プロローグ
ここはフアバードン王国の王都に位置する王立貴族学園。四月某日、麗らかな日差しが温かい今日この日、最初の『行事』・『春』が行われようとしていた。
学園の一室で今か今かとその開始を待っている私は、名前をレベッカ・スルタルクという。この春学園の第二学年に進級した。
新入生が講堂で学園長から『春』の説明を受ける間、第二・第三学年の生徒はこうして別室で待機する。
緊張した面持ちの新入生たちが集う講堂と違い、こちらは比較的雰囲気が柔らかい。それもそのはず、周りは少なくとも一年を共に過ごしている級友たちだ。
私の左隣の銀髪のように殺気をみなぎらせている生徒は少ない、というかほぼいない。
「レベッカ様、絶対に勝ちましょうね......」
低く呟いた彼女に思わずため息が出た。何というか、目が据わっている。
彼女は私の親友で名前はエミリアだ。この学園唯一の平民だが、希少な治癒魔法を使える。肩までの銀髪がトレードマークで、見た目は文句なしに可愛い。
しかしその手では硬い食材、ではなく、私が先日王都のおもちゃ屋さんで買ってきたスライムが繰り返し繰り返し握りつぶされている。
素手で硬い物を握り潰し人を威嚇する癖をいい加減やめさせたくてプレゼントしたのだ。効果があって何よりである。
「あなたたち、本気で勝つつもりなの? よりにもよって、あのルウェイン殿下に?」
反対の隣で私のもう一人の親友、メリンダ・キューイが言った。
私はもう一度大きなため息をついた。
何故こんなことになってしまったのだろう。
そんな気持ちを込め、前の方で誰かと談笑していた、例の彼に目をやる。彼もほとんど同時に私を見たのでバチッと視線が合った。
きらきらと光を反射する金色の髪と、吸い込まれそうな群青の瞳。整いすぎたその顔にはあまり感情がのらないせいで、「冷たい美貌」と言われることもある。
だが、私を見るときだけは柔かさと温かさが加わる。
――ルウェイン・フアバードン第一王子。私の婚約者だ。
彼にそんな風にして微笑まれると、彼のことが大好きな私は顔を赤くせずにはいられない。
どんな状況であっても。
そう、たとえ。
Prologue
This is the Royal Academy located in the Royal Capital of Huaverdon. On a certain April day, the beautiful sunlight is warm today, and the first [event]*[spring] is about to take place.
In a room at the academy, I, who am waiting impatiently for the start, am named Rebecca Slutarch. I advanced to the second year of the academy this spring.
While the new students receive an explanation of [spring] from the principal in the auditorium, the second and third year students wait in a different room like this.
Unlike the auditorium where the nervous new students gather, this place has a relatively soft atmosphere. That's natural, as everyone around me is at least one year's worth of classmates.
There are few students who are as fierce as the silver hair next to me, or rather, there are almost none.
"Rebecca-sama, let's definitely win..."
I unintentionally let out a sigh at her low murmur. In a way, her eyes are fixed.
She is my best friend and her name is Emilia. She is the only commoner in this academy, but she can use rare healing magic. Her silver hair reaches her shoulders and her appearance is undeniably cute.
However, in her hand, she is not gripping hard ingredients(ex:apple), but repeatedly crushing(squeezing) the slime that I bought from a toy shop in the Royal Capital the other day.
I gave her this as a present because I wanted her to stop her bad habit of crushing hard objects with her bare hands and threatening people. It has had an effect, and that is the most important thing.
"You guys, are you seriously planning on winning against, of all people, His Highness Llewayne?"
My other best friend, Melinda Cuey, said this from the seat opposite me. She is a young lady of the Viscount family. Her honey-colored eyes and, as a side note, the owl perched on her shoulder seemed to be saying "Absolutely not worth a single gold coin."
I let out a big sigh once again.
Why did things have to turn out like this?
Feeling that way, I glance over at "him", the one she was talking about earlier, who was laughing and chatting with someone else. He looked back at me almost simultaneously and our gazes met sharply.
His golden hair that sparkled in the light and his deep blue eyes that seemed to suck you in. His face that was too perfect and lacked emotion was often called "cold beauty."
But when he looked at me, there was a softness and warmth added.
----Llewayne Huaverdon, the first prince. My fiance.
When he smiled at me like that, I, who loved him so much, couldn't help but blush.
No matter what the situation is.
Yes, even in this ridiculous situation where "In the [Spring] we must win against His Highness or it's an immediate wedding."
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