閑話 元ペテン師の独白3
兄上は少々残念な人だった。悪い人ではないと思う。だけど......要領が悪いというか。不器用というか。もちろん、悪い所ばかりではないのが厄介だ。素直で、努力家で、心根が優しい青年。それは「まぁ、自分らが支えてやれば」とまわりの評価を甘くさせるには十分な才能だ。
そんな甘い評価と先に生まれたという特権だけで国の代表を決めることに、些か疑問がある。だって――僕みたいな悪い人間に付け入られてしまうということだろう?
だから、僕はまたいじわるをした。これも始めたきっかけは、ほんの出来心だったんだ。
僕らが入学を直前に控えていた頃。兄上も寮と王城を往復するのはつらいからと、僕と一緒にエルクアージュ領内の屋敷に入って。何の気無しを装って、僕は夕飯時に言ってみた。
「学校ではさ、ルルーシェと離れてみたらどう?」
「どうしてだ? せっかく城を離れて共にいれる少ない期間だというのに」
「そう――せっかく城から離れられるんだからさ。兄上の顔を見たら、嫌でも『次期王妃』であることを忘れられないじゃないか」
「......続けてみてくれ」
ほら、顔色が変わった。あからさまにショックを受けているね。そうだよね、三年前から前ほどルルーシェにべったりじゃなくなったものね。それでも僕からしたら――「ルルーシェ!?」と彼女の奇行を案じる声が頻繁に聴こえて、煩わしくて仕方なかったけど。
でも兄上的には距離を置いていた分、学校でベタベタするつもりだったんでしょう? 兄上は単純だなぁ......そういう所、大っ嫌いで好きだよ。
「だから、極力ルルーシェに会わずに自由にしてあげた方が、彼女も羽を伸ばせるんじゃないの? 友達と遊んだりとか、彼女もしてみたいだろう。兄上は嫌でも卒業後はルルーシェを独占できるんだから」
「......なるほど、一理ある。だが、ルルーシェに何か困り事が起きた時はどうする? すぐに助けられないぞ?」
「それなら、僕が否応がなくルルーシェと同じクラスだから。何かあれば僕が手を貸すよ。それとも、兄上は僕に嫉妬する?」
「まさか!?︎」
兄上は口元をナプキンで拭って、にんまりと笑った。
「そうだな! ザフィルドに任せておけば安心だ!!︎ ルルーシェが学生生活を満喫している間、俺は次期国王としての修行に励むことにしよう!」
「ははっ。くれぐれも身体を壊さないようにね」
――この馬鹿兄貴。
を鳴らさないようにグッと堪え、笑みを作る。
あぁ、公務に打ち込むなら協力してやるさ。父上に兄上がやる気だと話して量を増やしてもらうような進言しておこう。ついでに僕の分も混ぜておくか。どうせ気付かないか、気付いても「仕方ないなぁ」とやってくれるんだろう?
なぁ――心優しい兄上様?
そして、入学してしばらく経ったある日のこと。
「それで、今日のルルーシェはどうだった? 楽しく過ごしていたか?」
「あぁ。レメル伯爵家の令嬢と仲が良いみたいでね。楽しそうにお喋りしてたよ」
だけど、そんなこと知らない兄上は、今日も僕の偽りのルルーシェ情報に嬉しそうだ。
「そうかそうか。爵位に拘らないのは、さすがルルーシェだ。そのまま生涯の友になればいいな」
「爵位に拘らない友といえばさ、兄上も最近懇意にしている人がいるって話じゃない?」
「ん? 誰のことだ?」
おや。毎朝共にいるというのに、仲が良い自覚がないのか? 誰に教わっていることより、とにかくあのボロを直すことにご執心なのか。もしや、彼女の名前とか知らないとか?
「ほら、男爵令嬢の――」
「あぁ、もしかしてレミーエのことか。歴史学者であるアルバン男爵家の一人娘」
「どんな人なの?」
さて、なんて言うかな? さすがにあの常識知らずの馬鹿に難癖つけるかな。それとも見目の可愛さだけを褒めるかな。これで『頭が軽そうで遊び相手にちょうどいい』くらい言ってくれれば、ちょっと見直すけど。
だけど――やっぱり兄上は、僕の癪に障ることしか言わないんだ。
「そうだな。彼女は少々マナーに疎い所があるが、その分話しているととても新鮮でな。感性が民に近いのだろう。きちんと貴族としての嗜みや義務も身に付けた暁には、意外と良き為政ができる逸材かもしれんぞ」
ふーん......兄上からはそう見えるんだ。何とも善良でお優しいことで。
それじゃあ、心優しい弟が助言をしてあげようじゃないか。
「......そういや、ぬいぐるみはちゃんと直りそうなの?」
「いや......正直手こずっている。本当は今学期中に直してルルーシェに見せに行くつもりだったのだが、難しそうでな。長期休暇にもつれ込みそうだ」
「あれ? ルルーシェとは会わないようにしているんじゃなかった?」
そうそう、ルルーシェの素敵楽しい学生生活の邪魔、しないんでしょ?
実際のルルーシェにはひとりも友達と呼べる友達も出来ず、孤高の高嶺の花生活を続けているけどね。高位の令嬢たちなんて、どうしても権威や両親からの言いつけやらが見え透いているから。兄上のような愚鈍さがない限り、そうそう心を許せる相手なんて出来ないよ。
そんなことを露知らずの呑気な婚約者は、子供のようにムッと頬を膨らませていた。
「俺にだって褒美がほしい!」
「それでルルーシェの邪魔をしてもいいの?」
「たまには甘えさせてくれてもいいだろう!? 俺は我慢した! ルルーシェに会いたいのをずっと我慢した!!」
はいはい、そーですね。僕は毎日聞いてますよ。
僕の心優しい助言を鵜呑みにして、大好きな婚約者に会うのをずっと我慢していたんだよね? 同行必須のパーティとかでも、根掘り葉掘り聞かないようにクールな態度を装ったんだよね? 女性の扱いに長けた弟の助言どおりにさ。
そんな折に大切にしていた思い出の品が壊れてしまって、都合よく「彼女の幼心」がどーとか理由を付けて、会うきっかけにしたかったんでしょ? うんうん、よく頑張ったね。本当馬鹿。
だから大好きな兄上に、また助言してあげる。
「じゃあ、その時はレミーエ嬢も一緒に連れていきなよ」
「ん? どうしてだ?」
「だって噂になってるじゃん。レミーエ嬢が兄上の妾候補なのか、とか兄上が愛人贔屓しているとか」
「俺はルルーシェ一筋だぞっ!!」
兄上はもちろん否定するけど、実際の噂はもっと酷いよね。ルルーシェに婚約破棄を言い渡す予定だとか、そのために暗殺を企てているとか。ま、全部俺がルルーシェの耳に入るように調整しているんだけど。
「そりゃあ噂は噂だけどさ......でも、女性はそういうのに敏感でしょ? ルルーシェだって気丈にしながらも、実は気にしているかもしれないよ」
「本当にやましい事は何もないのだが......本当に女性の世界は大変だな。そういや、お前も女友達が喧嘩していたとか言ってなかったか? その時はどうしたんだ?」
「ん? 普通に当人同士で解決してたよ。僕はただ二人を引き合わせて話を聞いていただけで......それぞれから話を聞いてた時はこりゃ大変だと慄いてたけど、その心配は杞憂だったよ。結局は揉め事なんて、ただの勘違いやすれ違いなんだね。そういうのは関係者みんなで直接話し合うのが一番さ」
あー本当に僕は優しい弟だね。こんなに適切な答えをあげるなんて。問題を大きくしてるのも僕なんだけど。
さて、無関係な僕は高みの見物とさせてもらおうかな?
By Antoinette Vanessa June 2, 2022
My older brother was a bit lackluster. I didn't think he was a bad person. Nevertheless, he wasn't very tactful. Of course, he also had many talents. My older brother was an honest, hardworking, and kind-hearted man. He was capable enough to garner the people's approval, which led to earning their support.
However, I was slightly doubtful. Should the future ruler of our kingdom be decided solely through receiving a sweet evaluation and the privilege of being born earlier?
Therefore, I messed with him. I did it on a whim.
It happened around the time when I was about to be enrolled in the academy. As traveling back and forth between the dormitory and the royal castle everyday would be difficult, we went to our mansion in the territory of Elcage. Casually, I said it at dinner.
"At the academy, how about you keep your distance from Lelouche?"
"Why? I'm only given a brief respite from the castle. This is my only opportunity to spend time with her."
"This is her only opportunity to be free from the castle, too. I'm sure the moment she sees my brother's face, she'll be heavily reminded of her responsibilities as the future queen."
"...Go on."
My brother's complexion had changed. He was obviously shocked. Although he wasn't as clingy as he was three years ago, it still annoyed me. He'd often spoke of Charlotte and her eccentricities.
But my brother, because he had to keep his distance at the castle, he'd surely try to stick with her at school.
"So, if you were to let her go--if you were to refrain from meeting Lelouche as much as possible--wouldn't she be able to spread her wings? I'm sure she'd love to have fun with her friends as well. You can't monopolize Lelouche."
"...I see, what you said is sensible. But what if something were to happen to Lelouche? I won't be able to help her immediately."
"Coincidentally, I'll be in the same class as Lelouche. If anything were to happen, I shall help her. What, is my brother jealous of me?"
"No way?!"
My brother wiped his mouth with a napkin and spoke.
"That's not true! I'm sure if I were to entrust her to Zafield, she'd be alright! While Lelouche enjoies her student life, I shall work hard to become the future king!"
"Haha, don't overexert yourself."
--That stupid older brother of mine.
So as to not rattle the silverware, I suppressed my laughter.
If my brother intended to devote himself to public affairs, I would lend him my assistance. I'd speak to our father about how motivated he was, and see more get added to his workload. I wondered if I could get him do mine as well? Even if he found out, he'd surely say, "It can't be helped."
Isn't that so, my kind older brother?
One day, some time after we had enrolled.
"So, how was Lelouche today? Did she have a good time?"
"Yes, she appears to be on good terms with the daughter of Count Remel. They were conversing happily."
My older brother, who wasn't aware of the truth, was happy with my false information regarding Lelouche.
"That's just how Lelouche is. She doesn't care about titles. She just wants a lifelong friend."
"Speaking of friends who don't care about their titles, I heard that there's a person who has recently become acquainted with my older brother?"
"Who are you talking about?"
Oh, so he wasn't aware that they were on good term? Even though they were together every morning? Was he more obsessed in fixing that rag than being taught by her? Perhaps, he didn't even remember her name?
"I'm talking about the baron's daughter--"
"--Ah, do you mean Lumiere? She's the only daughter of Baron Alban, the historian."
"What kind of person is she?"
I wondered what would he say? Expecting my brother, an unconventional idiot, to badmouth her would be too farfetched. If he were to say, "She's lovely and the right person to be my playmate," I'd be sure to spice that statement a little.
But as expected, my older brother's answer couldn't be taken advantage of.
"In terms of manners, she's a little clumsy. But she's a refreshing conversation partner. She's sensitive to those around her. In truth, she might be quite talented. I'm sure if her manners were to be polished, she'd become a splendid lady."
Hmm... Was that how my older brother perceived her? What a good and decent little girl.
Then, let's give some advice to my kind-hearted older brother.
"...How's the stuffed animal?"
"I'm having a difficult time fixing it. I was planning to finish it and show it to Lelouche this semester, but it's tough. Our long vacation will be coming soon."
"Didn't you try to not meet Lelouche?"
That's right, you didn't try to interfere with Lelouche's wonderful and enjoyable student life, right?
In reality, Lelouche didn't have any proper friends. She continued living in solitude, similar to a wall flower. The high-ranking ladies were likely following the orders of their parents. Unless they were foolish like my brother, they wouldn't see pass her status.
This sullen fiance of hers, ignorant to that, was puffing his cheeks like a child.
"I want a reward!" He said.
"--By getting in the way of Lelouche?"
"Sometimes, it's okay to spoil myself! I've put up with it! I've endured not seeing Lelouche for a long time!"
Yes, that was right. After all, I had to listen to his frustration every day.
Did he take my advice and refrained from meeting his beloved fiancee? Even at a party where he was supposed to accompany her, he pretended that everything was fine so as to not create any rumors, right? Such was my advice as a younger brother who was good at treating women.
During that time, the precious item he cherished tore. My older brother wanted to use said keepsake as a reason to meet her.
Therefore, I advised my beloved brother once again.
"Then, at that time, bring Lumiere with you."
"Huh, why?"
"Did you hear the rumors? They said that Lumiere is a candidate to be your mistress, and that you favor her."
"I only have eyes for Lelouche!"
Of course, my older brother would say that. The actual rumors were so much worse. The rumors spoke plans to annul his engagement with Lelouche before ultimately assassinating her. Although, well, I adjusted those rumors before they could enter Lelouche's ears.
"Well, rumors are rumors... but women are sensitive to them, right? While she may look stubborn, Lelouche might be concerned by them."
"Even though in reality, nothing is happening... The world of women sure is rough. Before that, didn't you have an argument with your lover back then? What did you do to resolve it?"
"Hmm? Of course, we solved it ourselves. I just listened to her side of the story. Of course, when I heard it, I was a bit discouraged. However, it was plain anxiety on my part. In the end, a misunderstanding is a misunderstanding. It's best to discuss it directly with everyone involved."
Ah, I was truly a kind younger brother. He was capable of giving me such an answer. This me, who fanned the flames.
Therefore, as a reward to this bystander, wouldn't you present a spectacular sight?
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