Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess

Two weeks have passed since the beginning of the summer holidays.

Riefenstahl Castle is very comfortable. But, well, it really is a castle.

It doesnt feel like Im staying over at a friends house at all.

I wanted to talk normally with her like we did at school, but since Liselotte is always surrounded like with servants, its like shes a real princess Its a little hard to approach her.

Finne, it seems that you have become much more well-mannered recently?

As she said that, Lady Liselotte elegantly smiled.

No way. Theres no way I can measure up to this young ladys standards at all. Every time I move every gesture feels crude and I find myself blushing in shame.

As you are a guest in my home, I will be deeply troubled if you cannot properly participate in tea parties, Liselotte said that to me a few days ago, and although I was expecting some desperately harsh spartan training, even though she was firm, she kindly taught me as best she could.

The future Queen, Lady Liselotte, is a truly ideal person to learn from, but when I compare myself to her overflowing aura I sadly cant stand beside her at all.

I still have a long way to go.

As I said that, I sighed and slightly slouched in my chair.

Noticing how Lady Liselottes twitched as I did that, I straightened out my back again quickly and tried not to let my nervousness show on my face.

Yes, well done. But truly, I think you are quite a quick learner after all, Finne?

Even though Lady Liselotte said that, I definitely didnt think I was a fast learner at all.

When I was small, my mother had me play theMother and Daughter Pretend Princess Day]game every day for a week. Maybe because Lady Liselotte was acting just like how mother did when she was pretending to be a princess, I might have just remembered some old things

By the way, points were given for whenever I acted in a way that seemed princess-like and deducted when I didnt, and the quality of the food at dinner would change depending on how many points I had. My mothers judgements were way too strict, though, and after I eventually started crying about the food situation she ended the game.

I see, so there was some foundational learning. You certainly have a good mother, dont you? Even so, compared to my younger sisters, youre a very diligent and most importantly quiet student. Im particularly happy with how obedient you are.

Lady Liselotte said that with a straight face.

There were three other sisters in this house, all younger than Lady Liselotte.

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The twins Lady Adrina and Lady Katrina were both twelve years old, and the youngest Lady Cecilie was only nine.

Those three girls, who were out on a horse ride today, werent exactly obedient when it came to listening to Lady Liselotte.

They were still quite young so it couldnt really be helped, but thinking that Lady Liselotte was a bit too strict on them might be part of it as well. Whats more, the three of them were a bit more selfish and tomboyish than their older sister.

Even though Lady Liselotte had invited the three of them to the instructional tea party we were having, it seemed as if theyd taken their chance to escape.

Saying that, it definitely is rare to be alone with Lady Liselotte at a tea party like this, just the two of us. Usually, she manages to ensnare at least one more person.

By the way, I had something I wanted to ask you

I had been worrying about it at the academy for a while, and now after coming to this castle and seeing those three sisters, I felt even more worried than before.

Even though I know my place in society, those words that Bard-senpai had said the other day that had made me want to punch him still troubled me. I dont think its a good idea for someone who is supposed to be choosing a fiance to say things like that.

After letting everything out, Lady Liselotte frowned, her serious expression only looking sterner because of her sharp features.

After a deep, heavy and bitter sight, she finally opened her mouth to speak.

Im sorry Bard might be good with a sword, but he is as dunderheaded as it gets. Its possible that, even though hes saying such passionate things to you, he doesnt even realize himself that he is in love with you, Finne

Is that so?

He was far too straight forward to consider it flirting, so he was probably just saying what he thought were facts, like I thought.

But, being told that theres no one in this world as cute as me, that has to be more of an opinion than objective fact. Love was blind, right? If he knew what he was doing, then hes being insincere. If he doesnt know what hes doing, then thats even worse.

Unfortunately, it seems like it was the latter.

This is how Bard has always been. He has never really been aware of the subtleties of peoples feelings, not even his own. Rather, its as if he just lives on instinct

When she said that like she was at her wits end, a part of me I didnt control thought she was being too rude.

Uh, isnt that dangerous? Is it fine for a person like that to be the heir to the Marquis position?

Putting that strange feeling of mine aside, Lady Liselotte nodded soberly to my question.

We have always been a family that has valued brawn over brains since ancient times, so we have made sure to hire excellent clerks and secretaries to serve under and advise us for generations. Besides, Bard is keenly aware when it comes to detecting malice in people, so he should be able to manage it? Although that ability of his to sense the ill-intentions of others, Im not so sure it comes purely from wild instinct or his intuition honed through swordsmanship Well, in any case, I truly am sorry. I apologize for any inconvenience he has caused you.

As she lowered her head, I wonder how many people had Lady Liselotte ever bowed her head in apology like that too before?

No, its okay! I I know my place, after all. Its just that, um, Lady Liselotte, you gave me a warning not to be too familiar with a man who already has a fiancee, so if something happens again, can you intervene

As I said that weakly, Lady Liselotte looked up and gave me a strong look.

Ill pummel him for you.

T-thank you very much.

Pummel, as in, just with a talk, right?

Despite my worry about that, I was still grateful as Liselotte sighed languidly.

Having said that, that man, perhaps he really is starting to realize his feelings for Finne after all?

The hell was that?

Managing to stifle down the inexcusably rude reaction I almost let out, I listened to Lady Liselotte slowly speak.

As soon as the summer holidays began, I heard that Bard attempted to return our familys heirloom sword to father after meeting with him in the royal palace. Even though it hasnt been completely confirmed that he will inherit the position of Marquis, obviously such a thing couldnt be accepted. Father, who heavily dotes on Bard, managed to dry his eyes for long enough to force him to go home, but I wonder if he might fall down to the status of a commoner?

The look of ennui on her face perfectly said just how stupid she thought it all was.

Although I tried to answer her straight away, I noticed that my throat had somehow gone completely dry, so I only spoke slowly after taking a sip of tea.

That is ah it cant happen, right?

As I managed to choke out those words with much effort after getting some tea down my throat, Liselotte spoke as if she wouldnt really be too surprised.

I wonder about that? Although Bard was adopted into the main household as the eldest son, he has two younger brothers and one younger sister, so if there were some sort of scandal, such as falling in love with a common girl or some other fracas, he may find himself unavoidably disowned from the Riefenstahl family. His engagement with whichever of my sisters he chooses is still only a verbal agreement, after all.

W-wait a moment! I dont want anything like that to happen! Titles are maybe not that important, but to lose your entire family over something like that, its just too sad to bear!!

Thats right, isnt it

Saying that, Lady Liselotte trailed off into silence, sipping at her tea.

Not knowing what to say, I sipped at my tea too, but I couldnt taste it at all.

A strange silence blanketed over us.

Well, I understand. Ill tell as much to Bard.

As I was about to thank her, Lady Liselotte suddenly looked at me in a way that made me draw back awkwardly.

However Is it possible that?

Huh?

Well, say I tell Bard such a thing, the possibility that he suddenly realizes that he is truly in love with you and chooses to go against the wishes of the Riefenstahl family straight away are quite high, I think.

Lady Liselotte wasnt outright saying that she believed it would happen, but something in her voice made it seem like she was confident in that.

Even though we arent together at all?

It would make some sense if we were lovers, but I was just his underclassman. There was no need to get disowned over something like this.

I asked her that with a trembling voice, but Lady Liselotte just shook her head.

Hes the type of man who would put personal matters before his status when it came to something like this. Due to that, whether it was his position as successor, his family, my sisters, that sword, his knighthood or even you, Finne, if he truly desired one over all the others, he wouldnt hesitate to cast the rest aside. Thats truly what I think.

Thats thats really bad, isnt it?

I felt like I was on the verge of tears as I heard Lady Liselottes words.

It truly is no good. Thats why my sisters are always saying things like Theres no way we can marry big brother Bard! Because that guy, hes a blockhead! I dont want to marry him I dont want to marry him, I dont waaaaaaaaaaaant to marry big brother Bard!. Thats what I would hear the two twins say all the time. Of course, someone like Art would absolutely not do at all either

No, he really wouldnt.

That said, I felt like I could feel Lady Liselottes opinion of Bard-senpai dropping by the second.

Then then I what should I do?

When I asked her that, she turned around to answer me with a smile.

Why dont the two of you get happily married as commoners after all, then?

Thats impossible. I would think about everything that Bard-senpai threw away for my entire life. I dont think I could be truly happy if I felt like that.

As I answered her immediately, Lady Liselottes look of ennui returned as she sighed.

That is true, isnt it? Honestly, what should I do?

Was she asking me that?

Or was she asking the Goddess that bestowed a blessing on her?

I wanted to ask the Gods for help as well. Help me, God.