I Was Reincarnated as the Villain in an Eroge, but I’ll Live Honestly ~Because the Protagonist Was Useless, I Ended Up Making the Heroines Smile and Somehow Built a Harem~ - 39

Chapter 39: Noah Listens to Layla’s True Feelings

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“The letter said everything was written on the assumption that I would return home.”

“…What do you mean?”

“My father prepared a fiancé for me. When I return to my family home, he wants me to marry that person and be happy.”

“…………Huh?”

“And if I add one more thing… apparently, the fiancé is from the same marquis family as you, Noah-sama.”

The moment Noah heard Layla’s words, his mind went completely blank. Because of that, he couldn’t properly grasp the details. The only thing he could clearly feel was his heart beating irregularly. That alone told him something bad was being said.

“Let’s see… Where should I start… ahaha, I’m terribly sorry. I think I’m still shaken myself.”

For Layla, it was a rare sight to behold. She gave a wry smile, her gaze wandering restlessly. And precisely because of that, Noah realized he had to stay calm.

──Smack!

“…Noah-sama?”

Layla’s eyes widened as she let out a faint, fragile voice. Noah had slapped both of his own cheeks.

“Sorry. If you don’t know where to start, then tell me from the beginning. I’ll listen to everything.”

“…Understood. As I said before, this is a story that will leave you feeling unpleasant.”

Pausing there, Layla looked up at the sky and began speaking in fragments, as if recalling the past.

“First, as you already know, Noah-sama, I lived my life being constantly disliked by my stepmother. Well, I suppose she hated me because I was a child born from an affair. My mother died when she gave birth to me, so all of that hatred was directed at me.”

Noah listened silently, nodding along. Seeing the loneliness on Layla’s face, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

“Even so, the most painful thing was that my father never took my side. And yet, only when my stepmother wasn’t around, he would be kind to me. It was cowardly, wasn’t it? Still… back then, it made me happy. Something must have been wrong with me… haha.”

There was no vigor in Layla’s self-mocking smile.

“That’s not strange at all. If you don’t have anyone to rely on when you’re a child, that’s only natural.”

Hearing Noah speak with such seriousness, Layla pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded.

“…Yeah. I still remember the taste of the chocolate my father secretly gave me when my stepmother wasn’t around.”

Layla sniffled softly, and she looked so much like a lost child that Noah instinctively took her hand.

I want to tell her she wasn’t alone. That I’m here, right beside her.

“And then… the letter said he was sorry for never doing anything as a father. That I did nothing wrong, and that everything was his responsibility. That this time, he would protect me from my stepmother. He said he wouldn’t force me, but that he wanted to see my face one more time.”

“That’s too late for that…! Writing things like that, and yet he still prepared a fiancé with a title of at least viscount or higher, didn’t he!? He’s just taking advantage of your kindness, Layla! It’s cowardly!”

The contents of the letter were so selfish that Noah stood up without thinking.

“Yeah… You’re absolutely right, Noah-sama. Family is frightening, isn’t it…?  Because of blood ties, they think everything can be undone just like that.”

“There’s no way that’s true…”

“But I’ve been working at your estate for a long time now, Noah-sama. And over these past two years, your reputation has improved quite a bit, hasn’t it? Somehow, it seems the public believes I’m the one who guided you. From his perspective, it’s the perfect time to take back his ‘prized daughter.’”

Pausing there, Layla gave a smile so sad it made Noah’s chest ache just to look at it.

“Well… I suppose it reminded me that I’m still my father’s daughter after all.”

“That’s—”

Cutting Noah off, Layla stood up and spoke.

“Alright, that’s the end of this unpleasant story. It’s getting cold, so let’s go back to the estate. Oh, shall we make scones when we get back?”

Noah couldn’t see Layla’s face as she walked away from him. But he could tell she was forcing her voice to sound cheerful.

“W-wait a second! This conversation isn’t over yet—!”

“Please don’t worry, Noah-sama. Like I told you before, I have no place in that house. So I won’t return.”

“That’s not what I meant—!”

Noah moved around to stand in front of her so he could speak, but he ended up closing his mouth. Layla was pressing her lips together, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes.

“────!”

Not wanting her to cry, Noah impulsively pulled Layla into an embrace.

“Kyah!? N-Noah-sama…?”

Startled by the suddenness, Layla let out a rare, flustered sound.

“Thank you… For telling me.”

Wanting his feelings to reach her, Noah held Layla tightly. He realized it again. She had always been supporting him, despite having such a slender body. When he was first reincarnated into this world, Layla was the only one who forgave his misdeeds. Because of her words back then, he was able to believe he wasn’t alone. So this time, he wanted to support her.

“But… I’m sorry. I still can’t feel at ease.”

“Noah-sama…”

“Even though it’s already beyond repair, he suddenly wants to make up as if nothing ever happened, right? There’s no way I can accept that.”

“Goodness… Noah-sama, you’re unusually persistent today.”

Despite the content of her words, Layla’s tone sounded happy. Then she spoke in a low voice.

“…Noah-sama. Could you listen without looking at my face, just like this, while you keep holding me?”

With tears mixed into her voice, Layla said it, and Noah replied.

“Alright.”

“I’m scared… I hate my father and can’t forgive him, but the memories of the kind father he once was just won’t disappear.”

“Layla… why does it hurt you that much—”

At that moment, Layla hugged Noah even more tightly.

“Maybe it’s because we’re family… But thank you. I’m happy that I can work by your side, Noah-sama.”

Then suddenly, Layla stepped away from him. She gave him a soft, gentle smile. She seemed a little more recovered than before, and Noah let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Hey, Noah-sama. I think I’ll try writing a letter to my father. But if I’m alone, I might lose my resolve… So, would you stay with me?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

“I’ll try to face my father properly. I don’t know what answer I’ll find within myself, but I don’t want to stay bound forever.”

“I understand.”

To be honest, it left him feeling unsettled. But because it was Layla’s decision, he wanted to support her. That was what he thought. And then…

It was when Layla opened the door to the estate.

“Oho! Layla, I’ve missed you! You never replied to my letter, so I came to see you myself!”

“F-Father…”

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