Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 33: Reporting to the Villainess

Chapter 33: Reporting to the Villainess

《Cerios’ Side》

Spending time having tea with Clarice always felt surprisingly calming.

Her sharp gaze and blunt words were unrelenting, but they had a way of clearing up my doubts. Today, as I headed to the tearoom, I felt as though her voice was pushing me forward.

“So, how did it go?”

The moment she saw me, Clarice wasted no time asking. She held a teacup filled with tea Faina had prepared, her graceful smile belying the determined look in her eyes that said she wouldn’t let me dodge the question.

“…We talked.”

Hearing that, Clarice gave a slight nod, placed her teacup on the table, and leaned back in her chair.

“Just looking at your expression, I could have guessed as much. And? How did it turn out?”

“…She said she trusts me.”

Clarice raised an eyebrow slightly at my response, her curiosity evident. I couldn’t help but notice her reaction as I continued.

“Liese told me she stays by my side of her own will. She understands her role and is determined to fulfill it. But more than that, there wasn’t any hesitation in her words.”

“No hesitation, you say?”

Clarice repeated my words, as if mulling them over, and a small smile played on her lips.

“And? How did you feel about it?”

“How I felt…”

Her question caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless. How did I feel? Even I wasn’t sure how to put it into words.

It felt like her words had saved me somehow. At the same time, the weight of her determination resonated deeply in my chest. Liese understood her position better than I did, navigating the complexities of noble society with remarkable poise.

“Honestly, she’s much stronger than I thought. I believed I was helping her, but… she’s far more capable than I am.”

When I said that, Clarice gave a satisfied smile.

“I see. So, did that clear up some of the doubts you’ve been carrying?”

“…No. If anything, it’s made them worse.”

Hearing my answer, Clarice chuckled softly, narrowing her eyes in amusement.

“Well, that’s only natural. The doubts you’re feeling are likely tied to the special feelings you have for her.”

“Special feelings…?”

Her words hit me like a bolt. How do I truly feel about Liese? I still didn’t have an answer.

“And how did she react?”

“React?”

“Yes. If you spoke to her and shared something important, she must have shown some emotion, right?”

At Clarice’s prompting, I thought back to Liese’s expression during our conversation.

“She… she was smiling.”

“Smiling?”

“Yeah, she looked happy. At first, she seemed surprised that I was concerned about her… but then, she gave me the warmest, kindest smile.”

Remembering that moment, I felt a small warmth fill my chest once again.

“Well, that sounds like a pretty good reaction to me.”

Saying that, Clarice lifted her teacup and took a sip.

“Does it?”

“Of course. If she looked happy and responded that way to your words, it’s a clear sign she holds some kind of affection for you.”

Her remark made me catch my breath for a moment.

“But, Cerios, while her feelings are important, what truly matters is what you want to do in the end.”

“What I want to do…”

I repeated her words, letting them sink in.

What do I want? Every time I thought about it, Liese’s smile came to mind. I realized just how much having her by my side had been supporting me all this time.

“If you don’t have an answer yet, take your time and think it through. Just make sure you figure it out before someone else takes her away.”

Clarice added, a usual hint of sarcasm slipping into her tone.

But despite the teasing edge, her words struck me deeply, stirring something within.

“…Thank you, Clarice.”

“Oh my, how rare. I never thought I’d see the day you’d thank me. But don’t get the wrong idea—I’m just enjoying watching an entertaining story unfold.”

That knowing smile of hers, as if she could see through everything, made me feel just a little annoyed.

“So? How much progress have you made?”

“Progress?”

“Yes. At the very least, she told you she trusts you, didn’t she? That means you’re already someone special to her.”

Her words made my heart skip a beat.

“But isn’t that just because I’m her master?”

When I countered, Clarice sighed in exasperation, as though she had expected my response.

“Do you not hear the contradiction in your own words? You’re so hopelessly oblivious, it’s almost impressive. If she only saw you as her master, she wouldn’t have looked so genuinely happy. Normally, anyway.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“It’s simple, Cerios. There’s a good chance she sees you as more than just her master.”

I was at a loss for words. Could Liese really think of me as more than just her master? Was that even possible?

I couldn’t shake my doubts. What if I confessed and ruined everything?

More than that, Liese had already made up her mind to offer everything to me when I helped her and her mother. That wasn’t about love or romance—it was about loyalty to her master.

What if I was forcing her into this without realizing it?

“Well, in the end, it’s up to you what you do. But wouldn’t it be worth finding out how Liese really feels about you?”

Clarice’s words sparked a new question in my mind. How did Liese see me? And if I found the answer to that, maybe I’d finally understand my own feelings as well.

“…You might be right.”

“That’s the first somewhat positive response I’ve heard from you.”

Clarice said with a satisfied smile, taking another sip of tea.

“Anyway, when things with Liese progress, make sure to let me know. It’s quite entertaining to watch such an interesting story unfold from the sidelines.”

“…You really are just treating me like a toy, aren’t you?”

At my remark, Clarice gave me a mischievous smile.

“Not at all. It’s just that your cluelessness is too amusing to ignore.”

All I could do was let out a wry smile at her teasing words.

Still, it was thanks to Clarice pushing me forward that I was finally able to think about Liese and even Faina.

Liese hadn’t said she loved me, but knowing she wanted to stay by my side made me happy.

And then there was Faina, who had told me she loved me. That made me happy too.

♢

《Clarice’s Side》

Having tea with Cerios like this is always enjoyable.

Even when I have tea with the prince, I don’t laugh as much as I do with him.

He’s completely clueless about his own feelings and equally oblivious to the emotions of those around him. Watching him is simply amusing.

It’s easy to see why other women can’t leave him alone. His sharp gaze might be intimidating, but his looks aren’t bad at all.

If the prince shines like a brilliant sun, Cerios has the subtle, mesmerizing glow of moonlight reflecting in the night.

Unlike when we were children, watching him grow has become incredibly fascinating.

The situation with Miss Liese will no doubt be a turning point for him.

I can’t help but feel a bit excited imagining the day he finally realizes his feelings. What kind of reaction will he have?

“Cerios, keep pushing forward with that clueless charm of yours. I’ll be rooting for you.” I murmured softly before walking away.