I Favor the Villainess Chapter 110

Because of Claire-sama's rejection I became a living corpse.
I didn't even understand how I'd lived until that day, before I noticed I found myself in an unknown room.

"It seems you've regained consciousness"

It was Manarisama who said that with a strict face.

"Manarisama…? Why are you here?"
"I heard a revolution occurred in Bauer and rushed here. What's the matter with Claire-sama?"
"… Claire-sama――"

I timidly explained the whole story.
That I tried to sever Claire-sama from aristocratic forces.
That it was mostly a success.
That, however, Claire-sama herself didn't accept it.
That my persuasion was in vain and Claire-sama herself chose the path of perishing as a noble.

"I see. And that's why you had such a cowardly face"
"… I apologize"

I don't feel anything towards Manarisama's provocation.
I don't care about anything.
With a face that seemed disappointed by no response, Manarisama continued.

"Will you give up? While telling Claire to not give up, you will fall to despair so quickly?"
"Because… there's nothing I can do anymore"

Claire-sama doesn't care about her own survival.
Whether it's her obstinacy or pride, that's just the way she is.
That's Claire-sama's way of life.
It doesn't seem anybody can do anything to it.

"Good grief… If it's like this, I shouldn't have left Claire to you. I could've done better"
"I guess so, certainly"

This is also an obvious provocation.
I don't care anymore.
Seeing me like this, Manarisama let out a big sigh.

"… I also asked this before, but should I ask once again. Are your feelings like that?"

This time her tone wasn't provocative.
Rather, it was a tone of sympathy.
I was a little perplexed, but it really was just a little.

"No matter how much I desire, these feelings cannot reach, surely"

I said so sulkily.

"I see, then you'll forget about Claire, right? Then――"

Manarisama embraced me and brought her face near.
Her boyish yet flawless beautiful face slowly approached.
I was faintly aware that I was about to be kissed.

(… Come to think of it, Claire-sama also did this)

There was no deep emotion, it was a nightmarish kiss.
Such―― Such a kiss is――.

(My last memory with Claire-sama…)

The moment I thought so, before I noticed I thrust Manarisama away.

"… Now we're talking"

Manarisama laughed with a Cheshire Cat smile.

"I'm sorry, Manarisama"
"Don't mind. I'm the one who did it out of nowhere"

Thinking it over, certainly she was joking.

"If it was about somebody else, I'd probably immediately tell them to give up. But I believe if it's Claire and you, if you talk enough, you'll come to an understanding"
"Why, such a…"
"Because you're the two I lost to"

Manarisama said so playfully with a smile.

"There are no obstacles you two whom I've approved can't overcome. The current difficult situation doesn't change that"
"But, actually Claire-sama and I…"
"Have you conveyed your feelings to Claire? Have you conveyed everything that's in your heart?"
"I… should have"
"Truly? I guess you've told Claire you were thinking of her while doing that, but have you put your wishes into words?"

I wonder.
I was delirious at that time, so I can't remember well.

"As you know as well, Claire-sama can't be stopped by theory anymore. If it's to stop her, there's nothing other than your selfishness"
"My… selfishness?"

I don't quite understand.
I wonder if something like this can move Claire-sama's heart.

"Rei, you're a big deal. Even if I thoroughly prepared, I don't believe I could think of and execute a plan to save Claire. But, you see――"

Listen carefully, Manarisama said.

"You should express your feelings to Claire at least once"

It's too early to give up on everything, said Manarisama.

"You may be joking all the time, but you're a rational person. Claire is prone to being emotional, but until now you've been behaving calmly as much as possible. But you see, without regard to your appearances, without sugarcoating, why don't you try exposing your raw feelings once?"
"Expose… feelings…"

I wonder if Claire-sama will come back with that.
I don't know.
But, if there's even one in a million chance.

"Now, what will you do? I'm going to rescue Claire, will you cooperate?"
"I…"
"You?"

My paralyzed heart began moving.

"I… want to save Claire-sama"

If there's a possibility left, I want to try betting on it.
Manarisama smiled with satisfaction at my answer.

"I was waiting for those words. Just what I expected of my Rei"

Manarisama stroked my hair.

"I'm not Manarisama's. My everything is Claire-sama's"
"Fufu, if you can hit me with at least that much abuse, you're okay already"

After finishing up with a tight hug, Manarisama said.

"Then, let's get started at once. Let's work out how to take back princess"

As Manarisama said that with a Cheshire Cat smile, I thought after all I'm no match for this person.

Claire-sama will be put to a public trial together with Dor-sama, reported newspapers.
It's a trial in name only, it's just a public execution.
The security around Claire-sama was strict, there was no opportunity other than that day.

The public trial seemed to be done as a summary court in a fenced-off area on a plaza in front of the parliament building.
I was in the front row of the people crowding around it.

"They're coming out!"

Somebody in the crowd said so.
I looked to see two nobles connected by rope being brought in on the other side of the fence.

"… Claire-sama"

The nobles were Claire-sama and Dor-sama.
They're wearing formal attires.
It seems they aren't wearing rags to show the crowd the two of them are nobles.
Both Claire-sama and Dor-sama are resolute.
That attitude seemed to further provoke the crowd's animosity.

"His Majesty the King in attendance!"

With those words appeared Sein-sama, who was officially crowned just the other day.
The Royal Family more or less regained their power.
However, they lost sovereignty over the Bauer Kingdom.
The king reigns without ruling, it's similar to some government systems on Earth.

Sein-sama has a sour look.
In his case it's the usual, so I can't tell what he's thinking at all from his expression.

"Now begins the people's trial!"

It was Salas who loudly declared that.
Inside the fencing the figures of Arla and Irvine can also be seen.
Salas surveyed the crowd and continued.

"Dor François as well as Claire François here abused their status as nobles to exploit the people!"

Way to impudently say it while playing innocent, I thought.

"Besides, they disrespected the Royal Family and tried managing this country for their selfish desires! This is an intolerable criminal act!"

Salas's incitement easily roused the crowd.
Dor-sama aside, I couldn't conceal my resentment towards the masses that briskly tried to judge Claire-sama who just the other day had been extolled as the country's hero.

The trial continues.
Salas read all the charges against Dor-sama and Claire-sama aloud, and judged them guilty of every one of them.
Then, he asked Dor-sama if he has any objections.

"I have none. I dedicated this body to the kingdom. If the kingdom is to perish, it is the fate for my life to disappear together with it"

Saying only this much, Dor-sama closed his eyes.

"The criminals acknowledged their crimes! Consequently, they will now be executed!"

At Salas's signal, soldiers came in.
In their hands are swords.
Dor-sama and Claire-sama were brought to their knees and their heads presented to the crowd.
A soldier standing nearby raised his sword overhead.
At that moment――.

"I object to that trial!"

The voice that went against the flow resounded across the court.

Chapter end