The Villainess' Fate Defying Story - Chapter 20

Sunday. The weather was good today, so it was the perfect day for an outing.

The academy had a vast site in the western part of the royal capital. And next to the academy, there was a thriving street scene in the Clores Kingdom.

The royal capital was not only lined with buildings, but also cared about entertainment, and there were many places for citizens to relax. The large square where they were now is one of them, a place where many people visit for a change of mood or a stroll on sunny days.

It was surrounded by a tree-lined road all around, but one side was connected to a large lake. The view from the top of a small hill was a soothing space. Also, there were street vendors selling snacks and drinks that could be taken out. It seemed to be a suitable place for dating.

The well-maintained flower beds were full of colorful flowers, and butterflies fluttered around them. After overlooking the lake, Rita declared.

“Wow, it’s really beautiful! Let’s go swimming in the summer!”

Maybe because the sea was too far from the royal capital, many children thought this lake was the sea. It was such a large lake that it would be crowded with people by the water in summer.

Rita casually said something outrageous and asked for her agreement, but could she spare her?

Trying to make Rize swim, who was extremely bad at swimming, was almost like implying murder.

“If you want to go, go by yourselves.”

“Rize! Let’s train hard this year!”

“No way.”

Rize put her hand on the wide handrail that prevented access to the lake and gazed at the water that shimmered in blue.

The spring wind was comfortable, and she could spot some paddle boats moving on the lake.

…Truly, it was a nest of couples who were swept up by the spring spirit.

She should have witnessed the same view here when she had newly arrived in here.

The feeling she got from her vision had changed a lot from a few weeks before.

Even when she encountered duos of unfamiliar people who seemed like couples in the street, she was always totally apathetic and uninterested.

But now she somehow tracked them with her gaze.

Even though there should be no jealousy there, her eyes would lock on them involuntarily.

Because she had no fascination or concern until now, maybe the configuration of her head had become warped?

She had never questioned that it was an occurrence that had no impact at all on her existence.

What in the world, where did she make a mistake…

She still had a persistent part at the bottom of her heart that was protesting.

It kept sounding a warning.

It’s futile, quit, be aware of your status, it’s pointless.

…After all, you’ll only suffer.

There’s no chance you’ll be picked.

She absentmindedly gazed at the sun rays bouncing off the water and dropped a sigh that appeared to creep on the earth.

Rita and Rina, who were admiring the view in the same manner beside her, had shining eyes, but she felt uneasy thinking that their emotions were totally different.

Rina, who always liked girly style, had a pale pink dress with a white sweater.

On the other hand, Rita, who was next to her, had boyish shorts and black leggings for a lively attire.

They looked the same, but their preferences were so different that it seemed almost intentional.

But it was a curious phenomenon that their vibe fitted perfectly with that.

Even if Rize put on their clothes, it would feel odd or uneasy.

They were siblings who had trouble sharing and swapping clothes.

Rize lowered her gaze and examined her own clothing.

She had no concern at all for fashion or anything like that, and she didn’t have many clothes to put on when going out.

A simple white shirt with a blue skirt over the knee. A very casual style with a jacket wrapped around her waist because she thought it would be chilly if the breeze was strong.

Even if they went out shopping together, they had different destinations, and even if they visited a clothes shop, they didn’t share the same liking. Their wardrobes were unfamiliar realms to each other.

She believed that their facial and physical features were not poor when she saw Rina and Rita.

But somehow she couldn’t take advantage of them.

She thinks that her face and body is not bad when she looks at Rina and Rita.

But somehow, she can’t make use of it.

If she had a slightly larger bust size, her normal outfit would look better on her. Although she wasn’t flat-chested, she didn’t stand out either.

She found herself imagining pointless things, like having a rich chest like Cassandra’s.

What made her body look good? The parts that were supposed to come out did so firmly, causing envy among women. She was shocked when she saw someone with an ideal body line.

Although she should have been eating luxurious things every day, her waist was still thin. Was she really the same species as that person?

“……”

She checked her wristwatch and saw that it was already five minutes past two. She still wasn’t sure if Jake would pass by today.

But her worries were soon put to rest.

“Hey, what a coincidence.”

The three girls standing in front of the fence were called out to from behind.

Even though she should have been fully prepared, her heart throbbed so much that she felt like it would come out of her mouth.

“Jake-sama, good day.”

Rina greeted him with her usual gentle smile.

“Hello!”

Rita looked over her shoulder with a slightly reluctant expression.

“What a coincidence, Jake-sama. Are you taking a walk too?”

She turned around and followed them for now. It was the first time she saw Jake in something other than his uniform. Except for the long sword sheath on his waist, he looked no different from the other youths strolling around the place. However, even though his attire was common, his vibe gave away that he was not a regular person. She couldn’t help but agree that he was an exceptional human.

It was not just his showy hair color that attracted attention, but his presence itself. It was strange that they were supposed to be the same people.

“What a nice day. I decided to stretch my legs here. Have you guys gotten familiar with this place yet?”

His interaction with them was so obvious, but he didn’t alter his expression at all. If any of their friends were observing the situation nearby, they wouldn’t assume that it was a meeting. On the other hand, it was bothersome to have to go through this much just to see a normal student.

There was a chance to speak to him at the academy, but it would be difficult to catch him if they both avoided each other.

“Do you have some spare time? How about taking a seat here?”

He motioned towards a wooden bench nearby that had ornate decorations on the backrest, matching the stylish setting. The bench had evenly spaced ornaments, meant for two people to sit comfortably.

Jake didn’t come to meet her. Rize, unsure of how to approach the situation, thought for a moment about what to do.

“Since Jake-sama kindly spoke to us, Rita, why don’t you sit here too? Come over here, come over here.”

Rize wondered where to seat her sister Rita. After some hesitation, Rize gestured for Rita to sit on the second bench from the edge, nudging her back when Rita tried to move to the edge.

Jake promptly sat down beside Rita and crossed his legs, as expected.

After seating Rita and Jake on the two-seater bench, Rize chose to sit with Rina on the next bench over, on Rita’s side.

“Rize, with this seating arrangement, how will you talk with him?”

Just before sitting down, Rina whispered in Rize’s ear with a worried expression.

With the seating arrangement of Rina, Rize, Rita, and Jake, it was impossible to speak to Jake at all. If she tried, she might be able to manage it somehow, but he would likely become endlessly irritated.

“It’s okay, this is fine.”

Anyway, even if she sat next to him, his interest now is biased towards Rita if Cassandra’s words are correct.

Rather, he came up with such a roundabout way to contact her because he wanted to see her sister.

She couldn’t bear to be treated as a nuisance by blocking him.

Jake didn’t even acknowledge her presence, only speaking to Rita who was seated next to him. Even Rina, who had greeted him enthusiastically at first, started to become more comfortable around him.

Jake’s stature and rank as a knight made him seem intimidating to others, but when Rize talked to him, she found him to be just a normal and relaxed person. She knew that Rita would also find him to be a simple and friendly partner.

Rize couldn’t help but wonder why she had put herself in this situation, but she didn’t know how to change it. For the time being, listening to Jake speak cheerfully was enough.

When Jake mentioned wanting to see Rita, Rize hoped that maybe he would pay attention to her as well if she was present. She knew it was wishful thinking, but she still held onto the possibility.

Plus, she didn’t know when she would have the chance to see him outside of the academy, so she took advantage of the opportunity to sit with him.

Beside Jake was Rita, so Rize couldn’t be annoyed with him. Despite her interest in Jake, Rize talked casually with Rina to avoid staring at him from her current position. Although Rina talked about a different subject, Rize felt guilty because she was absent-minded.

Rita and Jake’s conversation was the only thing Rize could hear distinctly. She had never paid much attention to people’s voices before, but Jake’s voice was simple and pleasant to the ear. His relaxed tone didn’t sound like that of an aristocratic young master. He spoke straightforwardly, and Rize thought he would get along well with Rita.

Even if Jake made a bad first impression, his behavior of acknowledging his mistake and apologizing without reluctance would be enough to erase it. Rize’s heart ached at the thought.

Cassandra’s words came to mind: “People’s emotions are easy to change.” Rize gripped her hand, which rested on her lap, and looked down.

Rita talked about Ralph every day, expressing her concern for him. Although Rita didn’t want to be a follower, she knew that she was constantly watching him during their classes.

She was annoyed that she didn’t study more seriously, but she seemed to enjoy herself every day.

She was clumsy and tomboyish, but she was a normal girl who dreamed of being a princess in a fairy tale.

What would happen if she happened to like Jake, who she can talk to normally now?

If that happens?

She couldn’t win against her…

“By the way.
You’re planning to take courses that involve physical skills next week, aren’t you?”

“No, I don’t intend to take those courses anytime soon.”

It was natural that she would pick courses that involve physical skills such as swordsmanship or martial arts in the optional courses that begin next week in the afternoon.

Jake would have expected that too, and before Cassandra gave her some tips, her choices were all about sports such as swordsmanship, equestrianism, and martial arts.

Table manners? Courtesy? What are those? Is it tasty? That’s how she recalls her attitude.

She never thought Rita would be interested in those things.

She decided for Ralph’s sake, and changed her elective courses with trembling fingers. she was moved when she saw that. Rize couldn’t say anything either.

She chuckled without any guilt, and Jake appeared to be surprised by her words.

“I will definitely choose swordsmanship…

And this year’s instructor, I heard he was specially invited by the division leader.

I know Linus too, he has a good skill. If you are interested, I highly recommend it.”

“Is that so? But I have other lectures that I want to take.
Too bad!”

Rita tapped her forehead with her finger.

She looked at her light-hearted reaction and realized that she had no clue.

She had no idea that Jake liked her and wanted to see her personally.

He was inviting her to take the same class, but she ignored him completely. My sister…

“Oh, by the way!
Since it’s a rare opportunity, I have something I want to ask you, Jake-sama!”

By the way…

He was saying that he wanted to take the same course with her, but this girl!

“What is it, being so formal?”

Rita suddenly took a fighting pose while sitting down.

Not only herself, but also her sisters had no experience in love.

That’s why they all crossed their arms and worried every day. She consulted Cassandra desperately, all because of that.

She has no experience or awareness of being loved by someone, or having someone’s affection.

It’s scary that even though she’s talking to Jake directly like this, she doesn’t notice even a hair’s breadth.

Maybe she just thinks of him as a workout buddy, someone she can talk to.

She knows because she’s been with her for a long time, her inability to read the mood.

She’s really insensitive…!

What is she going to say!?

Rize and Rina held their breath and waited for Rita’s next words.

“Jake-sama is Ralph-sama’s friend, right? If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to hear more about Ralph-sama!”

………

“…… huh?”

………

In the silence of darkness, only the sound of the wind echoed.

It suddenly got cold even though it was spring!

What is this unbearable atmosphere…!

She’s beyond insensitive, how could she bring up another guy’s name at a time like this!

There’s no malice or sarcasm in it, this is just her nature and she’s amazed.

“Hmm, I see”

But surprisingly, Jake didn’t change his expression or attitude at all.

As usual, he spoke to Rita in a carefree tone.

“Are you curious about Ralph? I’ll let you in on a secret. He told me once that he prefers girls like that one over there.”

“That one over there”. Jake extended his finger beyond Rita, beyond Rize, and aimed at Rina who was anxiously observing the scene.

“Eh, really? Re-really? I, why…!?”

They were expected to be ignored, totally out of the game. But unexpectedly they were pulled into the spotlight by him.

Rina, who was dragged into the scene, was so startled and bewildered that she nearly collapsed. Her eyes were rolling…!

Rina’s complexion became even whiter, and Rize seized her arm tightly and rose up violently. Everyone would be in a horrible emotional state if this went on. The confusion would be irreparable. She had to…she had to act fast!

“Jake-sama! There are beverages for sale over there! I’m parched, so I’ll get some for everyone. Rina, join me. I can’t hold them all alone.”

Pulling along Rina who was in a trance, Rize swiftly departed from the place. She yanked her sister’s arm and advanced with resolve, aiming for the stand that offered drinks with a fierce expression on her face.

Finally, Rize understood it. Could it be…this was more than a love triangle now?