time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

Magorit bowed her head with utmost courtesy.

“I’ve also brought good news for you.”

“What…”

“Here.” He handed her a golden key.

“This is…”

“I’ll get those grim knights removed and allow you access to the main house.”

“Your Royal Highness…!”

Her face lit up with emotion at the sight of the key.

“You know there’s soon to be an Emperor’s coronation and a debutante ball, right? I heard Duke Gracie is hosting a grand party.”

“Of course. Even though I’m confined here, Endimion will attend with me.”

“Right. Make sure to come together. It’s important to show that the Hamilton family is still strong in front of everyone, isn’t it?”

Frinel handed the invitation to the coronation ball to Magorit. “I prepared it separately since the invitation might not reach here.”

“… You’re really becoming the emperor.”

Desire gleamed in Magorit’s eyes. What a golden lifeline this was. She had sided with Lobelia only once in front of the empress. But now, she was on the emperor’s side.

“Your Royal Highness.”

“

?”

“While confined here, I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

With a seriousness different from before, Magorit spoke haltingly. “Why did things turn out this way?”

She let out a bitter laugh and sighed deeply.

“Lobelia always said we could have had a different ending.”

Recalling Lobelia’s words, Magorit sniffled.

“Back then, I couldn’t properly hear her words because of my anger, betrayal, and depression. But now I think I understand.”

Looking straight at Frinel, she lowered her eyebrows sadly.

“I was wrong.”

She clasped her hands together as if her current feelings were sincere.

“If given another chance, I promise not to bother Lobelia and her child again.”

Frinel’s gaze swept over Magorit, who seemed to be repenting her mistakes.

What would Lobelia have thought in this situation? Probably,

“That’s a good mindset.”

She thought it was already too late.

Whether her words were sincere or not didn’t matter anymore. And even if they were sincere, it would have been considered a good thing.

There’s no use preaching morality to someone who lacks it. But now that she’s starting to feel guilt,

“That’s a very good mindset.”

She would begin to experience the pain of conscience for her wrongdoings.

Frinel smiled calmly, hiding his coldness.