A Villainess? No, A Heinous Young Lady Chapter 11

    Today, Rozalia was in the library. The book she was going to borrow wasn't for her, but for Cade.

　—I wonder if a geography book is enough for him to understand the basic things about the Kingdom of Lestria. I want him to acquire even just the common knowledge of a noble...

　The story Cade confessed the other day was really interesting.

　Rozalia would like to hear more about the world of Japan where he was born, but she wished for him to learn the basics first.

    Cade seems to have no problem with this world's language, so he might be able to learn by reading books.

　Renwild teaches him about the basic societal system, law, and the state of the country, so Rozalia decided to help supplement his studies with her own comprehensive knowledge.

　However, at the same time, problems that need to be dealt with have emerged for Rozalia. Cade said that the people of this kingdom was written inside a story-based game and it's quite popular back in his world. The Rozalia that appears in the game is the villainess.

　—A villainess, a heroine, and capture targets...

　It's quite shocking to the point that it had almost made her laugh. On the other hand, Cade was seriously concerned for her because the villainess was the one that will eventually meet her demise.

　Cade told her that he had a younger sister in his previous life. The story was what his sister really liked very much, so he has a little bit of knowledge about it. However, it seems that he hardly remembers the contents because he wasn't interested in it.

　But Cade had warned her that Lutier was different.

　Lutier had an intense knowledge of the story. That knowledge could be used to predict the future that hasn't happened yet.

    "In the story, the main character, Lutier, was being harassed by the villainess, Rozalia Sertfell. I remember hearing that overcoming the trials with your favorite capture target will increase your affinity, so the incident with that first term test before must have had something to do with it."

　Rozalia remembered Cade having a troubled expression on his face when he learned about what happened to her.

　Gentle, serious, and compassionate. Despite being scared and nervous, he still thought of other people's circumstances before himself.

　The good impression Rozalia had on him when they first met wasn't a mistake.

　―I really do like Cade ... the more I know him, the more I fall for him...

　Cade said his previous life's memories are hazy and remembered only a little bit about his family, and what his life was like, but he was contented with his work and just being an ordinary person.

　Granted that he had never experience being a nobleman before, she was asked to talk to him informally whenever they're alone. Along with his innocent way of speaking, his stiff expression had became softer.

　Before he died in his previous life, he wasn't married and had no lover. Rozalia thought it was fortunate.

　In the past, Cade used to play with women, but if the person itself had changed rather than having amnesia, she wouldn't have to worry about him returning to his scandalous affairs.

　As Rozalia gleamed between the bookshelves, a person was approaching behind her.

    "Rozalia Sertfell. Why do you have a creepy smile on your face?"

　After Rozalia quickly fixed her expression and turned around, a brown-haired young man with a firm expression was standing before her.

　His height was just in line with Rozalia's eyes, and he looked rather delicate with his slender physique. The light brown hair was trimmed to a clean length, and the eyes that had the same color were large and delicate and tend to be slightly drooping. Perhaps because of his young age, his appearance was somehow lacking in masculinity.

    "Oh, so you knew me, student council president candidate, Lord Gerald Alba."

　Rozalia knew someone who matched the characteristics.

　It was Gerald Alba. He was a young man who is said to be the youngest candidate for the next student council president at the mere age of fourteen due to his extraordinary intellect.

    The Alba Earldom has produced many court officials since the founding. However, not one of them has made such a great achievement as to leave a mark in history as Gerald.

　With a prominent talent, Gerald carried the great expectations of the Alba Household.

    "Hmm. You got a perfect score for all subjects in the first term test, but it doesn't seem to be a great deal for you."

    "It was just pure luck, student council president candidate, Lord Gerald."

    "What do you mean? The academics test wasn't that easy that you can get a perfect score with mere luck. Even the first half was said to be a bit difficult."

    "Then, it must have been a coincidence, student council president candidate, Lord Gerald."

　After realizing that she was deliberately messing with him, Gerald's lips formed into a thin line.

    "Would you stop adding the student council president candidate every time?! Are you trying to pick a fight?!"

    "Didn't you pick a fight first when you said I had a creepy smile on my face?"

　Rozalia returned his anger with a graceful smile which made his face turned bright red. It seems that there is still a long way to go before she can pressure someone with just mere gestures.

    "It's quite rare that you're not with Lady Lutier today."

　However, Rozalia's words can definitely affect someone based on the perturbed look of the young lord.

　She knew of his name because she was aware that he was a member of Lutier's entourage.

　Alexis, Folse, and Gerald. Rozalia now seems to have made contact with all of her captive men.

　―In other words, he is also one of the "capture targets" that Cade mentioned...

　For a serious young man who just entered the academy this year, Lutier's cuteness and innocence had worked like a charm.

　For Gerald, who has the heavy responsibility of being a candidate for the next student council president, she was like a mysterious and free fairy.

　—Even if that fairy has a surprisingly cruel side, you'll still quite happy not knowing you're being deceived.

　Well, just try not to get hurt badly though.

    "Tsk— What a dislikable woman. You are far different from Lutier, who is kind, cheerful, and sympathizes with others. She said I'm a great candidate for the next student council president, and encourages me not to work too hard. Even though it was our first time meeting, she easily found out that I'm troubled―"

    "Yes, yes. I'm happy for you. Oh, by the way, Lord Gerald, do you need something from me? I already found the book that I wanted to borrow so I must return now."

　She wasn't interested in hearing about Lutier. He became more bright red when she implicitly told him she wanted to leave if he was of no use to her.

    "I came to look for reference materials! Then I happened to saw a strange face, so I called out. That's all!"

    "Is that so? Then I won't hold you back any longer."

　Continuing this barren dispute doesn't benefit her at all, so Rozalia quickly withdrew and walked towards the doorway.

　Along the way, she came across a sight that made her stop in her tracks.

　Towering in the corner of the reading section was a huge pile of books. Mountains of mountains of books.

　Gerald had gone past Rozalia and sits in front of the stunning piles of books. It seems that it was originally his seat.

    "... I heard that Lord Gerald is the top of his class. Still, why do you study this much?"

　When asked, he replied after giving her a quick glance while still writing on his notes.

    "I was at the top, but I couldn't get the perfect score because I made a few mistakes. I couldn't clearly understand what was the cause of my failure so I need to study this much."

　There was a question in the test that required profound reading, so it shouldn't be unreasonable for him to make mistakes.

　It would have been a feat for a noble to figure out the schemes of his opponent, but it's quite impossible for a young person who hasn't reach adulthood to understand that much. It would have been dreadful if there were such questions for the new student, Gerald to encounter.

　―But he is expected to overcome even that ...

　Drowning in the forest of books and immersing yourself in the sea of ​​prints.

　His cramped lifestyle was like looking at her old self. Rather than pity, it made her frustrated.

　Having a narrow view, and knowledge only within reach makes a person pitiful and empty.

　If only you had the courage to step out of that forest sooner, you would have more freedom outside.

    "... Weren't you thinking too much about the test that you got poor results?"

　Before she knew it, Rozalia approached Gerald and put her hand on one of the books, interrupting him.

    "The academy is certainly a place to learn. However, with your pace of learning, you'll get nowhere."

    "What did you say!?"

　Rozalia returned a cold stare at Gerald who stood up in a huff.

　If you only want to study, you can do it inside your room. However, that's not what he needs right now.

    "If you don't know the ways of the world, you won't get the answer. If you have time to be here, expand your horizon and make as many acquaintances as possible."

　Rozalia doesn't have to be liked as Lutier, so she can provoke him as much as she wants. That's the way of a villainess.

　Rozalia donned on a wicked smile that Cade will never have to see in his life.

    "Anyway, you're just clinging to Lady Lutier as you wish. Don't you have any friends in your class?"

    "I don't want to be told by you!"

　After she threw him those mocking words, Gerald bites like an angry puppy. Certainly, some of her classmates still talked about the incident last week and ridiculed her.

    "Oh, I have several friends... or maybe two..."

　If you think about it, Alexis is her foster brother, and Lutier is hardly a friend. Cade is not a classmate nor a student. For now, Renwild is her only friend in the classroom. 

    

    What's with this tomfoolery she had gotten herself into?

    "Huh! Who's the lonely one now!"

　Gerald snorted, looking quite haughty as if he had won.

　It's exactly what he says. However.

　Rozalia put her hand on her chest and smiled. The ice-blue eyes sparkled brightly.

　Immaturity was catching up to him. However, Rozalia had already set her foot in.

    "—Indeed, I am a lonely person. But at least, I have more freedom than you."

　Gerald lost his complexion with a smile that was about to crumble.

　He will know the meaning of the word "freedom" because it carries a lot of weight to the person known as the "Rose Princess".

　—Like me, once you realized it, without a doubt, you'll do whatever you desire.

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