The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

“I’ll be going now, Your Royal Highness.”

“Alright. You may go.”

Magorit bowed slightly to Frinel and coldly brushed past me as she left. Once she was out of sight, I chuckled and said to Frinel, “So, she has decided to help?”

“Yes. The empress sent her a letter containing poison.”

“The term’ mother of the empire’ seems quite ironic now. Whether it’s Magorit who decides to kill a child or the empress who gave the poison.”

“What wouldn’t a piece of trash who abused a child do?”

We warmly entered the palace of the first prince. Inside, there were hardly any people other than a few servants.

“I don’t let anyone in the palace unless I can trust them completely,” Frinel explained as if reading my thoughts.

“

…”

“Please, have a seat, Lady.” He jested as he pulled out a chair for me and then opened a cabinet.

“Oh my goodness.”

Inside were various types of dried tea leaves.

“I dried these for when you would come so we could drink together.”

“Since when?”

“Since I became curious about you?”

“

.”

“I’ve always picked and dried the tea leaves myself. I like tea, but I once had a bad experience after drinking it.”

“Because of the empress?”

“Perhaps.”

Frinel rattled the tea leaves into a teapot and brewed them, humming a tune as if pleased to serve tea to me.

“…Frinel.”

“

?”

After watching him for a moment, I softly opened my mouth. “Are you… okay now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your heart.”

Frinel slowly turned his head towards me as he was pouring the tea.

I looked at him with a worried gaze and sighed, “I always thought only my heart was in pain, but then I realized… Frinel, you’ve been suffering from such hardships since you were young.”

My eyelashes fluttered.

“I hope your heart doesn’t hurt anymore.”

I was tired of seeing the hearts of those I loved get hurt. Though words might not be enough to comfort, I wanted to lighten the burden on their hearts, even just a little.

I slowly looked up at Frinel. Holding the teacup in both hands, he was smiling softly.

“I’m okay.” He handed me the teacup.

“Really?” I gently lowered my eyelids and asked worriedly.

Seeing this new expression on me, he chuckled lightly. “Perhaps your holy power has some additional abilities?”

“What abilities?”

“The power to heal even my heart.”

“What…?”

“Right. Honestly, I’ve been suffering. I had no one to confide in. I didn’t want to appear weak, and moreover…” Sitting down opposite me, Frinel added slowly, “The empress, who tried to torment and kill me, was terrifying to the point where I couldn’t even make eye contact.”

“…Frinel…” My eyes slightly trembled at his words.

“That’s right.”

Frinel smiled brighter than I had ever seen before.

“You’ve given me the strength to overcome even my trauma.”

The sun seemed to bless him, casting a rainbow over his golden hair with its warm rays. He picked up his teacup with a smirk.

“Your very existence is my strength.”

He then slightly raised his cup as if toasting before sipping the tea.

After a moment of deep thought, while sipping the warm tea, Frinel spoke again.  “And don’t worry about Merilly. She’ll surely overcome this if she’s with you.” Trying not to make the atmosphere heavy, one of his eyes playfully squinted.

“She must. Our Merilly is stronger than you think.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed after talking to her. She’s just like you. A very lovely child.” Thinking of the cute Merilly, Frinel slightly wrinkled his nose.

I stared at him and then slightly puckered my lips. “… Don’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Because you look cute.”

“Oh. The empire’s most handsome man looks cute too?” Frinel teased.

But I glared at him without annoyance, sharpening my words. “You don’t do that with other women, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“Why? You used to parade around with the maids of Duke Gracie.”

“That was an act.”

“I should hope so.”

“

.” He let out a breathy laugh and then opened his arms as if welcoming a child. “Come here, Lady Lobelia.”

“…What for?”

“Come here.”

I pouted my lips but eventually stood up. Frinel tapped his thigh invitingly. I reluctantly sat on his lap. His large hands wrapped around my waist.

With a gentle smile, he spoke in an adorable tone, “Even your jealousy is fascinating.”

“…

.”

“If you hmph one more time, I’ll kiss those pretty lips.”

“Then should I do it?”

As if challenging him, I lifted my head high. Frinel shook his head but gently pressed his lips against mine. I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck. Our deep, passionate kiss made a moist sound, our breath mingling between our lips.

After a while, I gently pushed away from Frinel’s chest. His eyes opened softly as if reluctant.

“Why?”

“I have to go. Magorit has returned.”

Merilly and Roseni were back at the mansion, and Magorit had returned first. Even with a protective barrier, it couldn’t shield their hearts from pain.

“…

.” He sighed but then looked surprised by his own sigh. “

orry. I just feel regretful.”

“… I’ll come tonight.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“Then, I must let you go.” He released his hold on my waist, and we both stood up.

I took out lipstick from her clutch, touched up my lips, and then turned to Frinel. “I should be going now. I’ll take the carriage back.”

As I was about to leave, something seemed to occur to him. “

. At this noble meeting, Duke Gracie will propose a swordsmanship competition. Just so you know.”

“Swordsmanship competition?”

“At that place, I plan to announce my ascension as crown prince. And also…” His voice trailed off as his lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I plan to give Marquis Hamilton a real beating. What do you think, Lady Lobelia?”

It was indeed good news. Magorit was sent to the annex, Kriella to the villa, but Endimion was still at ease, even joyously believing he had reclaimed me. Hearing this made me want to see his tormented face right away.

“

… That sounds like a great idea. Make sure to give him a thorough beating.”

I smiled brightly, my face devoid of malice. It seemed the joint operation with Duke Gracie, and Frinel was the swordsmanship competition.

“You’ve joined hands with grandfather, I see.”

“Roughly. But I only have eyes for you, Lady Lobelia.”

“

, please. Who’s asking?”

“

, take care, Lady Lobelia.”

“Yes. You won’t stay up waiting for me, right?”

“…You underestimate me too much. I’ll be counting the seconds.”

At his words, I laughed and left the room. I felt so overwhelmingly happy that it was almost unsettling.

Suddenly, the pendant I wore, a gift from my father, twinkled ominously. I stared at the deep blue gem and furrowed my brows slightly. “I’ve never felt this way since I came back to life.”

Looking at the pendant, I felt a strange dizziness. My stomach churned. It reminded me of how I felt at Endimion’s wedding.

I exhaled lightly and had just left the first prince’s palace when my gaze narrowed.

My eyes settled on someone who looked so much like Frinel. The man, with sky-blue eyes, as if holding the heavens, was dressed in regal attire befitting a member of the imperial family.

My eyebrow twitches involuntarily. I couldn’t explain why, but my bad feeling seemed to point towards him.