Why Does This Keep Happening?! (1)

When I say treatment, it’s not like I’ve professionally learned healing techniques. For that, it’s quicker to go to the Holy Department. So what I can do is just simple treatment of abrasions or stopping bleeding.

However, even though Mari was in a mess, she didn’t have any particular wounds, so all I did was clean her up and use restoration magic on her uniform.

Of course, this restoration magic isn’t some omnipotent technique. It only works if not much time has passed since the damage occurred, it can’t restore something that’s been torn to shreds, it doesn’t work if there’s resistance to magic… there are various limitations.

But in a situation like this, it was an extremely useful magic. I’m glad I learned it just in case. Well done, past me!

“Th-thank you…!”

Seeing her bow so deeply that I thought her waist might break, I left the room quickly without saying anything. After all, while I was taking care of Mari, it had become dinner time. I have to go eat.

The entire way to the dining hall, I was overwhelmed by all sorts of thoughts and couldn’t maintain my composure. The more I reflected on what I had just done, the more I couldn’t understand it.

‘I must be crazy…’

Why did I step in to help Mari there? What will Mari think? It’s obvious. Where was this attitude when I was bullying her so much, and now I’m acting like this? She’ll think I’m crazy. I should have just not interfered. Why did I have to step in and cause unnecessary confusion?

This incident won’t change how Mari sees me. But there are concerns. As emphasized several times in the story, she has a very broad mind. There’s a good chance she might start some positive thinking. If that happens, the villainous image I’ve built up through insults and bullying might be shaken.

“Sigh… Should I have just taken the friend route instead?”

Being human, I sometimes have these thoughts. Maybe it would be better to ignore the original story and just be friends with Mari. Do you think I want to be hated? I’m doing this because I have no choice. I’m doing this to survive.

But thinking about it again, that won’t work. Being friends with Mari would be nice, but if that happens, there would be no one to touch Mari at the academy. In other words, the opportunity for Mari to grow using anger as a trigger would completely disappear.

For Mari, the best buff is anger. Why the protagonist is like this is something only the original author would know, but that’s how it is. And if I don’t give her that level of buff, it will be difficult later. Not just for Mari, but for everyone here.

In the end, we’re back to square one. I have to become the hated villainess to Mari, and Mari has to grow stronger by developing her fighting spirit while looking at me. This fact won’t change.

Let’s forget about what happened today. I should treat Mari as if nothing happened and naturally start bullying her again. Then Mari will probably dismiss it as a momentary whim and act like nothing happened.

“Inhale, exhale…”

As I calmed myself with deep breaths, I flinched at the sight of the dining hall entrance that suddenly appeared. When did I get here? I hope no one saw me just now?

When I hastily looked around, fortunately, the people around were too busy heading to the dining hall to spare a glance my way. It’s lucky there weren’t many people, if there were, someone would have surely looked this way, and if they had caught my appearance just now, I would have been too embarrassed to lift my face.

Phew, now that I’ve calmed down, shall we go eat? I wonder what’s for dinner tonight~

“Ariel.”

“Y-yes…?”

Suddenly hearing my name called, I naturally turned around to see Reinhardt standing there with his arms crossed. Huh? Why is Reinhardt here? And why is he suddenly calling me by my name?

Ah, right. He said to call each other comfortably. I had forgotten for a moment because of Mari’s incident.

“Ah, um… well…”

“I said it’s fine to call me comfortably. Anyway, were you planning to go alone?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. It seems I don’t have anyone to go with right now…”

“I see. Then let’s go together.”

“Yes, huh?”

Somehow it naturally became a flow of eating together, but I’m not sure if this is okay. Lunch is one thing, but if we eat dinner together too, what will people around us think!

“Look over there. It’s His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Walpurgis.”

See! Rumors are already…

“Just looking at them is a feast for the eyes.”

“They really look like a well-matched pair!”

Ah, right. Reinhardt and I are engaged, aren’t we? There’s nothing strange about us walking together. Rather, if we get along well together, there will be positive reactions. If my reputation was rock bottom, it might be different, but I overheard while talking to the noble young ladies earlier that everyone seems to think better of me than expected. Moreover, considering the words they used to subtly praise me when we parted…

‘Ah, I need to overturn my reputation quickly.’

This is not good. If my evaluation improves, it will be troublesome in many ways. There won’t be any room for Mari to squeeze in. Somehow, I need to lower this reputation…

“Ariel.”

“Y-yes?!”

“You don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

What’s this, why suddenly? You were so insistent about me being mindful of others’ gazes, and now you’re watching over me like this? This isn’t the modern world, is there a need for royalty to be concerned about every single gaze?!

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

“Is that so? Then let’s go. If we’re late, we won’t be able to eat much.”

“Huh?”

Something seems off about what he’s saying. Won’t be able to eat much? And why is he glancing at me while saying that? It’s like he’s saying it to me.

Surely he’s not actually saying it to me? D-don’t treat me like a pig! Of course, when delicious food comes out, I sometimes can’t help but eat without stopping, gobbling it up, but I think I’m maintaining my etiquette as a duke’s daughter, eating elegantly on the outside. As for the amount… isn’t it appropriate by adult male standards? Probably, right? My brother and father ate similarly or a bit more than me, so I should be fine, right? I’m sure that’s the case.

When we arrived at the dining hall, Reinhardt naturally started to escort me. He didn’t exactly get food for me, but he slightly stepped forward to prevent people from bumping into me, secured a seat first, and pulled out the chair for me… he showed various mannerly behaviors.

As the one receiving this treatment, I felt a bit burdened and slightly cringed, truly an ambivalent feeling.

“Then, let’s eat.”

“Yes, enjoy your meal.”

“You too.”

As we exchanged greetings and started eating… I could feel gazes from all directions. They’re just staring intensely. Is this what it feels like to be a TV in the dining hall?

‘Ah, whatever. I should just eat.’

Receiving gazes filled with all sorts of emotions, I quietly started my meal. Today’s menu is pasta with roasted chicken and salad. I took just enough not to leave leftovers and started by attacking the chicken first.

If I had my way, I’d like to tear into it whole wearing vinyl gloves, but there’s no way something like vinyl gloves exists in this world, and if I use my bare hands, it’s perfect for all kinds of gossip. With no choice, I started to slowly carve the meat using utensils…

“Let me do it for you.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Reinhardt took my knife and started carving the meat for me. As expected of the top student in the Swordsmanship Department, he carved the meat with godlike skill… Why is he suddenly doing this?

“Did something happen?”

“What do you mean all of a sudden?”

“You seem to be treating me especially well today.”

“Ariel. This is basic manners.”

Is that so? Is this normal between engaged couples? Come to think of it, it might be. What are fiancés? They’re a couple who have promised to marry. If nothing particular happens, they’ll go straight to marriage. Then, it might be natural to respect each other and maintain manners like this… maybe?

“I understand.”

Although I have absolutely no intention of getting lovey-dovey with a man, if it’s about maintaining manners, that’s a different story. Of course, I don’t intend to do crazy things like feeding him or serving him my food, but I’m willing to maintain etiquette at the dining table. For example…

“Have you finished already?”

“Yes. But don’t worry, you can eat slowly.”

“Would you like something to drink…”

“I can drink later.”

“You don’t have to.”

After wiping my mouth briefly, I got up and brought some water for Reinhardt. His expression became very strange.

“Ariel.”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

What’s with him, being so weird.