懸念していたことのほぼ全てに手を打った。勝つ自信はある。心の準備はできていた。
まさかの当日朝の、プレゼント以外は。
「色っぽいじゃないか、アイリーン。見違えたよ」
「本当に本当ですか、お父様」
眼光鋭くアイリーンが振り向くと、ルドルフがまばたいた。
「似合っていますか。ドレスに着られてはいませんか。わたくしともあろう者が!」
「ど、どうした、お前らしくない。社交界デビューしたばかりの頃でもそんなこと言わなかっただろう。まさか、リリア様に負けるのではないかと怖じ気づいたり」
「そんな小物の話はどうでもよろしくてよ、相手は世界で一番妖艶な魔物なんですから! 髪も化粧も完璧なはずですけれども......!」
はらはらする。何度も何度も鏡でチェックしすぎて、使用人達に引きはがされ馬車に放り込まれてしまったのだが、まだチェックし足りない。
(もう少し口紅は大人っぽい赤がよかったかしら。髪はきつく結い上げた方が良かった?)
でも時間も鏡ももうない。
父親に手を引かれて、大理石が煌めく夜会の会場へ踏み出す。
一瞬、静寂が広がった。
光沢のある白の絹をたっぷり使ったバッスル・ドレスは一見して花嫁衣装のように清廉だ。
だが隠れ見える精緻な黒のレースや金糸で縫い込まれた刺繍、髪飾りと同じ黒薔薇がアクセントに使われ、ともすれば幼くなりそうな印象を色香漂うものに引き締めている。
白も黒も、理由がない限り単色では夜会で眉を顰められるドレスだ。だが金を織り交ぜ白と黒を取り入れたドレスは、星空のように人目を引く。批難とそれと羨望が混ざった好奇心の眼差し。流行が始まる前に必ず漂う空気だ。
――まして、これを着ているのがあのアイリーン・ローレン・ドートリシュならば。
いつもの高慢な笑みではなく、憂いを帯びた伏せ目がちの瞳。長い睫毛が作る影が、肌の白さを際立たせる。艶のある唇は瑞々しい果実のようで、歩く度にふわりと黒薔薇の優美な香りが漂った。
どんなに穢そうとしても、髪の毛の一本まで、彼女は美しい。そう認識させたことに、アイリーン本人は気づいていなかった。
(このドレスはクロード様が選んだのよね? 着てこいってことで合ってるのよね? 似合っているわよね? 似合うから贈ってきたのよね!?)
似合うと言ってもらえるだろうか。考えるだけでほんのり頬が赤らむ。
潤んだ目を持ち上げると、惚けたようにこちらに見惚れる貴族の青年と目が合った。反射で、アイリーンはふわりと微笑み返す。
エスコートしているルドルフが、感心した声を上げた。
「......お前、少し変わったねえ。セドリック様は今のお前になら惚れ直す気がするなぁ」
「は? 何言ってますのお父様。死んだってお断りですわ」
「そうかぁ。アリかなーとは思ったんだけどね、色々搾り取れそうで」
ふふふふふと笑う父親の目が半分本気だ。
「だが、並みの男ではお前は手に余るだろうよ。じゃあ、お父様はここまでだ。お前の活躍を楽しみにしているからね」
血色のよい顔でぐっと親指まで立てられた。つまり、それなりに一筋縄ではいかない展開が待っているのだろう。
(まあ、簡単にこちらが勝ってもつまらないものね。――あら)
今夜はきっちり髪を整えて、貴公子の格好をしたアイザックが近づいてきた。誰も話しかけてはこないが、注目されているのは分かっている。
すれ違い様に足を止めたような立ち位置で、アイザックが小さく報告した。
「首尾は上々、手筈通り評判になってる」
「――誰かがご存知だと思ったのに、オベロン商会!」
早速耳に飛びこんできた名前に、そのまま耳をすます。
「私に届いていないなんてどういうことなの? ウェームズ伯爵家の令嬢には届いたのに」
「選ばれたご令嬢にしか届いてないって噂よ。それであの方、お怒りなの」
「朝起きたら枕元に置いてあったんですって。使用人達の誰もそんなものは知らないって言うのよ。まるで魔法だわ! 私、わくわくしてしまって」
「とてもいい使い心地なのよ。肌の調子がとてもよくて、もうあれ以外考えられない」
「そんな、私は怪しいと思って捨ててしまったわ。どうしましょう、どこかで手に入れられないの?」
「化粧水だけではなく、洗顔用の石鹸まで届いた方がいるって聞いたのだけれど」
「試用品がもうなくなってしまうのよ。この夜会でなら誰かご存知だと思ったのに――」
「妻が欲しがってうるさいんだ。まいったなあ、誰も分からないなんて」
思わず顔がほころぶ。隠れて掌をアイザックに向けると軽く叩かれた。
「あとは手筈通り、ドートリシュ公爵家に繋ぎがあると噂をまく。それで十分利益になるはずだ」
「お願い」
「あと、カラスとおっさんコンビから最新情報。一つ目、脅迫文の犯人はリリア。自作自演だ」
そうでなくては、と思った。自分を婚約者の座から追い落とした女が、ただの女ではつまらない。
「そう。便せんの模様が一致したのね。セドリック様と共謀?」
「単独だと俺はみてる。証拠は俺が持ってるから、必要なら合図くれ。――ただ悪い報せがある」
「なにかしら」
「そのリリア様が今朝から行方不明だ。脅迫の件があるからな、セドリック皇子はマークス率いる騎士団見習い共を魔王の森に向かわせたらしい」
思わず顔を向けたアイリーンに、アイザックは横顔を向けたまま言う。
「リリア様が見つかるまで、魔王様は来ないそうだ」
「クロード様は――魔物達は? まさか攻め込まれているの?」
「落ち着け、あの魔王サマが簡単にやられるわけねぇだろ、不戦条約だってある。俺は頼まれてんだよ、その魔王サマに。っつうか魔王サマの伝言持ってきたアーモンドに、今朝」
「今朝って」
ドレスを届けるくらいなら、どうして報せてくれなかったのか。眉をひそめるアイリーンの目を、アイザックはまっすぐ射貫いた。
「“僕が行くまで、アイリーンを頼む”だとよ」
――アイリーンの仲間で、堂々と夜会に来られるのはアイザックだけだ。
瞳に力を込めて、アイザックがアイリーンを見据える。
「できるよな。お前は俺が――魔王が見込んだ女なんだから」
視線を落とさないために、顎を引いた。まっすぐ前を見て、不敵に笑う。
「クロード様の件は、根回しがいるでしょう。わたくしはいいから、そちらをお願い」
「ああ。――平民落ちしたら、俺がもらってやったのに」
「あなたを夫にするなんて、そんなもったいないことしないわ」
軽く手をたたき合って、すれ違う。壇上に険しい顔のセドリックが現れる。その隣にリリアはいない。
このままいけば、ゲームの通りアイリーンが誘拐犯になる。だが、焦りはなかった。
(これをひっくり返してこそでしょう? なめないでいただきたいわ)
一度目の婚約破棄は負けた。二度目は勝つ。
「アイリーン・ローレン・ドートリシュ。貴様を捕縛する」
セドリックの指示が飛ぶと同時に衛兵に取り囲まれた。
それでも微笑む。優雅に、完璧な淑女の仕草で。
She pretty much had taken care of everything that she needed to worry about. She had the confidence to win. She had mentally prepared herself.
Except for the unexpected present she had received on this morning.
[Aren't you looking quite s.e.xy, Irene? I can barely recognize you] (Rudolph)
[Is it really true, Father?] (Irene)
Irene turned around with a sharp glint in her eyes; Rudolph blinked his eyes.
[Does it suits me? Should I not wear this dress? Me of all people is--!] (Irene)
[W-what's wrong? This isn't like you. Even when it was time for your social debut you didn't say such a thing. Don't tell me you just realized you were scared of losing to Lilisama?] (Rudolph)
[I don't care about that kind of small matter because my real opponent here is the world's most bewitching Demon King! My hair and makeup should be perfect, but......!] (Irene)
Irene felt nervous. Because she had been persistently checking herself on the mirror, the servants had to forcefully tug her off from the mirror and toss her into to the carriage; but, Irene still thinks she hadn't inspected herself enough.
(I wonder if a bit more of a mature red lipstick is better? Will it be better if I tightly wear my hair up?)
But she had no time and not even a mirror.
Her father led her by her hand, and they stepped onto the sparkling marble floor of the a.s.sembling hall where the evening party was held.
In an instant, silence spread all over the hall.
At first glance, the bustle dress with plenty of s.h.i.+ny white silk looked as pure as a wedding dress.
However, with somewhat subtly hidden embroidered black lace with a golden thread being sewed into the dress and an identical black rose being used as an accent for the hair ornament, the details managed to secure the charming impression of a seemingly young woman.
Both white and black, the monochrome colored dress was frowned upon to be worn in an evening party unless there was a reason. However, the dress that was incorporated with gold was interwoven together with both white and black as if it was the starry sky, drew the public attention. There were hidden criticisms and jealousy behind those curious gazes. It was certainly an air before the beginning of a fas.h.i.+on fad.
----Especially when the one wearing such dress was Irene Loren D'Austriche.
She didn't wear her usual haughty smile, and her downcasted pair of eyes had a trace of sorrow instead. The shadow made by her long eyelashes caused her fair skin to be more prominent. The gloss on her lips was like fresh fruit and every time she walked by, there was an elegant scent of black rose lightly wafting in the air.
No matter how much she was stained, she was still beautiful down to every strand of her hair. Only Irene herself wasn't aware of such recognition.
(This dress was chosen by Claude-sama, wasn't it? It suits me to wear this, isn't it? It suits me, isn't it? Because it suits me, he gave me this, right!?)
Maybe he would say it suits her? Just by thinking that, her cheeks slightly reddened.
When she finally raised her wet eyes with a blank look on her face, her gaze was met by a young n.o.bleman who was gazing at her admiringly. On reflex, Irene softly smiled back at him.
Rudolph who was escorting her raised his voice in admiration.
[......You, kind of change a little. I have a feeling that Cedric-sama will fall in love with you again] (Rudolph)
[Huh? What are you saying, Father? I'll refuse even if I die]  (Irene)
[I see. I thought it would be alright? However, it looks like we can squeeze out various things from him] (Rudolph)
With a "fufufufufu" laugh, Father's eyes were half-serious.
[However, an average man will not be able to handle you, right? Then, Father can only escort you up until here because I'll be looking forward to your action] 
With a sanguine face, Rudolph gave Irene a firm thumbs up. In other words, he was certainly waiting for a plot twist.
(Well, it will be boring if I were to win easily.----Oh My)  (Irene)
Tonight, with a perfectly arranged hair and an appearance of a young n.o.bleman, Isaac approached Irene. No one had approached Irene to start a conversation after her arrival, but Irene was aware she was being observed.
In a position as if his feet stopped while pa.s.sing each other, Isaac reported in a low voice.
[The result is excellent, and it gets publicity as planned] (Isaac)
[----I thought I kind of recognize you, it's the Oberon Company!] (mob-chara A)
As soon as she heard the name mentioned, Irene carefully listened to their conversation.
[I still haven't received that thing even though the Lady of Weimerz Earl's house had already received it, so what does that mean?] (mob-chara A)
[There's a rumor that it will only be delivered to chosen ladies. Because of that, that person is angry] (mob-chara B)
[I heard it was placed by the bedside when people woke up in the morning. There was also the talk about how none of the servants knew about it. As if it was magic! I'm waiting with full of antic.i.p.ation] (mob-chara C)
[It has a very good sensation when you use it. My skin condition is very good, I can no longer think of anything but that] (mob-chara D)
[No way, I thought it was something suspicious I ended up throwing it away. What should I do? Is there a place where I can get it?] (mob-chara E)
[But I heard there were people who had received not only just face lotion but also a cleansing soap] (mob-chara F)
[The trial version for that product is no longer available. But, I thought that someone in this evening party would know about it----] (mob-chara G)
[My wife can't stop talking about wanting it. I'm troubled... to think that no one knows about it] (mob-chara H)
Unconsciously, Irene smiled broadly. While hiding it with her hand, Irene faced Isaac and lightly tapped him.
[Next, as planned, we will be spreading the rumors that those products have a connection with the D'Austriche Duke's Family. That should become profitable enough] (Isaac)
[Please do] (Irene)
[Next, the latest information from the combination of the crows Ossan. First, the culprit of the threatening letters is Lilia. She was performing in her own play] (Isaac)
She thought otherwise. It would be boring if the woman who drove Irene's off her seat as Cedric's fiancee, was just an ordinary woman.
[I see. It was consistent with the design on the stationery. Was Cedric-sama a complicit?] (Irene)
[From what I see, it was a solo act. Because I'm waiting for evidence, please give me a signal if necessary.----Only, there's a bad news] 
[What is it?] 
[That Lilisama whereabout had been uncertain since this morning. Because of the matter of the threats, it seems like Prince Cedric had sent other apprentices from the Holy Knights led by Max to head towards the Demon King's forest] 
Irene unconsciously turned to face Isaac's side profile while he continued to talk.
[It seems like Demon King-sama can't come until Lilisama is found] (Isaac)
[Claude-sama is----what about other monsters? Don't tell me they're going to be attacked?] (Irene)
[Calm down, there's no way that Demon King-sama can be killed that easily, and there's also the peace treaty. I was asked for a favor by that Demon King-sama. I mean, this morning, Almond brought a verbal message from the Demon King-sama to me] (Isaac)
[This morning, you say?] (Irene)
Why didn't he inform her when he did at least manage to deliver the dress to her? Frowning, Irene's eyes directly pierced Isaac.
["Until I come, I'll leave Irene to you," he said] (Isaac)
----Isaac was Irene's only comrade to come to this grand evening party.
Putting an emphasis on his eyes, Isaac fixed his gaze on Irene.
[You can do it. Because you're, I----the woman whom the Demon King can count on after all] (Isaac)
For the sake of not dropping her line of sight, she tucked her chin in. She looked straight ahead and laughed boldly.
[There was a behind-the-scenes negotiation regarding Claude-sama's matter, wasn't there? I'm fine, so please go over there] (Irene)
[Aah.----If you do become a commoner, I'll welcome you] (Isaac)
[You don't do something useless like becoming someone else's husband]  (Irene)
Lightly clapping each other's hand, they pa.s.sed by each other. Cedric appeared on the platform with a grim look on his face. There was no Lilia by his side.
If things were to proceed like in the game, Irene would become a kidnapper. However, there was no impatience in her.
(This is for the sake of turning that over, isn't it? I want them not to underestimate me)
I lost the first round when my engagement was annulled. I will win this second round.
[Irene Loren D'Austriche. You are under arrest] (Cedric)
As soon as Cedric gave the order, Irene was immediately surrounded by the palace guards.
But even then, she smiled. Gracefully, with the mannerism of a perfect lady.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ