I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 35 - Interlude: A Certain Scene

Chapter 35 – Interlude: A Certain Scene

“Hah… Another failed matchmaking session, huh?”

In a mansion on a large plot of land.

In his well-lit study, Duke of Diggoth was reading a letter from a potential suitor, and sighing impatiently.

“For once I thought it would work… What the hell is going on with Lyfia…”

He had already set up dozens of matchmaking. 

This time, the arranged marriage is with a legitimate son of a marquess with whom Liphia has had a relationship since childhood.

Due to being a reliable partner, Duke Diggoth considered it as a possibility, but this is the result.

As stated in the letter—

‘We didn’t get a good response’ and so on…

It was like this every time.

All of the matchmaking partners are positive and willing to get engaged, but Lyfia always refuses.

She meets with her potential partners, but only in the strictest of manners in refusing them.

She’s just taking sincere measures so as not to damage the Duke’s name.

Lyfia is only 18, but the aristocrats get engaged quickly.

One of the absolute duties is to get married by 20 at the latest and to leave descendants.

From the way Lyfia has been behaving, the Duke can only assume that she is running away from that duty.

“Hmm, I wonder what should be done…”

The Duke’s children are his treasures and he wants them to be happy.

For that reason, he carefully selects matchmaking partners for Lyfia, but nothing progresses.

He doesn’t want to force her, but if she is ‘running away’, he can’t leave this issue alone.

“Hmm…”

The Duke’s breath showed his exhaust.

If she is so uncooperative, the situation will be very difficult. There is no other way but to have a talk with Lyfia.

Fortunately, nothing was planned for today for Lyfia.

Duke Diggoth, who began to move swiftly from his study, found—

Lyfia and Karen, well dressed, in the living room, staring at the clock.

“…Mm? Are you going out somewhere today?”

“Ah, Father! That’s right! Dear Sister invited me!”

“We were told that the carriage would be ready in a little over five minutes, so we’re currently waiting.”

It was thoughtful of Lyfia to entertain Karen, whose legs were better now.

That was really commendable, but for this one time, The Duke had to put a damper on it a bit.

“Lyfia, before you go, I have a few things to discuss with you.”

“Is this about the matchmaking?”

“If you know what this is about, then it won’t take long. I’ll try to get this done as soon as I can. Can you come to the study?”

She has never been able to refuse such a request from Duke Diggoth before.

And at that moment when the Duke tried to turn around before getting a reply.

“—I’m sorry. But I will have to decline.”

“W-What!?”

“I have no intention of doing what Father is worried about. I am determined to fulfill my duty as an aristocrat.”

Lyfia turned her determined gaze to the Duke.

It meant, ‘I understand it properly. I am prepared as well. That’s why there is no need for a discussion.’ It was a reasonable argument, but it was the first time The Duke had encountered such resistance like this.

The Duke was overwhelmed by the unexpected situation… But he was not one to back down.

“That may be so, but… wasn’t he the main candidate?”

“He was certainly the main candidate (in the sense of being able to have a good relationship).”

“Was… You say?”

Lyfia nodded slightly when The Duke noticed the past tense.

“And Father told me that until I reach the age of 19, I am free to do as I please.”

“That may be true, but… If you keep declining these marriage proposals, it will become difficult to find a suitable partner, won’t it? Considering our position, we must secure you the position of a legal wife.”

“I am aware of everything.”

“……”

There was no sign of Lyfia backing down at all.

Once she has made up her mind, she doesn’t back out. This is a direct descendant of The Duke’s wife’s character.

In this case, the correct action would be to divert the conversation once and then bring it up again later.

“…That said, where are you going out, Karen?”

“The villa. I have the key.”

“!?”

Karen held a key stamped with ‘3’. With just that, The Duke could determine which villa it was.

“W-Wait… Karen. We gave him that villa! Why do you have it!?”

“Because he gave it to me. He said I could come even on days he’s not there.”

“You should’ve started with that!”

The Duke never thought that he would continue to have such a friendly relationship with the Jet-black.

The Duke, his mind flashing back to the Jet-black figure staring at him from inside his armor, ran to his study in a panic.

From there, he took some pastries and hurried back with a jewelry ring that was part of his collection.

“It would be rude to meet him and not have anything with you! Take this with you!”

“Father, the souvenirs are in the carriage, so don’t worry, okay?”

“T-Then, in that case, this is from me. I’m definitely counting on you, okay!?”

“Understood.”

Lyfia received the gifts from The Duke.

“Well then, Father. It is time for us to go.”

“We’re off!”

“…Y-Yeah.”

When the formidable opponent, “Jet-black” appears, the Duke’s mind goes blank.

As a result, he was left staring off in a daze at the back of his daughters who were in a good mood. 

After who knows how many minutes had passed since The Duke stood there—

“Hmm? Why go to that villa…?”

Finally, The Duke’s head started working again.

Why not go to the city with many things to enjoy, but that villa instead?

“Ha Ha… Lyfia, of all people, to do such a thing…”

—Lyfia was the one who invited Karen to the villa where the Jet-black lives!!

“—N-No, there’s no way that… Lyfia sees that person…in that kind of light… Not possible…”

The Duke feels an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the Jet-black, not only was he an opponent The Duke couldn’t rival, but he was also someone The Duke absolutely didn’t want to meet, as he would keep being tested.

However, there was something that The Duke felt as strongly as that gratitude.

“A-Argh… Why is this happening…”

Thinking about that, Duke Diggoth had a strong stomach ache.

(T/N: Not gonna lie, out of the 20+ novels I’ve done, this is probably the hardest novel to translate… Damn author…)