I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“Dear Aselbrant Cardisento, Your Royal Highness, I, Bianca of Crofford, your devoted subject, greet you. I hope you have been well.”

I bowed deeper than usual, carefully holding the hem of my skirt at the fingertips. Although my face was hidden as I bent down, I raised the corners of my mouth slightly, forming an elegant smile.

“I haven’t been particularly well. I wanted to dance with you last time, but we were interrupted. So, I haven’t been well at all.”

Here we go again.

“Just exchange pleasantries quickly. Would you mind coming over here to sit?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

When I raised my head, there he was, sitting with his back against the sofa, legs crossed, staring at me.

“What’s the matter? If you came to find me, it must be something significant, right?”

Like a ghost.

“Croft’s Viscountess wouldn’t seek me out unless there was a problem that couldn’t be solved. So, it’s probably not a money issue.”

His eyes, a probing shade of violet, scanned me. There was a hint of mischief in those narrowed eyes.

“For the soon-to-be daughter-in-law of the Duke of Winkaiser to seek me out instead of finding her own fiancé… it must be a matter of imperial importance, right?”

He slightly tilted his head and grinned as his lightly-pinked hair swayed.

“Yes.”

While answering, my eyes were fixed on his hair.

One of the main reasons I disliked him was precisely that. That unfortunate imperial crimson hair.

Pink has been my favorite color since I was a child, and it still was.

But why did this unlucky guy have pink hair? And why did it look so good on him?

I really… hate it.

“What is it?”

“It’s about some simple documents.”

“What? Are you asking me to manipulate documents for you?”

He said, furrowing his brows.

As if I had just told a horrific and disgusting story.

“It’s not manipulation. I just want it to be processed quickly.”

“Oh~ Are you asking me to abuse the power of the crown prince to ruthlessly execute the lower ranks?”

He said, wrinkling his face.

As if I had asked him something utterly dirty and repulsive.

“No, it’s just asking you to take a quick look at some paperwork.”

“Oh~ Are you bothering to ask me for something like that?”

No change at all, this guy.

It should have been a simple task for him, but he was being unnecessarily stern.

Although Asel was the person I knew who could resolve the paperwork issues for the orphanage in the fastest way among my contacts, I regretted coming to him and wished I had waited to find someone else.

“I apologize. I’ve said unnecessary things to the busy Crown Prince. I’ll leave you now, hoping you have a pleasant afternoon.”

“Oh, wait!”

As I tried to get up, Asel reached out to stop me.

“Shall we at least hear what you have to say?”

Smiling as if he were giving me some kind of favor, Asel grinned.

His skin was as flawless as if he’d never seen a sunburn in his life, his face as handsome as he hated to admit it, and his bright pink hair.

He looked like an angel when he was smiling.

“I’ll save the hard work and hassle for later, and since you’ve come all this way, let’s just talk.”

Except for that snout.

“I’ve personally decided to move the orphanage I sponsor to a new building.”

“Oh, I’ve heard about that, too, about how Bianca, the flower of Sprendo society, has finally lost her mind and is doing a good deed after all that luxury and indulgence.”

Well, except for that snout.

“But if the orphanage plans to move and it receives imperial sponsorship, the paperwork process is a bit complicated and may take a long time.”

“Oh, really?”

“So, Prince, could you lend a hand? Since it’s for the children who will become citizens of the empire and hope to live in a better place, wouldn’t the future Emperor naturally help?”

“Sure, as much as you need.”

I thought Asel would be persuasive…

“However, there’s a condition.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a universal law that if you’re going somewhere, you need to have a reason for coming in the first place, right?”

Asel said with a grin.

Another reason I disliked him came to mind. That clumsy human knew how to smile more brightly than I did, a woman.

“Yes. Then please tell me the condition.”

I said, recalling the birthday gifts Asel had demanded from me during our last encounter.

Things like asking for shoes from my regular shoe store that only dealt with women’s footwear or requesting a ring after finding a suitable piece of jewelry that would suit him.

So far, what Asel had asked of me wasn’t particularly difficult.

It was just his demanding requests that made me feel a bit annoyed, questioning, ‘Why do I have to do this?’ with a sense of self-loathing.
“Let’s see what useless things he’s going to say today,” Asel smiled as if he had been waiting for me to resign and opened his mouth.

“Call me brother.”

Did I mishear something?

“Tenderly, call me brother Asel~.”

Or has the Crown Prince gone mad?

“Come on, try it. Brother Asel~.”

“I’ll go back.”

“Oh, why! I’m your brother!”

“How can you be my brother? I’m an only child.”

“But in terms of age, I’m your brother!”

“We’re not related by blood!”

“But still, I’m a year older, right!”

It started again. I couldn’t understand why Asel was so obsessed with being one year older than me.

“I’ve never contested that you’re a year older than me.”

“But you’ve never treated me as the elder sibling.”

“What kind of treatment do you want?”

“For example…”

“For example?”

“…Respecting my opinions like you do to Ricardo?”

“….”

“Or giving me a respectful gaze, like you do to Ricardo?”

“…Aren’t you the Crown Prince?”

“But does that mean I’m inferior to Ricardo in every way?”

“Of course not. Your Highness, you have a higher status than Ricardo, more wealth, impressive knowledge, and excellent character as the future Emperor.”

“…Why does it sound like you’re mocking?”

“Not at all.”

“But it feels like you are?”

“It’s just your imagination.”

“But why did you choose Ricardo over me, even though I’m so excellent?”

“…Well.”

“Or have you become resentful since then? Because I didn’t choose you?”

Of course, it could be. The Crown Prince, who has everything in the world, may have been rejected for the first time.

But for a country’s Crown Prince, an individual, to still be sulking and seeking attention after ten years because of such an event seemed too petty and awkward.

Especially with such beautiful hair, a beautiful face, and a beautiful smile!

“….I feel like I’ve taken up too much of the busy Crown Prince’s time. I’ll take my leave.”

“Oh! No! Wait!”

As I rose from the couch again, Asel quickly reached out to stop me.

Looking at him quietly, Asel gestured to the chair, pointing for me to sit again.

“Fine. Considering your personality, I’ll lower the obstacles a bit.”

Asel regained his composure, smiling once I sat back down.

“Call me Asel.”

“….”

“You used to call me Asel before, right? Not Your Highness.”

“Well, that was when we were kids. Everyone called each other by their names.”

“Yeah. So, just call me Asel, like you used to.”

The obstacle had significantly lowered. It was merely calling him by his name, as if we were still kids.

‘That should be fine,’ I thought, adjusting my posture with a slight smile.

“Ah…”

I was about to call his name when my lips froze. The reason for my hesitation was the owner of that name.

Relaxing on the couch, his arm now propped against the armrest was casually supporting his chin. His lips were now biting his own thumb.

The playful and sometimes teasing Asel I knew had vanished, replaced by a slightly anxious expression. It was the first time I had seen him like this.

The lilac eyes, filled with eager anticipation and an intense focus, stared at me.

It was like an audience watching the final performance of a dying violinist.

Despite the stifling atmosphere in the room, excluding the temperature, and the serious concentration emanating from Asel, all I had to do was call his name.

‘Just that much,’ I thought, offering a slight smile and readjusting my posture.

“Quickly.”

Snapping his fingers, Asel urged me.

Strangely, it felt like it was him who prevented me from speaking.

It wasn’t a big deal. I just had to call Asel’s name.

Except for the room’s heated atmosphere, the rest was trivial. Yet, I couldn’t do it easily, especially with Asel staring so intensely.

“…Asel.”

I called his name, almost like letting out a sigh.

Asel’s eyes, which had been staring directly at me, closed. It was as if he wanted to conceal that scene of me calling his name in the depths of his eyes.

“Haah….”

A small breeze escaped from Asel’s lips. Though it fluttered, it was such a tiny wind that it couldn’t even shake a strand of my hair.

Slowly, almost painfully, Asel opened his eyes.

The violet reflected in my eyes somehow seemed darker than before, almost as if it shone more brightly than earlier.

“As you wished, Bianca.”

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Asel chuckled leisurely.

“If you need me again, tell me. I’ll listen anytime.”

“Will I have to call your name again next time?”

“Of course not. This time was special. Next time, you should call me oppa.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but I assure you, I won’t be visiting the Crown Prince’s residence again.”

“Joking.”

Asel laughed playfully, and the pink strands of hair shook. Like flowers swaying in the spring breeze.

“I’ll give you a magical spell, Bianca. If you call ‘Asel,’ everything you wish for will come true.”

This time, it wasn’t Asel’s hair but his whole face that seemed like a flower. He smiled.

Radiantly.

“Smile Love”