EEWL 73

Chapter 73 …

“Good thing we found her just in time.”

Gederik gestured toward the inside, asking what they were doing standing there without coming out. Faint footsteps grew louder.

“Ah… um.”

A frightened woman slowly revealed herself.

It looked as if someone had dropped a single drop of white paint into Helion’s bright yellow eyes. Her hair, which looked soft enough to feel warm to the touch, fell all the way to her waist.

Unlike my own wavy hair, her straight hair was a mess, probably because it had been covered in dust. Clutching the tattered hem of her clothes, she rolled her eyes around nervously. Her pale pink eyes—like cherry blossoms—noticed me.

The eyes beneath her fluttering eyelashes suddenly widened.

She looks like a rabbit.

Maybe it was because her mouth was small too. Even at first glance, her appearance was far from ordinary. Though her colors were light, she had a distinct presence—just like when I first saw Helion.

There was no way I wouldn’t recognize it. The moment I saw that innocent-looking face, I knew.

You’re the protagonist.

Assigning a suitable role.

Lila Merdin (Villain): The protagonist’s sister-in-law

As expected, I’m the villain.

Avoiding the heroine’s gaze, I lifted my head. The window was the same as always, but somehow it seemed to be mocking me.

After dying as an extra, now I’m a villain.

The intention was so obvious that it wasn’t even surprising anymore. The system wanted me to fall into despair again and again. It wanted me to live quietly as an extra without interfering with the original story.

Though for something like that, it kept throwing me together with the original characters. Even if I failed last time, it must think it can succeed this time.

But the system clearly didn’t understand me at all.

As if I’d ever do something like that.

I had to become someone worthy of Helion, yet they were casting me as a villain. I didn’t want to be reduced to such a component.

Ignoring it, I turned my gaze away. The heroine was still staring at me. Feeling conscious of it, I opened my mouth without thinking.

“….”

But no sound came out. After moving my lips silently for a moment, I eventually closed them.

Am I being controlled?

That behavior is not suitable for a villain.

My voice didn’t even come out—how ridiculous. At least when I was an extra, my body hadn’t been controlled like this.

Though my mind had been manipulated.

Anyway, it seemed to be a change that came with becoming a villain. Did villains receive heavier interference from the system?

How far does this control go?

I needed to find out.

“She’s your sister.”

“Ah, hello….”

At Kena’s words, the heroine hurriedly bowed. Even her movements resembled a rabbit. Maybe because she was the heroine, she seemed to glow even without dressing up. I could easily imagine what they intended to use her for.

“Your name.”

“R-Reina…!”

So that much was possible.

It seemed I just had to keep speaking and acting like a villain.

Though the boundary is still vague.

After a moment of thought, I grabbed Reina’s wrist.

“Come with me.”

“Huh?”

“What are you doing?”

But Kena stopped me. Her twisted face revealed her thoughts clearly. Was she wary that Reina might end up like me?

“I was going to show her where she’ll be staying.”

“That’s unnecessary. We’re going to the mansion.”

Perhaps because Reina was there, Gederik suddenly became solemn and stroked the little beard he had left. His arrogant manner was nothing but ominous.

“But it’s still being repaired.”

“I rented another place. It’s ridiculous to live in a hotel like this.”

Kena grimaced as if the thought alone was unpleasant. Her gaze swept across the perfectly clean interior of the hotel.

They had no money as it was, yet they rented a mansion? Did they not know the financial state of the barony? Or had they won a huge sum gambling? But if that were the case, they’d have bragged about it already.

It’s even worse than I imagined.

In some ways they were worse than Leticia. I was so dumbfounded that I closed my mouth.

Kena pointed at me with the fan she snapped shut.

“You’ll come too, so prepare yourself.”

“…Didn’t you say I shouldn’t think of living as a Merdin?”

“That’s right. There won’t be any more money going to you. So stay at home like a doll.”

“So you can sell me off for a high price?”

“You should at least do that much after what you’ve done.”

So I still had some use left. That wasn’t bad for me either. If I wanted to deal with them, it would be easier if I stayed nearby. Katie and Jamie would be horrified, but it couldn’t be helped.

“I’ll go prepare.”

“And that girl?”

“I’ll teach her a few things as her sister.”

“Tsk. Let’s just hope you don’t make her stupid.”

Still, Gederik waved his hand as if to say do whatever you want.

Didn’t it occur to them that I might run away?

Of course, as the villain, I couldn’t do that. If things continued like this, killing them would be easy. It was just that dealing with the aftermath would be troublesome.

The baron and his wife, exhausted from shouting in anger, collapsed onto the sofa. Leaving them behind, I walked outside.

“M-Miss!”

Katie, who had been nervously stamping her feet, quickly greeted me.

“Gasp, your cheek…! I should have gone in instead. If I had, this wouldn’t have happened…!”

“It would have happened anyway.”

“I could have taken the hit for you!”

“I never gave you that right.”

As expected, she didn’t pretend not to notice. Since it didn’t hurt anyway, I pushed Reina forward instead.

“Enough. Wash her.”

“…And this person is?”

“My younger sister.”

Only then did Katie realize it. Her eyes widened, and Jamie’s mouth fell open as well.

At that, Reina’s shoulders shrank. She timidly edged closer to my side.

“Jamie, pack the luggage as soon as you go upstairs.”

“Are we being kicked out?”

“The baron rented a new mansion.”

“…That must be expensive.”

“He must’ve found a good source of money.”

When my gaze shifted toward Reina, Jamie immediately understood the situation. After all, they had been planning to sell me off as well.

“W-What should we do? We can’t send her like this—”

“Stay still.”

For now, she was the protagonist. No immediate danger would come to her. It wouldn’t be too late to intervene after observing the situation.

“Um….”

Was this what a voice like rolling jade beads sounded like? Reina lightly tugged at my collar.

“C-Could I ask… your name?”

Her personality reminded me of Helion from long ago. Was she like this in the original story too?

Maybe I don’t remember because it’s been so long.

I looked at Reina fidgeting with her hands before speaking. It wasn’t a difficult request, so there was no reason to hesitate.

“You don’t need to know.”

That behavior is not suitable for a villain.

Correcting to villain-appropriate behavior.

…Maybe I should have hesitated after all.

Now my words were being changed on their own.

“M-Miss….”

At my cold attitude, Katie glanced nervously at me. Reina, whose courage had just been crushed, looked dejected.

I didn’t feel the need to smooth things over, but Helion came to mind.

I said I’d become someone worthy of him.

I couldn’t just claim to be trying.

“You won’t be here long anyway.”

“…What?”

“So stay quiet and disappear.”

Fortunately, that seemed to count as villain-like dialogue. Though I wasn’t sure if she understood it properly. Would she think I was just picking a fight?

But Reina’s interpretation skills were excellent. After blinking slowly, she suddenly lifted her head.

“Y-Yes! I’ll stay quiet. I can stay quiet…!”

With her platinum hair swaying, Reina hurried after me as I walked. Her pale pink eyes were full of goodwill.

“Miss…!”

“As expected, you’re very thoughtful….”

Everyone seemed to be misunderstanding something.

If they interpret it in a better way, that just makes things easier for me.

It was annoying having to speak carefully so the system couldn’t interfere. But I had promised Helion that I would become someone worthy of him.

There was no helping it.

* * *

After packing the luggage, we were waiting for Reina to finish washing up. My cheek had calmed down after splashing it with cold water.

What should I do about Helion?

That was the bigger problem now. We had agreed to meet, and if he found out I suddenly left, he’d probably misunderstand. I should at least tell him before going.

Maybe I should leave a letter. Since it was important, perhaps meeting briefly would be better.

“How do I look right now?”

“…It’s terrible.”

Jamie shut his eyes tightly as if it was painful just to look.

Even if it had improved, it probably wasn’t a face worth showing.

I’d have to give up on meeting him.

After writing a short letter, I stood up.

“I’ll go out for a moment.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“It’s inside the hotel.”

He understood perfectly that it meant don’t follow me.

Maybe I should leave it with a staff member.