顔を上げれば、見覚えのある美少年。ザフィルド=ルイス=ラピシェンタ殿下。サザンジール殿下の弟君で第二王子である彼は兄殿下にそっくりの美形ながらも、兄殿下と違い襟足の長い銀色の髪を持っている。通称『銀王子』。あとはまだザフィルド殿下のほうが背が低いのと、目尻が少し下がっていますかね。そんな彼に特定の婚約者はいない。遊んでいる女性は多いとの噂ですけども。
わたくしと同い年で同じクラスのザフィルド殿下とは、将来義弟になる予定のこともあり、懇意にさせてもらっている。
そんな彼が容赦なく告げる。
「さっき兄上とも喧嘩してたけど......もうやめたら? 運動したいなら、ダンスとかで十分でしょ?」
「嫌ですわ。わたくしは強くなりたいんですの」
ぷいっとそっぽを向いたついでに、落ちた小剣を拾いに行こうとする。だけど、ザフィルド殿下がなぜかわたくしの腕を引いた。手を取られる。
「あーあ。手の皮も剥けちゃって......痛くないの?」
「......そりゃあ、痛いですわ」
痛いものは痛い。我慢しても仕方がないので素直に認めれば、ザフィルド殿下の兄殿下よりも愛嬌のある顔が笑った。
「あっはっは。でも続けるんだ?」
「えぇ、勿論ですわ」
「テーピングの仕方、教えようか?」
突然の有り難い提案に目を見開けば、ザフィルド殿下がそっとわたくしの手を撫でる。
「仕方ないから、剣の基礎も教えてあげる。スパルタで良ければだけどね」
ザフィルド殿下は、一年生にして剣術部のエースと謳われる人物だ。兄上殿下と違い、武芸に特化している。頭脳の兄と、武芸の弟。とてもバランスの良い王子らだと評判なのだが......その弟君からの提案は、喉から手が出るほどありがたい。
「いいんですの?」
それでもわたくしが剣を学ぶことは、皆が反対しているから――と確認してみれば、ザフィルド殿下がわたくしの首に手を回す。そして馬の尻尾のようになっている髪をひょいっと指先で弾いた。
「その代わり、人前で訓練はやめようね。みんな、ルルーシェの白いうなじに欲情しているから」
もう、もうっ! こんな居たたまれないのは久々ですわっ! そんなんだから、いつまで経っても婚約者ができないんですのよ!?
ザフィルド殿下の楽しげな笑い声が聞こえる。
夜もザフィルド殿下から聞いた素振りを百回ほど行って。疲れで気絶したかのように、ベッドに倒れた。そして、わたくしは彼に会う。
『あら神様。今宵も会いに来てくださるなんて嬉しいですわ』
『......それは、毎日来るなという嫌味かな?』
『まさか。本当に嬉しく思っているのですよ?』
毎晩、神様はわたくしの夢に現れていた。正直少しだけ『またですの?』と思うけれど、決して嫌ではない。毎晩わたくしのことを心配してくださいますし、そのせいで翌朝に疲れが残っているということもない。
今宵も真白な世界で、わたくしは神様に対面する。
『それで、今日はどんなお説教をしてくださいますの?』
『お説教って』
『剣の稽古を始めた時は本当に喧しかったですよね』
『喧しい......』
あら、またはしたないことを言ってしまったわ。でも、本当に喧しかったのよ? 危ないとか、一朝一夕で身に付くものはないだとか......それでも神様が現実に関与するというのは規律や因果で宜しくないようで、本当に口だけなのだけど。
そんな神様は、やっぱり眉根を寄せている。
『ねぇ......本当に稽古を続けるつもりなの?』
『勿論ですわ』
『素人の女性が百日間だけ訓練したって......プロの刺客を退治することなんかできないよ。きみにあの男は守れない』
『そんなこと、やってみないとわからないじゃないですか』
わたくしは即座に否定してみせるけど......そんな真剣な顔で、はっきり言わないでくださいまし。美形の真面目な顔ほど、怖いものはありませんのよ?
わたくしが視線を下げると、神様は続けざまに言う。
『そんな不毛なことするくらいなら、もっと楽しいことをするべきだろう!? もっとやっておきたいことはないのか? 旅行に行きたいとか、美味しいものを食べ尽くしたいとか、遊びたいとか......訓練と教育に明け暮れる最後で、きみは本当にいいのか!?』
『......勿論』
『そんなことしても、きみが死ぬという未来は変えられないよ』
そう言われても、わたくしは笑みを崩さない。
『どんと来やがれですわ』
『......勝手にしろ!』
あら。神様がそっぽを向いて消えてしまいました。拗ねるだなんて、お可愛らしい。
『では、また明日』
わたくしも夢から醒めるべく、ゆっくりと瞼を閉じましょう。また明日会えることを、神様に感謝しながら。
--it was none other than His Highness Zafield Lewis Lapisenta. He was the younger brother of His Highness and also the second prince. He resembled his older brother. However, unlike him, he had a long silver-hair which reached his neck. He was commonly known as the 'Silver Prince.' Also, His Highness Zafield was shorter, and the outer corners of his eyes were a little low. He still had no fiancee, but he was quite famous for being a womanizer.
Because we were of the same age, and were in the same class, I was close with Zafield. Moreover, there was also the fact that he was going to become my brother-in-law in the future.
He mercilessly told me.
"I know you had a fight with my brother a while ago... but why don't you just stop? If you want to exercise, dancing should suffice, right?"
"No, I want to become stronger."
While turning away, I tried to pick up the fallen sword. However, Zafield grabbed my arm for some reason--then, I was pulled.
"...Uh-oh, the skin on your hand has peeled away. Doesn't it hurt?"
"It does hurt..."
That much should be obvious. Regardless, I had to put up with it. When I admitted the truth, Zafield laughed.
"Ahaha, but you still want to continue?"
"Yes, of course."
"Then, shall I teach you?"
When I opened my eyes to his sudden, fortunate, proposal, Zafield gently caressed my hand.
"Since it can't be helped, let me teach you the basics of the sword. Although, it might be spartan."
Zafield was touted as the ace of the swordsmanship club amongst the first years. Unlike his older brother, Zafield specialized in martial arts. His Highness had academical prowess, while Zafield had combat expertise. It was as if the two were complementing each other.
"--I, is it alright...?"
Although everyone was against me learning the sword, Zafield reached behind my neck. Then, he took hold of my hair which I had tied into a ponytail.
"...More importantly, let's stop training in public? After all, everyone finds Lelouche's white nape... tempting."
Does that mean, I won't be able to get a fiance for the rest of my life!?
I could hear Zafield's joyful laughter.
That night, I performed the movements I had learned from Zafield about 100 times. Tired and about to faint, I fell onto the bed. Then, I met him.
"Oh, if it isn't you, god. I'm glad you've come to see me tonight."
"...Are you being sarcastic because I come to visit you every day?"
"No way, I'm really happy?"
Every night, god appeared in my dreams. To be honest, I was beginning to get used to it. But I didn't dislike it. Every night, he expressed his concern towards me. Due to that, I didn't feel the slightest bit tired the next morning.
That night, in a pure white world, I was able to meet god.
"So, what kind of sermon did you receive today?"
"Sermon..."
"When you started practicing the sword, everyone suddenly became noisy, didn't they?"
"Noisy..."
Everyone did advise me against the idea. But could that be considered noisy? They were merely expressing concern for my safety, some were also in doubt as to whether or not I could master it overnight.
The god was still staring at me with his impressive eyebrows.
"Hey, are you really going to continue practicing?"
"Of course."
"For an amateur, and not to mention, a woman to train for only 100 days...you won't be able to defeat those assassins. They're professionals. You can't protect that man."
"I won't know unless I try."
...It immediately denied, but his extremely serious face hurt me.
When I lowered my gaze, the god spoke in quick succession.
"Why're you attempting such a pointless endeavor!? Shouldn't you have more fun!? Isn't there anything else you want to do!? Don't you want to go on a trip, eat delicious food, play... to train and pursue education until your final day--are you sane!?"
"...Of course I am."
"Even if you do that, you can't change the fact that you're going to die."
Even if I was told that, I wouldn't stop smiling.
"I'm a stubborn person."
"...Then have it your way!"
The god turned away and disappeared.
"See you tomorrow."
I slowly closed my eyes so that I could wake up from my dreams. I didn't forget to thank the god who would still be watching over me on the following day.
The Villainess who Only Had 100 Days to Live Had Fun Every Day
【コミック２巻発売中】１００日後に死ぬ悪役令嬢は毎日がとても楽しい。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-who-only-had-100-days-to-live-had-fun-every-day/
Drama Fantasy Josei Romance Slice of Life Tragedy
Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Broken Engagement Death European Ambience Female Protagonist God-human Relationship Gods Kingdoms Late Romance Misunderstandings Nobles Psychopaths Revenge Romantic Subplot Second Chance Slow Romance Villainess Noble Girls Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8024hd/
ゆいレギナ