The Reincarnated Villainous Noble Still Won't Try His Best!

Chapter 27 : No Answers to Self-Questioning

After wrapping up their conversation, Lilia and Flora arrived in just a few minutes.

“Thank you for waiting, Marius-sama. Were you lonely all by yourself?”

“You didn’t take much long? I wasn’t lonely at all.”

“That’s unfortunate. As your fiancée, I was hoping to comfort a lonely Marius-sama.”

“Leaning on you for comfort… is kind of… terrifying.”

“Oh my? Pardon me, but could you say that again? I didn’t quite hear you.”

–Shing!

Lilia lifted her sword.

“J-Just kidding, obviously! Don’t take it seriously. It was just a playful joke from your fiancée.”

“People who make unfunny jokes get executed, Marius-sama.”

“You’re absurdly strict when it comes to jokes…”

“I am strict with my fiancée’s jokes. At the very least, say something that would make me happy.”

“Something that would make you happy…? Hmm… I love you, Lilia.”

“—!!”

Lilia’s face turned red in an instant.

For a moment, it even looked like heart marks had appeared in her eyes.

…She’s way too easy.

“I-I love you too, Marius-sama! Let’s kiss! Right here, right now!”

“That was a joke.”

“Unforgivable.”

Lilia swung the sword in her hand.

I barely dodged it in time.

“H-Holy—!? I seriously almost died just now!?”

“I don’t care. Someone who plays around with his fiancée’s heart deserves death. Please die with regret.”

A sinister, dark aura loomed behind Lilia, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

“B-But you were the one who told me to say something that would make you happy!”

“That is true. But that was cruel. Reflect on your actions and prepare to be cut down.”

“That’s way too harsh! The price for reflection is way too high!”

“Honestly… Marius-sama, you always joke around. You should cherish me more as your fiancée.”

“I do cherish you.”

“Then show it in a way that’s more obvious.”

“In a way that’s more obvious, huh…”

…I think I already express it plenty.

“…Hm? Flora-san, what’s wrong? Are you feeling pain in your chest?”

“Huh? Ah… yeah. I’m just not feeling well.”

“You don’t have to push yourself. Lilia probably scared you. Go inside and rest for now. If anything happens, the Count of Santa Maria will have my head.”

“S-Sorry, Marius-kun. And Princess… I’ll take you up on your offer and head inside first.”

“Yeah. I’ll check on you later.”

“Okay.”

I waved as I parted ways with Flora.

…Did she catch a cold or something?

“Judging by that… is she another one, just like Cecilia? I suppose it’s impressive how popular you are, but at the same time, you’re a bit too careless… Though, I do feel somewhat proud as well.”

“Lilia?”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, Marius-sama, let’s have a talk.”

“A talk? Well, sure…”

“Then I’ll start with the first topic. I just happened to hear from Flora-san earlier… but apparently, yesterday, Marius-sama rested his head on her lap—again?”

“—!?”

My breath got caught in my throat.

Sweat started dripping down my face.

“Why did you have a lap pillow session with Flora-san twice…? And why didn’t you tell me about it…? Of course, you’re going to explain it to me, right?”

“Sorry, I just remembered something I need to do.”

“It’s fine. The most important thing is to attend to the Princess.”

“But…”

“That’s an order.”

“Lilia…”

“Sit.”

“…Yes.”

I stood up—only to sit back down a few seconds later.

With a demon looming behind her, I desperately tried to explain myself.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

While Marius was being interrogated by Lilia, Flora, who had returned to the Greylord Duke’s mansion ahead of them, gazed down at the two from a second-floor window.

To her eyes, they looked perfect together.

Watching them chat happily made her chest ache again.

“Why…? Why does it hurt to see Marius-kun and Princess Lilia together? They’re the duke’s son and a princess. They’re a perfect match by status, and the princess trusts him deeply…”

She understood that it was a wonderful thing.

Yet, at the same time, the feeling of unease grew stronger.

She didn’t know what to call this emotion.

She had spent her life focused on work and taking care of children, never giving such feelings much thought.

But… she had felt something similar long ago.

Back when they were both much younger, she had the same feeling when playing with him.

“What should I do?… Would Her Highness know the answer to this feeling? But asking her doesn’t seem right…”

And besides — she felt like the princess had already given her the answer.

It was vague, shapeless… but she had already realized it.

She just couldn’t acknowledge it.

Perhaps it was because of Lilia, the Third Princess.

“I…”