The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 45: The Reason She's a Saint

Chapter 45: The Reason She’s a Saint

“D-Don’t be rude to Alicia!”

Mariana, shaking and with eyes brimming with tears, glared at Edward.

“How can you be so judgmental when you don’t know anything?”

“I was just…” 

Overwhelmed by her fury, Edward was at a loss for words.

“I’ve heard a bit about the commotion…” 

Mariana said, her voice strained and breathing heavily. 

“I thought it was a terribly sad incident… If it were me, I probably could never return to the academy again, and I’d harbor a lot of resentment.”

But then Mariana continued, her voice shaking,

“Alicia came back, and no matter how bad her situation was, no matter what people said about her, she just quietly endured it and even smiled at me!”

Mariana couldn’t stop talking about how incredible Alicia was.

She compared herself, scared and trembling in front of nobles, to Alicia. Alicia was dealing with her past wrongs. Even though she was treated even worse than someone low-born like her, she must be in a lot of pain. But instead, she’s out there looking out for her.

“I couldn’t do that, not even if my parents ordered me to…”

“Mariana…” 

Alicia, touched, found herself tearing up too.

“That’s enough. I’m really sorry for making you say all that.”

“It’s okay! I’m not so low as to ignore my friend being treated terribly! If this means execution, then I’m ready to face hell or whatever comes my way!”

Wow, she’s the main character. 

She’s definitely the main character.

“Alicia, you’re strong, I admire you.”

“It’s nothing really…”

“No! Remember when you refused to let me heal your wound, saying it was a mark of battle? That’s when I decided I wanted to be by your side forever.” 

Mariana, wiping away her tears, held Alicia’s hand and declared.

“I’ll share all your wounds with you. And I’ll heal them.”

“Mariana… thank you…” 

Even Alicia couldn’t hold back her tears at this.

Is this what a saint looks like? 

Or perhaps, a girl destined to become one? 

Even if spoken impulsively, how many people could say such words in front of a crown prince? Especially someone traumatized by the fear of nobles.

There aren’t many, right? 

Those who stand up for others are truly strong. 

I always knew she had a strong heart given her circumstances, but I never imagined it was to this extent.

“I love you, Alicia…”

“Mariana, me too…”

In front of their embrace, I felt like I was just air.

My urge to lash out had completely disappeared, all because of Mariana’s fervor. 

It’s like that phenomenon where you suddenly cool down when someone else is more upset than you are. 

Or how you’re not scared anymore when someone else is freaking out in a haunted house. 

What’s that called again? It’s strange.

“Your Highness, she’s not at fault.” 

Alicia turned around to stand in front of Edward and stated clearly. 

“If this is about disrespect, I’ll take the responsibility.”

“No…” 

Edward’s gaze briefly shifted to the scar on Alicia’s left eye. 

That scar was the result of her own stubbornness. Forcing one’s way often leads to consequences elsewhere. 

The Alicia from the game had turned into a villain because she couldn’t accept reality, but the current Alicia is a strong woman who has embraced everything. She’s admirable. 

She’s so impressive, one might even call her a leader.

“Since I’m incognito today, officially, I’m not here in this car. So, there can’t be any charge of disrespect… no, I won’t allow it…” 

Edward somehow managed to get the words out. 

But saying such things doesn’t change the fact that his status as the crown prince automatically involves others in his affairs, though he decided not to say anything more. 

This prince is too soft. 

If he keeps rushing forward without thinking, he’ll surely lose something important. 

Or maybe he already has? 

Like Alicia, the strongest and most beautiful wife one could imagine! 

No going back to how things were before, so better leave before it’s too late! 

Of course, I couldn’t say that in front of Alicia, so I just flipped the bird in my mind as a form of silent protest.

“Your Highness, that’s enough, isn’t it? Let’s go back for today, shall we?”

Unexpected help came from Clive. 

He probably decided it was better to find a reason to return to the special car, considering he was acting as the Prince’s guard and staying in a regular car wasn’t ideal. 

There might also be a bit of wanting to leave because it’s awkward.

“No, I don’t want to do that. We’ve already paid for Clive’s fare as well. It’s only proper to stay in our seats until we reach our destination. It would be a waste otherwise.”

Huh. The Prince doesn’t want to leave because of the money? 

Probably his parents paid for all these seats, so it’s not really a waste.

“…But, isn’t it awkward to stay?”

“I’m sorry for making it awkward. I apologize for bringing up the past and saying things that were off the mark.” 

Edward said, genuinely bowing his head. 

“I am a crown prince who can apologize.”

That handsome smile and sparkling white teeth. 

Clive facepalmed and let out a big sigh at this.

But you know, depending on how people take that apology, it could be dangerous for commoners, right? 

Maybe stop with the death apologies.

“…Yeah?”

Even Alicia was puzzled by this. 

“You’ve changed. But I won’t ask for forgiveness regarding that matter, nor will I apologize. I don’t regret the path I’ve chosen. That much is certain.”

“W-Well, that’s fine with me…?”

Alicia, with a forced smile, replied to Edward, who was speaking with sparkling eyes, “That’s not really the point.” 

It seems like no matter what, the conversation just doesn’t get through to this stubborn prince who desperately doesn’t want to behave as a crown prince should.

“Your Highness, are you really not planning to go back?”

“No. The plan was for Clive to act as Patricia and practice escorting her in a general car, remember?” 

Edward seemed set on that idea. 

It looked like clearing out the area was part of that plan.

“I’ve been going along with it because I had to, but I really don’t want to do that here…” 

Everyone else around Edward, except for him, seemed to agree with Clive. 

It would be uncomfortable to witness such a weird thing happening right next to them. 

They should just do it in the special car.

“Are you breaking our promise? Clive, I thought we were best friends?” 

In my mind, I shouted, “Who’s the one who broke off an engagement?”

“Your Highness, there’s no point in staying incognito here anymore. Let’s just go back. We’ll play along in the special car, come on, let’s go!”

“Wait, the situation is important, Clive! I’m not being discriminatory. If anything, from the frontier, we could gather strong adventurers, like those from Brave―”

Was Clive really that against being made to play the role of Patricia in public? 

He grabbed Edward by the ear and dragged him away. 

In the game, Edward Gran Aetherdam was portrayed in detail as a prince who, while being part of dazzling prince scenarios, also tried to adapt to commoner culture alongside the commoner protagonist. 

Despite not being used to it, he made efforts to love commoner culture, trying his hand at cooking and making stuffed toys. 

Though he made many mistakes, he became increasingly domesticated.

Those who tried other routes in the game found themselves thinking, “Ah, Edward really is the best,” and their homing instinct would kick in, bringing them back to him. 

But knowing about this kind of practice behind the scenes made me feel indescribable. 

It’s silly but, there’s a fool right here.

“…Let’s just have some coffee for now.”

“Yeah. What should I say, royals are different, aren’t they?”

“It’s just him.”

“Agreed.”

We drank coffee in a really awkward atmosphere. 

Wait, did I just say “agreed” and nothing else this whole time?