Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 04: A Feeling for the First Time

Chapter 04: A Feeling for the First Time

<Liese’s Perspective>

To me, the world was nothing short of a curse.

I didn’t know my father, and my mother raised me all on her own. But her overwork eventually led to illness, and the heavy taxes imposed by Lord Egrid meant we couldn’t even afford food, let alone medicine.

When my mother’s condition took a turn for the worse, I desperately begged a traveling merchant for help. I pleaded for a loan or for him to sell me the medicine we so badly needed.

I was desperate. It didn’t matter what happened to me—as long as I could save my mother! But even then, I was refused, and despair consumed me completely. 

That’s when he appeared.

“Name your price.”

Those words came from a boy with fine clothes and a beautiful face. He paid on my behalf and saved my mother’s life.

At that moment, I was in such despair, my world had shrunk to nothing but a narrow, dark tunnel. I was even willing to sell my body to anyone, as long as it meant getting the money for the medicine. My state of mind was dangerous, reckless.

Even if I had managed to get the medicine, without food, my mother would have died anyway.

I hadn’t realized any of this. I was prepared to throw away my own dignity for money, without thinking about who would protect my mother afterward.

♢

The sight of the dining table spread before me was something I couldn’t believe was real.

That someone would prepare such a luxurious meal for us, or that such delicious-looking food could even exist in this world—it felt like a dream.

“All this food… can we really eat it?”

It was no wonder my mother asked that question.

I, too, was stunned by the overwhelming change in our circumstances.

Until yesterday, we were barely scraping by in the back alleys, struggling to find enough to eat. My mother was bedridden with illness, and I could do nothing but try to support her. Even when I wanted to ask for help, the world was cold, and no one extended a hand.

It was Lord Cerios von Egrid who had picked us up from that despair.

“Of course. As long as you’re sitting at this table, you’re my guest. Eat.”

His voice sounded blunt, even a bit cold. But for some reason, I didn’t feel afraid. Instead, there was a faint warmth hidden beneath his words that I couldn’t help but notice.

Cautiously, I reached out for the bowl of soup placed before me. Steam rose from it, carrying a comforting aroma that tickled my nose.

As I took my first sip, my eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s… delicious…”

The words came out naturally, without thought. The soup seemed to seep into my very soul, more effective than any medicine could ever be.

My mother, too, brought a spoonful to her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes as she savored the taste.

“This is the first time I’ve ever tasted something so warm and comforting…”

Hearing those words, I turned my gaze back to Lord Cerios. For a brief moment, it looked as though he smiled just slightly.

“If you collapse, it defeats the purpose. Take better care of yourself.”

When he said that, I felt an odd flutter in my chest.

Why was that? Up until now, the only words directed at us were filled with disdain or indifference. I never imagined someone would actually care about us.

But more than that, there was something strangely kind about Lord Cerios’s words. His eyes, though they appeared cold at first glance, seemed to hold a clumsy but genuine intent to protect us.

“Lord Cerios… you really are a changed person, aren’t you?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted saying them. They might have been rude. But it was how I genuinely felt.

Surely, he wasn’t someone who showed this kind of kindness to anyone on a regular basis.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lord Cerios furrowed his brow, looking slightly displeased. I quickly added an explanation.

“When we first met, I thought you were a little… frightening. But I never imagined you could be so kind.”

He averted his gaze, letting out a sigh as though trying to brush off my words.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s just that if you die, it would inconvenience me.”

His words were as blunt as ever. But hearing them, I felt my heart warm just a little. He must be someone who finds it difficult to express kindness openly.

Lord Cerios truly is a peculiar person.

Life at the Egrid estate was like stepping into a completely different world from the one I’d known.

A warm room, a soft bed, and delicious meals delivered every day. My mother’s health improved rapidly, and I could feel my own strength returning as well.

At the same time, I found myself thinking about Lord Cerios more and more.

That cold exterior, hiding a clumsy sort of kindness. The occasional soft expressions he let slip. The consideration that peeked through his otherwise stern demeanor.

Looking back, I think my heart started to shift on that day in the alley when he saved me.

“Liese, your face is red.”

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I realized it, Lord Cerios was standing right in front of me.

“Ah, n-no, it’s nothing…”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’ve been exhausting yourself taking care of your mother, haven’t you?”

Hearing his concern, my heart fluttered slightly once more.

What was this feeling? 

It wasn’t simply gratitude. It wasn’t quite admiration either. Yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Could this be…?

“Lord Cerios, why did you help us?”

It took me a few days to summon the courage to ask him. When I did, he briefly averted his gaze, as though thinking it over, before giving a faint, cold smile.

“I told you. It would inconvenience me if you two died.”

Ordinarily, such words might hurt someone. But by now, I felt like I could see a little of what lay behind his blunt exterior.

“Thank you.”

When I said that, he looked momentarily surprised before turning away again.

He really is such a clumsy person.

And yet, why does that awkwardness of his feel so endearing?

Before I realized it, my feelings toward him had changed. They had grown into something far deeper than gratitude or admiration—something truly special.

This was a feeling I had never known before.

But… was someone like me even allowed to feel this way? Would these emotions ever reach him?

With that small but persistent uncertainty lingering in my heart, I watched his figure grow distant as he walked away.

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[Author’s Note]

Hi, this is Iko!

That’s all for today!

I hope you enjoyed it (๑>◡<๑).