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

Chapter 41 : Mutual Understanding?

Marius disappeared down the hallway.

After seeing him off, Cecilia let out a deep sigh.

“Haa… I somehow managed to endure it…”

Her heart pounded violently in her chest.

From the moment she embraced Marius of her own volition, her heart had been racing as if it were about to burst.

She was fully aware of the reason.

A faint feeling of love.

She had never thought she would harbor such feelings for Marius, but the biggest trigger had been just moments ago.

The usually cool and composed Marius had shown her a vulnerable side that only she had seen. Ever since that moment, her heart had been in turmoil.

During his date with Lilia, he had casually praised her and even brought her food.

She had noticed that he was different from before.

But it was only just now that she clearly recognized her feelings as love—

The man she was interested in had shown his weakness only to her.

That alone awakened a deep urge within her to protect him.

Unlike Flora, who would pamper him, Cecilia wanted to stand beside him, to share in his emotions.

And at that moment—

She had fallen in love.

Marius, who had barely played through Cecilia’s route, was unaware of one crucial fact.

Showing his weakness to Cecilia was actually an event that happened with the protagonist.

Lilia, who would save him and fill the void in his heart.

Flora, who longed to be spoiled and to spoil in return.

And then there was Cecilia—

Among all the heroines, the one with the sharpest tongue.

Yet, she was the purest of them all, the only one who truly wished to know his weaknesses, to support him, and to walk alongside him.

Normally, a heroine would fall for the protagonist after seeing his dependable side.

But she was different.

Marius, unaware of this distinction, had once again made the wrong choice.

Before he even realized it, he had won over the heart of the third heroine.

“…But this is bad. What am I supposed to say to Lilia…?”

“—I’ve fallen in love with you, so can I be your second wife? Will that be okay?”

“Lilia?!”

Lilia suddenly appeared from around the corner of the hallway.

Cecilia was more shocked than she had been all day.

“Wh-when did you…?”

“Maybe around the time you and Marius-sama were playing your fun little couple game?”

“So you were there from the start… Why were you hiding?”

“I was just curious. I wanted to see how you’d react.”

“Huh? Th-then that means…”

“I’ve known about your feelings for a long time.”

“Wh-whaaaaat?! H-how?!”

“Why did I leave you alone? Isn’t it obvious? Because I want my childhood friend to be happy, of course.”

“Lilia…”

“But it is a bit unfortunate that Marius-sama showed his weakness to you instead of me. If it had been me, I would have definitely saved him.”

Lilia chuckled softly.

There was something about her presence that felt a little intimidating.

“So you heard everything. Then, I guess I’ll have to work hard to keep Marius with me. He seems anxious about something, though I don’t know what he’s so afraid of.”

“Yes. I listened in, so I know. It’s a pointless worry, really. There’s no way I would ever abandon Marius-sama.”

“If anything, you’d be the one getting abandoned.”

“Did you say something?”

“S-sorry. That was a joke.”

For a brief moment, Cecilia felt a sharp, blade-like pressure from Lilia and shuddered.

Despite being childhood friends, Lilia could be terrifying.

“Honestly… Both Marius-sama and Cecilia are so cruel. And here I am, just a delicate, innocent maiden.”

“Haha…”

“But never mind that. What’s important right now is you. If you love Marius-sama, then I’ll support you. After all, this is my dear childhood friend’s love story.”

“A-are you really sure? You two just got engaged…”

“Cecilia is special. But no one else is allowed yet. There’s been someone suspicious lately, and I need to make sure they stay in check… For now, let’s head back to the hall and invite Marius-sama to dance.”

“Dance?”

“Yes. And while you’re at it, set up a date with him. You need to go on the offensive. If you don’t push forward aggressively, Marius-sama will never fall for you!”

“But… Lilia, you haven’t won him over yet either…”

“…Did you say something?”

“S-sorry! I take it back!”

Lilia’s intimidating aura instantly intensified the moment Cecilia teased her.

Cecilia made a mental note to avoid saying anything unnecessary from now on.

“Stop wasting time and just do as I say, okay? You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“Then steel yourself. Let’s do this. Let’s both hope that we can become family someday.”

“Thank you, Lilia. I’ll do my best! Now that you’ve said this much, I’ll definitely make Marius mine!”

“That’s the spirit. Aim to be the second wife!”

“Yeah!”

And so, unbeknownst to Marius, the situation progressed on its own.