I Favor the Villainess Chapter 62Commoners’ lives

“Well then, to celebrate Claire-sama’s visit… Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“… Cheers”

“Thank you”

The dinner began with clinking our cups filled with fruit water.

Herbed chicken meat with freshly baked bread, meatballs, vegetable soup, and river-chilled fruit, even if the dining table is by no means wide, mother did her best to cover it with her cooking.

I don’t think it’s at the level that can satisfy Claire-sama, but it’s as luxurious as commoners can manage.

“Claire-sama, please eat quickly”

“Eh, yeah…”

Mother was all smiles welcoming the cute guest and recommending Claire-sama her cooking.

“… Don’t pressure her. Claire-sama, it’s fine if you don’t force yourself to eat if it doesn’t suit your tastes”

Father admonished mother who was putting pressure with a smile and spoke to Claire-sama.

“No, thank you for the food”

Saying so, Claire-sama reached out her fork for the herbed chicken.

Claire-sama carried the chicken meat to her mouth handling cutlery in a refined manner that feels out of place in a commoners’ house like this.

“… It is delicious”

Saying so, Claire-sama smiled.

It was a flawless smile, but I could tell it was a forced one.

As expected commoners’ food is tough for Claire-sama who’s a noble.

Having no idea about that, mother recommends one dish after another.

“Please eat this soup by all means. I made an extravagant consommé today”

“Thank you”

Again with a flawless smile Claire-sama tasted the soup.

And, again she stated her impression that it’s delicious.

Mother seemed very happy a noble lady told her it was delicious.

However――.

“Ara ara ara ara…? Your fork isn’t moving much?”

Despite saying it’s delicious, Claire-sama didn’t eat much.

As expected, commoners’ meal doesn’t suit her tastes.

To pretend she finds it delicious, I think Claire-sama is fighting bravely.

“After all, I wonder if it doesn’t suit your tastes…?”

“That’s wrong, mother. Claire-sama by nature has a small appetite. Claire-sama, how about trying fruit? They’re delicious, having just been picked”

I recommended fruit to Claire-sama.

If it’s fruits, there shouldn’t be much difference from what Claire-sama normally eats.

“I shall do that. Thank you, Rei”

Although Claire-sama smiled radiantly, for certain she’s more uneasy than she shows.

Nevertheless, after somehow finishing the dinner, we chatted about the academy over tea.

“And then, Claire-sama, making a frightened face, said――!”

“I, I was not frightened!”

“Ara ara ara ara. Claire-sama is not good with ghosts”

When I spoke of the time I went with Claire-sama to the haunted house during the festival, Claire-sama denied and mother made a charming smile.

Father is silently listening to the story.

“But then, it might be better not to approach the sea”

“? Why is that?”

Although it’s the long awaited (by me) swimming in the sea.

“… Recently, undead have been observed along the coast”

“Because of that, fishermen are troubled”

According to my parents’ story, it’s like this.

About a week ago undead started appearing along the coast.

Although there aren’t many of them, demons are still a threat to ordinary people.

At present a vigilante corps composed of townsfolk are doing their best to exterminate them, but still, it’s too much for them to deal with.

“In that case, we shall exterminate them”

After hearing the story, Claire-sama said, looking full of confidence.

“My my my my. But it’s dangerous, besides isn’t Claire-sama bad with ghosts?”

“Undead are demons. They are not ghosts”

I wondered whether she really will be okay, but I didn’t stop her.

I had a hunch it’s going to be interesting.

“Because I have come here, I hope they are ready to board a sinking ship!”

“Ara ara ara ara. Did you hear, dear? We’re completely saved”

Claire-sama was in high spirits and mother looked delighted.

It’s not that it matters, but a sinking ship is no good.

“Let’s go to the beach immediately tomorrow. Is it fine, Rei?”

“I don’t mind. Let’s also wear our swimsuits. While we are it, Claire-sama can also practice swimming――”

“Shh! Shh!”

Claire-sama hurriedly interrupted what I was saying.

“Ara ara ara ara? Claire-sama, are you a poor swimmer?”

“T, that is not the case? I can swim, I only want to become better, that is all”

“That’s wonderful. Rei grew up in this town, so I think she’ll be helpful. Rei, teach her properly?”

“Yes”

I wonder why.

Claire-sama seems to want to look good in front of mother.

Maybe it’s just my imagination.

“… It’s already this late. Claire-sama. Please get some rest”

“Ara ara ara ara. It was so fun time passed before we knew it”

Having looked at the wall clock, father urged us to end our party.

“You are right. I will take a bath and go to sleep”

“… Mm”

“Sorry, Claire-sama. We do not have a bath”

For Claire-sama it’s a natural custom, but commoners don’t bathe every day.

At most we clean our body with a wet towel and bathe once every few weeks in a public bathhouse.

“Ah… I, I see. I understand”

“I’ll bring soap and wipe you clean when we go back to my room”

“Right… Please, Rei”

And, the welcoming party ended with a delicate atmosphere.

◆◇◆◇◆

“… I am very blessed”

We returned to my room, and while I was wiping Claire-sama’s body, Claire-sama muttered these few words.

“After all, the dishes didn’t suit your tastes, huh”

“I feel guilty towards Rei’s mother… But I did not expect them to be so different”

Commoners’ meals are overall lightly seasoned.

It must have been hard for Claire-sama, who’s accustomed to nobles’ meals that use seasonings abundantly.

“It is not only food. I cannot take a bath…”

I guess she wasn’t aware as there’s a bath in the academy, but only the privileged class can take baths every day.

Claire-sama appears shocked after realizing that everything she considered commonplace until now is in fact a “luxury”.

“Well, nobles and commoners are different”

While admiring Claire-sama’s body’s beauty, I continued wiping it.

“… You are right. I was aware of that as well. But, I was not able to understand it”

By experiencing commoners’ life, Claire-sama said what was only knowledge changed into understanding.

“There was commoners’ movement before, right?”

“Yes”

“At that time, I could only think their claims were foolish. But――”

“But?”

“If there is such a difference in standard of living, it is not strange that those with poor opinion of nobles appear”

Saying so, Claire-sama hung her head.

Not good.

Like this, it won’t be a change of pace for Claire-sama.

Rather, it’s getting worse.

I have to do something.

I put away the wet towel in the bucket, and putting on Claire-sama’s pajamas said.

“Claire-sama is a powerful noble, right?”

“You are correct”

“Then, wouldn’t it be nice if Claire-sama changed the world?”

“Changed… the world…?”

It seems my words didn’t immediately get through to Claire-sama.

“Change the world so that commoners’ lives will be a little easier than now… For Claire-sama, that shouldn’t be impossible”

“That… but…”

Although the gleam of understanding lit in Claire-sama’s eyes, immediately she seems to have realize it wouldn’t be easy.

“Of course, it’s not something easy, and not something Claire-sama has to do. But, if that’s what Claire-sama wants――”

“… If it is what I want…?”

“Yes. If that’s what Claire-sama wishes for, I will assist Claire-sama with all my might”

I said so while fastening the last button of her pajamas, to which Claire-sama made an indescribable face.

Both happy and uneasy, it’s such an expression.

“Even though you are a commoner you are saying impertinent things”

“Because I’m Claire-sama’s maid”

“Hmph…”

I guess she’s a little better as she used harsh words.

“Well, let’s go to sleep. We’re going to the sea tomorrow”

“… You are right”

Saying so I turned off the lights, but Claire-sama didn’t go to bed.

“What might it be?”

“This bed is large”

Is what Claire-sama said, but my bed is in no way large.

Rather, bunk beds in the dormitory are larger.

“Is that so?”

“It is so! Therefore…”

“Therefore?”

“Therefore… Jeez!”

Claire-sama for some reason threw a tantrum.

Incomprehensible.

“You too come here”

“It’ll be narrow?”

“Never mind that!”

Pulled by my arm I flopped onto the bed, and Claire-sama immediately laid next to me.

“Good night!”

“… Good night, Claire-sama”

This is… I wonder if Claire-sama is being dere.

I feel like I’m going crazy lately.

(Well, it won’t change anything even if I think deeply about it)

I corrected my thinking without a care and for now decided to sleep in preparation for tomorrow.

While thinking about being able to see Claire-sama’s figure in a swimsuit.