Chapter 154 Shall We？
In the early morning, a pair of birds flew across the still, white sky.
Their path stretched toward the east of Asgardam.
Coincidentally, it lined up with the direction of the secret path her servant had mentioned.
He wonders if they can see those 2 birds as well.
Those sentimental feelings were nothing but a pointless worry.
No need to be troubled.
There should be no more reaching out to capture Lisemone.
Because she had willingly offered that chance up to the witch.
"Wow... that's the Reskuvan mansion."
"..."
Standing in front of the great mansion of Nobletown, the small man beside her spoke with a nervous voice.
He was too unreliable to entrust with the escort, but there was no choice.
Being a part of the Twelve Seats, the mansion was grand enough to be overwhelming just from the outside.
Shouk's reaction was quite natural.
However, the woman showed not a hint of unease.
(It's not quite nostalgic, but still...)
For her, it made sense.
After all, this was the place she would live in, the "place she was supposed to have lived."
So feeling anxious about the size of the mansion was impossible.
Such a basic 'setting contradiction' was something she wouldn't mess up now.
"Let's go."
"Huh? Wait... damn, I'm not ready for this!"
The script was set.
The performance had been decided.
Her heart was already prepared.
Right down to her fingertips.
Now, all that was left was to fully unleash her true self.
As they approached the entrance of the mansion, the guard frowned.
In her heart, she whispered the opening lines.
(Alright, let's begin.)
Like raising a curtain, she pulled back her hood.
The summer breeze tumbled down the slope, tousling her beige hair, dyed a lighter color.
The guard, who seemed to be watching her, suddenly perked up.
"L-Lady Lisemone!"
"..."
The morning quiet was shattered by the call, and the "young lady" lowered her brow, looking weak.
She slightly bent her knees and clasped her hands in front of her.
She knew well that this was her habit whenever she felt guilty.
"Welcome back!"
"I caused you trouble because of my own selfishness. I am very sorry."
"N-no, it's fine. More importantly, who is this person here?"
"My benefactor who changed my mind~."
"...Greeting."
"I see... um, miss. What happened to your hair?"
"...Please, can you not ask about it?"
"Ah! I apologize for my rudeness."
He seems like a polite and honest man.
Maybe he thought he shouldn't upset the young lady.
His choice not to ask deeply about Shouk or her short hair was lucky for her.
Plus, he felt "good" about it.
Looking at the guard, he showed no sign of noticing anything.
When asked to open the gate, the guard pushed the iron gate without hesitation.
"...Scary."
Shouk, who knew the truth, whispered with wide eyes.
But the woman thought, if you work outside the mansion, this is how it is.
With a heavy creaking sound, the path to the mansion opened.
The Reskuvan mansion must be filled with those who know the past of Lisemone well.
The young lady quietly closed her eyes.
Behind her eyelids, names, ranks, features, and general personalities of people from 'the past' to 'the future' floated like bubbles, rising and disappearing.
"Thank you."
"No, no need for thanks... Anyway, it is a blessing that you have returned, miss. The guard may think otherwise, but I feel a little lighter now."
"...Blessing?"
"Yes, that's right, but... W-wait, miss! You didn't come back because you heard about the master, did you?!"
"...About my father, you mean?"
"No, um, I can't say it myself. It would be better to hear it from the head maid..."
"It's fine. Please, tell me."
"Uh, y-yes."
But, just like with Joosa,
it seems that bad news never goes smoothly.
The guard's face, clouded with guilt, made her heart stir with unease.
"The master was... assassinated last night by someone."
And her premonition came true.
Dark clouds gather on the road ahead.
(Ah, this is troublesome.)
While Shouk stared in shock next to her, he struggled to keep his head down and maintain his mask.
The chance that rolled in already seemed to show signs of difficulty.
But strangely, the sudden bad news brought a weird sense of acceptance.
Ah, it's true that a villain who seduces a princess can't just gain glory.
The fates of ordinary villains in fairy tales are always grim.
So, the path ahead is undeniably thorny.
It must be part of the devil's contract too.
(Carpe Diem. Pain comes only because I'm alive.)
But for some reason, he's not panicking at all.
In fact, he felt like laughing.
He can't believe she resemble that girl so much, even here.
It's so ironic, a clever little comedy.
'A hero is too much for a conceited wicked woman.'
(Yes. I gladly accept.)
If the wish of love comes true, he'll willingly close his eyes.
Relying on the fire in his heart, he will walk the thorny path.
Carpe Diem.
Embracing these irresponsible and ruthless words is the foolish resolve of a woman deciding to face the stage once more.
While tracing the playful words from that night, the villainess stepped into the darkness just ahead.
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