Chapter 4

"──Then, let's start with a feint, shall we?"

"A feint?"

What should I do? His Highness is already hyped up. He's planning to direct, write, and produce, even though I haven't given him permission to participate in my plan yet. If he starts talking about the glass mask or something, what should I do? I can't eat mud pies, after all...!

*

His Highness's plan is as follows.

"──Good afternoon, Lord Rihito. You're here, I see."

Greet Lord Rihito with a beautiful expression and angle. At this point, it's crucial not to be weak and say something like, "I'm sorry to bother you." It's important to be assertive, as if to say, "You must be happy to see me, right?" That's what His Highness said.

"Ah, ... Rose"

Lord Rihito was surprised by my appearance and greeted me with an awkward smile. I resisted the urge to glance at Lady Sonia, who was standing next to him, and walked over to Lord Rihito without taking my eyes off him. I touched his arm in a way that Lady Sonia could see and looked up at him with my blue eyes.

"Lord Rihito, I had the tea you gave me the other day with the Queen. It was absolutely delicious. I'll bring some pastries that go well with the tea leaves to the next tea party at the palace."

The ultimate move: 'Our private intimate topic' attack!

And smoothly transition to the 'I have a close relationship with his mother' attack!

Hm, how is it...? I'm not done yet...!!

"──Oh, who is that person?"

"A, ah, this is..."

"I'm Sonia Heldin!"

Oh no! Lady Sonia, wait for Lord Rihito to introduce you! Calm down!

There's no choice... Here comes the ultimate move: 'indirect insult' attack!

"──You seem to be a very... lively person."

In this case, "lively" means "lacking in manners." Keep it up, Lady Sonia!

As we were talking, the sound of people's voices carried on the wind. It seems our time is up. If I'm seen here by my friends, it will be troublesome.

We didn't get to talk much, but the final closing line... is still this.

I looked at Lady Sonia and tilted my head slightly toward Lord Rihito. Lady Sonia's eyebrows furrowed with worry.

"──I am Rose Adair. Lord Rihito's fiancée. Please be kind to me, Lady Sonia."

The final attack is 'I am the fiancée' for the finish.

The key is to imply 'You and Lord Rihito seem to be quite close' with the phrase 'be kind to me.' I smiled confidently with the dark smile that the director praised.

"A-ah, y-yes..."

Oh my! Lady Sonia looked a bit sad and taken aback! Director! The effect is excellent!

"Then, Lord Rihito. See you later."

"Ah... Rose. I'm sorry. See you later."

I gently released my hand from Lord Rihito's. He never returned the grip on my hand.

As I left, Lord Rihito's gaze remained fixed on Lady Sonia.

Being a villainess is tough... Supporting the two of them means I have to watch them be drawn to each other from the side.

*

Leaving Lord Rihito and Lady Sonia behind, I walked gracefully with my back straight to the shadow of the wall where the director was waiting. Even though Lord Rihito wasn't looking at me, I didn't want to show a pitiful appearance. I didn't want to look sad or lonely.

I walked deliberately slowly.

His Highness, who was leaning against the wall at our predetermined meeting place, had been watching me for some time. He was staring at me intently.

As I noticed his gaze, I felt the tension in my shoulders gradually ease with each step I took.

"──Director. How was it? My first step as a villainess."

With each step I took forward, His Highness also approached me.

The tall His Highness reached my side more quickly than I did.

His Highness has always been kind.

"Yes. You were so beautiful, I almost fell in love with you all over again. You were dignified and composed."

His Highness's finger wiped away a tear from my cheek.

"Yes. I didn't look pitiful at all, did I?"

"You are a fine villainess."

"Yes. A villainess."

The kind "Brother Richard" gently enveloped the tears that kept falling from my eyes.