44
『冬』から一週間。延期されていた舞踏会が開かれた。会場はいつもの講堂だ。椅子が全て片付けられ、代わりに立食スペースやオーケストラが用意される。
学園の舞踏会は夜会などとは違い、腹の探り合いも狸同士の騙し合いもない気軽に参加できるものだ。楽しみにしてきたし、会場を目前にして突っ立っている今も早く会場に入りたい。
舞踏会はエスコートが必須ではない。一人で来る生徒が半数近くを占める。だが婚約者がエスコートするならきちんと二人で入場するのが普通だった。だから私は殿下と会場前で待ち合わせしていたのだが。
その殿下は会うなり私をじっと見つめたまま動かなくなってしまった。沈黙が続いて現在3分ほど経過している。...あの殿下、普通は男性の褒め言葉から会話が始まるものなんですけど。今日の私は社交辞令が言えなくなるほど変ですか?
不安になって自分の姿を確認する。ドレスの色は淡いシャーベットグリーン。実は冬季休業中エミリアとメリンダと一緒に仕立て屋さんに行って作ったものだ。私は色を見て子供っぽくならないか不安になったのだが、二人は「色は幼く可愛く、でも形は大人っぽいドレスにしよう」と譲らなかった。
「絶対に似合います」と拳を握りしめたのがエミリアで、「胸を強調しましょう、胸を」とデザインに口を出したのがメリンダだ。結果、本当に
仕立て屋さんはどうしてここまで色っぽく作ってしまったのか。果たして私に着こなせるのか。もう別のドレスで行こうか。
そこまで考えたがしかし、エミリアが涙を浮かべてお願いしてきて例のごとく折れた。私はやはりエミリアに甘いらしい。
ちなみにそのあとエミリアに「見る者全てを悩殺できます。学園を手中にすることができますよ」と言われたときは一度本気でドレスを引きちぎろうとした。エミリアに腕力で負けて叶わなかったが。
もう開き直ろう、振り切ってしまおう。そう腹を括ったのは『冬』の三日ほど前のことだ。着なければいけないものは仕方がない。こういうのは変に恥ずかしがって中途半端にするのが一番恥ずかしいのだ。
舞踏会当日、寮の自分の部屋で午後から準備を開始した。髪は緩く巻き片側に垂らした。うなじと背中を大胆にも隠さずに出すためだ。イヤリングは動きに合わせて上品に揺れる長めのもの。ネックレスはわざと飾りを後ろに回した。がばりと空いた背中に、細く繊細な鎖と宝石がシャラリとかかるようにしたかったからだ。お化粧もしっとりと濡れているかのような大人っぽさを意識してみた。
一連の準備を振り返る。そして何も言わない殿下を見る。...うん、私は早まったのかもしれない。
「殿下、もう5分は経ちました...もう中に入りませんか...」
我ながらよくもったほうだが、ついに沈黙に耐えかねて口を開いた。さっきから横を生徒たちが通っていく。そしてじろじろ私達を見て行っている気がする。気のせいと言われればそれまでだが、「また殿下とレベッカ様がいちゃいちゃしてる」とこの耳でたしかに聞いたような気もする。
「..............................レベッカは、俺を怒らせたいのか?」
「!? い、いいえ!」
「そうかそうか、わかった。そういうことなら仕方がない。舞踏会はやめだ。今夜は一晩中二人きりで過ごそう、俺の部屋で」
「で、殿下、舞踏会に行きましょう!三強と五高の発表が!」
「お前の部屋でもいい」
「殿下ー!」
私は殿下の心の琴線に触れてしまったらしい。それもよくわからない琴線を、これでもかとかき鳴らしてしまったようだ。私と殿下による『行こう』『行かない』の応酬は続き、途中で私が言った「殿下、タキシード本当にお似合いです、か、かっこいいです。だから行きましょう」が裏目に出てさらに熾烈を極めた。
さらに4.5分経過した。殿下は本気で舞踏会に行く気をなくしたらしい。これはもうテコでも会場に入りそうにない。幻獣はお留守番なのでクリスティーナの力を借りることもできない。
...なんかもう、行かなくていいか。殿下と夜通しおしゃべりするのも楽しそうではある。
と、私の心が折れかけたとき。私達の近くで1組の男女が足を止めた。
それは兄さまとセクティアラ様だった。美男美女でとても絵になっている。
「やあ二人とも!殿下は舞踏会に行かないつもりなのか!それなら殿下が三強に選ばれた暁には俺の方から辞退の旨を伝えておこう!なに、礼は必要ない。ちなみにスルタルク公爵家は三強にもなれない男にレベッカはやらないがな!」
まさしく鶴の一声だった。
***
入場すると一気に会場中の視線が集まる。慣れたものだと微笑んで応えた。今日この場にいるのは生徒や教師だけではない。生徒の親を始め、卒業生や国の重鎮など。三強と五高は国内の有名人で、ゆくゆくは国の重要人物になる人材なのだから、政治色が強いのも納得だ。
集まっていた視線が散らばり始めるとやっと肩の力を抜いた。このドレスは防御力が足りない感じがして少し不安だ。
すると殿下が私の腰に手を回し、ぐぐっと自分に近づけた。見上げても背筋を伸ばして真っ直ぐ前を見ている。堂々たる態度だ。周りの女性の視線を一身に背負っているのに、緊張の欠片もないのだからすごい。
「レベッカ、今日は少しの間も俺から離れるな」
いつもに増して無表情だが、声色だけは苦虫を噛み潰したかのようだ。
異論はないのでそう返事をすると、前方から可憐な銀色が駆け寄ってきた。着ているのはシャイニーピンクのふんわりしたドレスだ。エミリアのドレス選びは楽だった。何を着ても似合うのだ。しかしこの女の子らしい正統派のドレスが彼女ほど似合う人間が、この世にどれだけいるだろうか。
エミリアは一人で会場に来ていた。ガッド・メイセンを始め多くの男たちがエミリアのエスコートの座を狙っていたのだが、エミリアのお気に召す殿方はいなかったようだ。
「やりましたね、レベッカ様!鼻血または発熱で10人少々退場しましたよ!」
エミリアがいつにも増して可憐に飛び跳ねる。彼女の言葉で殿下の先ほどの行動の理由を知った。言葉を失う。え、いやだって、入場しただけで?
ゾッとして会場を見回すと、花が咲いたように笑っているメリンダとそのエスコートのフリードを遠くに見つけた。間髪入れず躊躇ない突撃をかます。メリンダは満面の笑みを貼り付けたまま「まあフリード様!あちらに何かありそうです!あちらに、ささあちらに!」と逃走を図ったがあえなくお縄となった。
「いや『お縄となった』じゃないわよ」
「メリンダ、やっぱりそのドレスすごく似合うわ!」
「本当です!ネヘル様もさぞ褒めてくれたでしょうね!」
「ええ、まさに褒めてくださってた最中だったのよ、というわけでレベッカ、エミリア、私たちを二人に戻してもらっていいかしら?」
「メリンダが髪を結っているところは初めて見たわ。自分でやるのも上手なのね」
「ええ、それもさっき褒めてもらえたのよ、というわけで二人に」
メリンダは髪をアップにして、小さな白いお花の髪飾りを埋め込むように散らしていた。髪色も相まって、まるで夜空に花が浮かんでいるような幻想的で可愛らしい髪型だ。ドレスは七分丈の袖とデコルテが一面白いレースで、
「レベッカ?レベッカ!聞いてる!?」
おっほん、白いレースで、肌が透けるようなデザインだ。胸上から切り替わって重ねレースのベージュのドレスになる。好きな男性には女の子に見られたいメリンダにぴったりな、可愛らしく清楚なドレスと言えるだろう。
「ねえレベッカ!意図的に耳に入れないのやめてくれる!?」
聴覚を遮断しつつ可愛い友人を眺めていると、柱時計が鳴り響いた。遠くの壇上に学園長が上ったのが見える。舞踏会が始まる時間になったのだ。
フリードと言葉を交わしていた殿下が私を手招きする。彼の隣という名の定位置に収まって、今年最後の学園長のお話に耳を傾けた。すっかり聞き慣れた声が今宵も講堂に響きわたる。
「こうしてこの日を迎えられたことを喜ばしく思う。今夜は一年の終わり。仲間と語らい、好敵手と握手を交わし、無礼講を朝まで大いに楽しんでほしい。さて」
学園長が一度言葉を区切り、再び話し始めたとき手には白い紙があった。
あそこに、今年度三強と五高の、名前が。
しかし私の意識は違う方に行っていた。
シナリオでは今この、次の瞬間。「待った」の声がかかってレベッカの断罪が始まる。
ぎゅ、と目をつぶって殿下の肩に額を押し当てた。自分の目を殿下で塞いでなにも見えないようにする。
1秒、2秒―――3秒。
三つまで数えたとき。背中に温かいものを感じて薄く目を開いた。
「今年度の三強と五高を発表する」
聞こえたのはなんの変哲も無い学園長の言葉と、周りの人間の拍手だ。
左の方で、兄さまが笑顔で拍手を送りながら、セクティアラ様に何か耳打ちをしている。右の方では、同じように拍手しつつ妹さんと話すオズワルドが見つかる。ランスロットは地下牢の中、オウカは封印されて消えてしまった。
そして、殿下は。私の背中に手をやって私を抱き寄せている。
この気持ちはなんだろう。嬉しいような、泣き出してしまいたいような。安心したような、途方に暮れてしまったような。
周りでは、その場の紳士淑女、ありとあらゆる人間が拍手とともにステージを見つめている。私もそれに倣って壇上に視線を戻した。
『終わったのだ』と、はっきり感じる。一番心強かったのは間違いなく、背中に回った手の温かさだ。今回だけでなく、今までも。考えてみればいつだって、シナリオを壊してくれたのは殿下だ。
「ありがとう...」
本当の本当に小さい声で伝えた。たった今。たった今この瞬間を以って、私はシナリオを乗り越えたのだ。
Ch 44
The postponed dance party was held one week after [winter]. The venue was the usual lecture hall. All the chairs were cleared out and replaced with a standing eating space and an orchestra.
The dance party at the academy is different from evening parties, as there is no need for formal introductions or trickery between peers and it is easy to participate in. I have been looking forward to it, and even now, as I stand in front of the venue, I want to enter quickly.
A dance party does not require an escort. Nearly half of the students come alone. But if you have a fiance, it is normal to enter with them. That's why I was waiting for His Highness in front of the venue.
When His Highness met me, he stared at me without moving. Silence continued for about three minutes now... His Highness, usually a conversation starts from the man's compliment. Is there something wrong with me today that you can't even speak polite words?
I became uneasy and checked my appearance. The color of my dress is pale sherbet green. In fact, I went to a tailor with Emilia and Melinda during the winter vacation and made it. I was worried that the color would make me look too childish, but they said, "The color is cute and young, but the shape is adult-like dress." and did not compromise.
"It definitely suits you," said Emilia, gripping her fist, while Melinda said, "Let's emphasize your chest, your chest." As a result, the dress ended up looking just like that. The skirt part was tightly gathered at the waist and then followed the curves of the body in a loose, flowing line, known as the mermaid line. The upper body was designed with a halter neck and the back was wide open, exposing the shoulders. Although the chest was completely hidden, it was actually emphasized.
The tailor, why did they make it so seductive? Can I really wear it? Should I go with another dress?
Although I thought that far, Emilia came to me with tears in her eyes and begged me, as usual, and I gave in. I am still weak(have a soft spot) to Emilia after all.
By the way, when Emilia said "You can make everyone at the Academy fall for you with this dress," I almost seriously tore the dress apart. However, I lost to Emilia's strength.
I'll just have to accept it and move on. That's what I decided a few days before [Winter]. I have to wear it, there's no choice. It's more embarrassing to be shy about it and not wear it properly.
On the day of the ball, I started preparing in my room in the dormitory from afternoon. I loosely curled my hair and let it hang down on one side. I also showed off my collarbone and back boldly. I wore long earrings that elegantly swayed with my movements. I deliberately turned the decorations of my necklace to the back. I wanted the delicate chain and jewels to dangle on my bare and exposed back. I also tried to give off a mature and moist look with my makeup.
I looked back on all my preparations and saw His Highness' silence... Yeah, maybe I'm being too hasty.
"Your Highness, it's been 5 minutes... Are we not going inside yet...?"
I couldn't help but open my mouth as I couldn't bear the silence anymore. I can see students passing by us since a while ago. And I feel like they're staring at us. If they say it's just my imagination, then so be it, but I feel like I heard someone say, "His Highness and Rebecca-sama are flirting again."
"...Does Rebecca want to make me angry?"
"?! N, no!"
"I see, I see. If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do. Let's forget about the ball. Let's spend the whole night alone in my room."
"Your, Your Highness, let's go to the ball! The top three and five high will be announced!"
"I don't care if it's in your room."
"Your Highness!"
I seem to have touched upon the strings of His Highness's heart (I seem to have tugged at His Highness' heartstrings.). And I seem to have strummed those strings that I don't even understand well. The battle of whether to go or not between His Highness and I continued, and it became even more intense when I said, "Your Highness, the tuxedo really suits you, it looks cool. So let's go."
Furthermore, 4.5 minutes have passed. It seems that His Highness has lost interest in going to the ball. It's probably impossible for us to enter the venue now even with a trick. Since Phantom Beast is on standby, we can't borrow Christina's power either.
... I don't know, maybe it's okay not to go. It also looks fun to talk with His Highness all night.
And that's when my heart was about to break down. A man and a woman stopped near us.
It was Nii-sama and Cectiara-sama. They were very beautiful and very picturesque.
"Hey you two! Are you perhaps not planning to go to the ball? Then, when Your Highness is selected as one of the top three, I'll be the one to tell you that I'm withdrawing! No need to thank me. By the way, the Duke of Slutarch won't give Rebecca to a man who can't even be one of the top three!"
It was exactly like a crane's cry.
***
As soon as I enter the venue, all eyes in the room turn to me. I smiled and responded, as it was something I was used to. Today, those in this place are not only students and teachers. Parents of students, alumni, and even important figures in the country are here. The "Three Strong" and "Five High" are famous figures within the country, and they will eventually become important figures. So it's understandable that there is a strong political color(flavor) here.
As the gathered gazes start to scatter, I finally let out a sigh of relief. This dress makes me feel like my defense is lacking, and it makes me a little uneasy.
Then, His Highness wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. Even when I look up, he is standing straight and looking straight ahead. His attitude is dignified. He is bearing the gaze of the women around us, yet he doesn't show any signs of tension. It's amazing.
"Rebecca, don't leave my side even for a moment today."
He is even more expressionless than usual, but his voice sounds like he's crushing a worm.
Since there is no room for argument, I respond like that and a lovely silver color approaches from the front. She is wearing a fluffy pink dress. Emilia's dress choice is easy. She looks good in anything. However, how many people are there in this world who look as good as her in a girl-like(girlish) formal dress?
Emilia came to the venue alone. Many men, including Gadd Maysen, were aiming for the seat of Emilia's escort, but it seems that she didn't have a favorite gentleman.
"You did it, Rebecca-sama! Some people left due to nosebleeds or fever, about 10 of them."
Emilia is more lovely than ever, jumping around. She tells me the reason for His Highness' recent actions and I lose my words. "Wait, what? They left just from entering?"
As I look around the venue, I spot Melinda and her escort Fried in the distance, smiling like flowers. Without hesitation, I rush towards them. Melinda tries to escape with a smile on her face, saying "Come on Fried-sama! Something seems to be happening over there! Over there, come on over there!" but she is ultimately captured.
"No, I'm not [captured]."
"Melinda, that dress really suits you!"
"It's true! Neher-sama must have complimented you too!"
"Yes, he was actually complimenting me when you came, so Rebecca, Emilia, can you please return us to our original two?"
"I've never seen Melinda with her hair tied up before. She's really good at doing it herself too."
"Yes, that was also something Neher-sama complimented me on, so back to our original two."
Melinda had her hair tied up, with small white flowers scattered throughout. Her hair color also matched, making it look like flowers floating in the night sky. Her dress was knee-length with white lace sleeves and a neckline.
"Rebecca? Rebecca! Are you listening?!"
"Hey, it's a white lace dress with a design that makes your skin see-through. It changes from the chest to a beige lace dress with overlapping lace. It's perfect for Melinda, who wants to look like a girl and is cute and pure.
"Hey Rebecca! Can you stop intentionally not listening to me?!"
As I was looking at my cute friend while blocking my hearing, the pillar clock rang. I could see the principal on the distant stage. It was time for the ball to begin.
His Highness who was talking to Fried beckoned me. I settled into my designated position next to him and listened to the principal's speech for the last time this year. His familiar voice echoed through the hall again tonight.
"I am happy to have reached this day. Tonight is the end of the year. I hope you will enjoy talking to your friends, shaking hands with your rivals, and having a great time until morning. Now."
When the principal paused his speech and started again, he had a white paper in his hand.
There were the names of the three strong and five high of the year.
But my mind was somewhere else.
In the scenario, at this moment, the next moment, the voice of "Wait." starts and Rebecca's conviction begins.
I pressed my forehead against the shoulder of His Highness and closed my eyes tightly. I blocked my sight with His Highness so that I couldn't see anything.
1 second, 2 seconds----3 seconds.
When I counted to three, I felt something warm on my back and opened my eyes slightly.
"We will announce the three strong and five high this year."
What I heard was the ordinary words of the Principal and the applause of the people around me.
On my left, Nii-sama was smiling and sending applause while whispering something to Cectiara-sama. On my right, Oswald was talking to his sister while also clapping. Lancelot was in the underground prison, and Ouka was sealed and disappeared.
And then, His Highness put his hand on my back and pulled me close to him.
What is this feeling? It's like I'm happy, like I want to cry, like I'm relieved, like I'm at a loss.
Around me, the gentlemen and ladies, all kinds of people, were watching the stage with applause. I also returned my gaze to the stage in response.
[It's over], I clearly feel it. The most reassuring thing was definitely the warmth of the hand on my back. Not just this time, but always. When I think about it, it was always His Highness who broke the scenario.
"Thank you..."
I said it in a really small voice. Just now, just at this moment, I overcame the scenario.
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