I Favor the Villainess Chapter 49Cheshire Cat smile

“Claire-sama, good morni――”

“Is that so, ahaha”

“Fufu, oh Onee-sama”

When I went to Claire-sama’s room to do what I look forward to every morning, that is to change her clothes, she already had a visitor.

“Hi, Rei. Morning”

“Good morning, Manaria-sama, Claire-sama”

“You are late? I have already changed clothes”

“… I’m sorry”

Looking at her, not only her clothes, but even her hairstyle is well arranged.

Her winding hair is quite difficult, now that Lene is gone I thought only I could do it.

“By the way, did you change your clothes and do your hair yourself?”

“No? Onee-sama did it. She is very skilled”

“Fufu, I used to look after Claire like this often in the past”

And the two of them laughed intimately together.

“Is that so. Thank you, Manaria-sama”

“No no, it’s nothing much”

“However, because taking care of Claire-sama is my hobby, cough, work, I would like to ask you to refrain from tomorrow”

“I have just heard a disturbing expression!?”

Even if I’m told so, admiring Claire-sama’s body while changing her clothes is my raison d’être and arranging her hair is a blessing for me.

It’s unbearable for them to be taken over by Manaria-sama.

“No no. Rei doesn’t need to do the work at all. . . .. I’m having fun doing it. I wish you’d entrust mornings to me”

“No, because I’m also enjoying it, please leave it to me”

“Indeed, Onee-sama. I could not make Onee-sama imitate my servant”

Claire-sama showed reluctance to Manaria-sama’s words.

However――.

“Would it be unpleasant if I was a servant?”

“Jeez. Onee-sama is teasing me”

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry. Claire is cute so I just”

“Ufufu”

Two of them got excited leaving me behind.

What kind of farce is this.

Well, whatever.

“Claire-sama, breakfast is soon――”

“Ah, Claire. Aren’t you getting hungry? Let’s go to the dining hall”

Manaria-sama said as if to cut me off.

… Just now was absolutely intentional.

As a proof, Manaria-sama’s eyes are smiling impishly.

“You are right. Let’s go quickly”

“What will Claire eat? I’ll eat an oriental soup called miso soup that’s the recent trend”

Embracing Claire-sama’s shoulder, Manaria-sama was about to leave the room.

This is… harassment?

“What are you doing. We are going”

“I’m sorry”

Carrying Claire-sama’s stuff, I followed――.

“Does Claire know of the restaurant called Blume?”

“Yes, naturally”

“As a matter of fact, recently a rival restaurant to Blume appeared”

“Ara, what kind of a restaurant is it?”

“The main store is in Appalachia, they introduced many innovative dishes. I’ll show you around next time. Will you leave escorting to me?”

“My, oh Onee-sama”

The two are talking happily completely in their own world.

No, as I’m a servant, there’s been many times I’ve refrained when Claire-sama was speaking to someone, but now it feels that Manaria-sama is intentionally keeping me away.

It’s really annoying to see her triumphant look when she glances at me from time to time.

I don’t particularly mind.

Whomever she gets close with, it’s fine if Claire-sama is happy.

In fact, since Manaria-sama came, Claire-sama regained her liveliness that disappeared together with Lene.

In that sense, I’m even grateful to Manaria-sama.

“Hey you! Is than not underwear rather than a handkerchief!”

Well, even if I understand in theory, my feelings are another story.

◆◇◆◇◆

Afterwards, Manaria-sama’s harassment continued.

Frequently interrupting me.

Sitting between Claire-sama and me in the lecture hall.

Disturbing me teaching Claire-sama chess.

Doing say aah during lunch.

Manaria-sama keeps meddling so often that I think it’s blatant.

“Hey, Rei. Are you okay? You look unwell?”

At night when I returned to my room, Misha noticed my appearance is different from usual and called out to me.

“I’m lacking Clairium…”

“Ah, you sound alright”

I desperately stopped Misha who was about to enter her futon as usual.

“Because of Manaria-sama, I can’t admire Claire-sama! She won’t even bully me!? I’m jealous of say aah!”

“Ah, after all you’re not alright. It’s worse than usual”

Misha looked dumbfounded by my grumbling, but still decided to keep me company.

She’s truly a good girl.

“Did you do something to Manaria-sama?”

“I have no idea”

This is a half-lie, but I really have no clue why Manaria-sama is making passes at Claire-sama.

“It’s a good opportunity, you also distance yourself from Claire-sama”

“Impossible. Claire-sama is my raison d’être”

I can’t live without Claire-sama.

“Then, don’t you just have to fight?”

“See, I feel like somehow I’d be playing right into Manaria-sama’s hand”

“Playing into her hand?”

“I feel like I’m being provoked”

In the first place, why is Manaria-sama, who was the protagonist’s ally in the game, going for Claire-sama.

I don’t really understand.

“Then, you have no choice but to endure. That’s if you don’t want to separate from Claire-sama”

“I wonder if that’s the only way”

Frustrated, I entered my futon.

That night, I had a dream I and Manaria-sama pulled Claire-sama by both hands.

◆◇◆◇◆

The next day, Manaria-sama’s harassment continued.

Although I ignored it as much as possible, Manaria-sama’s provocations didn’t stop.

Although I don’t care about Manaria-sama, Claire-sama being lovestruck is a little… no, quite unpleasant.

No, it might be okay.

It may be quite far from Sein-sama’s route, but as long as Claire-sama can smile it’s fine.

It’s fine… It should be.

“Aren’t you very patient, Rei”

Later that day in the evening, Manaria-sama spoke such words to the persevering me.

After ascertaining that Claire-sama fell asleep, I was on the way back to my room.

“What kind of business do you have, Manaria-sama”

“I don’t really have any business”

Manaria-sama, who seemed to have been waiting for me near my and Misha’s room, was leaning on the wall with her usual refreshing smile on her face.

“Do you love Claire?”

“Yeah”

“Considering that, aren’t you surprisingly quiet. I’m provoking you so much”

In the end, it was on purpose, huh.

“I love Claire-sama, but even if she doesn’t particularly look my way, if Claire-sama is happy I’m fine with it”

“… Hmph”

At my answer, for the first time boredom appeared in Manaria-sama’s expression.

“What. Your feelings are only to that degree. I’m disappointed”

“Ha?”

I feel a little offended by the ridiculing tone of her voice.

“What do you mean by that degree?”

“Nothing much? Ah, did I hurt your feelings? Sorry sorry. That’s right. Rei loves Claire. I’m sure you know Claire better than me. To the degree you’re giving up”

I’m getting irritated.

“It’s a cheap provocation, Manaria-sama. And yet you are a princess of a country?”

“Yup, even if it doesn’t seem like that, I’m a princess. That’s why I’m much more suitable for Claire”

“I may be a commoner, but my feelings for Claire-sama won’t lose to anyone”

“And yet you are giving up?”

What’s with this person.

“I am not giving up. Claire-sama’s happiness is the most important――”

“You’re just running away, aren’t you? Why won’t you say you’ll make her the happiest yourself?”

“That’s…”

Because, I’m a commoner and a woman just like Claire-sama.

I’d do anything for Claire-sama’s happiness, but I think I’m not a suitable partner to make Claire-sama happy.

“Don’t run away”

“I’m not running away”

“Then, show me you can steal her from me”

“Are you picking a fight?”

“That’s right. Have you only noticed now?”

Manaria-sama’s well featured face unusually twisted in a grimace and she said.

“Those halfhearted feelings of yours, I will stop them. As it is, both Claire and you are pitiful”

“Very well. That fight, you got it”

“Yup, that’s good. Then, tomorrow after school, at the magic practice grounds”

Saying don’t run away, Manaria-sama left.

“… What’s…? Really, what’s with that person…”

I can’t digest the current situation well, but I’m clearly angry that my feelings for Claire-sama were looked down on.

“… Bring it on. I don’t care you’re a four attributesQuad Caster holder, I’ll teach you a lesson”

Thinking back on it, I probably lost my temper.