16
殿下に送られて帰宅するとメリンダの質問攻めにあった。特に私の格好に対する殿下の反応が気になるようだ。
「もっと何かなかったの?例えば君より美しい人を僕は見たことないとか妖精も裸足で逃げ出すほどだとかこんな婚約者を持てたことを天に感謝してもしきれない、とか」
「メリンダ、それはもう殿下じゃないわ」
一般人でもないだろう。多分詩人かなにかだ。
綺麗だと初めて言われたので私は十分嬉しかったけど。メリンダは物足りないらしい。
「まあいいわ...他の詳しいことはあの子もいるときに聞くから」
唇を尖らせるメリンダ。実は5日後エミリアがキューイ邸に来ることになっている。彼女には弟妹がたくさんいるそうで、あまり長く家を空けたくないと言っていたので一泊二日だ。
『夏季休業中またお泊まり女子会がしたい』。これが先日のテストで3位をとったエミリアがねだったご褒美だ。
可愛らしいお願いに拍子抜けして本当にそれでいいのかと確認してしまった。私は彼女に似合いそうな宝石を2つ3つ譲ろうと思っていたのだ。
5日後、エミリアは馬車に乗ってやって来た。そして到着するなりほへえと声をあげていた。キューイ邸の大きさに圧倒されたらしい。
私とメリンダはといえば、そんなエミリアが小脇に抱えている別の物の大きさに圧倒されていた。
「...エミリア、その卵前見た時よりかなり大きくなってる気がするんだけど?」
そう尋ねたメリンダは顔を引きつらせている。
「卵って大きくなるの...?」
メリンダの困惑はもっともだ。エミリアの優しさと膨大な魔力を糧に幻獣が破格の成長を遂げているのだと攻略本で知っていなければ、私とて同じように顔を引きつらせた自信がある。
「そうなんですよねぇ」と笑うエミリア。
シナリオでは、幻獣祭の優勝は彼女だ。
夜が更けても、1つのベッドの上で身を寄せ合いお喋りを続けた。
今日はメリンダと二人でエミリアに乗馬を教えたり、創作料理大会を開催したり、小さな子供みたいに庭の芝生に寝転がってお昼寝したり、なかなか実りある1日だったといえよう。
二人は夜中瞼が下がってきても「寝ない」と言い張っていた。エミリアに至っては「お友達と『オールナイト』するの夢だったんですよぅ」とよくわからないことを言ってごねた。
しかし午前2時を過ぎると、二人仲良く夢の世界へ旅立った。私が眠くないのは昼間に芝生で熟睡をかましたせいだろう。
吐いたため息は暗い部屋に溶けて無くなった。二人の寝顔を眺めながらぼんやり考える。
例の一大イベントは8月の頭。つまり半月後に迫っている。内容はこうだ。ある日町に買い物に出かけたエミリアは、嫌がらせのついでに『夏』に参加できないようにしてやろうと目論んだ悪役令嬢レベッカに攫われ、幻獣の卵を奪われそうになる。
もちろん私はそんなことしないが、今までのことを考えれば攫うのが別の誰かになるだけだろうと踏んでいる。
重要なのは、そこで助けに来てくれる攻略対象こそ、主人公の最終的な恋のお相手ということだ。
その後上手くハッピーエンドに持っていけるかは別として、ルートはここで完全に分岐するのだ。
しかし私は自分でエミリアを助けるつもりだ。様々なイベントを軒並み私が消化している今、静観していてもしも誰も来なかったらどうする。というかできれば未然に防ぎたい。ゲームの強制力と戦って勝てるかどうか定かではないが。
そんな私にとって大変喜ばしい事実が一つある。
殿下は絶対に助けに来られないということだ。何故かといえばこれは物理的な問題だ。7月の終わりから8月の上旬にかけ、殿下はスルタルク公爵家領を訪ねることになっているのだ。殿下が婚約を続行する意向であり、私がそれを受け入れていることを確認した父の進言だった。
多忙な殿下の仕事を父が幾分肩代わりし、本来なら馬車で片道4日かかるところを2日で行く。一歳の誕生日を迎え逞しい成長を遂げたグルーだからできる強行軍である。そんな旅程なので私がついていくという話にはならなかった。
これならゲームの強制力がどれほど強かろうが、殿下は助けに来られず、シナリオ上でもエミリアと殿下が結ばれることはないと決まる。私にはこれ以上ないくらい嬉しい。
ふと考え事をやめて窓の外に目を向けた。窓から涼しい風が入って頬を撫でたからだ。部屋の中も外も暗いが、空には明るい星が煌々と瞬いている。それを見て決意を新たにした。
大丈夫、エミリア。私はきっとあなたを守ってみせる。
8月に入った日。私は王都の父の家にエミリアを招待していた。1日だけと呼んだが、このままずるずると滞在してもらうつもりだ。前に小さい弟妹が多くて大変だと言っていたので、エミリアの家には既に公爵家の使用人を手伝い兼報告に向かわせている。
父は今日も仕事で屋敷にいない。殿下の予定を一週間も空けるという無理を断行したためだ。
今朝も私を一度抱きしめてから「お前のためだと思えば苦でもない」と笑って出て行った。なんて素敵な父さまなんだろう。
今、この家の警備体制は普段の倍レベルに強化してある。父に迷惑をかけないよう、使用人に直接言いつけて、だ。誰が来ても入れない。エミリアが外に出たいと言っても決して出さない。
これでも誘拐されるならそのときはそのときだ。シナリオの強制力に舌を巻きつつ全力で助けに向かうのみ。これではほとんど軟禁だが、頑張って楽しませるのでエミリアには何とか我慢してほしい。
私の予想では、期間はエミリアの幻獣の卵が孵るまでが一つの目安だ。エミリアの幻獣はこのイベント中に孵り、戦局をひっくり返す役目を持つからだ。殿下は昨日出発された。万事問題はない。
少しだけ異変が起こったのはその日の夕方のことだ。
私とエミリアは本の感想を言い合いつつお茶を飲んでいた。ゲームのシナリオではもう事件が終わる頃だなと思っていると、執事長がやって来て来客を告げた。今日は客をもてなす気はないと断ろうとするも、父の恩師だったのでまさか追い返すわけにもいかず。家の代表として父の不在を伝えるべくエミリアのそばを離れた。誰が来ても会わないこと、どこにも行かないことをエミリアに約束させてから。
かなり不審だと思うのだが、エミリアは「それがレベッカ様の望みなら」と許してくれた。だから安心して来客の対応をして、戻ってきてエミリアがいなかったとき仰天した。代わりに執事が一人待っていた。
どうにも追い返せない相手が来て、今別室でエミリアと話をしていると。その人物とは五高の一人、キャラン・ゴウデス侯爵令嬢だと。しかも彼女は従者も連れず一人で来たと。
二人がいるはずの部屋はもぬけの殻だった。
Ch 16
When I returned home after being sent by His Highness, I was bombarded with questions from Melinda. In particular, she seems to be curious about His Highness's reaction to my appearance.
"Wasn't there something more? For example, that I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you, that I would run away barefoot like a fairy, or that I'm so grateful to God for having such a fiance."
"Melinda, that's not His Highness anymore."
He's probably not an ordinary person. Maybe he's a poet or something.
I was really happy enough when I was told that I was beautiful for the first time, but Melinda seems unsatisfied.
"Well, I'll ask for more details when that girl is here."
Melinda pouts. In fact, Emilia is coming to the Cuey house in five days. She has many younger siblings and said that she doesn't want to leave home for too long, so it's just for one night and two days.
[It seems that she wants to have a sleepover party for girls again during the summer vacation]. This is the reward that Emilia, who took third place in the recent test, requested.
I was caught off guard by her cute request and asked if it was really okay. I was thinking of giving her two or three jewels that would suit her.
Five days later, Emilia came in a carriage. And as soon as she arrived, she was exclaiming in amazement. She seems to have been overwhelmed by the size of the Cuey house.
On the other hand, Melinda and I were overwhelmed by the size of the thing that Emilia was holding in her arms.
"...Emilia, it looks like the egg has gotten bigger since the last time I saw it, don't you think?"
Melinda asked with a puzzled face.
"Do eggs get bigger...?"
Melinda's confusion is understandable. If I didn't know from the strategy book that Phantom Beast is growing at an abnormal rate thanks to Emilia's kindness and vast magical power, I would have been just as puzzled.
"That's right," Emilia laughed.
In the scenario, Emilia will be the winner of the Phantom Beast Festival.
Even as the night grew later, we continued talking while lying next to each other on one bed.
Today, Melinda and I taught Emilia horseback riding and held a cooking competition, and acted like little kids by lying on the grass in the yard and taking a nap. It was a fulfilling day, to say the least.
The two of them kept insisting "We're not going to sleep" even as the night grew late. Emilia in particular said "Being able to spend an all-nighter with friends was my dream." in a way that I didn't quite understand.
But past 2am, the two of them happily set off to dreamland. I'm not sleepy because I took a nap on the grass during the day.
The sigh I let out dissolved into the dark room and disappeared. I look at the two of them sleeping and think to myself.
The big event that we're talking about is at the beginning of August, that's in half a month. The story goes like this: one day, when Emilia was out shopping in the town, she gets kidnapped by the villainous Rebecca, who had planned on using this as an opportunity to make sure she couldn't participate in the summer event, and almost loses her Phantom Beast's egg.
Of course, I wouldn't do something like that, but when I think about what's happened before, it's likely that someone else will do it instead.
The important thing is that the person who comes to save her at that point is the protagonist's final love interest.
After that, whether it will lead to a happy ending or not, the route is completely branching here.
However, I intend to save Emilia myself. Various events are all being handled by me, even if I'm just watching, what would I do if no one came. Or rather, I want to prevent it from happening if possible. It's uncertain whether I can win against the game's compulsion.
For me, there is one extremely pleasing fact.
His Highness cannot absolutely come to help. The reason is that this is a physical problem. From the end of July to the early part of August, His Highness is scheduled to visit the Duke of Slutarch. His Highness intends to continue the engagement, and it was my father's advice after confirming that I accepted it.
My father helps out with His Highness's busy work to some extent, and he can go to places that would normally take four days by horse-drawn carriage in two days because of the one-year-old Grue who has grown up so well. Because of such a schedule, I couldn't go with him.
With this, no matter how strong the game's compulsion is, His Highness cannot come to help and it is decided that Emilia and His Highness will not be bound in the scenario. I couldn't be happier.
I suddenly stopped thinking and looked out the window. The cool wind was coming in from the window and stroking my cheeks. The room and the outside were dark, but the sky was bright with shining stars. Seeing that, I renewed my determination.
It's okay, Emilia. I'll definitely protect you.
"I invited Emilia to my father's house in the Royal Capital in August. I called it just for one day, but I plan to have her stay for a while. She told me before that there were many small siblings and it was hard, so I have already sent Duke's servants to help and report at Emilia's house."
My father is not in the mansion today either, because he decided to take a week off from his work.
This morning, he hugged me once and said, "If it's for your sake, it's not painful." and left while laughing. What a wonderful father.
Currently, the security of this house is at double the normal level. In order not to trouble my father, I directly instructed the servants. No one can enter, no matter who they are. Even if Emilia wants to go out, I will never let her.
Even if she is kidnapped, it will be at that time. I will help with all my might while wrapping my tongue around the scenario's compulsion. Even though this is almost house arrest, I will do my best to make it fun for Emilia, so I hope she can bear with it.
In my prediction, the time limit is until Emilia's Phantom Beast's eggs hatch. Emilia's Phantom Beast will hatch during this event and will have the role of turning the tide of the war. The Duke has already left yesterday, so there are no problems.
It happened that evening that something strange occurred.
Emilia and I were talking about our impressions of the book while drinking tea. I thought that the incident was already over in the game's scenario, but the butler came and announced a visitor. I tried to refuse saying that I didn't feel like entertaining guests today, but since it was my father's mentor, I couldn't just turn him away. I left Emilia's side to tell the visitor that my father was not present as the representative of the house. I made Emilia promise me not to see anyone or go anywhere before I left.
Although she found it quite suspicious, Emilia said "if that's what Rebecca-sama wants." So, I felt relieved and entertained the guest, but when I returned and found Emilia was not there, I was shocked. Instead, the butler was there alone.
He said "she" was talking to Emilia in the other room now. That person is one of the Five strongest, Kyaran, Marquis Goudes' daughter. Furthermore, she came alone without any followers.
The room, where there were supposed to be two people, was empty.
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