It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 61 – The Marquis's Daughter Gets a Bit Depressed

Misty’s Perspective

School started.

Zeke-sama is sitting next to me.

What wonderful days these are.

—But something terrible happened.

Before I knew it, I had become unable to look directly at Zeke-sama.

Why is that?

Zeke-sama changed even more after turning fifteen.

He grew taller, his body became more robust, his face is so beautiful, and it feels like there’s a halo around him.

Ah, when our eyes meet, my heart races…!

“Good morning, Misty.”

“Yes, good morning, Zeke-sama.”

I returned his greeting while looking down.

Ah… why do I respond so coldly again?

It’s not like that—my heart warms up with our daily greetings…

As I tried to make excuses and glanced to the side, Zeke-sama looked cool again today.

Just like that, another day passed without me saying anything.

Then, after school life had gone on for a while, I ended up going to the forest with Zeke-sama (and the capital knight order members), who had been suspended for a certain reason.

Isn’t this essentially a date?! (The capital knight order members are also here.)

We were attacked by a rather large monster and Zeke-sama was in danger, which made me panic, but my—yes, MY—magic managed to handle it!

My desperate efforts to control my magic so I wouldn’t be left behind by Zeke-sama paid off.

I gave Zeke-sama a proper scolding.

Really, if something were to happen to Zeke-sama, I don’t know what would become of me, you know?

Fufu… but I’m Zeke-sama’s betrothed. As a lady, it’s my duty to help him from his side.

Zeke-sama looks at me with a dejected expression.

Ah, what beautiful eyes. I involuntarily look away.

I’m sorry, but my body can’t handle it.

As I was thinking such things, Zeke-sama said something outrageous.

“Misty… you don’t like me. Actually, you hate me.”

“Eh?”

I hate Zeke-sama…?

Wait, have I been hating Zeke-sama?!

No no, no no no no. There’s no way that’s true!

“Because Misty, even when I talk to you, your expression doesn’t change at all, and you won’t make eye contact with me at all. Remember? At the party when I escorted you, I took your hand but you let go.”

Zeke-sama said this with a sad expression.

But that’s not it.

It was just that when Zeke-sama’s hand touched mine, my heart started racing so hard I thought it would burst, and if we danced like that, I thought I might collapse midway and cause Zeke-sama trouble…

“Father… no, I’ll talk to His Majesty myself later…”

Eh, wait? If this continues, will I be broken up with by Zeke-sama?

And it’s my fault? Because of my selfishness?!

Ah, ahhhhh. My body is trembling. My brain won’t work. If I’m no longer his betrothed… I’ll have to watch from the sidelines as Zeke-sama walks through school harmoniously with someone other than me… as he dances at parties with someone else…

And then I’ll regret it.

Why didn’t I just honestly say it back then, even if it meant feeling pain like a hole in my chest?

“Misty?”

“Ah!”

Wait? What was I just…

My delusion became a dream and became reality… ah, Zeke-sama wiped my mouth with his handkerchief… ah, his scent is on the handkerchief.

My floating consciousness suddenly returned, and I coughed with an “ahem.”

No no, I am Misty Claudia.

As a marquis’s daughter, as Zeke-sama’s betrothed, I must strive for behavior that won’t bring shame.

“Excuse me. Thank you very much.”

After that, I did my best to use every word I could to make Zeke-sama understand.

I think I desperately embraced Zeke-sama, but I was so frantic that my senses are vague… I can’t do it over again… can I?

Anyway, thanks to that, I somehow managed to avoid the engagement being broken.

Uuu… in exchange, from now on I have to make eye contact as much as possible.

Will my heart hold up…?

No no, the engagement is at stake.

I must do this, Misty Claudia.

I steeled my resolve alone.

☆☆☆

I’m depressed.

Right now I’m covering myself with my blanket, rubbing my face against my pillow, and about to cry.

It’s good that Zeke-sama’s suspension was lifted and he came back to school, but it seems he’s having a secret conversation with some woman.

It seemed he didn’t want me present, so I reluctantly left, but what on earth are they talking about?

I’m his betrothed though.

Since Zeke-sama specifically had me leave so he could talk to her, it must be a secret conversation, and asking about every little detail would be tactless.

I’m his betrothed though!

“What should I do?”

Zeke-sama, could it be that he prefers that girl over me, who can’t even make eye contact?

Indeed, she was a different type from me with a certain cuteness, but could it be that Zeke-sama prefers that kind of girl?

Contrary to his reputation, Zeke-sama is caring and kind to everyone, so it might just be pure goodwill, but what if it’s not?

This is bad, this is bad!

At this rate, I’ll have my engagement broken!

Awawawa…

As I trembled, the door opened with a click.

“What’s wrong, Misty? The household staff said you looked pale. Did something happen?”

I heard Father’s voice.

“I-I’m fine. Don’t worry! Also, knock when you open the door.”

“S-sorry. Th-that’s right. Cake. I bought some delicious cake, so let’s eat it together.”

“I don’t want it!”

“I-I see…”

The door closed with his disappointed voice.

“Uuu…”

Thinking about Zeke-sama… come to think of it, I remembered when Zeke-sama helped me.

He helped me when I was being unreasonably accused.

In other words, it’s still fine. Yes. It should still be fine.

“Then there’s no problem!”

More importantly, Zeke-sama was so cool when he stood up for me and took my hand…

I warmly recalled that moment, then smoothly rubbed my stomach.

Now that I’m relieved, I’m hungry.

Yes, Father bought cake, so I’ll eat it.

And then I must work even harder…!

Rather, so that I can protect Zeke-sama!