I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Leaving Maria in her room, I returned to the gathering.

The atmosphere was still lively, and the discussion, led by Ricardo, had now transitioned to swordplay.

Aside from Ricardo, I doubted either of them had ever actually drawn a sword.

As I sat down, my eyes met Ricardo’s.

“…Don’t you think so, Winkaiser?”

Ricardo, about to say something when our eyes met, abruptly closed his mouth and turned his head at the voice calling him.

It was rather fortunate. I had things to attend to.

“It seems Maria has left her seat.”

Until a little while ago, I was with Maria, and I had left her alone, but I spoke to Raintar as if I knew nothing.

“Oh, yes.”

Looking at Maria’s empty seat, Raintar nodded.

“Poor thing. It must be difficult and unfamiliar, having just arrived in the capital and losing her mother.”

He sighed, looking at Maria’s empty seat as if expressing sympathy.

Of course, it wasn’t a mutter to himself but a message for Raintar to hear.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Seeing Raintar subtly nod in agreement with my words, it seemed he knew about my situation.

But he didn’t believe it. If he believed the rumors, he wouldn’t have treated me the way he did earlier.

Raintar simply didn’t want to engage in an awkward conversation.

“It must be tough for your sister.”

But his awkwardness wasn’t about my circumstances.

“That’s right.”

“Did you know the deceased well?”

“Oh, no. I’ve never met her.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, yes.”

I wanted to escape from this topic, but Raintar, unable to avoid it, just mumbled and lifted his glass without letting go.

“Well, I suppose you’re stuck in the middle.”

Understanding everything, I nodded.

And inwardly, I was contemplating whether Raintar’s claim that he had never seen Megi was true.

“Would you like more wine?”

“Yes, please.”

In reality, I had already had enough wine, but I nodded willingly to continue the conversation with Raintar.

As the ruby-red wine was poured into our empty glasses, our eyes met, and I consciously smiled.

To keep discussing a topic he disliked, I needed to maintain a friendly and kind attitude to win his favor.

“Actually, I’ve met the deceased before.”

“You mean Maria’s mother, Bianca?”

“Yes, on the day she passed away.”

Listening to my story, Raintar’s eyes widened as if hearing it for the first time.

It was genuinely innocent and naive. If that expression was a pretense, Raintar had a natural talent for acting.

“So, rumors started spreading because of that. I didn’t expect my goodwill to backfire like this.”

Wearing a truly bitter expression, he picked up his wine glass.

He gazed at the brilliant ruby color, slowly tilted the glass, and Raintar looked at me.

“Let me apologize on behalf.”

As soon as I set down the wine glass, an apology came from Raintar’s lips.

“What? Apology?”

“For the rumors…about that woman.”

Raintar’s face turned slightly red.

“I feel embarrassed just by having such a woman associated with my father, and I apologize for causing problems for Lady Bianca because of it.”

Whether the cause of his flushed face was embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t tell.

It might have been both.

And one thing was certain. Raintar did not like Megi.

I didn’t precisely understand the meaning of ‘such a woman,’ but whoever was referred to as ‘such a woman,’ Raintar didn’t seem to like that person.

“Lady Bianca has done a lot for Maria, and I apologize for any misunderstanding my sister may have caused by making such remarks. I’ll make sure to talk to Maria and clarify things.”

Raintar stared at me with a determined expression, as if asking for my trust.

“No need. Just your words are appreciated.”

I politely declined the offer, knowing that the problem I faced wasn’t something Raintar could resolve.

But I didn’t forget to send a grateful smile to Raintar.

He willingly showed me his embarrassment or frustration about Megi, to the point of considering murder. Whatever the motive was, at least there was one.

“Do you happen to know Angelica’s Pastry Shop?”

“Yes, I do. It’s famous for its cupcakes.”

Whether he was relieved that the topic had shifted, Raintar responded with a big smile.

“But personally, I think their cookies are better than the cupcakes. Especially the oatmeal cookies— not too sweet and very delicious. Perfect with milk or tea.”

“I see. I haven’t tried the oatmeal cookies yet, but I’ll make sure to do that next time.”

Raintar knew about Angelica’s Pastry Shop.

In that case, it would be possible to buy cupcakes from there, inject poison, and feed them to Megi.

Angelica’s Pastry Shop, being a place that only took orders, was perfect for carrying out such a plan from the beginning. Unfortunately, on that day, and precisely because I visited Angelica’s to buy cupcakes, I might have unwittingly caused the misunderstanding.

Perhaps what was discovered was not the cake I bought but someone else’s…

“…What do you think?”

Oh, shoot.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear Raintar’s words.

“Well…”

Unlike before, when I had just agreed to go along with the atmosphere and caused unnecessary misunderstandings with Maria, I didn’t do that this time. I just gave a slightly ambiguous smile and postponed my response. The flush that had faded from Raintar’s face earlier returned.

“Ah, of course, Lady Bianca must be busy. I’m not trying to pressure you. I just thought, since that place only takes reservations and Lady Bianca hasn’t tried the oatmeal cookies yet, it might be nice to mention it.”

I vaguely remembered talking about Angelica’s Pastry Shop.

“I’m not trying to burden you; I just wanted to spend a good time together… Oh, no! When I say a good time, I truly mean a good time. It’s not meant to convey any other meaning!”

Raintar’s face turned even redder.

Judging by his attitude, he was probably suggesting going together to enjoy Angelica’s oatmeal cookies.

“Speaking of good times, it got me thinking… I wonder if you’ve told Marquise my story?”

“What?”

Raintar, who was blushing and stumbling over his words, blinked.

“I mentioned before leaving today that I wanted to meet Lady Viscountess.”

“Oh, I see… that’s what you meant.”

“I’d like to meet her before I leave, whenever that may be.”

With a slightly bowed head, I looked at Raintar as if requesting his cooperation.

“I’ll ask my mother right away.”

Although it wasn’t an immediate request, Reintar abruptly stood up.

“Oh, would you?”

“Of course.”

I watched with great satisfaction as Raintar confidently left the banquet hall.

Thanks to Raintar, I would be able to meet Marquise, who had been absent since Maria’s arrival.

While contemplating what to ask her, as I turned my head, I unexpectedly made eye contact with Ricardo.

Surprisingly, his expression was…

Very, very fierce.

Discussing swordsmanship with people who hadn’t wielded a sword might not be entertaining, but there was no reason for such a menacing expression, right?

“Shall we take a short break and get some fresh air together?”

This time, as our eyes met, Ricardo didn’t hesitate to invite me.

And though his words were an invitation, his expression was closer to coercion.

‘Another new side of him.’

With my lips firmly sealed, it was clear that refusal wasn’t an option, looking at the piercing gaze Ricardo directed at me. What I thought when I saw that expression was, ‘Here’s another new side.’

I, who had always seen ‘indifferent Ricardo,’ had encountered ‘traumatized Ricardo’ due to the war.

I met ‘smiling Ricardo’ casually, ‘angry Ricardo’ who refused to break up, and the hurt Ricardo who was hurt by what I said.

And then there’s the sublime Ricardo who showed me faith a few days ago.

I thought there wouldn’t be any more new sides to Ricardo, but the way he showed himself now… I’d call it ‘ferocious Ricardo.’

If I kept discovering new aspects of him like this, would I ever see a ‘cute Ricardo’ or a ‘sensual Ricardo’?

“Do you dislike it?”

Instead of answering, I just stared at him, and Ricardo, with a slightly furrowed expression, spoke.

Perhaps, the expression he had just now was ‘sensual Ricardo’…

What am I even thinking!

“No, it’s not that I dislike it…”

I glanced behind me.

The two people who had never held a sword were now fervently debating about spears.

Certainly, it was about spears, something those two had never handled before.

“Well then, shall we stand for a moment?”

Ricardo extended his hand.

Before I could place my hand on his, he firmly gripped mine.

“Excuse us for a moment.”

Ricardo, wearing an external smile, raised me, seeking understanding from the people at the table.

Coincidentally, Maria was entering the room again.

Her gaze turned toward me, and standing beside me, Ricardo also looked at her.

“Are you leaving already?”

The Marquis of Wensbury asked, looking disappointed.

“No, not at all.”

Wanting to meet the Marquise and have a word with the Marquis of Wensbury alone, I answered quickly before Ricardo could say anything.

“I just want to get some fresh air for a bit.”

I expected Lord Wensbury to make a comment like how we looked good together or what a nice couple we made.

With a somewhat regretful expression, Lord Wensbury inquired, “Oh, is that so?”

I felt a bit embarrassed by Lord Wensbury’s words, but I secretly looked forward to them, as they were always pleasant to hear.

Especially now, I wanted to hear the story in front of Maria.

“Aah.”

However, Lord Wensbury nodded as if he understood and soon resumed talking with the person next to him.

Looking at Maria with a somewhat weakened spirit, I realized there was no need for that.

Maria’s gaze lingered on the hand that Ricardo held, with a sharp look as if she could cut off my wrist.

“Smile Love”