I Will Break Off the Engagement Because I'm Jealous - The Untalented Villainess Who Rejected the Prince Searches for a Safe Haven with the Cheat Heroine - Chapter 3.4

Far from being useful, I have nothing at all. Those words kept spinning round and round in Emilia’s head. Even after thoroughly accompanying Zlight in his experiments, the depths of her chest felt hollowed out.

Having heard there was no problem with guests going out for walks, Emilia left the mansion and wandered outside alone. She checked her skills, like the Holy Sword, in a spacious part of the garden, then took a breath.

(I broke off the engagement with Prince Sieg on my own. There’s surely no place for me at my parents’ home either. I’m going to the Empire’s university, but even that’s only because I was invited along with Iris. I…)

She let out a deep sigh.

“What do I even want?”

The moment the prince confessed his love, she remembered her past life that day. Since then, she had lived desperately to avoid her ruinous fate and to be with Sieg. But after learning his true nature, Emilia could no longer believe in that love.

(Ruin… that’s right, I’m heading for ruin. I parted with His Highness and left my homeland. Isn’t it just like the game? The difference is—)

She tightly gripped the brooch at her chest—the “Dragonbird’s Tear.” It was proof of his betrayal. And proof of their—bond.

Something she wanted to crush yet cherished unbearably.

“Iris…”

The heroine who would journey to the Empire with her. The only thing left for Emilia was her friendship with Iris. But whenever she thought of Iris, a “muddled feeling” welled up in Emilia’s heart. The emotion she herself had named jealousy. It wasn’t just directed at Sieg, who was content with his position and indulged in others’ affection… it was even directed at Emilia herself. She couldn’t forgive herself for relying on Iris. She hated herself for being cared for and healed by her, for being so frivolous… she was jealous. Such twisted thoughts.

Scorched Emilia’s chest.

(Even if I say I want to be useful to Iris… she’s the “Maiden of Myriad Talents.” She can quickly learn to do anything herself. Eventually, there will be nothing left for me to help with. Unable to do anything for Iris, not even knowing what role I serve… such a me—)

Letting out a deep sigh, Emilia stopped walking.

“What should I do…?”

Her murmur was quickly carried away by the wind.

(Even if I can use this thing…)

Summoning the Holy Sword into her palm, Emilia gripped its hilt. The skill activated immediately, and the command to “slash” seemed to reverberate through her blood. Perhaps because she had been practicing swings as if it might be of some use, she felt somewhat accustomed to the skill but still, Emilia simply couldn’t bring herself to like this “someone else’s skill.” It felt like she was being controlled, and it was unbearably unpleasant.

(It won’t do for Iris’s sake.)

Pouring a little will into it, the Holy Sword vanished from her hand. Sighing softly, Emilia lifted her face.

“Exercising before dinner? Lady Emilia.”

Turning at the sound of footsteps crushing weeds, she saw Iris approaching.

“Iris, what are you doing there?”

“Does the skill still feel awkward?”

(Had she been watching me…?)

For a while, Emilia had been swinging the sword, fretting this way and that. Perhaps Iris had been watching from a distance. Feeling embarrassed, she averted her face.

“Yes. It’s somehow unpleasant. Like my body is being controlled by someone else’s will.”

“Ahh… maybe it’s because you acquired it through a path unrelated to blessings.”

When Emilia offered this almost as an excuse, Iris returned an unexpectedly proper answer.

“…Unrelated to blessings?”

It didn’t click for Emilia, so she asked back. Meeting her gaze, Iris smiled gently and approached.

“The common theory is that the spirits’ blessings that house skills are bestowed upon those suited to the spirit. Perhaps you and that Holy Sword’s spirit aren’t a good match.”

Iris gazed casually at the Holy Sword Emilia had summoned. Her explanation sank straight into Emilia’s heart, and she let out a small breath.

“Not a good match, huh… it is borrowed, after all.”

“Yes. So, I think the discomfort won’t fade until it becomes genuine.”

“——Genuine?”

Emilia caught her breath unintentionally and stared fixedly at Iris.

“Can it become that?”

Taking the sword from Emilia’s hand, Iris stepped back a little and swung it. A splendid slash—though it seemed slightly slow.

“The sword techniques the Holy Sword grants are amazing. They feel like slashes with no waste but you were using it better, Lady Emilia, so you’re closer to being genuine.”

“No, that’s ridiculous… you’ll eventually be able to do anything, won’t you?”

Indeed, Iris’s swordsmanship now seemed a bit plain. But she had a skill that allowed infinite growth. Accepting the Holy Sword offered hilt-first, Emilia tilted her head.

“Not ‘anything.’ It’s just that there’s no upper limit… there are things I’m suited for and not suited for. No matter how hard I try, I can’t catch up to what someone more suited than me is doing.”

(There are things even Iris can’t do?)

If she carefully considered the nature of the skill, Iris’s words certainly made sense. Emilia had only ever seen Iris “in the process of becoming able” or “already able.” But if her words were true, then it meant.

There were things even Iris couldn’t do.

And among them.

There might be things Emilia excelled at.

The “muddled feeling” swelled up enormously.

“Tell me, Iris! What can’t you do!?”

Dismissing the Holy Sword and drawing close, Emilia grabbed Iris’s shoulders and shook her. Whether from strong bewilderment, Iris’s face turned bright red… but Emilia, driven by the muddled feeling, had no room for restraint.

“Wh-what’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Lady Emilia!? Even if you ask me that…”

“There must be something! Something…!”

“Um, um…”

Pressed by Emilia’s intensity, Iris’s eyes darted about.

Her face lowered.

“B-bell peppers… I’m not good with them.”

A small murmur escaped her lips.

(So cute…)

Emilia unintentionally stared as if peering into her, gently stroking her slender shoulders. Her hand unconsciously went around the flustered girl’s back.

“That’s not it! Not that!”

She came to her senses. Her heart was pounding like a rapid bell, and she felt heat rising to her cheeks.

“Hah. Ah, well then. Spirit tools… using others’ skills, I’m not good with that. It seems I’m the type who wants to put in the effort myself. If there are too many examples, it throws me off.”

Iris collected herself and answered rapidly, flustered. Releasing her shoulders, Emilia clapped her hands.

“That’s it! … Hm? Too many examples…?”

“Yes.”

Savoring the answer, Emilia stared fixedly at her own hands.

(Examples…………)

The Holy Sword hidden within them. The skill dwelling in the sword. Staring at the spirit that must be there——

“More importantly, I came to call you for dinner, Lady Emilia.”

Her stomach rumbled loudly. The sunlight was beginning to turn red, and Emilia’s face flushed bright red as well.

“Th-that’s not it! It’s, yes, it’s Iris’s fault for always serving such delicious meals…!”

“Yes, yes, it’s my fault. The various cooking techniques I worked hard to acquire for your sake, Lady Emilia.”

Returning a charming smile to the excuse, Emilia couldn’t take her eyes off her.

“Please, do savor them.”

Emilia felt her face grow even hotter, right up to her ears.