Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

“While I won’t be directly participating in the hunt itself, protocol dictates carrying a weapon for the ceremonial aspects.”

“I see. But Luka already gave me one.”

“Huh? Since when did he start giving gifts?”

Rachel shot Luka, standing beside me, an accusatory glare brimming with envy.

Yet Luka merely shrugged, further fanning the flames of her indignation.

“Haha, but it was just a dagger Luka gifted me, so I suppose I should acquire a longsword as well.”

“Is that so?”

Dragged along by Rachel, I browsed the swords displayed against the walls.

Since Luka and Sir Heild already possessed cherished blades, they refrained from selecting additional weapons.

“Doesn’t this one look gorgeous, Ria?”

Rachel indicated an ornately bejeweled crossbow.

Its diminutive size suggested the bolts would likely scatter alongside the myriad gemstones adorning it upon firing.

Though Rachel wouldn’t actively hunt, such an extravagant armament befitted publicly flaunting her status as Princess.

“It seems quite suitable. And lightweight too.”

Now I merely needed to choose my own.

Surveying the sleek swords lining the walls, my gaze eventually settled upon an opulent frame housing a singular blade behind the shopkeeper.

Undoubtedly a masterwork, its history seemed incomparable to the other weapons present.

Slender enough for my petite frame to wield effortlessly, yet its honed edge appeared sharper than even the crudely oversized longswords displayed before it.

The ruby gemstones adorning its hilt emanated an archaic, hallowed radiance, as if imbued with ancient wisdom beyond mere decorative embellishments.

While covetous, the prominent ‘Not For Sale’ inscription dashed any fanciful notions.

Resigning myself, I turned to retrieve a reasonably lightweight rapier, intending to voice my selection.

Whurrr…

An unfamiliar sound made me jerk my head upwards inquisitively.

Scanning the vicinity to pinpoint its source, my eyes landed upon that very sword I had been admiring moments prior.

The strange whirring resonated from the blade itself.

Nobody else seemed to perceive the peculiar noise.

It was then that Luka’s voice rang out.

“How much for that one?”

He gestured towards the ornate display housing the enigmatic sword that had captivated me.

‘So Luka recognized its quality as well. But that’s clearly marked as not for sale – likely this establishment’s prized treasure…’

“Would 100 gold coins be a good deal?”

“Why, of course!”

I recoiled at the shopkeeper’s unexpectedly honeyed tone emanating from that gruff, muscular frame.

A hundred gold coins could evidently transform anyone into a silver-tongued charmer.

‘Then again, perhaps it’s not as priceless an artifact as it appears…’

“Truth be told, my late father instructed me never to part with this, his final bequest to me…!”

‘Ah, I should have known.’

“His parting words before his passing… Yet after some contemplation…”

‘You clearly gave it no contemplation! And it was his final request, no less…!’

“A hundred gold should surely meet with Father’s approval. He had embarked on a seaside sojourn to Tailru, so I am eager to convey this joyous news posthaste!”

A seaside vacation, was it… In any case, the old man would undoubtedly tan his hide upon returning.

Grinning broadly, the shopkeeper retrieved the blade from its display case.

It truly seemed to warrant the hefty price tag.

Laying the scabbard upon a crimson cloth, the shopkeeper’s demeanor grew solemn as he elaborated:

“This sword’s name is ‘Crimson Blade.’ While I am aware of its twin’s existence, its current whereabouts remain unknown to me.”

The red aura emanating from the blade befitted its appellation.

Tying the bundle with a golden cord, he continued:

“My stubborn father insisted on leaving it to gather dust within this display. But a blade is meant to shine in the hands of a swordsman, is it not? I wish to convey my apologies for confining it thus far.”

To my eyes, the sword seemed to almost vibrate in response to the shopkeeper’s words, though none present shared that perception.

Blinking forcefully, I reaffirmed an ordinary blade resting inertly upon the crimson cloth before the bundle was promptly handed to Luka.

“Moreover, in the hands of His Highness the Crown Prince, one fated to inscribe its next chapter, this blade shall undoubtedly radiate brilliantly anew.”

He had discerned Luka’s identity from the outset.

His gaze conveyed a genuine love for the sword, which he was entrusting to its new owner.

Presenting a 100-gold promissory note bearing the Imperial seal, Luka stated:

“This blade is not meant for me.”

Offering it to me instead, he explained:

“I sensed Ria resonating with the sword – a rare phenomenon. Undoubtedly, this is destined to be Ria’s blade.”

“A resonance! Then this is truly a joyous day…!”

Waving the promissory note gleefully, the shopkeeper’s countenance beamed with elation.

“Are you sure I can have this? I’m still just a novice at the practice yards…”

A hundred gold was enough to purchase an entire estate.

The sword in my grasp seemed to thrum from within the crimson cloth wrappings.

“I already possess the Greffin Imperial Family’s treasured blade. And Ria, you’ve been diligently pursuing swordsmanship, haven’t you? I saw your training at the practice yard that day.”

Was he referring to the time I had returned from practice, only for him to be awaiting me in the estate’s reception hall?

“This time, indulge your desires. I will support you.”

‘This time,’ he said.

Those words conjured recollections of the injuries and dejection I had endured in my previous life.

Nodding firmly, I replied:

“Well, I’ll do as you say.”

For that promising talent reduced to tears by wounds was no more – only I remained, alive and breathing.

The door chimed with the same crystalline jingle as upon our entry as it closed behind us.

Cradling the lavishly adorned crossbow, Rachel quippe:

 “How about ‘My Sister’s Double Life’ for the title?”

“What are you talking about?”

“If I ever write an autobiography, that shall be its title.”

Sir Heild joined in teasingly:

“Then for mine, ‘The Princess’s Double Life’ would… Yeowch!”

Playfully digging the heel of her stiletto into his foot with a grin, Rachel swiftly boarded her awaiting carriage as it arrived.

“It was great seeing you today, Ria! Let’s meet again soon!”

Waving animatedly alongside Sir Heild as the clip-clop of hooves faded into the distance.

Soon after, the Rayes carriage arrived, and we too departed.

The blazing red sun descended beyond the city skyline.

Leisurely breezes wafted through the carriage windows, tousling my hair.

Observing my disheveled appearance, Luka reached out, tucking the windswept strands behind my ear in a familiar gesture.

Grasping his hand, I remarked with a smile:

“You’re a good person, Luka. Not just towards me, but others as well. Promise you’ll become a benevolent ruler one day.”

Even without my prompting, he was destined to achieve prosperity for the Empire alongside Senia as an enlightened sovereign.

Yet would I still remain within this realm when he ultimately returned from the war?

I may need to venture abroad to seek a cure, potentially settling there permanently.

Hence, I wanted to say as many things as I could beforehand.

To apprise him of the immense responsibilities awaiting an imperial ruler, for this Greffin Empire stood upon the precipice of turbulence.

Consorts and villainous noble houses schemed to seize power, while the remnants of the magic nation eagerly awaited their opportunity to reignite war. All parts of the original novel.

What a wearisome burden awaited the protagonist. Stroking his hair, I murmured:

“Do you know what I mean?”

I couldn’t tell whether before me sat an endearing pup content to bask in affectionate caresses, or a fledgling predator poised to subjugate all beneath its supreme dominion.

“Yes, I will do so. Because these are Ria’s words, and I can do anything you ask of me.”

Yet those fleeting glimpses of feral ferocity still made me instinctively tense.

Seemingly aware, the maturing beast sought only my tender approval, resting its head upon my palm in a wordless plea for praise.

* * *

Upon returning to the Rayes estate, I dissuaded Luka from escorting me to my quarters, instead borrowing one of the Duchy’s carriages to send him back to the capital.

Not only was I running considerably late compared to the estimated return timing I had relayed to Dad via the attendants, but Luka’s presence would have…

Considering a father’s mindset regarding his daughter, it seemed the wiser choice.

My previous life had been no different in that regard.

Once, after a night of casual drinking, I had happened to cross paths with a close junior from the dojo, who had walked me home.

By sheer coincidence, my father had witnessed our chance encounter while returning from work.

His words upon arriving home eluded my hazy recollection, but it was along the lines of…

“Your seedling appears rather vibrant. I may need to prune it someday.”

Yes, something to that effect, if my memory served. But who…?

“Eep, since when?!”

Unbeknownst to me, Dad had been observing Luka’s departing carriage through the window behind me this entire time.

Did the man make any sound whatsoever? Startled, I hastily distanced myself from him.

“I’m sorry, you were worried I was late, right?”

Adopting a tearful expression, I initiated my plea for absolution, the surest path to receiving a pardon.

“Worry? I can’t help but worry, regardless of the circumstance.”

I had envisioned presenting a more mature demeanor befitting my age, yet it seemed a parent would forever see their child as a helpless infant.

Ruffling my hair with gentle affection, he smiled faintly and remarked:

“Just inform me in advance next time you’ll be late. You must be tired, so get some rest.”

Only after confirming my safe return did he retreat from the window.

* * *

Back in my room, I bathed, rinsing away the day’s exertions as if cleansing myself anew.

Garnett’s deft hands drying my tresses nearly lulled me into a somnolent trance. It had been an eventful day from dawn till dusk.

A day that could be aptly summarized as ‘Mission Accomplished.’

“You must be exhausted, Miss. I almost done drying your hair.”

“Mhmm…”

Garnett’s soothing tones blurred into white noise as slumber steadily claimed me.

-Thank you for being by my side.

Luka’s parting words before his departure resurfaced amidst the haze of impending sleep.

And I too, in that drowsy moment, had thoughtlessly mirrored the sentiment.