I Favor the Villainess Chapter 107

Claire-sama's tenacity was amazing.
While going back and forth between the provisional and revolutionary governments, she struggled to negotiate.
She patiently listened to both sides of which neither would yield, and sought compromise.
I couldn't stand watching Claire-sama growing haggard day by day, but I endured, knowing it won't continue for long.

And, the day finally came.

Year 2015 of the kingdom's history.
The demonstrations finally turned into an armed uprising.
An armed conflict occurred between the revolutionary government's army and the provisional government's army half the former's size.
Every newspaper reported the trend of conflict was favorable for the revolutionary army.

"… I could not make it in time"

Claire-sama, who witnessed the clash between the mob and the government forces from the window in the academy, stood stock still without power.
I tightly grasped her hand and spoke to comfort her.

"Claire-sama, you did your best. It was unavoidable that it turned out this way"
"But, had I tried harder…"
"Claire-sama preserved enough"
"…"

My consolation certainly didn't reach.
For Claire-sama, who has a strong sense of responsibility, and now understands the feelings of both the nobles and commoners, this ending must be unbearable.
I can sympathize with those feelings.

"Now that it has come to this, there is nothing I can do any more. As a noble of the old era, I will graciously accept my end"

Claire-sama regained her complexion and said resolutely.
However――.

"No, Claire-sama. Claire-sama should stand on the side of those who condemn the old era"
"… Eh?"

Claire-sama made a mystified face at my words.
While looking at that face, I straightened my back.
At last it's time to reveal everything.

"Rei, what are you talking about?"
"Claire-sama should stand on the side of the new era and watch over the end of the old era with your own eyes"
"What a foolish thing. I am the daughter of François house. I am the symbol of the old era?"

Claire-sama showed a stiff smile.
She must find what I'm saying a bad joke.

"Claire-sama. The symbol of the old era is not Claire-sama. It is Dor-sama"
"It is the same, right?"
"No, that's wrong. Claire-sama should stand in a position to convict Dor-sama's former ruling class - that is, aristocracy"
"Wha… What are you saying!"

Claire-sama grew angry.
It's natural.
What I'm saying is like that.
That is - to betray nobles.

"Are you saying I should betray the people responsible for the old era and shamelessly survive alone!? I flatly refuse such a thing!"

This reaction is also within my expectations.
With how Claire-sama's personality is, she wouldn't accept such a thing easily.
However――.

"This is also Dor-sama's intention"
"… Eh? Wa, wait a moment…. Eh? Father's?"

The tone of voice that criticized me disappeared in an instant.
I can perfectly understand Claire-sama's turmoil.

"Because… Father is… Wha, what do you mean, Rei!"
"The one who caused this revolutionary momentum is none other than Dor-sama"

As I said so, the doubt inside Claire-sama seemed to deepen.

"I do not understand what you are saying in the slightest!"
"I will tell you everything. It will be long, so please sit down"

I urged Claire-sama to sit on a chair.
Claire-sama seemed to want to hear the continuation quickly, but for now she obeyed my words.

"As Claire-sama knows, there were signs of corruption in the kingdom's government. Most nobles acted only in their own self-interest and spent all their time on power struggles"
"… Yeah, but this and that have nothing――"
"Among them, there were few nobles truly concerned about the future of this country - that's Dor-sama"
"Father? But, Father ignored the Royal Family and tried to make this country's government his own…"

It's understandable Claire-sama would be under that impression.
Dor-sama's disguise was thorough.

"Dor-sama sacrificed himself to take a leading part among the corrupt nobles. Everything for this day where they'd be ended at the hand of commoners"
"… My goodness"

Claire-sama became lost for words.
Looking down on commoners, only seeing nobles as people, and so on, were all done by Dor-sama for show.
Even Claire-sama couldn't see through it.

I continued.

"Formerly Dor-sama didn't harbor doubts about the state of nobility either. That changed when Claire-sama's mother, Mirisama, passed away"
"When Mother passed away…?"

Mirisama passed away on the day Claire-sama celebrated her fourth birthday.
Together with Dor-sama she was in a carriage accident.
Dor-sama escaped death, but Mirisama wasn't saved.

"The accident Mirisama was in was plotted by another prominent noble. It was a murder"
"No way…!"
"From that day, Dor-sama has changed. He came to think that the current situation mustn't be"

Dor-sama gave up on the nobility that focused on nothing but power struggles.

"While playing the part of a corrupted noble, Dor-sama even supported the revolutionary forces. Do you remember? The day I became Claire-sama's maid"
"… Yeah. Certainly, at that time you said something and from that moment Father's appearance changed"
"At that time, I said this. 'The third of March, five hundred thousand gold', which was the breakdown of monetary support Dor-sama provided to the Resistance"

Providing financing to Resistance's treasurer, Arla's younger brother Irvine, shouldn't be know by anybody other than Dor-sama.
From Dor-sama's point of view, my statement must've been unexpected.
Using the knowledge of Dor-sama's secret, I made Dor-sama accept me as Claire-sama's maid.

"After the people were cleared out, I said this to Dor-sama. Dor-sama's plan is praiseworthy, but are you going to involve Claire-sama in it"
"Why such…."
"For the future of this country, Dor-sama intended to sacrifice not only himself, but also Claire-sama. He loves Claire-sama from the bottom of his heart, but for the sake of the future he had no other way, like that he gave up"

Then, I'd suggested.

"I presented Dor-sama with another option. The way for Claire-sama to survive even if aristocracy was overthrown. Saying if there's a way for my daughter to survive, Dor-sama accepted my plan"

What I suggested to Dor-sama was the scenario of having Claire-sama part from the nobility of the old era and stand on the side condemning the old era.
I explained that to Claire-sama.

"The various actions I have taken until now were all for that sake. Raising Claire-sama's reputation, distancing from the nobility, were all so you could live in the new era"
"Then.. Then, you! You knew this would happen from the beginning!"

Claire-sama's face warped in sorrow.
I felt my heart ache intensely, but I continued.

"Yes. I was aware that the revolution would occur, that as the result nobles, starting from Dor-sama, will perish, and that it was unavoidable no matter what"
"No way… I… trusted you…!"
"I apologize, Claire-sama. I will accept any punishment"

The moment I said so, Claire-sama brandished her hand with anger on her face.
I closed my eyes, content with receiving it.
However, no matter how long I waited, pain didn't shoot through my cheek.
When I opened my eyes, Claire-sama was quietly shedding tears, still in the same posture as before I closed my eyes.

"Both Father and you… are too selfish…"

Claire-sama is a smart person.
Dor-sama's or my actions can't be forgiven.
But, she realized those actions were taken only for herself.
That's why, even though she finds them outrageous, she can't condemn us.
No, even if she wants to, she doesn't.

"Claire-sama should join the revolutionary government after this. I will talk to Arla"
"…"
"Soon, the Royal Family should grant the revolutionary government the Royal Standard. When that happens, it will be nobles who will become the rebels. Claire-sama should condemn them"
"…"
"Claire-sama?"

When I spoke to her, without answering Claire-sama quietly stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the combat still continues.

"Hey, Rei. If I became a commoner, how do you think I would live?"

However, suddenly she asked such a thing.
I was a little taken aback, but for now I tried thinking about it.

"Let's see… I think you'll often be perplexed at first. Like when you stayed in my home during the holidays"
"I suppose so"

With her back still turned to me, I saw her nod.
I continued.

"But, soon you'll get used to it. I'll assist you at all times"
"I see… I would live together with you"
"Of course. For Claire-sama's sake I'll work enthusiastically"
"That is right. I suppose I would need that"

Then Claire-sama suddenly grew silent.
Becoming uneasy I continued my words.

"Let's have a dog"
"A cat is fine"

Claire-sama responded to my trifling proposal.

"Do you want a garden?"
"I would also like a flower bed"
"How many children should we make"
"We cannot make them"
"Then, adopt"
"I would like two cute daughters"

While continuing such an exchange, I felt resistance.
Claire-sama said "Right" then paused and,

"You surely would not make me unhappy"

said so.
The tone of her voice sounded just as if she was looking at a dream.
… Dream?

"――se"
"Eh?"

I missed Claire-sama's words that followed.

"Claire-sama?"
"I said I refuse"

Claire-sama's expression when she said that and looked back seemed refreshed, she had a face as if something weighting her down was gone.
Her cheeks were still stained with tears, but strong glow returned to her eyes.

"What are you saying, Claire-sama. There are no other options already"
"No, there are. There is a choice to perish as a member of the nobility with the old era"

Unlike the previous time, it was my turn to be perplexed.
I don't understand what Claire-sama is saying.

"That… It's meaningless! Because, nobody will be happy with that!"
"Yeah, I suppose so"
"Dor-sama… and me, so that Claire-sama can live, all this time――"
"Yeah, I am grateful for that kindness"

There was even a smile on Claire-sama's face.
I couldn't stop chills from running down my spine.

"Wait… Please wait. Are you angry that Dor-sama and I advanced things without saying anything? I apologize for that. But, speaking frankly, Claire-sama――"
"I would like to refuse accepting that"

Bad, bad, bad.
I seem to have committed an enormous mistake.
I didn't anticipate this development.

"I guess Father and Rei were truly concerned about me. I understand that. I am not angry"
"Then, why!"
"Because――"

Claire-sama paused, fixed her gaze on me, and said.

"I am a noble"

I became speechless.

"A noble is an existence allowed to live in luxury to fulfil the duty in times of emergency. Until now I have been allowed many displays of selfishness, just for this day, for this time when I would carry out my duty"
"That's why, it's enough already!"
"No. My last duty - is to accept the choice of the people as the noble of the old era"

I underestimated her.
I should've been aware, but I didn't understand.
What kind of person Claire-sama is.
What being a noble is to Claire-sama.

"Claire-sama… Let's reconsider… Let's live in the new era together…?"
"I am sorry, Rei. Only this is the wish that I cannot grant you"
"For the love of God… Didn't you promise me… That you will not give up until the end"

It's a story from the academic ability test and the Order of the Academy exam.
Claire-sama should have sworn to God.
And yet.

"That reminds me, there was such a thing. Somehow it feels nostalgic"

Stop.
Don't say that in the past tense.

"No… Don't… Claire-sama… Don't go…!"
"I am sorry, Rei"

As I threw a tantrum, Claire-sama quietly approached me――.

And brought down her lips.

"To apologize for breaking the promise, I give you my first kiss"

Aa… I realized.
Claire-sama is going.

"Farewell, Rei. Please stay well"

Without a pause Claire-sama left the room.
I wanted to follow her, yet I couldn't.
Not even a single word came to my mind to stop Claire-sama.

"Claire… sama…"

I have been making every effort to avoid this ending.
All this time, only to save Claire-sama's life.
But, everything was pointless.

I recalled the words Dor-sama said when I laid out my whole plan.

'Your plan is excellent. But… will my daughter accept?'

Feelings I can't put into words ran down my cheek.
Our first kiss, I couldn't tell its taste in the slightest.

From now I'll be upping the release rate to daily.

Chapter end