「なっ......何をなさるんですか!?」
「あら、申し訳ございませんわ。でも、これをお教えくれたのはララァさんでしょう?」
わたくしはつかつかとララァ嬢に近づき、彼女の腕に腕を絡める。抵抗しても無駄ですわよ? 殿方には到底及びませんが......だてに毎日鍛えておりませんの。そして無理やり荷車のそばに連れてきては――、
「お口は閉じた方が宜しくてよ?」
バケツの中に再び手を入れ、その泥に塗れた手でべったりと顔を撫でてさしあげる。本当は直接バケツに顔を突っ込みたい所ですがね。さすがに品格が疑われますので、ここは我慢ですわ。あー残念。
ララァ嬢が声にならない悲鳴をあげ、まわりのクラスメイト達も一斉にどよめき出す。あらあら、レミーエ嬢なんか逃げてしまいましたわ。まぁ、あとで結末をたっぷりと語ってさしあげましょう。今は、ララァ嬢のお相手で忙しいですからね。
「ひんやりとして気持ちいいでしょう? どうぞ遠慮なく、癒やしを堪能してもらいたいですわ」
「なっ、何を馬鹿なことを――いくらあなたとて、ただじゃおきませんことよ!?」
憤るララァ嬢に、もう一度泥をなすりつける。当然、わたくしは笑顔を崩しませんわ。
「何をおっしゃっているの? サザンジール殿下も喜んでくれたというのに」
「は? あなた、目が腐っているのではなくて!? どこをどう見て殿下が喜んでいると――」
「それなら、わたくしも打首になさいますか?」
わたくしは呆然と成り行きを見守ってくれていたサザンジール殿下を見やる。特に顔に付いた泥を拭う素振りもなく、彼は「ほへぇ!?」と間抜けに目を見開いていた。
わたくしの笑顔の問いかけに、ラピシェンタ王国次期国王陛下第一候補サザンジール殿下が固唾を呑んでから頷く。
「あぁ――そうだ! 先程は俺の誤解で怖がらせて申し訳なかったな......きみたち一学年『アン』クラスは、こうも泥を投げ合うほど仲が良かったのだなぁ!?」
「えぇ、そうですわ! わたくしたち仲良しですの――ねぇ、ララァさん?」
同意を求めると、彼女もようやく合点がいったのだろう。わたくしが、あなた方の不敬極まりない行為のフォローをしてあげていることを。そのために甘んじて泥に塗れろ――いえ、一緒に泥遊びをしましょう、とお誘いしていることを。
引きつる彼女に、わたくしは追い打ちをかける。
「そうそう、このララァさんおすすめの美容法はね、うちのお母様やお父様にもお話しましたのよ。そういえば、お母様は今日どこかの
まぁ、残念ながらララァ嬢に求めても無駄なことは承知しているのですが。
「ル......ルルーシェさんがそこまで気に入ってくださって光栄ですわ......ぜひ、わたくしもご一緒させてくださいまし......」
彼女がぎこちなく敗北を認めると、なぜか殿下が袖を捲りだす。
「日頃ルルーシェが世話になっている礼だ。ぜひ俺も混ぜてもらおうじゃないか」
その場の全員が、目を丸くしていた。
わたくしとしては殿下は正直はどうでも良かったのですが......一緒に遊びたいなら構いませんわ。拒否する理由がありませんし。どうせ、もうお顔が真っ黒ですものね。さっそく男子生徒に泥をぶん投げてますわ。そこで女生徒を狙わないところが紳士なのかしら?
それじゃあ、そっちはわたくしが遠慮なく担当しますわね。
「ほら、ザフィルド殿下。向こうの方々にバケツを配ってくださいまし?」
「え、やだよ。僕、汚れたくないもん」
ザフィルド殿下は呆れた様子で後ずさり。
え? サザンジール殿下がやる気ですのに、ザフィルド殿下は不参加ですの?
わたくしはわざとらしく口元を塞ぐ。
「まあ、薄情ですわ! せっかくクラスの友好を深めておりますのに!?」
「勝手に深めてくれ......」
もうっ、剣術部のエースがそんな体たらくでいいんですの!?
そう文句を言おうとした時だった。
「ルルーシェさまぁ!!」
駆け寄ってくるのは、一目散に逃げたと思ったレミーエ嬢だ。彼女は珊瑚色の髪を弾ませて、とびっきりの笑顔でお玉を渡してくる。
「カフェの厨房から借りてきました! これ、使えますか?」
「えぇ!! さすがよ、レミーエさん!」
「えへへ。お褒めいただきありがとうございます」
わたくしの今までで一番の賛辞に、レミーエ嬢ははにかんで。
もうノリの悪い方なんか知りませんわ。そんな最中「カァーハハハハハッ!!」と、どこの魔王ですかと指摘したくなるような笑い声を上げながら、サザンジール殿下がバケツをクラスメイトの男子にひっくり返している。それに逃げ惑う令嬢方。自棄になって泥を投げ返す令息たち。
みんなで楽しく泥まみれになりながら、わたくしもとお玉に泥を入れて振りかぶろうとした時だった。
足元の泥に滑ってしまったのだろう。うっかりステンと尻もちをついてしまう。
「大丈夫か、ルルーシェ!?」
差し出されるのは、泥まみれの手。見上げれば『金王子』形なしのサザンジール殿下の姿。
その子供みたいに泥だらけのご様子に、わたくしは声をあげて笑った。
「あはは! 殿下、泥だらけですわよ?」
「楽しいな。昔に戻ったみたいだ」
昔......そうですわね。わたくしたちは婚約者でもあり、幼馴染ですから。そんな時代もあったかもしれません......。
わたくしは彼の大きな手に引き上げられて。再び笑顔でお玉を振りかぶる。
"W, what are you doing...!?"
"Pardon me, but wasn't it Lala who've taught me of this beauty method?"
I approached Lala and wrapped my arm around hers.
"--Close your mouth?"
I put my hands in the cart once again and pressed the mud onto her face. Actually, I wanted to just dunk her head into the mud. However, at the same time, I wanted to appear dignified. As such, I had no choice but to be patient.
Lala, along with the classmates around her, screamed.
"Rejuvenating, isn't it? Enjoy it to your heart content."
"Are you stupid--!? Do you think you can just...!"
Once again, I pressed more mud against Lala's indignant face. My smile didn't break.
"What are you talking about? Even His Highness Sazanjill was pleased."
"What?! Do you have holes for eyes?! Where and how does His Highness appear to be happy--"
"--Then, would His Highness like to behead me, as well?"
I turned towards His Highness Sazanjill, who was watching the situation in a daze. He still hadn't wiped the mud off his face. Instead, "Hohe!?" He opted to let out such a foolish cry.
When I asked with a smile, the future king of the Kingdom of Lapisenta gulped and nodded.
"Ah--yes! Pardon me, I was bedazzled due to my misunderstanding! For you to throw mud at one another, it seems that you have a particularly strong bond with your classmates of the Un class..."
"Yes, it's true! We are good friends, aren't we, Lala!?"
I was given his consent. I hoped she'd reflectupon her profane acts. I also hoped that she'd be content with the mud.
As I was chasing her--
"--By the way, I talked to my mother and father about this beauty method recommended by Lala. Incidentally, she said she was going to attend a tea party at a particular salon. I'm sure my mother will bring it up as one of their topics of discussion."
Unfortunately, I knew that'd be a useless thing to ask from Lala.
"I, I'm honored that Lelouche liked it so much, I'd love to hear your feedback..."
When she awkwardly admitted her defeat, His Highness rolled up his sleeves as well.
"I have to thank Lelouche for taking care of me on a daily basis, too. Therefore, I'd like to participate."
Everyone froze on the spot.
For me, it didn't matter if His Highness wanted to join in the fun. There was no reason to refuse. Anyway, his face was already black. He had also already begun throwing mud at the boys.
Then, I'd assume responsibility for that.
"Your Highness Zafield, please distribute the contents of the cart to people over there?"
"Eh? No, I don't want to get dirty."
His Highness Zafield backed off awkwardly.
Eh? Despite His Highness Sazanjill's excitement, his younger brother won't be participating?
I purposefully gasped.
"What do you mean!? Even after I went to such lengths to deepen the friendship of the class, too!?"
"...Deepen, you say--"
Is it okay for the ace of the swordsmanship club to be so lackluster?!
It was when I tried to complain.
"Lady Lelouche!"
The one who ran up to me was Lumiere, whom I thought had fled at first glance. Her coral hair fluttered as she showed me some ladles with a brilliant smile.
"I borrowed them from the cafe's kitchen! Can we use them?!"
"As expected of Lumiere!"
"Ehehe, thank you for your compliment."
That was the best compliment I had ever bestowed upon Lumiere.
I didn't know who had bad taste anymore. Meanwhile, His Highness Sazanjill flung a bucket of mud at the boys, laughing as if he wanted to show them who the reborn Demon King was. The ladies desperately ran away. There were also some who tried to retaliate by throwing mud back.
It was when everyone was happily throwing mud.
It seemed that I had slipped on some mud at my feet. I fell on my butt.
"Lelouche, are you alright?!"
A muddy hand was extended towards me. Looking up, I could see His Highness Sazanjill. His appearance was no longer that of the 'Gold Prince.'
I laughed aloud at his muddy appearance.
"Ahaha! Your Highness is covered in mud!"
"It's fun, it's as if I've returned to the past!"
A long time ago... That was right. We were both betrothed and childhood friends. There may had been such a time...
I was pulled up by his large palm. Then, with a smile, I started filling the ladle with mud again.
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