I Was Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble and I Want to Be Expelled, but the Yandere Princess Won’t Let It! - Chapter 17-19

Chapter 17: Reunion

After ten years of being reincarnated in another world.

I, who had been holed up in my territory without ever leaving, finally ventured out and arrived at the dazzling royal capital, the center of the country.

“What is it?”

Upon arriving, I found myself locked up in a dungeon beneath the royal castle.

“Well, this isn’t so bad.”

The dungeon where I was imprisoned was a special facility built for high-ranking nobles. The walls, ceiling, and floor were made of cold stone, and iron bars made escape impossible. Despite this, the interior was well-equipped with a plush bed, an expensive table and chair, a splendid washroom, and a toilet.

The amenities were more than adequate for living comfortably.

“Seems like the royal authority is weak.”

As soon as I arrived in the capital, I was imprisoned and was now sipping tea served by the prison guards while commenting on the current situation.

“…Well, I’m bored.”

I had no complaints about living in the dungeon.

However, with nothing to do and being locked up alone, it was indeed boring.

“…”

As I sat idly, sipping my tea.

“…Reno? Are you doing well?”

Rinonara, now ten years old, came to visit me.

“Oh, Rinonara. Long time no see… Have you grown taller?”

Seeing Rinonara after almost two years, my first thought was about her height.

The height that was similar to mine when she was eight had now become significantly taller.

“Eh? I don’t think I’m that tall… Maybe you’re just short?”

“…Don’t say that.”

I collapsed onto my knees at Rinonara’s merciless words… Even in the story, Reno was short.

Despite my efforts to grow taller by maintaining a balanced diet, taking calcium, exercising during the day, and sleeping soundly at night!

I hardly grew at all…

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t think you’d be so upset… Even if you’re small, you’re still you, and I’ve always loved you! Even if you become just a piece of meat, I’ll still love you.”

“Ohhhhh.”

Despite being further hurt by Rinonara’s words of compassion, I managed to stand up.

“Oh… sorry. Uh, hey! You’re being captured now, right!? Are you okay?”

Seeing my distress, Rinonara quickly changed the topic from height to something else.

“Well, for now, I’m okay. Even though I’m imprisoned, it’s quite comfortable here. The problem is how I’ll be punished.”

“Don’t worry about that! Two years ago, when I learned about the possibility of your father turning traitor, I took various actions to make sure you’d be fine even if you were punished. So, don’t worry. You’ll be okay.”

Rinonara answered confidently that she would protect me.

“Eh? I was planning to accept the punishment normally though?”

My response was one of confusion.

“…Eh?”

Rinonara and I looked at each other and slowly tilted our heads.

—

Chapter 18: Lies

“Did I hear that wrong? Huh, wait…? Did you just say you’re going to accept the punishment?”

Reno, after hearing my words, tried to maintain a calm attitude, but he couldn’t hide his visible agitation. He asked hesitantly.

“No, it’s exactly as I said… Since it’s a family matter, I’ll accept it. It shouldn’t go as far as the death penalty.”

In response, I wondered why he was showing so much agitation.

“Y-yeah, that’s true… but generally, when dealing with rebels, the usual punishment for family members is exile, right?”

That’s true.

I inwardly agreed with Reno’s words.

In this country, if a relative starts a rebellion, even those who had no involvement in the crime are usually exiled.

The reason is unclear… It doesn’t make sense to exile them.

Especially in cases like this one, where my father acted through another country, it’s obvious that he would end up in an enemy country and become an enemy himself…

What could they want? Do they have a strong intention to eliminate the enemy only after making sure they are truly an enemy?

The reason is unclear, but it’s certain that death is not on the table.

So, for now, it’s unlikely that I’ll be brutally killed in front of Reno, and I don’t understand why he’s so shocked.

“Of course, I understand that. It’s a bonus that I’m not going to be killed.”

The country’s policy is a mystery, but since it’s decided that this will be the outcome, I’m not dissatisfied.

In fact, I’m quite grateful.

Thus, I respond to Reno’s question with a smile.

“…That’s a lie.”

However, Reno, with a stunned expression, mutters just one word.

“It’s a lie, a lie, a lie, a lie…”

And then, he continued to shake his head as if rejecting reality, repeating the same words like a broken robot.

“Huh, um… What’s wrong?”

I asked, confused by his behavior.

“Ha, ha, ha… Ha ha, ha ha ha.”

But Reno did not respond to my words. He just had a dry smile and looked down at the ground.

“This is a dream… It must be a dream, it can’t be real. Because, Runo… Runo… Runo, my Runo…”

Then, Reno stumbled away from me.

“What happened in these two years?”

Reno’s sudden strange behavior, so different from the cheerful attitude she had two years ago.

I watched her leave from the underground cell where I was imprisoned, feeling completely baffled.

—

Chapter 19: Guilt

In the span of two years, I had no idea what had happened, but before I knew it, I was kneeling as a criminal before His Majesty the King.

“…”

I was in the throne room where His Majesty the King was also seated.

In front of me, there were the King and Queen, along with other royals like Reno. Many nobles were lined up beside them.

Next to the Queen, Reno’s presence with his head bowed was eerie.

And amidst many princes, princesses, and consorts, why was Reno standing in such a prominent position?

The Queen, as the King’s official wife, was standing next to him, and then there was Reno.

It felt entirely wrong.

“Reno Lastella. Your father has conspired with an enemy country and even rebelled against our nation. You are aware of this fact, correct?”

In the silent room, His Majesty spoke slowly, his words echoing.

“Yes.”

“Your father, as well as your mother, have sided with the enemy, leaving only you, Runo, as the remaining member of the rebellious family in our country.”

The punishment extends only to the immediate family.

Grandparents or other relatives are not included.

“You will be exiled according to tradition, alone.”

“…I humbly accept.”

In response to His Majesty’s announcement, I answered with the bare minimum of words.

“…”

“…”

“…”

And then, a silence fell… Why is there silence? Shouldn’t I say something? But generally, in this situation, nodding solemnly seems correct…

“…Is it… alright?”

While I was confused, His Majesty voiced a question.

“…Even if you ask if it’s alright, my father has opposed our beloved homeland, and my mother has sided with him. I have no excuses left. I will accept the punishment calmly.”

“You understand that being exiled from our country and then joining your parents in the enemy country is considered treason, correct?”

“I would never join my parents in the enemy country. I will leave this homeland with tears and live a modest life in another country, only praying for the eternal prosperity of my homeland.”

Why am I being made to speak at length? I’m a criminal. Just drag me out of the throne room and expel me from the country without giving me anything.

“Wha… what? Whaaat?”

And, hey.

Why is His Majesty troubled? And the nobles around, why are they reacting strangely? Why is everyone murmuring as if I’m acting strangely and this isn’t right? Shouldn’t His Majesty be the one questioning this?

“It’s a lie.”

“…R-Reno?”

Amidst the confusion of both me and the King, as well as the surrounding nobles, a chillingly emotionless voice came from Reno’s mouth.