25
私と殿下の婚約を解消するに当たって一番のネックは、これが家同士の利害関係による取り決めであることだろう。
そもそも。スルタルク公爵家領は、広すぎる・豊かすぎる・王都から遠すぎる。どうぞ独立しなさいと言わんばかりの三拍子だったから、現国王はその家の娘と自らの息子の婚約を半ば強引に取り付けた。
国王の親族になったら更に力を持ってしまうなどと言っていられる状況ではなかった。王権に依存する形で権力を増すならまだましと判断されたのだ。
スルタルク家もスルタルク家で、痛くない腹を探られるのは煩わしい。父さまは私を可愛がっていたのでかなり渋ったが、王家からの打診を断っては角が立ちすぎる。仕方なく受け入れた。
つまるところ、スルタルク公爵家が独立しないのであればこの婚姻はいらない。殿下には男兄弟がないので後ろ盾が必要というわけでもない。
最近になってゲームの殿下が何を考えていたのかわかるようになった。
シナリオで殿下は、王妃・もしくはこの国の重要人物の妻たるエミリアに危害を加えたことを理由にスルタルク公爵家を没落させる。エミリアがそのような地位に上り詰めたのは、愛されていたから、実は歴代最高の治癒魔法の使い手だったから、というだけではおそらくない。
そこには政治的理由があった。愚かなレベッカのせいで扱いづらい公爵家。御しきれないなら、力を削ぐまで。
殿下は大きくなりすぎたスルタルクを一度潰して作り直すのにエミリアとレベッカを利用したのだ。
それがわかってしまえばあとは簡単だ。
「申し上げておきますが殿下、たとえ婚約がなくてもスルタルク公爵家に独立の意志はございません」
まずはそれを伝えること。
「エミリアの治癒魔法の腕は類を見ないものです。今度魔力の強さを確かめてみては?」
次にエミリアの有用性を知らせること。
「あら、向こうにいるのはエミリアですね。私は用があるので失礼しますけど、どうぞお二人で話されてください」
そして殿下にエミリアの方を向いてもらうこと。
もっと早くにこうすれば良かった。殿下との婚約を円満に解消してしまえば、下手にシナリオを変えようとするより失敗した時のリスクがないではないか。
そうだ、遅かれ早かれ起こることだったのだ。
(だめ、お願い、やめて!)
可愛いエミリアのことだから殿下の気持ちもすぐに追いつく。これでエミリアも幸せだ。うん、よかった。
(殿下が私以外を好きになるなんて身を切られるよりつらい)
正式に破談になる前に父に伝えに行かないと。家は兄が継ぐだろうから私はやはり結婚して家を出る必要がある。
(殿下以外と結婚などできるはずもないのに)
ああ。心が言動とのねじれでぐちゃぐちゃだ。そうしたらわかってしまった。
理屈をこね、もっともらしいことを言って。結局私は「別れよう」と言われるのが怖かったのだ。あの口で、声で、いつかそんな風に言われてしまったらと考えるだけで、こんなにも怖い。だから言われる前に自分から逃げた。
初めて会った時、私を両腕に抱きとめてくれた彼。誰だかわからなかったのに、何も考えず飛び込んでしまったっけ。
手作りのクッキーを「美味いな」と全部食べてくれた彼。また何か作りますと約束したのに。
お風呂上がりの私を見て固まってしまった彼。あのときの表情は今考えると貴重だ。
怒りに我を忘れた私を呼び戻してくれた彼。世界にあなたしかいなくなったかと思った。
グルーの背の上で、風に髪をはためかせながら私を振り返る彼。これからは同じように別の誰かを乗せてあげるんだろうか。
私とエミリアを助けに来てくれた彼。来てくれたことをもっと喜べばよかった。
怪我ないかと心配してくれる彼。しょっちゅう私を心配してくれるのは、実は結構嬉しかった。
殿下が好き。
一回でもそう伝えればよかった。
気づくとうす暗い道を寮に向かって歩いていた。ぼんやりしすぎだ。最近やりたくないことをやりすぎて疲れきってしまった。もう寝てしまおう。
そういえば今朝メリンダがクリスティーナを預かると言って連れて行ってしまったけど、私はそんなに疲れが顔に出ているんだろうか。
ふらつく足を叱咤して寮の自分の部屋までたどり着いた。ドアノブに手をかけ、開いて中に入ってから思った。
あれなんで、かぎがかかってないんだろう。
私の部屋なのに人がいた。薄暗い中明かりもつけず、入り口に呆然として立つ私を見ていた。
群青が、今日も綺麗だと思った。
Ch 25
The biggest obstacle in dissolving my engagement with His Highness is that it is a decision made based on the interests of our respective houses.
Originally, the Duke of Slutarch's territory was too wide, too rich, and too far from the Royal Capital. It was almost as if the current king forced the engagement between the Duke's daughter and his own son.
It was not a situation where it could be said that by becoming a relative of the king, one would gain even more power. It was judged that it would be acceptable if power was increased in a form dependent on royal power.
It's annoying for the Slutarch family to be poked around in their own house. My father loved me, so he was quite reluctant, but if he refused the offer from the royal family, it would be too much. He reluctantly accepted.
In short, this marriage is unnecessary if the Duke of Slutarch does not become independent. His Highness has no brothers, so there is no need for a backing.
Recently, I have come to understand what His Highness has been thinking.
In the scenario, His Highness brings down the Duke of Slutarch because he has harmed Emilia, who is the wife of the king or an important person in the country. It is probably not just because she was loved, or because she was actually the best user of healing magic in history, that Emilia rose to such a position.
There were political reasons behind it. Because of the foolish Rebecca, the Duke family is in a difficult position. If it's unbearable, then he will weaken our power.
His Highness used Emilia and Rebecca to crush and rebuild the overgrown Slutarch.
Once that is understood, it is simple.
"I would like to point out that the Duke of Slutarch has no intention of becoming independent, even if there is no engagement with His Highness."
First, tell him that.
"Emilia's skill in healing magic is unparalleled. Why don't you come and see how strong her magic is?"
Then, let him know Emilia's usefulness.
"Oh, that's Emilia over there. I have some business, so excuse me, but please talk to each other."
Then, make His Highness turn to Emilia.
I should have done this sooner. If I could have smoothly dissolved my engagement with His Highness, there would have been less risk of failure when trying to change the scenario.
It's true, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
(No, please stop!)
It's because Emilia is cute, so the feelings of His Highness will soon catch up. This way, Emilia will also be happy. Yeah, that's good.
(It would be more painful to be cut than for His Highness to like someone else besides me.)
I have to go tell my father before it officially becomes a scandal. The house will be passed down to my brother, so I still need to get married and leave the house.
(It's impossible for me to marry someone other than His Highness.)
Ah, my heart is in conflict with my actions and it's a mess. That's when I realized.
I'd try to reason that it is the most plausible thing. In the end, I was afraid of being told "let's break up". Just thinking about it being said in that way, with that voice, made me so scared. So I ran away before I could be told.
The first time we met, he hugged me in his arms. I didn't know who he was, but I jumped into it without thinking.
He ate all of my homemade cookies and said "they're delicious." I promised him I would make more.
He froze when he saw me after my bath. That expression is precious to me now when I think about it.
He brought me back to my senses when I lost myself in anger. I thought there was nobody else in the world but you.
On Grue's back, he looked back at me with his hair fluttering in the wind. I wonder if he will carry someone else like this from now on.
He who came to help me and Emilia. I should have been happier that he came.
He who worries about whether I'm injured or not. It actually made me quite happy that he worries about me often.
I like His Highness.
I should have told him at least once.
I noticed that I was walking towards the dormitory on a dimly lit road. It's too hazy. Recently, I've been doing things I don't want to do too much and I'm exhausted. I'll just go to sleep now.
Now that I think about it, Melinda took Christina and said she would take care of her this morning, but I wonder if I look that tired.
Scolding my wobbly legs, I made it to my room in the dormitory. I put my hand on the door knob, opened it, and entered. Then I thought,
Why is the lock not locked?
Someone was in my room. In the dim light, without turning on the light, he stood at the entrance, staring at me in a daze.
The ultramarine blue sky looked beautiful today, I thought.
The Villainess Carries a Strategy Guide
その悪役令嬢は攻略本を携えている
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-carries-a-strategy-guide/
Fantasy Josei Romance Shoujo
Academy Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Doting Older Siblings European Ambience Female Protagonist Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Nobles Otome Game Reincarnated in a Game World Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6554fr/
岩田加奈