I Favor the Villainess Chapter 4Wedding

Claire-sama once said.

That rather than the ritualistic connotation, wedding has a stronger personal connotation.

The meaning of wedding is to vow to live together to each other’s relatives – that was what Claire-sama was saying.

I am reflecting on that meaning now.

“Are you nervous?”

Claire-sama next to me talked to me with amused eyes, like she was seeing something unusual.

Her face is covered with a veil.

“… It seems I am”

“So it can even happen to Rei. I thought there is nothing you are afraid of”

“That is not true. There are lots of things I find frightening”

“Fufu, that would be so. Rei is a human after all”

“For example, Claire-sama drinking alcohol”

“My drunken behavior is not that bad!?”

“I’m scared because you’re too cute”

“W, what foolish thing are you saying… Here”

Saying that it’s alright, Claire-sama’s hand clad in a white glove grasped my hand.

I also gently grasped back.

Today is Claire-sama’s and my wedding.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Hey, Rei. It is about time, is it not?”

As we gradually got used to our new life and our teachers work settled down, Claire-sama suddenly said such a thing.

The time is evening.

When I looked around while sitting on a chair placed on a balcony, I saw the sky had gotten considerably dark.

Mei and Alea are chasing Relaire around the garden, the very moment when I thought of telling them to get back inside, that happened.

“Excuse me. About time for what?”

Not knowing what she meant, I asked upfront.

Saying that I am dull, Claire-sama made a slightly sulky face.

“For the wedding. I have already found my way of life”

“Aah”

Claire-sama did talk about wanting to have a wedding before.

At that time Claire-sama looked impatient, and when thoroughly questioned she turned out to be uneasy that she wasn’t a noble anymore.

And so I proposed to hold a wedding after Claire-sama found a new way of life.

Since then, we got jobs as teachers at the Royal Academy and got new family members called Mei and Alea.

It may be said we established a whole new way of life in the post-revolutionary world.

“My friends from the academy days also say their lives have considerably calmed down. They will be able to come to the ceremony now. We also received our pay, so we can invite Rei’s parents too”

That’s why, it’s fine, right, Claire-sama cutely pleaded.

Is she an angel.

“You’re right. It might be just the right time”

“Then…?”

“Yes”

I stood up from the chair and approached Claire-sama.

I got on my knee and took her hand.

“Will you marry me, Claire-sama?”

“… Yes!”

Claire-sama made just a little surprised face at first, then she smiled like a large-flowered rose.

“Claire-okaasama and Rei-okaasama will marry?”

“There will be a wedding?”

Having heard it with their sharp ears, Mei and Alea came here riding on Relaire.

“Yup. Could you both attend?”

“Of course!”

“I will make sure to!”

Both of them cheered, Marriage, marriage.

Somehow it’s embarrassing.

“Now that we decided, we have to prepare. First of all, we have to determine the day. I wonder if two months would be enough to prepare”

“Let’s see. We’re not going to make it that splendid, so that long should be enough”

Since then, both of us spent all our time on wedding preparations.

The ceremony venue we chose is not a church, but a restaurant affiliated with Frater.

Because it’s not a ceremony where we make vows before God but a civil style one, it doesn’t need to take place in a church.

Rather, the Spirit Church is still skeptical about same-sex marriage, so we cannot have the ceremony in a church.

Still, with Lene’s cooperation, we were able to rent a considerably good restaurant affiliated with Frater.

We sent invitations to Dor-sama, Lene, Lambert-sama, Claire-sama’s friends from the academy days, my parents, and Misha.

Due to the social status difference now that Claire-sama has become an ordinary citizen, we decided to leave out the three princes and Manaria-sama.

Of course, instead of written invitations, we sent them letters reporting that we are getting married.

Unfortunately we couldn’t get in touch with Lily-sama whose whereabouts are unknown as she’s wandering about, so we had no choice but to give up.

“We have no choice but to rent a dress from a rental clothes shop”

“You are right… At times like these, I wish I could sew”

“I think wedding dress normally aren’t in the category of sewing…”

It’s another story that after such conversations Claire-sama began to sew earnestly.

◆◇◆◇◆

And like that the two months passed in no time, and the wedding day has finally come.

The guests have already gathered in the restaurant that has become the ceremonial hall.

While I and Claire-sama were being dressed up in the waiting room, cheerful conversations reached us.

Because the format is a buffet, the guests pleasantly chatted with drinks in hand as they liked.

“It’s about time to begin, Claire-sama, Rei-chan”

“I understand”

“Please take care of us today, Lene”

The master of ceremonies is the young proprietress of the store famous all over the country – “Frater”, Lene.

She’s wearing a modest dress that draws attention to my bride Claire-sama and me.

Lene opened a company with her older brother Lambert-sama and amassed a fortune.

However, even after gaining social status, she still swears fealty to Claire-sama.

From searching for the wedding venue to this, we’ve continuously received her help.

Today too, without leaving it to her subordinates, she undertook the role of master of ceremonies herself.

“Please leave it to me. At any rate… You both look lovely”

Lene said that while holding a handkerchief to her face like she was overcome with emotion.

Claire-sama is wearing a pure white mermaid line wedding dress, while I chose a similarly white pantsuit rather than a dress.

“It’s natural Claire-sama looks lovely, but I’m not even wearing a dress?”

“That’s not true. As long as you stay silent, Rei-chan is a beauty”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course”

Saying that, Lene smiled.

“All right, the stage is ready. What’s left is for you to enter”

Who urged us was Lene’s partner, Lambert-sama.

He’s in a morning coat.

Finally the wedding is starting.

“Let’s go, Claire-sama”

“Yeah, Rei”

Claire-sama and I clasped each other’s hand, and together we passed through the door.

◆◇◆◇◆

Greeted by the applause from the guests, we were shown into the venue and then asked to greet the guests.

“Everyone, thank you very much for gathering today”

Claire-sama gave greetings on our behalf.

I watched over it from right next to her.

Claire-sama had a very satisfied smile; I was deeply moved as I recalled that the path until now could hardly be called smooth.

“Today, I, Claire François, am marrying Rei Taylor. Although there is no legal basis, what connects us is a bond beyond that”

The audience responded with an applause to Claire-sama’s grand words.

“I think some of you know, but my first meeting with Rei was, to put it bluntly, the worst. To think I would ask her to have a wedding with me like this, you never know what life will bring”

When Claire-sama spoke a little jokingly, the venue erupted in laughter.

“But, Rei is now an irreplaceable partner to me. There can be no other partner I will walk through life with than her. Rei, you have always continued supporting me at my side, I am truly glad to have met you”

The words she said with her eyes fixed on me weren’t there at the rehearsal.

It’s an unexpected surprise attack.

You’re unfair, Claire-sama.

They make me too happy.

“Rei-okaasama, are you crying?”

“Were you moved to tears by Claire-okaasama?”

Mei and Alea approached and handed me a handkerchief.

“I’m alright, Mei, Alea. I’m just a little too happy”

“How strange, Rei-okaasama”

“How unusual”

Thanks to both of them the venue relaxed slightly.

It’s better if it’s not too solemn.

I wiped my tears with the handkerchief, and with a smile looked forward to the rest of Claire-sama’s greeting.

“Today we gathered everybody to witness the bond between me and Rei. To not shame everybody, we vow to keep living sincerely, positively, and happily”

Another applause.

Claire-sama waited until it stopped ringing, then she took my hand and continued.

“Truly thank you for gathering today. Please enjoy the party until the end”

Then, we bowed our heads together.

The venue became engulfed in a thundering applause.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Claire-sama, congratulations!”

“I was moved!”

“Loretta, Pipi, thank you. I am happy you have come”

First to offer us greetings after the party began were two women I didn’t recognize.

From the way they are dressed and their conduct they seem to be former nobles.

“Nevertheless… I never expected you would marry that person…”

“We did various cruel things…”

Huh?

Perhaps I met them before?

“Claire-sama, who are those two?”

“Y, you do not remember us!?”

“Even though we were so terribly malicious!”

When I asked, those two spoke as if they hadn’t expected that at all.

No, after all I really don’t remember them.

“Loretta and Pipi are my classmates from the academy days. Do not mess around just because they were terrible to you”

“… Aah!”

Claire-sama’s followers one and two, huh.

Of course they wouldn’t remain in my memory.

“I remember. Excuse me”

“Well, it might be better if you did not remember”

“Could you forgive us?”

Loretta-sama and Pipi-sama nervously said so.

“Forgive or whatever, I don’t even remember it”

“Of course you wouldn’t! You were such a person!”

“Really… I apologize to Claire-sama, but I wonder what is good about this person…”

They seemed dissatisfied.

“It is fine as long as I alone understand Rei’s good qualities”

“My!”

“For Claire-sama to speak so fondly!”

“If I take my eyes off this person, she will attract people everywhere. I could not bear it if my rivals increased further”

No, I think it’s absolutely Claire-sama’s misunderstanding.

“Rei… san, I entrust Claire-sama to you?”

“I will not acknowledge you if you do not make her happy!”

Both emphasized that and left.

“They’re good friends”

“Fufu, isn’t that right?”

I had only recognized them as followers, but I finally noticed Claire-sama had such kind friends.

Considering that, it couldn’t be helped that Claire-sama saw me initially approaching her as creepy.

“But, it is thank to Rei that they have not been executed”

“Just how much did I contribute to the end of aristocracy though”

“Let us not talk about that”

Claire-sama smiled wryly.

Next to offer greetings were Lene, who took a break from her job as the master of ceremonies, and Lambert-sama.

“Congratulations on getting married!”

“Congratulations, Claire-sama”

“Thank you”

Lene embraced Claire-sama and wept.

They’re tears of happiness.

“I believe Rei-chan will absolutely make Claire-sama happy”

“Ara, is that so? Why?”

“Servant’s intuition!”

“Intuition”

I don’t quite get it, but Lene seems to have a very high opinion of me.

“Claire-sama acted so selfishly, but she’s completely become an adult…”

“Hey Lene, stop that. Are you my guardian?”

“Isn’t it fine for today. When she was a child, Claire-sama truly was a handful-”

For a while Lene talked drunkenly.

Claire-sama became disheartened.

Cute.

“Leave it at that, Lene. You will completely ruin my honor”

“You’re no longer a noble, so isn’t that fine”

“Not in front of my beloved!”

“Rei-chan, heard that?”

“I etched it in my memory”

“Y, youuu, you both!”

I enjoyed myself by teasing Claire-sama together with Lene.

Even though when Lene and Lambert-sama were exiled I thought it would be our final parting.

“Lene”

“What, Rei-chan?”

“Lene, are you happy now?”

Lene blinked her eyes at my question, but eventually she said.

“Of course. I have Lambert, and the two persons important to me are happy!”

She smiled broadly.

“We too will be happy enough to not lose to you two”

Embracing Lene’s shoulder, Lambert-sama said so.

“Then, it is a contest”

“We won’t lose, Claire-sama”

After shaking hands with Claire-sama, Lene returned to her job as the master of ceremonies.

Saying that she was entrusted with letters, Lene handed us a few.

Having confirmed the senders’ names, there were three princes: Rod-sama, Sein-sama, Yuu-sama, and then Manaria-sama.

Written in them were congratulations on Claire-sama’s and my marriage, but in Manaria-sama’s letter there was also a line like this.

‘If you break up, come to my place’

As if I would think of going there.

There were several other letters, but there was just a single ragged one.

I looked at the sender.

“… Lily-sama”

It was from Lily-sama, who had left Bauer to go on an aimless journey.

Lily-sama seems to have stopped by Manaria-sama’s place at just the right time and learned of our marriage there.

The letter expressed congratulations in a meticulous penmanship, and at the end there was a postscript.

‘P.S. The mistress spot is still open, right?’

“It is not!?”

Claire-sama looked so angry it seemed she’d rip up the letter if left be, but I managed to soothe her, so it ended without incident.

“Good grief… I am troubled by Rei’s womanizing tendencies”

“Eeeh… Is it my fault?”

“Whose else fault is it”

Even if you tell me that.

But, I think jelly Claire-sama is very cute.

Next came Misha.

“Claire-sama, Rei, congratulations”

“Thank you, Misha”

“Thank you”

Misha wasn’t wearing a dress but a habit.

Since it suited her perfectly, she didn’t feel out of place at this party venue at all.

As expected of a former upper class noble.

“Apart from the letter, Yuu-sama entrusted me with personal words of congratulations. I bless you in the name of the Spirit God, is what she said”

“Is the Spirits Church not supposed to be against same-sex marriage?”

“That’s how the Church is, but there is no dogma prohibiting same-sex marriage in the teachings of the Spirit Faith”

According to Yuu-sama, everybody seems to be equal under the Spirit God.

“It is just like Yuu-sama”

“It really is”

“Speaking of Yuu-sama, since she abandoned her status as royalty, she’s become totally naughty…”

Misha deeply sighed.

“Do you feel uneasy as her partner?”

“Who’s whose partner. My status is unsuitable for that”

“If you say that, it’s the same for Claire-sama and me, right”

“That might be so, but…”

It seems there’s still no end to Misha’s worries about her relationship with Yuu-sama.

“Boldly plunge into it”

“It’s easy for you to say”

“Because I have experience”

“… That’s right”

Misha smiled wryly.

“Well, don’t worry about me today. Truly, congratulations to both of you. Come visit the convent again”

“Yeah, certainly”

“See you, Misha”

Misha seemed to immediately go home without participating in the buffet party.

“Claire, Rei, congratulations”

Together with big-hearted words, Dor-sama approached us bringing Mei and Alea with him.

Since retiring from the forefront of politics, Dor-sama has completely mellowed, there’s no trace of the arrogance of a once important noble in him.

“Congratulations, Mothers”

“Congratulations”

“Thank you, Father. Mei and Alea, thank you too”

“Thank you”

I exchanged a hug with Dor-sama, then hugged Mei and Alea.

“Rei… You don’t know how grateful I truly am”

“You’re exaggerating, Dor-sama. In the end I couldn’t do anything important”

“That’s not true. My plan would have much more blood spilled in the revolution, and both I and Claire wouldn’t be able to welcome this era alive”

“That wasn’t the result of my efforts. It is the outcome of actions of Dor-sama, Claire-sama, and many other people”

“You are humble”

“Dor-sama highly overestimates me”

While I was talking like that with Dor-sama.

“Grandfather, it’s a difficult talk?”

“We are hungry”

Mei and Alea pulled on Dor-sama’s clothes and said so.

“Ahaha, sorry sorry. I see, Mei and Alea are hungry. Then, grandpa will go and get you delicious food. What should I bring?”

“”Crème brûlée!””

Smiling broadly, Dor-sama has completely become a good-natured old man.

The man who manipulated the revolution from the shadows is no longer there.

“Aah, Claire”

“What is it, Father?”

“Do you love Rei?”

“Yeah”

“When I had her talk about it before the revolution, her love seemed to be much stronger than Claire’s. Answer her feelings with yours”

“… I will keep it in mind”

“Very well”

Saying that, Dor-sama led Mei and Alea away.

“I was given a warning”

“As expected, Claire-sama is no match for Dor-sama”

“Truly”

We laughed together.

At the end, Claire-sama and I were offered another greetings.

“Rei-chan, Claire-sama, I truly congratulate you. You look very beautiful”

“… Congratulations”

“Thank you very much, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law”

“Thank you”

By my parents.

They did their best to dress up and came from the far-away Euclid to participate.

That’s not all.

“I am glad the dress was in time”

“… I thought it was impudent to offer it to a former noble”

“No, far from it. Truly, thank you very much for this wonderful dress”

Some may have forgotten, but my parents, Taylors, sell clothes.

We had no choice but to give up on a wedding dress from a clothes rental store, but dad and mom tailored it.

Of course we covered the cost of materials and so on, but it’s uncommon to finish a wedding dress in only two months.

For the first time I understood my dad and mom’s ability as tailors.

“Dad, mom, thank you”

“It’s for our daughter. It’s natural”

“… Yeah”

With those words, tears quietly welled up in their eyes.

“Rei-chan has been a mysterious child from long ago, but now that she’s become so brilliant, she’s become completely independent from us…”

“… From the start Rei was a child we received from the spirits”

Seeing her tears not stopping, dad gently embraced mom’s shoulders.

However――.

“That’s wrong, mom, dad”

“…?”

“I am your child. Not anybody’s else. I am proud of that fact”

“!”

Certainly, they’re not my biological parents.

And, I reincarnated, so there’s a part of me that finds it difficult to call them my foster parents.

But, Rei Taylor’s memories inside me certainly remember the deep affection received from them.

If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be the person I am now.

“Rei-chan…”

“… I see… Thank you, Rei. My beloved child”

Saying that, dad tightly hugged me.

“Claire-sama, please take care of Rei”

“Of course I will. We will certainly be happy together”

“Thank you”

Mom too hugged Claire-sama.

On that day, we became family in the true meaning.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Everybody gathered here, the party is slowly drawing to an end. Lastly, there seems to be something the two brides want to show everyone”

When empty dish platters started appearing and alcohol made participants feel pleasant, Lene made such an announcement.

Huh?

What’s going on.

Wondering if only I don’t know, I looked at Claire-sama, but she too was tilting her head.

What does this mean?

“The two brides want to show everybody here the symbol of their vow of everlasting love”

Lene smiled nastily.

High-pitched voices arose from the guests.

Aah… It’s that kind of thing.

“? What is it? What is about to happen?”

Claire-sama was flustered.

It seems she still doesn’t understand what it means.

“Claire-sama, she’s talking about the kiss of vow”

“Aah, I see, it is something like that… Eh, eeeh!?”

Claire-sama was visibly shaken.

Cute.

“Y, you are saying to do such a thing in public…!”

“Rather, it’s a classic at weddings”

“T, that might be so, however!”

“Now, please prepare yourself”

“P, please wait! Let me sort out my feelings a little――”

“I won’t wait”

I grabbed Claire-sama’s shoulders and seriously gazed into her eyes.

Claire-sama straightened her posture like she bore with it.

“Claire-sama”

“… Yes”

“I love you”

“So do I, Rei”

“I vow that I will love Claire-sama for my whole life”

“I will forever support you at your side, Rei”

Then, our lips overlapped.

Cheers arose from the venue.

“With this you can’t back down later”

“I have no intention of backing down”

“Are you resolved?”

“That is my line”

We exchanged such unromantic lines.

This is just right for Claire-sama and me.

“Let’s be happy, Claire-sama”

“We will absolutely be happy, Rei”

The two brides once again reassuringly overlapped their lips.

Author’s note

Thank you for reading.

I am waiting for your ratings, comments, impressions.

Today the second volume of “I Favor the Villainess” went on sale.

The second volume contains content from the fourth chapter to the epilogue + a publication-exclusive episode.

Compared to the first volume, it has around 1.7 times the text.

Accompanying it are gorgeous illustrations by Hanagata-sensei.

The publication-exclusive epsisode is about the meeting with Mei and Alea.

Please treat me well.

Translator’s note

What a beautiful chapter. Especially the scene with Rei’s parents, every time I read it, it makes me tear up a little.

If possible, please consider supporting Inori.-sensei and I Favor the Villainess by purchasing the second volume at , or your local amazon. The illustrations are truly wonderful!