I Favor The Villainess

Along with rattling, my vision repeatedly shook up and down .
It’s been nearly half a year since I came to this world, so I’m mostly used to it by now, but in the beginning, I missed the comfort of cars on Earth .

And so, right now I’m in a carriage .
We’re en route to François house’s holiday villa, together with Claire-sama, Misha, and Dor-sama I’m being shaken in a three-horse carriage .
The seating arrangement is Claire-sama with me on the coachman side and Dor-sama with Misha in the back .
There was a quarrel about this seating arrangement, but eventually Claire-sama selfishly forced her way through and Dor-sama gave in .

“That’s why I said that .  What you’re saying is a pipe dream . The kingdom government won’t work without aristocracy”

With exaggerated gestures, the one who said that was Claire-sama’s father, the kingdom’s Minister of Finance, Dor-sama .
It’s been about half a day since we boarded the carriage, yet Dor-sama’s talk shows no sign of stopping .

“Father, I have already heard that story . How many times do you think it has been”
“Hm? Is that so? Then, I’ll tell a different story . This is a story from when Claire was just born――”

Speaking of Dor-sama, aside from royalty, he’s the top aristocrat .
If he wants to talk, there are almost no people who can interrupt him .
Only Claire-sama could, but as she’s a genuine n.o.ble, she’s unable to interrupt her father’s talk .
At most she can offer an honest opinion when his talk reaches a stopping point, like the moment before .

The content of Dor-sama’s stories is mostly boasting about his own achievements .
Dor-sama who holds the position of Minister of Finance is in other words the country’s treasurer .
Although the status of other ministries is by no means low, nevertheless the position of controlling the flow of money is powerful, both in j.a.pan in my previous life or in this world .
Bills and policies made by many politicians and bureaucrats can’t be approved without Dor-sama’s cooperation .
As a result, Dor-sama who’s involved in approval of every bill and policy, considers them as his own achievements .

“Claire . You’re still young… And you’re a woman, so you might not understand, but politics don’t operate on ideals”
“Haa…”

After Dor-sama’s focus switched to her, Claire-sama looked a little fed up and vaguely replied to show she’s paying attention .

I saw her eyes looking at me for help .

“Dor-sama, how was Claire-sama when she was a child?”
“She was an angel! There was no lovelier existence in the world than Claire!”

As I threw a hook, Dor-sama easily swallowed it .
He delightedly began talking on and on about Claire-sama’s childhood in detail .

Suddenly I was poked in my side .
It was Misha .

“I’m impressed you can speak to Dor-sama directly…”
“Why? He’s my future father-in-law?”
“I’m impressed you can joke like that in front of Dor-sama…”

Misha, who sighed in exasperation, seems to be deeply exhausted .
Unlike me, Misha was originally a n.o.ble, it seems she’s unable to not feel pressure being in Dor-sama’s presence .
Just sitting next to him must make her fearful, exchanging words must seem unreasonable .

“Well, I permitted this commoner to have a conversation with me, because it’s what Claire permitted . Otherwise, we wouldn’t be sitting in this carriage together in the first place”
“I am grateful for Your Excellency’s and Claire-sama’s generous hearts”
“Umu”

When I humbled myself, Dor-sama nodded in satisfaction .

“However, Claire . You seem to have become considerably close with this commoner . What kind of turn of events is that when you disliked her so much in the beginning?”
“… I do not particularly intend on becoming close with her even now”
“Is that so? Claire, your heart is too gentle for a n.o.ble . You need to carefully choose whom to show compa.s.sion”

Dor-sama said explanatorily .
Claire-sama looked fed up but still nodded .

“Otherwise, you’ll repeat the same mistake… as with that traitor Orso”

Dor-sama said such words .

“Father!”
“Even though she was appointed for so many years she turned out to be an outrageous wh.o.r.e . To work together with the empire and rebel against the kingdom, even capital punishment was lenient”

His Majesty was truly too soft, Dor-sama spoke bitterly .
Claire-sama was about to explode, but with utmost effort managed to endure .
This is bad .
I tried changing the topic again .

However―― .

“And that woman had a relationship with her blood-related brother . Just by being at Claire’s side such a person disgraces――”
“Stop it!”

Claire-sama raised her voice interrupting Dor-sama .
I couldn’t make it in time .

“Claire… I know you’re gentle, but to defend such a person――”
“Be silent, father . If you insult Lene any more, even if you are my father, I will not forgive you?”

With a demonic expression, Claire-sama threatened Dor-sama who tried to criticize Lene even further .
As if Dor-sama was overpowered, he stayed silent for a while .

“Certainly, what Lene did cannot be tolerated . It is as father says . However, she had her own anguish and distress…”

Claire-sama’s tone sounded truly pained .

“Lene received punishment . Please stop the topic at this . I still think of her as dear to me”

Even after being betrayed, Claire-sama still sympathizes with her servant .
Claire-sama isn’t a person who easily opens her heart to others, but she’s soft on people she recognizes to the end .
I love that aspect of hers .

I love that aspect of hers .

However―― .

“Claire, that’s not the way of thinking of a n.o.ble . Change it”

Dor-sama said coldly .

“A n.o.ble is a person who rules people . Compa.s.sion is a means to that, there’s nothing to be gained from being sentimental”
“I am sentimental――!”
“Then, what did you gain by being sympathetic with a servant who betrayed you? What would happen if other n.o.bles heard what you’ve just said?”
“Tha, that――!”

Claire-sama was at a loss for words .
I noticed it .
Claire-sama and Dor-sama are talking operating on a completely different principles .

Claire-sama persistently talks from emotional standpoint .
It’s the part of heart that’s not satisfied with logic alone, essential for people to live like people .
In contrast, Dor-sama sticks to logic .
It’s the world of profit and loss, far detached from humanity .

And, he’s saying that’s what n.o.bility is .

“Claire . I pray you will not disappoint me”
“…”
“What’s your response”
“…”
“Claire”
“… Yes”

Claire-sama’s voice was so feeble it seemed like it would disappear .
I tried to call out to Claire – no, let’s not .

I know Claire-sama is hurting now .
But, no matter what I said, Claire-sama’s wounds aren’t so shallow that I could heal them .

I know Claire-sama is hurting now .
But, no matter what I said, Claire-sama’s wounds aren’t so shallow that I could heal them .
Because, Claire-sama is hurting not because of Dor-sama’s words, but as a consequence of being aware of who she is – nothing but a hopeless n.o.ble .

Claire-sama is smart .
If she felt like it, she could refute Dor-sama’s words any number of times .
But, so what?
Being thoroughly a n.o.ble, never tasting life other than a n.o.ble’s, what qualifications does she to deny the n.o.ble logic .
It says more to watch over her anguish than to speak .
That’s why I won’t speak .

However, that’s for now .

I’ll one day show Claire-sama that her way is completely correct .
Not with shallow gentle stopgap words, I’ll show her it’s correct in reality .
For that reason, I chose to remain silent now .
It’s necessary because Dor-sama and Misha are here .

But, at least .

“…!”

Claire-sama sent a fleeting glance over here .
Out of Dor-sama’s view, I held Claire-sama’s hand .
When I held it lightly, Claire-sama clasped back with more strength .

I feel Claire-sama’s warmth .
Please, let my warmth also reach Claire-sama .

I can’t do it with words .
But, I want to believe that there’s certainly something that was conveyed between us even without words .