Chapter 28
Ah. It’s morning already.
I wonder what sort of face I should make when I see Albert-Oniisama?
Maybe I should just skip sword practice for today…..? No. Shirking training will only end up being my loss.
I leave my room and trudge towards the garden, but as I’m walking through the halls I happen to overhear some voices.
Is that Albert-Oniisama and Father talking?
How good is my luck to run into Oniisama right out the door?
“I ended up making Ali mad.”
“Should we have told her the real reason after all?”
The real reason? What’s that? I really want to know!
“No, I think we did the right thing in hiding it.”
Aww
, hey! How could you say that right after making me so curious!?“Please, tell me.”
I don’t know if it’s just because I really want to know, or maybe it was my guilty conscience over eavesdropping, but without even thinking about it I had stepped out from my hiding place and strode confidently towards them.
“Ali……”
Seeing me appear in front of him so suddenly, Albert-Oniisama’s expression turns awkward.
Please don’t mind it, Oniisama. I’m not bothered by what happened yesterday at all anymore.
Though, maybe I shouldn’t actually tell him that. I’d like to continue teasing him with this for a little while longer. As a true villainess would, of course.
“So you were here, Alicia?”
“Yes, Father. Please, what’s your real reason that I can’t go?”
Father closes his mouth, clenching his teeth slightly.
I wonder why he can’t just tell me? Is it something that must be kept secret? But considering I’m the one primarily affected, I think that I at least should have the right to know.
“Father?”
“Alicia, I’ll make sure to tell you before you enter the magic academy, alright?”
But there’s still five more years before I’ll enter the academy!
Is it something that he can’t tell me because I’m still a child?
As frustrating as it is, I doubt there’s anything I can say that would change his mind…. I guess I have no choice but to acquiesce.
“I understand, Father.”
“That’s a good girl,” Father says fondly, ruffling my hair.
I wish he’d stop treating me like a kid, but I guess a 10-year-old still is considered a child.
And yesterday I might have gone a bit too far when I was fighting with Albert-Oniisama. I wonder if I should apologize to him?
……But then again…. I didn’t actually say anything wrong, so I don’t think an apology would be absolutely necessary, right?
Plus, a villainess is not someone who should apologize so easily.
Even though Albert-Oniisama is looking my way with such a pitiful look in his eyes, I need to stay strong.
I am a proud villainess! I will not yield!
…………Ugh, I didn’t realize being a villainess would be such a harsh job. I mean, how easy would it be to tell Oniisama not to worry about it?
Agh! What is with this stuffy feeling?
I may want to become a proper villainess, but I hate this bitter, unresolved sensation.
But, then again, if I told him not to worry about it, might that come off as a sarcastic remark anyway?
“Albert-Sama, it’s almost time,” a maid calls out to Albert-Oniisama while I’m still lost in thought, agonizing over what to do.
That’s right, I almost forgot! Albert-Oniisama still has to go to school. And just like that, I’m standing alone in the hall. I wasn’t able to say anything to him in the end.
…….What should I do about this? I don’t know how to get rid of this uncomfortable atmosphere that’s come between us.
…..Should I consult Grandpa Will about it?
This’ll be my first time visiting the impoverished village while it’s daylight.
T/N: Overprotective? Probably. Unfair? Maybe. But that’s childhood haha. At least this situation should be coming from her family’s desire to protect her. I feel the tough, slightly stuffy love… Even as I’m dying to know what this amazing reason is XD