The Beloved Fiancee Is Likely to Be the Villain - Chapter 24

8-10 minutes 08.07.2022

“I believe that Lars Druids, the son of the Duke is, is behind all this.”(Vincent)

“What? Master Lars is behind this?”(Serena)

　In a certain salon room with a ward set up, the only one who reacted to my quiet words was Miss Serena.

“I have known about it for a week now.”(Vincent)

“His Majesty the King gave you a hint, didn’t he?”(Raphael)

　 Harold was present at the dinner with Elizabeth, so he knew about it. And Raphael, who was standing next to Miss Serena, must have heard about it from his father via Lord Domenic.

　But it took me a week to accept the fact that Lars was in love with Elizabeth. I’m sure he could have be gentle with her. But when I thought about it again…..I’m glad that he was a scumbag.

　I was staring at the two of them with my eyes fixed, Miss Serena started to panic seeing me stare hard at her so I coughed.

“Lars is two years older than me, the same age as Miss Serena. That’s why I asked you to come.”

“I see. ……!”

　Miss Serena was nodding her head in a fighting pose as usual. She was so nervous in front of the noblemen that her body shrank.

　Whenever Raphael casually closed the distance, Miss Serena’s body would shrank even more and she would move to the opposite side of the sofa, which was pitiful. She glanced at Harold with a gaze that said ‘Help’. Harold silently stood in front of Raphael that indicated ‘Sit elsewhere’. Although his status dictates that he could sit beside Miss Serena, but looking at Harold’s scary eyes, Raphael sat away while looking a little disappointed.

He only looks disappointed and didn’t pay anymore attention to her. Even Harold, the count’s son, was nervous. Miss Serena took a deep breath.

“I am sure there are a few things that come to mind when you say that Lars-sama is using my novel. Of all the people I know, it was Lars-sama who said that Elizabeth-sama was similar to the ‘Star Maiden’. I remember because I was very surprised when the topic of my novel came up.”(Serena)

“It may have been Lars-sama who made it popular among the nobility. I can only testify from my memory, that Master Lars told me at a dinner party  that he would like to see “The Virgin of the Second Star” performed in a play.”(Harold)

　Harold added to Miss Serena’s testimony.

　”I see, I had wondered which enthusiastic fanatic idiot had done the play, but I would have felt less guilty if the Duke with royal connections had given the backing.”(Raphael)

“Mistress Serena, what else is there you want to talk about?”(Vincent)

“Ha, hai, what else is ……?”(Serena)

　I thought there were more information. However, Miss Serena glanced at me in a rigid pose. The subtle consideration in her gaze was filled with tension.

　Oh, I have a bad feeling.

“I mean, I think Master Lars has a thing for Lady Elizabeth. ……”

I know ……

　Oh, I knew it! That’s right.

　I was too scared to ask Elizabeth about the contents of the letter, but if he was still sending her letters of apology, it must be so he that doesn’t want any talk about it. The fact that the Duke of La Montrivere was writing a reply instead of his daughter means that Elizabeth was not thinking about him and that’s the end of it. In other words, Lars’ goal was to build a relationship beyond the apology but he failed. That’s why, he must have plotted the novel’s scenerio.

　I spent a week agonizing over it and splitting it. But it’s complicated again to hear it from a third party.

“Why am I so upset that another man likes my fiancé so much?”

“Because His Highness is a complicated man in so many ways ……”(Harold)

“Oh, so you can’t forgive someone other than yourself for being a potential husband for Lady Elizabeth, even though it’s in the past? Or maybe you don’t want to believe that someone other than yourself understands her charms?”(Raphael)

“Either way, he is so obssessive that it worries me.”(Harold)

You two. It’s rare that Raphael and Harold have a long conversation, but then they complained about me. I thought you guys were candidates for the future King’s entourage. You should stand up for me, comfort me and make me feel better.

　By the way, the reason I’m upset was because of both of the things that Raphael and Harold said.

　I was trying to keep my face composed as Miss Serena was looking very worried.

“Then, how did you know?”(Vincent)

“I told you earlier, Lars-sama was talking about my novel. So I was just curious and was following it with my eyes. …… That, the number of times Lars-sama looks at Elizabeth-sama.”(Serena)

“……”

“If she is mentioned one hundred times, he looks at her one hundred and three times.” 

“……”

“Your Highness …… are ……you….”

　Am I losing it?　No, I was trying to avoid contact with Elizabeth. I was trying to refrain from making too much contact with Elizabeth, and I was trying to save myself from staring too closely at her. If it hadn’t been for the novel’s commotion, I would have spent my breaks at the school with Elizabeth and stared at her about 10,000 times.

　After getting the information I started to analyze it a few dozen seconds, so my expression remained calm, but Miss Serena looked like she was about to start crying when I stopped moving with my arms crossed.

“I’m sorry, too, I knew this was ……”

“No, please don’t worry about it. It was necessary information to support the motives of Lord Lars.”

“I hope that’s all right. ……”

　I smiled as Serena, encouraged by Harold, she glanced at us less fearfully. 

“The most important thing is Lars-sama’s movement. He hasn’t been coming to school for the past few months.”(Harold)

　At Harold’s words, Miss Serena looked at me and nodded.

“The teacher explained that Master Lars is currently undergoing treatment for an illness and has switched to homeschooling.”(Serena)

“So he is not involved in the school’s troubles?”(Raphael)

　He was probably trying to manipulate Miss Ulysses into claiming that Lars himself knew nothing about it.

“Ah, but it looks like he may come at the coming-of-age party …… They handed out the seating chart, and your name is at the top of the list.” Raphael said pointing at me.

Oh.

“The climactic scene is indeed something everyone would like to see in person. It might be the perfect time to trap them.”(Raphael)

　Raphael put my inner thoughts into words.

　While ignoring Miss Serena’s curious look, Raphael turned his sharp gaze straight to me.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“……, of course I have.”

　The truth is, I hate it so much.

　I needed one more piece of conclusive evidence – proof that Miss Ulysses and Lars were behind this.

　I needed to get them let their guard down so I could catch them easily. That’s why I let them think the scenario was running smoothly.

　The next development was a private conversation event between me and Miss Ulysses. Through their bantering, the Crown Prince was touched by the purity of the heroine’s heart, and the two become intimate. I got dizzy just thinking about …….

　Serena, who was the author of the book, who was naturally familiar with the scenario, was looking at me with an indescribable expression on her face.

　But in order to drag Lars to the party, I had to get rid of Ulysses.

   I will use any means necessary to crush those who would harm this kingdom. That is what I, the next king, am prepared to do.

“What are your true intentions?”(Raphael)

“No matter what it takes, I will crush anyone who tries to tear Elizabeth and I apart. I will never allow it.”

　That’s the answer I’ve come up with over the past week. But I’m not one to say that with a big smile on my face.

“……”

Harold’s gaze was as cold as ever.

　I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, but I was going to do it. Well, I can at least use the emotion in my next love story, with Elizabeth, of course.

　Raphael laughed. Let him laugh.

“I’ll keep Edward and Luke away from Ulysses for a while.”

“Good.”

　At any rate, let the counterattack begin.

I think we will start it from next week.