I Favor the Villainess Chapter 44I won’t say goodbye

On the day of Orso family’s banishment, I and Claire-sama came to a border checkpoint with Appalachia.

The checkpoint that Lene and others are leaving the kingdom from is considerably away from the royal capital.

Claire-sama and I came here by the François house’s carriage.

Of course, it’s to see Lene off.

Most of Orso family’s fortune was seized, left with only the bare minimum of goods relying on their relatives they’re moving to Appalachia.

Appalachia is a country that has had friendly relations with Bauer Kingdom since ancient times, it’s an agrarian nation with fertile land.

Its national situation is stable, and while it can’t be called wealthy it has a reasonable national power.

It could be said it’s the perfect country to start over.

Be that as it may, in the end it’s still lonesome Lene is leaving.

Moving to another country isn’t easy.

Today will likely be the last day we meet.

Contrary to the melancholic mood the blue sky without a single cloud stretches above us.

Just like mine, Claire-sama’s mood hasn’t cleared up, she’s idly poking the ground with a folded parasol.

“The weather is good”

“You are right”

Claire-sama replied listlessly to my indifferent declaration.

She’s staring at the checkpoint.

We’re intently watching the Orso family group from outside the iron fence that surrounds the checkpoint.

This checkpoint is a fortress-like building on the largest highway connecting Appalachia and Bauer Kingdom.

The building holds a huge sturdy gate, in emergencies it can be closed to protect against the enemy.

At the checkpoint, there’s a location where inspections are performed, everybody from Orso family is currently undergoing that.

Orso family dealt with magical gem mining and distribution, but they are forbidden from bringing the technology outside the country.

Because magic is also a military technology, the examination is strict.

Of course, as nothing can be done about the contents of a person’s head they can only examine things like goods and documents.

But for Orso family to use magical gem knowledge to their advantage, honestly it’d be very difficult.

That’s because Appalachia’s government wouldn’t allow them, to avoid provoking the kingdom.

As a result, Orso family must search for other occupation than dealing in magical gems.

“Can Orso family make a living in Appalachia”

“I do wonder. I have heard the head of their family Bartley is a capable person. Although achieving the status they had in the kingdom may be difficult, will they not at least manage to earn their daily bread?”

Claire-sama gave a lengthy reply, but after all words don’t stick to me.

It feels like I’m here in body, but not in spirit.

“Lene and Lambert-sama will have it tougher”

“… You are right”

As a result of their forbidden love, they brought their whole family on the verge of annihilation.

Naturally, they must receive a punishment.

After migrating to Appalachia, Orso family will sever their ties with Lene and Lambert-sama.

The two of them will have to live in a new country without relying on their family.

In this world where almost everyone makes a living by succeeding a family business, the meaning of that is absurdly heavy.

“Even so, there is nothing for them but to keep on living. As long as they are alive, they will somehow manage”

As if trying to convince herself, Claire-sama said.

Or rather, she wishes for it to be so.

“The examination seems to have ended”

“…”

Everybody from the Orso family moved towards the gate.

Their total is surprisingly less than a person who knows of Orso family would imagine.

As almost all employees were dismissed, it’s basically only blood relatives there.

Their number is below twenty.

Among them, there’s Lene and Lambert-sama.

“Lene!”

I ran up to the iron fence and shouted.

Lene also noticed and came here.

“Rei-chan… And Claire-sama”

“Claire-sama wanted to say goodbye”

“I have not said that. Did you not throw a tantrum to accompany you here no matter what”

“Ahaha… It’s been a long time, but I’m relieved you’re the same as ever”

Lene laughed a little.

It was a laugh without power.

It’s understandable.

We stood there for a little while.

“Lene. Do you resent me?”

“!? Not at all!”

Claire-sama nervously asked and Lene answered in panic.

“It wasn’t strange that Orso family was originally meant to be put to death. It’s thanks to Claire-sama’ and others’ appeal that my family can continue living”

“Even so, it is me who have driven you to the wall”

A little self-derision was mixed in what Claire-sama said.

Is Claire-sama regretting.

I don’t think she’s made a single mistake though.

“No. We are thankful you stopped the violence”

“Both my little sister and I have finally snapped out of it”

Lene restated, and Lambert-sama, who came here, said in addition.

“Love is said to be blind, but we could only see each other too much. Lamenting over the forbidden love, our view became too narrow”

And this situation is the result, said Lambert-sama with pained expression.

“I wanted somebody to affirm the prohibited thought of loving my blood-related younger sister. That was taken advantage of that man. It’s a truly painful mistake”

Lene also nodded at Lambert-sama’s painful words.

“Rei-chan, be careful. Don’t let anybody use your feelings for Claire-sama”

“Yup”

“Lambert, Lene. We’re moving. Come”

Somebody of the Orso family called Lene and Lambert-sama.

It seems it’s finally the time for them to depart.

“Lene, take this”

I handed Lene a bundle of parchment though the iron fence.

“This is…!”

“New recipes. Mayonnaise is also used there”

“Is it okay?”

“Yup. I think you’ll be able to turn it into a little money”

That’s all I can do for her.

Thank you, Lene said.

“Well then, it’s a farewell. Claire-sama, Rei-chan, I’m grateful to you”

“See you, Lene”

“…”

I bid farewell to the two of them who deeply bowed their heads.

Claire-sama hasn’t said anything.

In contrast, Lene showed a lonely smile, turned around and started walking.

Their figures became more distant.

“Claire-sama. Is it okay to not say goodbye”

“…”

Claire-sama had a complicated expression.

It looks like various emotions mixed together.

There was no trace of a simple-minded villainess in her appearance.

“Lene!”

Suddenly, Claire-sama called Lene, who was leaving, to a halt.

Lene turned around surprised.

I felt I could something glisten in the corner of her eyes.

“I will not say goodbye! Let us meet again one day! Until that day, please stay well!”

Did those words reach Lene who was about to pass through the gate.

Although Lene appears to have laughed, perhaps it was only my wishful thinking.

Lene’s and others figures completely disappeared from our sight.

“And they’re gone”

“…”

Claire-sama didn’t cry.

She had a sorrowful face that seemed like she’d cry any moment, but no tears spilled.

“Claire-sama”

“What is it?”

“Can I hug you?”

“There is no way. Let’s go home”

Saying so, she turned around and briskly walked back.

“You’re stubborn even at a time like this”

Not being able to cry when she wants to cry, I think she’s a difficult person.

But, humans are much more complex than the novels portray.

And, I love such awkward people.

“Cla-ire-sa-ma!”

“Kyaa!? What are you doing! Re-lea-se-me!”

“I won’t let you go, to make up for it let’s talk”

“Stop saying incomprehensible things!”

Abuse me more, Claire-sama.

Go back to your usual liveliness, Claire-sama.

But, even if that’s difficult――.

“It’s okay to cry?”

“! A, are you stupid? It is only a single maid that left? Why should I――”

“Claire-sama, I’m behind you now. So, I can’t see Claire-sama’s face”

“Therefore, I!”

While embracing her tightly, I said.

“You don’t want to part with Lene, right”

Drip, I felt a drop of water fall on my hand that I wrapped around her.

“Really, nothing goes as one wishes in life. You can’t even love freely”

The number of drops quickly increased, so much my hand got wet.

We stayed like that for a while.

“… You truly are impertinent despite being a commoner”

I wonder if she’s calmed down, Claire-sama spat abuse at me.

“Yes, please punish me for being impertinent”

“I do not want to. After all, you will convert it into a reward in your mind, right?”

“Claire-sama’s understanding of me deepened. There’s no choice but for us to marry!”

“We will not!”

This time, we returned to the usual.

I gladly receive Claire-sama abusive words and lined next to her.

“Let’s meet again”

I looked back towards the checkpoint just once and muttered.

“We will meet, certainly”

Claire-sama’s voice wasn’t cloudy anymore.

Her calm clear voice was just like the blue sky.

1) 離す (hanasu) – separate and 話す (hanasu) – talk