Is it wrong for me to like seeing the villain suffer [41]
“The House of Eliheim still thinks you've been kidnapped.”
'Isn't that a fact?'
This idea flashed in my mind, but I did not utter it. Rather, I contented myself with listening to Martha’s talk.
“There is no need to intentionally fuel hostility towards the House of Kaien. I think it would be best to announce the matter before they start acting annoyingly. What do you think?”
“Hmm...”
I pondered a little.
'Indeed, what she said is true.'
If the situation continued like this, not only the House of Eliheim would be affected, but the rest of the nobles would also have a negative impression of the House of Cain.
And on top of that…
'In this way, events may proceed as in the original novel.'
I mean the novel in which my brother Jin Alheim sneaks into the Caen Palace to rescue me, causing a rift between the three Caen brothers.
It is true that I did not die as in the novel, and that many things have changed, but it is better to cut off any possibility, no matter how small, from the beginning.
As for whether the Eliheims would accept the news of the marriage so smoothly... that was unknown.
"Okay. This is exciting!"
I answered firmly, and Martha looked somewhat surprised, perhaps thinking I would hesitate.
“When His Majesty the Emperor has fully recovered, I intend to hold a ceremony in which everyone will pray for the safety of the throne and the empire. I will announce the news of the marriage on that occasion.”
As would be expected from a thoughtful heroine like Martha, her plan was solid.
People are now looking at Kayin's house with suspicion because of the rumor of my kidnapping.
If a party was held in this light, no one would want to attend it.
'But if the ceremony is dedicated to the throne...'
Then those who fail to attend will be blamed.
Then the ceremony will be held immediately after the House of Cain has been credited with breaking the Emperor's curse, which will make the court itself more receptive, and thus it will be more difficult to be absent.
“It's a great idea. If we do this, even the House of Elheim will have to be careful.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Martha's face, as if she was saying, 'You get the point well.'
She added:
“Of course. The party bears the name of the throne, and no one would dare act rashly there.”
That is, the news of my marriage to Arkel, no matter how shocking it may seem, no one will dare stand in the middle of the hall and shout:
“I object to this marriage!”
She smiled, amazed at the accuracy of her plan.
‘I was confused when and how to reveal the news of the marriage... but then she cleared the entire stage for me.’
Then she said:
“Then let's tell Arkel and Naran about it at breakfast tomorrow.”
As I was about to leave her office, Martha called me and handed me a blank check:
“This is a reward for your effort in this matter. And I added to it the price for what you did by making the magician stick to his limits.”
This time too, the amount was enough to make me dizzy.
I quickly hid the check in my pocket.
“…I will try harder.”
I couldn't find any other answer.
Martha laughed as she took off her glasses and polished them with a handkerchief.
“Actually, I would have liked to hear an objective report on me after a long absence...”
What is meant by “objective report” is the exaggerated praise I used to lavish on her.
“Shall we start now?”
There is nothing I wouldn't do for Martha.
I had called up some of my old flattering comments in my head to reuse them, but Martha said calmly:
“No, it's okay. You must be tired. Get some rest now.”
'Even if she ordered me to lick her shoes, I would have...'
But I was actually really tired, so I smiled goodbye and left.
“Oh, right.”
I heard her voice from behind me.
“I will prepare a special wedding gift for you.”
‘……’
'Long live the heroine!'
Miss Martha Cain is the true light and salt of this world.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning, as she had promised, Martha announced at breakfast that she would give the party, at which she would announce my marriage to Arkell.
Arkell stopped moving for a moment, and the servants were somewhat surprised, and then quickly congratulated us sincerely.
“Now everyone will know that Lady Lizzy is from the Cayenne family!”
“And the House of Cayenne will be able to boast that Lady Lizzie belongs to them!”
There was joy among them...except for one person.
“…….”
Naran had a grim face, then suddenly stood up and tried hard to put a smile on his trembling lips.
“Mba… mba, mbro… mba… lizzie… damn it! I can’t!”
Then he turned and ran out of the hall.
The scene brought back memories of the first day I announced that I would marry Arkell.
"the curse!"
Even without seeing him, I knew who had followed him outside.
The first time I was confused, but the second time I didn't think it mattered anymore.
'I'll go later to calm down Naran and Sylvia.'
I thought as I continued eating the steak quietly.
I then realized that, without realizing it, I had begun to gain good experience in coexisting within the Cayenne family.
❖ ❖ ❖
After pampering Naran and Sylvia one by one, I went back to my room to spend some time alone.
'So far everything is going well.'
I have caught the magician - the goose that lays the golden eggs of the future - and tamed him.
Then I gained Martha's confidence by going to Kelston on her behalf, and, moreover, I received a generous allowance.
But why do I feel...
'As if something is missing...'
Oh!
I jumped up.
“My movie!!”
I was busy taking care of other things and didn't find time to watch it even once!
The offering stone was still hanging on the statue in the corner of the room.
I quickly took it and went to Hawan.
“Huan! It’s urgent! Can you teach me how to connect the clips together?!”
I opened the door suddenly as I spoke, and Awan was so frightened that he almost had a stroke.
Then he adjusted his glasses to calm him down and said:
“…You’re back fine then. Nice to see you again.”
And I realized that it was the first time I had seen him since my return from Kelston.
He had missed the breakfast table because he was busy, but apparently he had heard the news of my marriage to Arkell.
He said seriously:
“What worries me is that the ceremony will actually serve as your official debut into the Velvet Society, so in front of the other nobles...”
He wanted to expand the conversation, but I interrupted him:
“Now! I don’t care about nobles I don’t even know! Worrying from now on won’t change anything, so what’s the point of worrying about trivial matters like this?!”
“...but I'm still worried anyway-”
“I appreciate your concern, Huan, but what's the point of worrying? Whatever happens, it's my business to deal with.”
“…….”
“So quickly teach me how to connect syllables. I want to create a masterpiece that will never be repeated!”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but he gave a soft sigh and said, “Okay.”
With his help, I began to create, cut, and edit the clips I had collected in the gallery.
Thanks to my knowledge of horror movie rules, the work wasn't difficult, but what I didn't expect was that Hwan was an unbelievable coward.
"...Then you press this button- Ah!! Stop it, stop it quickly!"
“So this is the right button, right?”
“I told you to stop it right now!! I know you haven’t stopped it yet, I can still hear the sound!”
Because he would close his eyes and cover his ears in scenes that were not even scary, we did not finish working until evening fell.
“Thanks, Huan. I think I can now handle the stone on my own.”
“…….”
“Would you like to see the final version?”
“…No need.”
I felt his eyes grow paler.
When I was about to leave the office, he shouted in panic:
“Please don't close the door completely!”
So she left, leaving the door half open as he requested.
On my way to the room, as I was crossing the hallway, lightning lit up the sky behind the window.
'This is the perfect atmosphere for watching a horror movie!'
I was happy with the idea and moved quickly, but then a thought occurred to me:
“Let's go home and watch a movie together.”
'Ah, that's what I said to Arkel before.'
Does Arkle remember that promise?
'Should I offer to watch the movie together?'
❖ ❖ ❖
I went to Arkle's room, but it was empty.
So I asked one of the maids who passed by by chance, and she told me that he was in the training yard in the garden.
“Despite this heavy rain?!”
I asked her in surprise, and she nodded in confirmation.
"That's right. I think he won't be back for a few hours. Shall I inform him that Lady Lizzy has come to visit him?"
“Hmm…no, I’ll go to him myself.”
It may be an illusion, but since my return from Kelston Arkle has looked different.
He had been silent from the beginning, with a dark tinge to him, but he was even more somber now.
'It's as if he's deliberately avoiding me...'
'Does he want to annul the marriage contract?'
It was an annoying feeling.
'I'd better face him directly, that's the quickest way.'
With the maid's guidance, she headed to the training ground in the garden.
“From here, I will handle it alone.”
I said smiling, and took the umbrella from her at the garden gate.
The maid nodded back inside.
As I approached, I saw Erkel practicing fencing in the rain.
“Wow...”
Although the weather was not conducive to training, his movements were impressive enough to be admired.
Moreover, its view under the moonlight looked so enchanting that I forgot what I had come for.
****
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Here is the channel link. Take a screenshot and go to Google Lens from it:
https://t.me/+OedqgPvPKXoyZDFk