The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 12

“Wh-what have I just done?”

I must have done something absolutely terrible.

Still held in Prince Folkhardt’s arms, both my mind and body had gone rigid. If it were just disrespect or rudeness, that would be one thing. But if this were seen as attempted assassination, I had to apologize, I steeled my heart.

“I’m so terribly sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, Lia.”

While stroking my trembling back, Prince Folkhardt looked down at Prince Etogal, who was standing there dumbfounded.

“Etogal. What you just saw never speak of it to anyone. Not even to His Majesty.”

“Huh!?”

“It’s to protect Lia. As a prince, you can do that, right?”

If it were known that I had nearly harmed the Crown Prince, I would be charged with a crime. Imagining the seven-year-old prince innocently talking about this sent a fresh chill down my spine.

“To protect Ria… Yes!”

Prince Etogal, clenching both fists tightly, seemed to switch his feelings as he spoke, looking up at me.

“Ria, are you hurt?”

“Y-yes.”

“That’s good…”

He, who had been so arrogant when he pulled my arm and made me fall, was now showing concern for me.

While I was happy to see his remarkable growth, my heart still wouldn’t stop pounding. An unsettling anxiety kept welling up, no matter how I tried to shake it off.

“Aha~n. I see now, I do.”

Enzo’s voice came from somewhere, sounding rather relaxed.

Hearing it, I pulled myself together, thinking I needed to take a deep breath. That voice had always saved me in times of trouble, so it was more reassuring than anything.

He was by the bookshelf against the wall, holding open the black leather-bound introductory magic book that Prince Folkhardt had previously explained to me. He lifted his face from the page, looked at me, and gave me an exaggerated smile.

“Lady Ria. I reckon you’ve grasped the principles of magic, haven’t you?”

“Huh? Yes.”

Thanks to Prince Folkhardt’s easy-to-understand explanation, I thought I had mostly grasped the basics.

“Hmm. In my understanding, even if ya understand the basics and principles of magic, that’s a different story from being able to use it. It takes talent and effort, and even with training, it’s not a guarantee you’ll be able to use it.”

Prince Folkhardt agreed with Enzo’s words.

“Enzo is right. Even in the Empire, those who can use magic are valuable. And even if one can use it, it’s not necessarily useful. It might be weak, hard to control as desired, or have no practical application, there are all sorts. Moreover, those skilled enough to teach are all eccentric and not suited to teaching others.”

“Your Highness, that sounds like a self-introduction~”

“Did you say something?”

“Nothing at all!”

Enzo, a dark mage, was allowed to become a ducal attendant simply by demonstrating his magic. That’s how rare a skill magic is.

Prince Folkhardt is not only the Crown Prince but also a user of ice magic. There are many people who feel threatened by his very existence.

“And so, as expected of my master! Ya learned it and were able to use it right away, is that it?”

“En…”

“It’s fiiine! No need to worry. And if ya go against fate again, it’ll be fiiine. ‘Cause I’m here.”

Enzo was subtly implying it was because I had the makings of a villain. We had thought that all my knowledge, education, and even my appearance were things I was endowed with to position me as the strongest ‘villain’ in this story.

This time, magic had simply been added to that. If so, then I just needed to resist my ‘role’ as I had been doing and steer things in a good direction.

“Yes. Please teach me various things.”

If I could see the direction, I could persevere. I was finally able to lift my face. Then, a pair of light blue eyes appeared right in front of me.

“I’m here too, Ria.”

“Lord Hal.”

“When it comes to magic, ask me first. His magic is of a different nature from this world’s magic system.”

Now, I not only had Enzo but also Prince Folkhardt. Nothing could be more reassuring.

“The basics are important. I can teach you properly. We’ll practice properly later.”

“Yes!”

“Guhoh~! He’s even asserting dominance over the attendant! The doting route is confirmed, it’s heeeere!!”

Prince Etogal, seeing Enzo shouting incomprehensible things while hopping around on the spot, muttered with a cold look,

“Weird guy.”

I couldn’t help but snort and my breath hit Prince Folkhardt’s neck.

“Haha. That tickles.”

“Oh dear! Um! I’m quite alright now. Please put me down.”

However, Prince Folkhardt showed no sign of putting me down and began walking back to his room.

“Lord Hal!?”

“No, I’m worried, so let’s stay together like this today. Even if you use fire magic again, I can immediately suppress it with my ice.”

“Like this… Huh!?”

(You mean, still holding me!?)

“Yeah. And while we’re at it, take a look at these report documents. If you notice anything, let me know.”

His profile, as he briskly returned to his desk, was different from his usual expressionless self, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.

(Is he telling me to help with his work!?)

“Classified information! Isn’t it!?”

When I cried out in agitation, Michel, who had been standing in the corner of the room, widened his eyes. He looked utterly shocked, perhaps because the words coming from a four-year-old’s mouth were inappropriate, or because I was opposing Prince Folkhardt. Or maybe both.

Prince Folkhardt grinned further, the corners of his mouth rising even more, and declared in a tone that brooked no argument.

“It’s fine. You’re my fiancée, aren’t you?”

Without waiting for my reply, I found myself seated on his lap as he took his chair. An arm was wrapped around my waist, making escape utterly impossible.

Michel was making a complicated face. Probably half worry and half amusement.

“Wow! I’ve never seen Brother make a face like that.”

“Uhyooo! Lap desk work event, so moe! Ku~, I’m burning this into my eyes!”

“…Still a weird guy.”

Having the two of them peeking in from the study doorway together was also unsettling.

“Um, um, Lord Hal.”

“What is it?”

“Could you please, at the very least, put me down?”

I got so flustered I nearly bit my tongue again.

“If I put you down, you won’t be able to see the documents, will you?”

“Ugh.”

Feeling he’d hit a sore spot, I casually let my eyes run over the documents piled on the desk, and something caught my attention.

(What’s this?)

Trying to identify what had snagged in my field of vision, I peered closely—

“This, is—”

“So it’s come, as expected.”

“Lord Hal!”

“Yeah. I thought it would be coming soon. That’s why I wanted to show it to Ria in its unaltered state.”

“Th-thank you for your consideration.”

The envelope Prince Folkhardt picked up bore a seal with a design of a shield and key. That crest of the Chevran Royal Family represents the clan that protects the Jewel Spring.

“I’m opening it.”

I just stared as he inserted a paper knife and ripped open the top of the envelope in one swift motion. My heart began to stir with unease again. Just what would it say?

Prince Folkhardt, having read through it first, spread the paper out before me.

“Hmph. Read it.”

“Yes.”

The sender was Marcel Chevran, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Chevran. The contents, written in the roundabout expressions nobles so love, said this:

‘If the western storm does not abate, might the Offering have some cause for concern? Let us discuss how to quell it. As the next king of the Jewel Kingdom, let us now share a cup.’

(In other words, from Chevran’s perspective, the deployment of the Imperial Knights on the western border is not something they can overlook. Chevran, concerned about this, is trying to escape the tense situation through interaction between their Crown Prince and Lord Hal. That prince doesn’t have that much skill, yet he thinks quite highly of himself, doesn’t he?)

“Perfect timing. People around me have been getting noisy, asking when your debut will be.”

“Is that so?”

“East Capital is a good city.”

East Capital is a major city near the Empire’s eastern border. It’s a key hub for transportation and trade, where Chevran’s jewels are also exported.

“You’ll go?”

It was unexpected. I thought he’d refuse.

“I want to personally peel the faces off those who have hurt Lia.”

Prince Folkhardt’s face was expressionless, but something was overflowing from within him.

“You seem lively.”

“Do I?”

This person might also have the makings of a villain, the shiver that ran down my spine probably wasn’t due to his ice magic.