I’m Sorry! (1)

No matter how much you struggle, time always flows. I’ve heard that a magician at their peak can stop time for a moment, but even that is just a brief pause, and eventually, time starts moving again.

But sometimes, people wish. Ah, if only time could just stop like this, how nice would that be! How wonderful it would be to stay in this moment forever!

And I felt the same way.

“Young Miss, Young Miss!”

“Yes, yes?”

“What are you doing, why aren’t you coming out?”

Muriel’s nagging is worse than usual. But this is understandable. Because today is the day of the Academy entrance exam.

The preparation is perfect. I’ve been diligently studying theory, and thanks to my father and brother’s teachings, I’m confident enough to take the practical exam.

“Young Miss!”

“It’s okay, we won’t be late.”

“You’re being too relaxed, Young Miss! We should go early to familiarize ourselves with other people and greet them!”

Eh, that’s bothersome. I just want to return home and live quietly once the original story ends. I know that connections are important in noble society. In fact, this applies similarly to the modern world I was originally from.

But for me, although it’s a bit presumptuous to say, there will be a pack of wolves that will cling to me even if I do nothing, and won’t that be enough? Anyway, my brother will be the next head of the family, and I’ll just be like a sack of barley hung up for decoration.

Of course, ladies of noble families have the ultimate means of political marriage. I’m in a similar situation, being engaged to Reinhardt. But after breaking off the engagement with him, I don’t want to be with anyone else and just live alone.

I don’t even want to marry a man in the first place! Being alone is the best! Those high-up people don’t understand that. Ah, come to think of it, aren’t I the daughter of a high-up person too? Oh? Oh my?

“Young Miss, hurry! Hurry!”

As I come out to the main gate, Muriel is frantically gesturing for me to hurry up. No, is there really a need to rush so much… We still have plenty of time until the exam starts, and we’ll arrive soon anyway.

The Academy’s location is quite far from the capital, but there’s a teleportation magic circle nearby, so it doesn’t take long to get there. Of course, using a teleportation magic circle isn’t common unless you’re a fairly powerful noble, but… this is the Walpurgis family.

One of the things the Walpurgis family does is manage the teleportation magic circles throughout the empire. The game is already over here. What’s the problem with us using a little of what we manage?

Of course, there would usually be issues. Especially since teleportation magic circles are facilities that even the imperial family keeps a close eye on, they’re extremely important. But the Walpurgis family has been loyal to the imperial family for generations and is recognized as a prestigious family. Naturally, they say we received permission to use the teleportation magic circles long ago.

This teleportation magic circle is now ours. We can use it as we please… well, not quite, but if we clearly state our purpose of use like now, we can generally use it. Instead, we have to provide the magical power used to operate the magic circle… I can activate it sufficiently by myself.

Anyway, because of this, we can reach the Academy quickly without having to rush like this. So, in reality, the only reason for us to go early is to form connections, as Muriel said. It’s really something I’m not interested in at all.

Muriel insisted that this is the main point, that it’s really important, but what can I do? These are words I don’t even want to hear with half an ear. As she says, what good would connections do for me?

Ah, it might be useful later when bullying the protagonist. But wouldn’t the pack of wolves I mentioned earlier be enough for that? Rather, having too proper connections might interfere with my villainess life.

I’m aiming for a position like a villainous lady who puts on airs moderately at the Academy. For someone like me, normal connections are a luxury.

‘Ugh…’

Honestly, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Thinking about what’s to come makes me feel uneasy and weird. I’m not so stupid as to not know why this is happening.

“Have a safe trip.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Saying goodbye to my father who came out to see me off, I moved slowly. The path I’m taking from now on will be very different from what I’ve done so far. Until now, I’ve lived pretty much as I pleased, thinking that I wouldn’t be greatly involved in the original story, but from now on, I have to align with the course of the original story.

It’s time to put into practice the things I’ve been putting off, thinking I’d ruin everything later. That’s right, it’s time.

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

As I got on the carriage and gave the signal, the coachman laughed heartily and moved the horses. Looking back at the mansion slowly fading into the distance, I took a deep breath.

From the moment this carriage arrives at the Academy, I have to thoroughly act as a villainess. The first stage where I can make the name of the villainess Ariel Walpurgis known. I can’t miss this opportunity.

“Young Miss, are you nervous?”

“Nervous? Well, yes.”

“Even you get nervous… I apologize for my rudeness.”

I chuckled softly at the sight of Muriel suddenly becoming formal. It’s nice to see Muriel becoming more comfortable with me as she spends more time with me. At some point, Muriel seems to be taking care of me not just as a simple master, but like a younger sister… I feel like some strange desire might surge up.

But I have to hold back. According to my plan, Muriel will eventually be disappointed and leave me. No, it’s not like I have misanthropy or anything, and I do have a hope that it won’t happen if possible, but I know that’s greedy.

“Muriel.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“Muriel…”

I paused for a moment while speaking. Several continuations come to mind here. Starting with asking if Muriel will always be on my side, to whether she doesn’t hate me, if she can trust me in the future, and so on…

But, I shouldn’t do that. From the moment I left the mansion, I become Ariel Walpurgis, not just Ariel. The villainess of the Arsian Chronicles. The main antagonist replacing the Demon King who barely even appeared. I must be faithful to that role.

“It’s nothing.”

“Young Miss? Is something the matter?”

Muriel asked with a strange expression, but I slowly shook my head. My worries are issues I can’t tell anyone about. To prevent the destruction of this world, I have to desperately act as a villainess. And not just a simple villainess, but an evil and vicious villainess like ‘Ariel’ who can’t help but be cursed at by those around her.

The protagonists in novels often called “ruined stories” must have experienced all this for real, right? I can’t help but feel respect. I’m already this nervous and scared just pretending, but they endured it for real…

But I have to do it. I must do it. All of this is ultimately for this world. Alright. Let’s do our best, Ariel.

“Huh?”

Suddenly feeling something touch my lips, I gently put it in my mouth, and a sweet taste started to spread.

“Wow…!”

It’s delicious. This is Mr. James’s cookie! Usually, I can’t eat much of it because I hear ominous things like eating too many sweets will make you fat!

As I couldn’t hide my joy, another one immediately came in.

‘Delicious!’

As expected, Mr. James’s cookies are always right. By the way, Mr. James is the chef at the mansion, and he’s not only good at cooking but also has expertise in baking and tea, so he’s practically a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to food.

Carefully nibbling on the cookie to avoid crumbs falling on the carriage floor, happiness doesn’t seem to want to leave.

“This kind of face suits you best, Young Miss.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I think Muriel just said something. I couldn’t hear properly because I was savoring the taste of the cookie.

“If you only eat cookies, your throat will get dry, so have some tea too.”

“Thank you.”

After moistening my throat with the tea Muriel handed me, I felt all was well. Needless to say, it’s thanks to the magic tool that acts as a thermos made by magic. I just call it a thermos for convenience.

“Even you get nervous sometimes, Young Miss. But your skills are real, so don’t worry too much.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

I don’t know how to respond to this sudden encouragement. But Muriel, as if she doesn’t care about my response, started pouring out incomprehensible words of comfort like have confidence, believe you can do it, I know best how hard you’ve worked as I’ve been watching you, so don’t worry too much.

Uh, well. I don’t understand how this happened either. I don’t get it.